Video Sync & Timecode Display...

[kmlandre]

Hi All-

I've been using the MediaVst solution to sync video in Notion as suggested in other threads on this forum. However, one issue I have is syncing up my spotting times with the timing in Notion.

Recently, I've found a workable solution by burning the timecode into a copy of the video itself. This makes matching up my hit and transition points in Notion much easier.

I've created small utility that calls FFmpeg to write the timecode into every frame of the video itself, and I thought some other folks may find it useful as well.

Time Code Burner - Main Screen

TimeCodeBurnerMainScreen.png (33.2 KiB) Viewed 6196 times

Using it is fairly easy:

1) Determine the location of FFmpeg (this utility comes with a full install of the latest version, or you can choose to use your own pre-existing install).
2) Choose the video file you want to burn timecode into - an output file name will be chosen automatically with "_BITC" (burn in timecode) added, but you can rename it.
3) Choose the font, size, color, and background color. I recommend sticking with black for the background and either white or yellow for the font as that seems to show up best.
4) Click "Burn In Timecode" and the utility will kick off FFmpeg with the appropriate arguments.

Example of Time Code Burner Rendering

TimeCodeBurnExample.png (546.54 KiB) Viewed 6196 times

Depending on the beefiness of your machine, you may want to shrink it down timecode burned video to a smaller WMV format. MediaVst seems stutter less with smaller WMVs. FFmpeg or even Windows Live Movie Maker work just fine for that. I hope to include that option in a later version, but for now you'll have to do it manually.

You can download Time Code Burner from the link below, then unzip the contents to a directory of your choosing:
http://goo.gl/JAKWS

I always recommend scanning any download for virii before installing. Keep in mind - this software is presented AS IS and no warranties or guarantees are offered. Use at your own risk, etc., etc.

Hope someone finds this useful...

Kurt M. Landre'
http://www.soundcloud.com/kmlandre

[kmlandre]

Please Note:

I discovered a bug this morning in that it only correctly burns timecode for 30fps videos.

I think figured out a fix, but it will require writing a routine to query the file and determine the correct frame rate.

Until then, convert your video to a 30fps file to get it to work. There will probably be some visual artifacts, but it should still be high enough quality to work with...

Kurt M. Landre'
http://www.soundcloud.com/kmlandre

[rabidweezil]

Please Note:

I discovered a bug this morning in that it only correctly burns timecode for 30fps videos.

I think figured out a fix, but it will require writing a routine to query the file and determine the correct frame rate.

Until then, convert your video to a 30fps file to get it to work. There will probably be some visual artifacts, but it should still be high enough quality to work with...

Kurt M. Landre'
http://www.soundcloud.com/kmlandre

Try this piece of program to convert your videos to 30fps:
http://www.appgeeker.com
I've used this on quite a number of occassions.

[kmlandre]

Thanks for the tip!

I think I've found a way to do a decent conversion direct from MP4 to WMV with FFmpeg, but I'm still fiddling with the parameters a bit.

This should get me by in the meantime...

Kurt M. Landre'
http://www.soundcloud.com/kmlandre

[Brian2]

Cool.

[kmlandre]

Hi All-

Updated version available here, which fixes the frame rate issue:

http://goo.gl/Xu3nka

Screenshot of new TimeCodeBurner screen...

TimeCodeBurner_screenshot.png (79.75 KiB) Viewed 5998 times

This version will properly burn timecode according to the frame rate of the video, but won't yet convert it to 30fps.

If anyone can figure out the proper FFmpeg arguments to make that happen, please let me know! I'll be sure and put the enhancement in...

The old version has been retired and is no longer accessible.

Thx,

Kurt M. Landre'
http://www.SoundCloud.com/kmlandre