Timecode display on temp copies of footage

[Fuzzplug Jones]

Can't solve this one without help

I'm working on my largest DV project yet; so large that I won't be able to keep around all the DV AVIs to edit with. I would like to convert it all to a lossy format and decide all my edits then go back when I've got a working layout and capture just what I need from the tapes.

I can do the lossy encode part. But I got to thinking, I would like those "temp" working copies to have timecode burned onto them. Now I use Vegas, and its timecode plugin is a joke - no matter where the footage came off the tape, the timecode always starts at 0. If the cut I've pulled off the camera tape starts at 25:45:02.49 I want the timecode to read that.

Am I right in understanding that the tape timecode is captured in DV AVI? If not perhaps that's my biggest problem right there.

I'd like to do this in Vegas or Virtualdub. Also if we can do it in Virtualdub I'd like to know also how to overlay additional text on the picture (like a copyright notice, some of this footage will be made available to others).

Thanks

[guns1inger]

You could use the old fashioned method of viewing the tapes off-line, and creating an edit decision list (EDL) which lists the tape, the timecode and take (if multiple exist). Then all you need to do it transfer the footage listed in the EDL and work from there.

Otherwise, transfer with WinDV instead of Vegas, and use one of the many DV time/datecode tools listed in the DV section of the Tool menu. These can be used to create timecode subs that can be hardcoded into the video proxy clips if necessary.

[Fuzzplug Jones]

Okay, some clarifications:

* Vegas capture utility doesn't write cam timestamps into the AVI but WinDV does?

* You're asking me to create subtitles (eg captions) out of the timecode?

* And then I assume there's some way to make VirtualDub read that subtitle file and display it somewhere on the frame?

* What about overlaying other text with VirtualDub? Or do I need some other tool?

[lordsmurf]

What I do for DV tapes, for major editing, is to dump them to DVD, in 4 hour mode. Just fill up a DVD on the DVD recorder, played from the DV camera.

Then pull out a notebook and take detailed notes. Be sure to mark each tape with a number, number notebook pages, and title the DVD menu entries with numbering to match the tape (and maybe even the notebook page number). I have 3-4 notebooks by my desk at all times, as well as post-it notes to stick to tapes/discs, and then reporter's notepads. Organization is the key here.

Also, don't be too anal on timecodes, just round to the nearest second. Most of your to-the-nanosecond precision will be last minute anyway. You'll figure out what looks best, to that degree of perfection, when actual editing is going on and you've got the video in the timelines.

If space is a problem, the real reason behind your question, go get yourself one of those 400-500GB drives that is external and USB2 or Firewire. Juggling video sources is a major headache that can be easily avoided for very little money.

[guns1inger]

* Vegas capture utility doesn't write cam timestamps into the AVI but WinDV does?

* You're asking me to create subtitles (eg captions) out of the timecode?

* And then I assume there's some way to make VirtualDub read that subtitle file and display it somewhere on the frame?

* What about overlaying other text with VirtualDub? Or do I need some other tool?

I am not asking you to do anything. I am simply giving you options. The tools I suggested can create the subtitles files for you. There are plenty of guides for putting hard subs onto files using common tools like vdub, if you are going to go down the compressed version route.

I just don't see the point of going to this much trouble when there are easier, time trusted methods. LS's DVD suggestion is a good compromise, but simply putting in extra space is easier, if you must have all the footage available at the drop of hat.

[Fuzzplug Jones]

I am not asking you to do anything.

Semantics.

I just don't see the point of going to this much trouble when there are easier, time trusted methods. LS's DVD suggestion is a good compromise, but simply putting in extra space is easier, if you must have all the footage available at the drop of hat.

Well it was because this was a project that was going to be worked on by a group of people, some not as technically savvy as I. I figured this would be an easy way for them to say "I like what so-and-so says at 45:30:19 on tape 6."

From what I've found from googling, I can time/date stamp the footage, but I may not be able to pull the TAPE's timecode (i.e. the timecode the cam lays down). Maybe not a big deal because it's all shot with the same camera (i.e. there won't be time/date overlaps) but I just thought perhaps this would be easier.

And yes I can burn it all to DVD and "take detailed notes" but this is interview footage for a documentary and "taking detailed notes" would pretty much be me timestamping every sentence and transcribing about 40 hours of footage... which I considered before I posted here basically asking "hey, can I get the computer to work for me instead of the other way around?"

Thanks

[guns1inger]

Something else to consider then, as this footage is meant to ne ineterim - Many cameras have the option to hard overlay the timecode on the display when capturing. I know my old Panasonic DV camera does. This is turned off be default, so that while you may see it in the viewfinder or on the LCD display, it isn't present on the transfer. Turn it on, and it comes down the firewire as part of the image. If you can do this, then you don't have to worry about transferring the date or re-encoding with subs.

[mansonic]

I'd recommend you a programme DVdate written by Paul Glagla. It enables to display the date/timecode(from the camera) while playing the avi file or you can burn(stamp) the date/timecode directly to the footage. It's a freeware and it's really easy to use. You can find it for example here:

http://paul.glagla.free.fr/index_en.htm