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How to Export in FCP With the Timecode Burned In

When exporting a video for for a client or a director to review, you can expect that there will be scenes they wish to comment on. It's not uncommon to hear your client say, "I want you to add something there," or "let's cut to something else here." Unless you have a common point of reference, by the end of the session, you are left with a notepad full of adjustments to make "here" and "there," and you may have already forgotten where "here" and "there" were. A more efficient way to identify these points is to use timecode. Timecode identifies each frame of a video by the number of hours, minutes, seconds and frames that have passed. Burning timecode into the video ensures that you have this point of reference available, even outside your video editor.

Instructions

    • 1

      Create a new sequence by control-clicking in your Browser and selecting "New Sequence" from the drop-down menu that appears. You can also choose "File" > "New" > "Sequence," or press Command-N.

    • 2

      Name your sequence. This sequence will contain your project with the burned-in timecode, so give it a name you will be able to identify later.

    • 3

      Go to "Sequence" > "Settings" with your old sequence selected. Note your sequence settings.

    • 4

      Open your new sequence and examine its settings as well. Make sure it matches the settings of your old sequence.

    • 5

      Drag your old sequence from the Browser or Viewer into your new sequence. This creates a nested sequence, which allows you to treat your entire project as one clip instead of many.

    • 6

      Select the clip.

    • 7

      From the "File" menu, choose "Video Filters" > "Video" > "Timecode Generator" or "Timecode Reader." "Timecode Generator" allows you to choose the frame rate you wish to generate, while "Timecode Reader" always uses your projects native frame rate.

    • 8

      Drag the timecode bar that appears on your media to a convenient place in the frame.

    • 9

      Choose the "Effects" tab in the Viewer to view and adjust the timecode parameters, such as the start time, if desired.

    • 10

      Render your sequence.

    • 11

      Export your sequence in a format of your choice. The timecode effect will be burned into your exported video.

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