The Problem with Timecode

Metadata

Publisher: SMPTE — White Plains, NY, USA
Doc Type: Conference Paper
Content Type: Original Research
Volume: 2021, No. 11, pp. 1–20
Abstract: Timecode as it exists today is arbitrary and imprecise, and conflates its role of identifying an individual media element and functioning as a time clock. As we move more and more into file based, cloud first workflows, we need a new time labeling standard that empowers and achieves the same level of complexity that advancements in our video and audio pipelines do. — To address this, we evaluate a number of glaring problems with timecode to understand what problems need solving, and what is required in a new standard. — A new standard needs to be extensible and designed to work inside of a file instead of a video signal. A new standard also needs to address all samples — video frames, audio samples, and data samples — while also avoiding the limitations of a 24-hour clock. Additionally, it should allow for layers in order to track manipulation through a pipeline. A frame or sample should be able to be identified from a delivered file back to its original source. — The creation of a precise time labeling system that allows us not only to provide and accurate sense of when a sample was created, but also by whom and what it is, is required to empower the next generation of digital workflow and creative tools.
Publication Date: 2021-11-09
DOI: 10.5594/M001940
Link: https://doi.org/10.5594/M001940
Author(s): Robert LoughlinSr. Technology Specialist, Innovation, Frame.io, an Adobe Company
Derek SchweickartSr. Workflow Architect, Innovation, Frame.io, an Adobe Company
Keyword(s): Time Code, DCinema, Cloud, Post Production, Production, UTC, Time Label
Copyright: © 2021 Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, Inc.

Bibliographic Reference(s)

IEEE.STD1588.2008 — IEEE Std 1588-2008, IEEE Standard for a Precision Clock Synchronization Protocol for Networked Measurement and Control Systems, 2008 EXTERNAL
ISO 8601-1:2019 [Active]
ISO 8601-2:2019 [Active]
Roe, John H, "The Genlock for Improved TV Programming", RCA Broadcast News, 58:10-11, 1950. EXTERNAL
Anon, "The Evolution of Media Creation: A 10 Year Vision for the Future of Media Production, Post and Creative Technologies", MovieLabs, 2019. EXTERNAL
Symes, Peter, "Beyond SMPTE Timecode: The TLX Project," presented at the SMPTE Standards Series Webcast, White Plains, NY, Feb. 2019. EXTERNAL
Hess, John, "The History and Science of Timecode", YouTube, uploaded by Filmmaker IQ, 3 Apr, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgX_R-JgpJE EXTERNAL
Adee, Sally, "What are Deep Fakes and How Are They Created?", IEEE Spectrum, Apr 2020, https://spectrum.ieee.org/what-is-deepfake. EXTERNAL
CMX, CMX 3600, "Description of the CMX EDL Diskette," Available at: https://xmil.biz/EDL-X/CMX3600.pdf EXTERNAL
SMPTE RDD 46:2019 [Active]
SMPTE ST 12-1:2014 [Active, Stabilized]
SMPTE ST 309:2012 [Active, Stabilized]
SMPTE ST 2065-1:2012 [Superseded]

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<span class="citation">Robert Loughlin and Derek Schweickart; <cite>The Problem with Timecode</cite>, SMPTE Meetings and Conferences ( November 2021); SMPTE, 2021. Available at <a href="https://doi.org/10.5594/M001940" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://doi.org/10.5594/M001940</a></span>

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Robert Loughlin and Derek Schweickart; The Problem with Timecode, SMPTE Meetings and Conferences ( November 2021); SMPTE, 2021
doi: 10.5594/M001940
url: https://doi.org/10.5594/M001940

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Robert Loughlin and Derek Schweickart; <cite id="bib-10-5594-m001940">The Problem with Timecode</cite>, SMPTE Meetings and Conferences ( November 2021); SMPTE, 2021
<span class="doi">10.5594/M001940</span>
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