The History and Science of Timecode

Consider becoming a patron on Patreon!

Timecode is the heartbeat of modern digital video but it didn't really emerge until the final quarter of the 20th century. We explore the rise of timecode, the basics of the structure of timecode and modern applications that can help keep your cameras and recording equipment in sync.

This video is sponsored by Ambient - manufacturers of precise timecode systems.

#Timecode #Synchronization #Filmmaking #Ambient #Sync

[FilmmakerIQ]

Hi everybody! We will be releasing the Filmmaker IQ short film that we talked about in two weeks after the craziness of NAB next week!

[ArielViera]

John, I have to thank you immensely for making these videos. As a now professional Filmmaker, who has no film school background but instead have a Electrical Engineering background, these speak to my soul! You make all of the technical aspects of film as fun and engaging as the artistic aspects. Thank you so much! Keep being awesome!

[imDanoush]

*_One of the best and most informative sponsored video on Youtube so far._*

[squierplayer]

John,
That orchestra example at the end of the video was all the explanation I needed as to why syncing is important. I do a lot of interviews and I always record the lav mic to a Zoom H4N. Then I use the nat sound from the camera to sync with the lav. I’ve never noticed syncing issues, but I’m only sitting about 5 feet away from the person so there must not be too much delay to throw my sync off. If I was a 100 feet away, I’d be having problems! Thank you.

[dbeach]

By far the best discussion of the history of timecode ever. I lived thru many of the early ones from edge numbering to editing 2” tape. Love the new tools..

[twothreebravo]

The technical level of this video was over my head, but I still learned things and that's why I come here. Thanks again :)

[AustinNewman]

I’m a big fan of film history! The detail you put into your research and creation of these educational videos is outstanding.

Keep 👏🏻 it 👏🏻 up!! 🤘🏻

[ernestomayer]

I have to say it. What a spectacular video you've just published, what a topic covering (as usual). From the historical approach to the technical aspect of the content. Now I can understand what means drop frame and non-drop frame in Premiere Sequence setup. Also, there's the final sponsored part, just IMPECCABLE and well presented.
I've been seeing your videos for the last couple of years; all of them are among my favorites. Greetings from Villa Carlos Paz, Argentina.

[Shockedbywater]

I am not even remotely in this industry but these videos are very well done and interesting. For a sponsored video I did not feel the least bit like I was watching an infomercial. So much history along with a real user perspective. Nice job.

[SillanStudios]

I've never found filmmaking videos as good and as clear as these! Thank you so much for all the work you put in!!

[alexesteh]

That moment when the advertisement for the sponsor is not only smoothly integrated but an essential part of the lecture itself.

[AmbientRecording]

Thanks for the great collab John! You basically told the complete story around timecode. Hope to meet you soon at NAB!

[monteprideproductions]

I don't know where to start. Your videos are amazing and so informative. I have learned so much and am so thankful that you do what you do.

[maltoNitho]

Fascinating. Thank you!! Even the ad was really interesting.

[imark]

I did a local talent show and semi last minute with two cameras and occasionally pulled out my iPhone. I had room audio and mixer audio recorded direct on the mixer. And I painstakingly manually synced the whole darn thing. The worst part figuring out where I grabbed a little 10 second snippets from my phone. Having borrowed professional-ish cameras for this event and knowing that there was some sort of syncing capability but not having time do you research and implement. I also started wondering if I could rig something up and guess what I pretty much came up with the same concept on the cheap in my head over FM radio but I didn't have time to implement anything but it would've been better than manually syncing. Anything would've been better than manually syncing.

This was a nice little gem of a video that I didn't get to watch yet so glad I finally dug it out of my watch later list.

[basinstreetdesign]

Very good explanation of (almost) everything that goes into Time Code for video. I spent over 4 years designing and building TC equipment in the late 70's. This was the time largely before software or computers in broadcast video and when drop-frame code held sway there was a vile gnashing of teeth and cursing from editors and producers and anybody else that had to deal with it. It wasn't till the late '80s when SW would make everybody's life easier.
But I noticed that you failed to mention that there is still some in-exactitude between drop-frame TC time and real time after 1 hr, after 1 day since the relationship between them incurs a repeating decimal due to the frame rate of 29.97299729972997... and cannot be easily reconciled in hardware OR software. There must also be some who are wondering why this weird frame rate exists at all. That is a convoluted story in itself.

[brettturner]

Thank you John and the production team, crystal clear explanation and very enjoyable.

[MovieMationStudios]

Thanks for another great breakdown of a complex and very practical topic! You sir are an artist of a teacher!

[FindLiberty]

Yep, I lived it too from Ampex 1" days thru CMX EDL, Datatron, Umatic and the Microtime 2020 TBC. Nice job covering this topic!

[ruleexe]

Wow... I really did enjoy this video. Now am going to pay attention to TIMECODE...