OneTaskBy Tim King · Updated
Burn Timecode into Video
Visible Running HH:MM:SS:FF Timecode for Review Copies and Client Notes
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How the Burn Timecode into Video works
This tool lets you burn timecode into video so every frame shows its own HH:MM:SS:FF position. Editors send these "window burn" copies to clients, directors and translators so notes can point to an exact frame. Set the frame rate and start timecode, add an optional label, and download the review copy.
Why burn timecode into video
When someone watches a review copy on a phone or in a browser, the player's own clock is often rounded to the second, or missing entirely. A burnt-in timecode is part of the picture, so it shows up in every player, survives screenshots, and lets feedback say "at 00:01:12:14" with no doubt about which frame is meant.
Matching your edit
Pick the same frame rate as your project and set the start timecode to match the sequence. Many broadcast timelines start at 01:00:00:00 or 10:00:00:00, so the review copy lines up with the editor's timeline. The label is handy for a version number, reel name or "NOT FOR BROADCAST".
Frame rates
Choose 25 or 50 for PAL regions, 24 or 23.976 for film, and 29.97, 30 or 60 for NTSC regions and most phone footage. The count is non-drop-frame: 29.97 counts 30 frame numbers per second, so it slowly drifts from wall-clock time on very long clips.
Placement
Bottom centre is the usual spot for a window burn. Move it to a corner if it covers subtitles or important action, and use the solid box for footage with bright, busy backgrounds.
FAQ
Is the burnt-in timecode frame accurate?
It is calculated from the video's playback position on every frame, so it matches the source closely. Because the page records the clip in real time, a heavily loaded computer can occasionally drop a frame, so check a few frames against your edit before relying on exact frame numbers.
Is my footage uploaded to add the timecode?
No. The video is played and recorded inside your browser and never leaves your device. That makes it suitable for unreleased edits, client work and footage under a non-disclosure agreement.
Does it support drop-frame timecode?
No. It writes non-drop-frame timecode with colons for every frame rate. For 29.97 and 59.94 work that must match a drop-frame timeline exactly, the count will gradually drift by about 3.6 seconds an hour.
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