[Now released]: Linear timecode support

[Fergus H]

Linear timecode (LTC) support is now available in Premiere Pro Beta. LTC is encoding of timecode data in an audio signal. It is useful for ensuring accurate synchronization of multiple video and audio sources. 

Two Premiere Pro operations benefit from LTC support: creating multi-camera source sequences and synchronizing clips. 

In the Clips > Create Multi-Camera Source Sequence dialog, we have added an “Other Timecode” popup menu, with the option to choose LTC. Choosing this option will synchronize the clips using the timecode in the audio track of the clip. 

In the Clips > Synchronize dialog, we have not yet added an option to directly choose LTC. To use LTC with Clip > Synchronize, you must first select the clips you want to synchronize, then select Clip > Modify > Timecode > Linear Timecode (LTC). With that done, select the clips on the timeline, then go to Clip > Synchronize > Timecode and click on Ok. Note that the display of the timecode in the Synchronize dialog is not accurate; this will be fixed in a future beta. However, the synchronization process will use the correct timecode and your clips will be accurate aligned. 

We’d love to get your feedback on this feature! We’re also interested to know what hardware devices you’re using to generate linear timecode. 

Regards,

Fergus

[Fotodesign-Wieboldt]

Some more testing: Sorry, I have to correct. My Y-cable had a defect and that results a weaker Left Channel. 
This defect reduced the sound level. Therfore it was VALID, as the Right Channel was override and not valid for LTC interpretation!
Meanwhile, I build the adapter for  reducing the signal. Three test files are produced: "LTC-on-Left", "LTC-on-Right" and Jesses configuration "LTC-on-left plus Sound-on Right" - which is a recommended way in case of a Sound backup for TC problems! -> Result: All three works fine.  You will find test files attached.
Note: With using a Y-Splitter cable, the Sony additional mic power is no longer supported!
Attached, I add a new cable plan for Level Reduction for Zoom F6 or Sony FX6.
Note: Zoom F6 has the LTC output on left channel and LTC input on its right channel. Don't short-circuit L+R! 

As Upload size is too big, please download from WeTransfer: https://we.tl/t-utTxvQFYlE

Regards,

Christoph

[JuanJuig]

Hi,

it would save me so much time if the LTC option under modify --> timecode of clips would work for me. I can't figure out, why the option is greyed out for me.

In the attached picture, you can see, that the LTC timecode is on audio channel 3 of the video file that I'm trying to modify. If I export the clip to h264 and import it back into Premiere, I am able to modify the timecode. Without changing anything before exporting. 

How can I make the original clip with 4 mono audio channels to work without transcoding? Please help.

[Fotodesign-Wieboldt]

All my troubles with LTC option is greyed out, was caused by level problems.
Attached an example with a valid LTC signal on upper channel L and a sound signal (Mic) on channel R. Both are nearly same level.  see second picture 
This example was detected as valid LTC file. Therefore, LTC option was activ (not greyed out)!  
Regards,
Christoph

[JuanJuig]

That's interesting. However in my case the levels shouldn't be the problem. If I export the clip into the for example h264 format and leave the audio levels as they are, when I re-import that clip, the LTC option is no longer greyed out.

I would like to modify the timecode without transcoding the clip in any way. 

[Chris Spiegl]

I also find that there are still many cases lacking with the LTC implementation.

I have been able to sync a little bit (latest beta downloaded today), select LTC in the "modify" menu… but then on the timeline nothing syncs on LTC and the "media start" is not updated. Then, I restart PP Beta and the media start is updated…

I hope that this is ironed out more and improved significantly in the coming updates.

[Fergus H]

@Chris Spiegl I sent you an email with a suggest we get on a video call to discuss. 

"select LTC in the "modify" menu… but then on the timeline nothing syncs on LTC"

Can you provide more info about what other steps you're doing? For example, how are you attempting to do the sync? 

Regards,

Fergus

[Fergus H]

@JuanJuig Could you provide a link to a file that's not working for you? Also, when you export the file, then import it back into Premiere Pro, is the arrangement of audio tracks different? Or does it look exactly like the original file? 

Regards,

Fergus

[JuanJuig]

Here is one of the many files that I'm unable to modify (LTC timecode):
https://we.tl/t-kyy0QMc34A

Yes, the arrangement of audio tracks is different. But I'm assuming that shouldn't be a factor, since the LTC timecode should be recognised on any of the tracks? If that is not the case it would be good to add an option to choose which audio track to analyse.

[Fergus H]

Thanks. Can you tell me the source of this file? Did it come from a camera and if so, which one? 

Update

I wanted to let you know that we've been able to duplicate the issue you're see and we're working to fix it in an updated beta. 

[JuanJuig]

The file is a proxy that I created from a R3D file, shot with Komodo X.

Ok, great. How often do these kinds of upgrades happen?

Thank you for your replies and for taking the time to adress the issue. 

[Fergus H]

@JuanJuig We usually release a new beta each day. The fix for this particular issue will probably arrive early next week. 

Regards,

Fergus

[JuanJuig]

@Fergus H Hi, I updated my beta version to the latest one and the fix for the issue seems to not have been added yet. Do you perhaps know if it will be added soon?

[Fergus H]

@JuanJuig the fixes for several LTC issues have not yet made it into the public beta. You should see a new public beta early next week. 

Regards,

Fergus

[Fotodesign-Wieboldt]

Hi Fergus,
I add tests with saving LTC on a Sony FS5 camcorder. That can export TC but not import.

Sound level is no problem, as it can switch between line and mic level. TC generator were a Sony FX6 camcorder as well a Zoom F6 voice recorder as tested before to send their LTC signal to a Sony A7M4.
However,  at the FS5 file the LTC option is greyed out.

I would like to provide you with the produced MXF example file, butMXF files are not allowed to upload.  How can I send you  such a file?

Regards,

Christoph

[Fergus H]

Hi Christoph, 

You could zip the MXF file and provide a upload link to the zip file. 

Regards,

Fergus

[Fotodesign-Wieboldt]

Hi Fergus,

Thanks for the tip. But unfortunately, for safety reason zip.files are not supported as well to upload in this forum. 

Honestly, MXF is the file type of most of Sony's professional camcorder of the cine line and a broadcast format as well...

I tested as well the workaround to faike the file type to one of the provided ones, but your safety check found out my manipulation and blocked the upload.

Any idea else?

Would WeTransfer be fine for you? https://we.tl/t-u0d7Z31ylN

Regards,

Christoph

[Fergus H]

@Fotodesign-Wieboldt sorry, I was confused: I didn't realized you were trying to upload an MXF to this forum. 

The WeTransfer link worked perfectly. In the latest beta of Premiere Pro (v25; just posted today), the file you provided via WeTransfer worked fine: the LTC option was available. Perhap you can try the v25 beta and let me know if it works for you too. 

Regards,

Fergus

[Fotodesign-Wieboldt]

Hi Fergus,

Thanks! With Premiere Pro (v25) LTC recognition and synchronisation works fine on MXF files as well!

Unfortunately, with v25 another bug seamed to found its way with MXF files, that are modified to LTC: "Frame substitution errors" - see attached  error messages..

For testing, take my MXF file I sent you last. Since v25 you get this errors.

Regards,

Christoph

[Fergus H]

@Fotodesign-Wieboldt We've made some changes in the v25 beta that we think should fix the frame substition errors. Please use Creative Cloud Desktop to update your Premiere Pro beta to at least build 29 and let us know if you still see the issue. 

Regards,

Fergus

[Fotodesign-Wieboldt]

Good Morning Fergus,
I checked the issue and it seemed the problem is solved! 👍

Thanks and Regards,

Christoph

[wildbill]

Seems to be working well for my situation.  2 cameras & 2 audio field recorders with direct timecode input, 3 cameras with timecode recorded to audio track (LTC).  I love that I can multi-select all the camera files with LTC and then "modify" their timecode in one shot.  Everything then lays out perfectly on the multi-camera timeline.
This is a HUGE time saver / efficiency boost.  Thanks for finally adding it!

[Fergus H]

Hi all!

Premiere Pro v25 is now available in beta. It has all of the updates we've made to LTC support, fixing - we think! - the issues that people in this thread have raised. We'd love to get your feedback...and hugely appreciate the feedback you've already given: you've made a real impact on the quality of our LTC support. 

Information about the v25 beta is available here: https://community.adobe.com/t5/premiere-pro-beta-discussions/beta-version-25-out-now/td-p/14781278. 

Regards,

Fergus

[hermesinthesky]

Is it possible to synchronize sources that have a mix of SMPTE and LTC? I have 3 sources: 1) a camera (C70) with SMPTE, 2) a camera with LTC (EOS R), and 3) an audio recording (from a Zoom H6) with LTC. All were synced with TC-1s. But I'm having trouble creating the synchronization (or the multicam sequence) in Premiere. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

[Fergus H]

Yes! This is already possible. We've made the explanation clear in the final documentation but in short, follow the steps I described in the original post: 

"To use LTC with Clip > Synchronize, you must first select the clips you want to synchronize, then select Clip > Modify > Timecode > Linear Timecode (LTC). With that done, select the clips on the timeline, then go to Clip > Synchronize > Timecode and click on Ok."

In your situation, the only change to the message above is that you should just select the clips that are using LTC, then follow the steps above. 

Regards,

Fergus

[hermesinthesky]

Thanks for the guidance. Unfortunately, I'm still having trouble making it work. It's entirely possible it's my timecode workflow, but I'm not having any luck. Let me document what I'm doing and maybe you can point out where my error is.

• In the Project bin, select the clips that use LTC
• Select Clip > Modify > Timecode > Linear Timecode (LTC) **Should I notice anything happen at this point? Because it appears that nothing happens.
• Place all clips on the timeline, including ones with SMPTE TC as well as LTC
• Arrange clips so that each one is on its own track
• Select all clips in Timeline, then go to Clip > Synchronize > Timecode and click OK **One of two things has happened at this point: 1) "Timecode" is selected, but greyed out. 2) "Timecode" is not selected, but still greyed out. When I click OK, some of the clips completely disappear off the timeline, OR the clips sync improperly (they're just lined up at the head of the clips).