Arrrr! I need a timecode reader for OS X

[doccutter]

Hey Folks, does anyone know of a preferably shareware program that will read timecode off of firewire? All I want is a large window that ticks off the timecode coming off the HVX in a live feed, since I can't get the HVX to output timecode over s-video while recording. Any ideas? The key is the timecode window needs to be large, so my transcriber can read the timecode to referece while she transcrbes.

[BenB]

In FCP, and most NLE's, once captured, you can put a TC Generator that will display the TC. Don't know of any shareware or freeware that does this. There's also this new little puppy I'm looking into myself. It's called Big Time.

http://www.eventdv.net/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=12288

[doccutter]

Yeah, I know about big time, the problem is I need something that will display live timecode from an external source, not the timecode of already captured media. I think after I came home I figured out a solution: run firewire to my sony deck, then run the video output to a monitor, then have the sony deck display timecode, but I must admit it's pretty frustrating that the HVX won't output timecode when it's recording. Whose brilliant idea was that?

[BenB]

Actually, you can. But you get all the other display info, too. And it records the image that way. So your transcriber has to see TC during recording? That sounds like a unique situation. My transcriptions are always done in post, not during the shoot.

[doccutter]

Ben,

How do you get the HVX to output all the OSD info WHILE RECORDING? As soon as you hit the record button, the osd information goes away. Yes, I had people doing realtime transcription, including a certified courtroom transcriptionist.

[BenB]

Dosen't on-set transcription cost more?
Does the HVX drop the overlays when you hit record? I assumed it wouldn't.

I've never had to do so much post work on-set during recording...

[doccutter]

Well, it was a unique situation. The proceedings were being transcribed anyway, so I wanted to link the transcription with the timecode being laid to tape to make subsequent logging and capturing easier. Yes, the HVX disables the OSD output when you hit record.