Timecode gives a unique reference number to each frame of video or
audio signal and is the basis for synchronizing sound and picture and
for referencing material in post production.
Introduced in 1967 by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers SMPTE time code is an 8 digit number recorded alongside each video frame which uniquely identifies that frame in terms of hours, minutes, seconds and frames. Eg. 01:10:05:11 refers to the frame located at time code 1 hour 10 minutes 5 seconds and 11 frames. These time code references are used for shot logging on location to identify where sequences are in the
rushes. Time code is also vital during the editing process to mark edit points and to create the
EDL.
