User guide

2-19

Basics

2.10 About Source Timecode

Some file formats for clips, e.g. *.dpx files, are capable of storing more

information than just their image content. These information are usu-

ally written in a specified format into the file headers which can be read

and interpreted by different software applications that support these

kind of information. Among the information stored you can find, for

example, the name of the creator (usually the program that created the

files), the creation time and date, and the timecode.

Most of the data stored in file headers and transmitted to the VENICE

server during a capturing will only be recorded and given back again

during a play-out, if appropriate. However, DVS especially makes use

of the timecode information.

Timecode information stored in file headers (the so-called source time-

code) can be used in the VENICE client software. For example, you can

use clips that provide source timecodes during the play-out of a playlist

and regardless of the current position they will always show their source

timecode. Then, prior to a play-out you can decide whether the internal

timecode should be given out as a timecode signal or the source time-

codes provided by the files.

Normally, image files capable of storing timecode information provide

space for one timecode only in their header (generic source timecode).

DVS systems, however, are able to receive (e.g. during a record) several

timecodes incorporated in signals at various connectors. During a write

procedure, i.e. when recording clips (*.dpx files), they will write the re-

ceived timecode information into the file headers. The ones additionally

received will be stored at a location for user defined data in the header

and usually cannot be interpreted by applications other than the ones

developed by DVS. When processing such clips afterwards, for in-

stance, with another DVS system, you may select between the various

timecodes provided by the clips which may give you more control over

their position in a timeline.

The DVS software supports additional information such as

source timecode in the *.dpx, *.mov as well as *.mxf and

Broadcast Wave file formats. However, some features (e.g.

multiple timecodes or the editing of header data) are available

for *.dpx files only.

With the help of Spycer the header data, such as timecode or

keycode information, can be adjusted to your liking (see

“Spycer” user guide for more information).

Audio files equipped with source timecode usually provide a

start timecode only. Subsequent timecodes will be calculated

and drop-frame timecodes are currently not supported.