Timecode query

[HMV]

Hi Guys

Does any of you more experienced video editors know of a way I can get the time code (date/hours/mins/secs) overlay that I can easily record from my Sony DCR-HC96 camcorders via the AV outs but will not show on recordings copied via the better quality USB link. I have various software available - Sony's own, Adobe Premier Elements 3 etc. but none even mention this. Basically I am trying to copy footage from the cameras to DVD using the best quality method possible but to have the time code visible at all times on the recording.

Any ideas or advice much appreciated. I am sure that there are others out there that use digital camcorders to record technical subjects that have overcome this problem!

Thanks in advance -

HMV

[ginger113]

I'm afraid I'm not very up on domestic cameras, but when you connect the camera/VTR output via the phonos cable, can you not just put up the viewfinder display and it shows on output? I know that will mean it shows everything including battery and tape status, which in this case is not very helpful, but is one way of getting what you need. If you can do that, and to be honest, the fact that it has timecode at all, then there may be a way of toggling it so that only some of the information is displayed, such as timecode? Really is just a stab in the dark.

[senu]

Im by no means an "experienced " video editor but Ive faced this query in the recent past
There is a similar thread here by John103157

Ive been trying to find any answers to that query but find that DV ( not USB) does carry timecode but not Date time stamp
The timecode is not shown on edited material as it is effectively removed.
The best I can think of is Digitised S-video material which though has less PQ than a direct digital transfer is analogue and will carry date stamp info which can be Re digitised as DV AVI and used as such.

[HMV]

Thanks for the advice guys. Senu - your idea of using S-Vhs as a compromise is something I've considered and now will go for. A shame to have a v good digital original then turn into an analogue signal then redigitise it again, though!

I'll carry on researching - some software/hardware must be capable of keeping the time code or day date on screen!

[redsox_mark]

This free utility will allow you to display the date code from your original footage

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

(date code, not timecode; time code is the position on the tape).

The date code is included in the information transferred to the PC.

Senu is right that if the material is previously edited the date code is generally lost at that point.

[senu]

Thanks Mark

Fascinating utilities:

and even better

they are free

: have you used it though?

[redsox_mark]

Hi Senu,

Yes, I've used DVdate, and it works. It's not something I use a lot (normally I would manually add some text with the date if I needed it).

It is very simple to use. Just drop your clips onto it, click a button to add the date, and do "convert, inlay". That renders a new clip in the same DV avi format as the source clip but with the date burned in.

Doesn't work for HDV though...

[HMV]

Hi Guys

Just a note to say thanks for the advice - I've downloaded Paul Glagla's DVDDate which is useful but I also found a plug-in for Premier Elements which is my video editor of choice:- http://www.dvdate.ru/ - cost me £12 but works really well.

Thanks again.