Time and Timecode

Time and Timecode are used throughout Hippotizer though they are often confused.

Timecode

To quote the Wikipedia:

A timecode (alternatively, time code) is a sequence of numeric codes generated at regular intervals by a timing synchronization system.

There are several types of timecode commonly used in video, including LTC, MIDI and VITC. In every case, the timecode is received by a hardware or software decoder for translation into Hippotizer’s framework.

Additional information about receiving timecode can be found here.

The most common type of Timecode is Linear Time Code (LTC), which is embedded within an audio signal. As such LTC is often carried on standard audio connectors such as XLR cables. LTC can be received into Hippotizer over audio input, an internal card, or an external device such as a Mif4 or TC-5. In each case the Timecode signal is received by the local Sync Manager for distribution to local and networked Hippotizers.

Timecode in Hippotizer is comprised of two pieces; time and format. Time is simply a clock from 00:00:00;00 to 23:59:59;59 while format indicates the frame rate used such as 25FPS or 29.97.

Whenever timecode is displayed within Hippotizer it will show the time and format.

Starting from 0 or 1

A long standing point of confusion is the seemingly simply question: what number is the first frame of a clip? Is it frame 0 or frame 1?

If the first frame of a clip is frame 1 then the total number of frames in a sequence is simply the last frame number; making counts easier. It also simplifies the setting of an out-frame: if the desired last frame is the 30th frame then set the outpoint to frame 30. This is the convention used by most of Hippotizer.

The exception is timecode, which starts at time 0.

The result is that timecode time 1 second of a 30FPS clip correctly returns the 31st frame.