FCP X: Export Source Timecode

Timecode, which is a label that uniquely identifies each frame in a video clip, is essential to editing. (Even if you don’t pay attention to it, Final Cut Pro X needs to know what the timecode is for every clip.)

FCP X makes it easy to see the timecode for your project – just look in the Toolbar in the middle of the screen.

THE PROBLEM

The Toolbar displays the timecode of the project, if the skimmer (or playhead) is in the Timeline; or the timecode of the source clip, if the skimmer (or playhead) is in the Event Browser.

However, while it is easy to see the timecode of the Timeline, there’s no way to display the source clip’s timecode once it is edited into the Timeline. But, there is an interesting workaround that you may find useful. I discovered it while researching a recent PowerUP Webinar covering Final Cut Pro X training.

We now have the ability to export a clip from the Event Browser with burned-in timecode, which can be sent to other members of the production team – such as producers or directors – so they can review and comment on the clips. This technique can also be used for compound clips.

DEFINITION: “Burned-in Timecode” means to permanently display the timecode of a clip as part of the video of a clip. While this is never used as part of the final edit, it is a very common procedure to use when reviewing clips and sequences.

Here’s a summary of the workflow:

• Create a Compressor setting that both compresses a clip and burns-in clip timecode.
• Add that compression setting to Final Cut Pro’s Share menu
• Share (Export) the files into which you want to burn timecode using this setting.

Here’s how this works.

MODIFY A COMPRESSOR COMPRESSION SETTING

The key to this technique is adding a single compression filter to a new or existing setting in Compressor. So, either create your own compression setting, or start with an existing preset.

In this case, to keep things simple, we’ll start with an existing preset: Apple > Apple Devices > HD for Apple Devices (10 Mbps).

Then, because we want to change the setting, right-click it and select Duplicate. (Apple-originated settings can’t be changed.)

Scroll down to the Custom section of the Settings tab, locate the copy of the setting, and select it.

Click the Filters icon in the Inspector. This displays all the filters we can apply to the video, audio, or color space of a clip during compression.

Scroll down until you find the Timecode Generator filter and turn it on by checking the checkbox.

Click the Position menu and select where you want the Timecode to appear – I tend to like the Upper Right – Title Safe option.

NOTE: An advantage of using an Apple Devices setting is that passes through the image size, frame rate, and scanning without making any changes.

Click the Save button in the lower right corner of the Inspector to save your changes so far.

To help size and position the text, drag a clip into the Task bar of Compressor (or click the Add File icon in the top left corner) so that your image appears in the Preview window. (This part is optional, and the exact clip you use is not important.)

Back in the Timecode Generator filter settings, click the Select Font button and size the timecode so it can be easily read.

If necessary, change its color by clicking the Text Color chip.

Verify that the timecode looks the way you want by checking the results in the Preview window.

To make this setting easier for me to remember, I changed the name of the setting at the top of the Inspector to: “Burn-In Timecode and Compress”

When the timecode is sized and positioned the way you want, save the setting.

NOTE: Saving the setting is important. Settings only appear in Final Cut once they have been saved.

DOUBLE-CHECK

If you don’t see the Timecode displayed in the Preview window make sure that:

• You have imported a clip into Compressor and you’ve applied your setting to it.
• You have saved the setting with the Timecode filter turned on
• You have positioned the Timecode so it appears on the right side of the image
• You have adjusted the size so it is easy to read.
• You have adjusted the color so it stands out from the background.
• You have adjusted the thumb slider (normally in the top middle of the Preview window) so that the Preview window is divided into two sections.

ADD THIS SETTING TO THE SHARE MENU

Once the compression setting is created, we need to tell Final Cut Pro X to use it.

NOTE: This technique can be used for any Compressor setting.

Go to Final Cut Pro > Preferences > Destinations (this tab is new with the 10.0.6 update.) Click the Add Destination button at the lower left.

This displays all the different compression options that FCP X has available.

Drag the Compressor Settings icon from the right into the list of compression options on the left.

A dialog opens allowing you to select the compression setting you want to apply. In the Custom category, select the Burn-in Timecode and Compress setting we just created in Compressor.

This destination is now added to the list on the left.

NOTE: You can change the order of how these are displayed by dragging settings up or down in the left-hand panel, which I’ve done here.

Click the close button in the top left corner of Preferences to close the Preferences window.

Now, whenever you want to export a clip with burned-in Timecode, select the clip in the Event Browser and choose File > Share > Burn-in Timecode and Compress.

SEVERAL NOTES

• Once you’ve created this setting, you can reuse it as many times as you want. To create a clip with burned-in timecode is as easy as going to File > Share > Burn-in Timecode and Compress.
• You can only export one clip at a time.
• You CAN export compound clips using this technique, which allows you to export multiple clips at one time.
• By definition, “burning-in” timecode makes it a permanent part of the clip, which can not be removed. However, this technique always creates a copy of your master clip, so you always retain a version of the clip without timecode.
• You can only use this technique with clips in the Event Browser. Exporting from the Timeline generates Timeline timecode, not source clip timecode.
• This technique will become even more valuable when Apple gives us the ability to export multiple clips at the same time.

SUMMARY

Once this setting is created you have several options to burn timecode into a clip:

• You can create a Compressor droplet to automate the process, which, for me, is the fastest method.
• You can drag clips directly into Compressor and apply the setting.
• Or, you can apply the setting directly in Final Cut Pro X and take advantage of background processing to have Final Cut export your media, add the timecode and store it to the destination you specify.

The cool thing is that, however you decide to do it, adding source timecode as part of your clip is easy.

 

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