Timestamp data in MOV (QT) files?

[terrypin]

I like to rename my photos and movie clips so that filenames clearly show the timestamp. I don't usually have problems with my JPG stills. But movie clips have started causing me some confusion and I'd appreciate any clarification others can offer please.

Up until recently all my photos and video clips have been taken on my Canon Ixus 220 HS; JPG and MOV (QT) files respectively. I usually rename these correctly in Bulk Rename Utility (BRU), including the videos.

So for example this test clip MVI_6670.MOV, taken with the Canon at about 13:20 UK BST (GMT/UTC + 1) has been renamed to 20140627-132106.MOV. For those of you who are familiar with it, BRU is set to use 'Modified (Curr)', with an 'Offset' of +1. (I have to remember to change that twice yearly.)

MediaInfo reports this:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4019461/CanonMOVinMediaInfo.jpg
(10 lines of info)

All fine so far.

But recently I've started to use my iPad for a few of my clips and that's thrown a spoke in the works.

For example IMG_1404.MOV taken at about 14:20 UK BST is shown by BRU (using the setting I use for my Canon MOVs) as 20140627-154109.MOV, which appears to be the standard 'Modified' date plus 1, so useless. Nor do any of the other BRU settings work.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4019461/iPadMOVinBRU.jpg

MediaInfo reports this:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4019461/iPadMOVinMediaInfo.jpg
(10 lines of info)

Given that both Canon and iPad file formats are QT in an MOV container, am I right therefore in concluding that it is the camera that determines what timestamp data gets written? No consistent standard on which I can rely?

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK

[Cornucopia]

Correct. Actually, it is the writing app/firmware. There are "standards" but there are enough of them that YMMV.

Some cams record Timecode (smpte/ebu or otherwise), some record a starting "timestamp" (both as metadata tracks/streams SEPARATE from V+A), some use the container created start stamp, some the container modified start stamp, some use an ENDING stamp. Some don't really do any at all (though they may include this info in other areas, as in the case of some AVCHD clips which keep that in the CLIP List info).

Figure out how it works for a particular cam, and follow that protocol when using footage from that cam, then follow different rules for different cams. Maybe even do it manually.

Sorry, that's the way it goes...

Scott

[terrypin]

Thanks Scott, appreciate that fast and clear explanation.

Terry, East Grinstead, UK