Burned in timecode - HOW?

[synaptic]

I am doing behavioural research, and as such, have videos of interacting animals. They were recorded using a Sony camera (unsure of exact model) directly onto mini DVDs (1.46 GB VOB). I need to analyze the videos frame-by-frame (and multiple times for the same clip), and to do that, I need to convert them to .avi (or similar). My problem, however, is the timecode. If I convert them, the timecode info is lost. Because I need frame-accurate timecode information, I would like to burn the timecode into the image in the original VOB file before conversion - or something that produces the same result. I have been fiddling around with a variety of programs - the latest and most promising is DVD-lab - but I just can't figure it out. I am pretty new to video editing, so it would be of great assistance if any reply could be geared toward the beginner. Thanks in advance.

Heather

[filmboss80]

The Mac-based Final Cut Pro editing program will display a timecode window on the video. That may be your best bet. You've aroused my curiosity about how timecode is stored in the VOB file of the source. (Actually, I didn't know it was possible, other than a random time counter. Most of us who care at all about timecode tend to shoot on tape.)

If you convert to DV avi, you can certainly have frame-by-frame output, for which any video editing program ought to generate timecode. (DVD-Lab is a DVD authoring program, NOT a video editor. There IS a difference.) A digital conversion to AVI would indeed lose any peripheral, non-video info contained in the source VOB, but a new timecode could be generated. Is there something specific and exacting in the source video that must be retained? If so, consider an analog transfer of the miniDVD playback (out of an S-Video cable to a recorder or PC), displaying the timecode on your playback device as you make the recording to a format that better allows frame-by-frame analysis.

[poisondeathray]

Similar to filmboss80's query, is this data stored and embedded on the actual VOB, or is it an peripheral overlay like a counter that can be reset?

Did you want SMPTE codes (hours:minuteseconds:frame) or framecount codes ? You can do this fairly easily & free with avisynth or ffdshow's OSD if the timecode you are referring to is upon playback (not information contained in the VOB). After Effects and Premiere also have a timecode effects filter (it basically overlays the timecode).

If you want the codes "embedded" or (burnt in permanently), you will have to re-encode. What is your end format goal? i.e. what program / hardware /device are you using to analyze this? (e.g. PC software player, DVD player etc...)

[synaptic]

I'm not sure if the info is actually embedded in VOB, peripheral to it, or there at all (stuff I had been reading seemed to suggest that the timecode info should be included somewhere with the original data, but admittedly, most of what I was reading had to do with DV and not VOB) - as it turns out, it doesn't matter I got what I needed from avisynth... thanks so much for the help!!