Timecode is a way to label and locate a specific frame or moment in video. Adobe describes it as a system for labelling and tracking individual frames or moments in a sequence. A typical display shows hours, minutes, seconds and frames. helpx.adobe.com

Timecode helps editors refer to an exact point in footage. It can be useful when reviewing takes, sharing notes or working with several cameras and separate audio recordings.

How timecode helps an edit

Suppose a director asks you to check a moment at 00:03:12:08. The display points to a location in the clip or sequence, making it easier to find than scrubbing through the whole video.

In a multi-camera project, timecode can help align recordings when the cameras or recorder have been set up to share matching time information. The exact workflow depends on the equipment and software. A matching timecode display alone does not prove that recordings are synchronised correctly.

Timecode and audio sync

For small shoots, editing software may synchronise camera and recorder audio by comparing waveforms. Scratch audio or a clap can provide a reference. Timecode is another method, often used when a production has multiple recording devices or needs a structured handoff.

Check the camera, recorder and editing-software documentation before a shoot. Confirm that devices use compatible frame-rate and timecode settings, and test the setup before relying on it. RouteNote’s guide to scratch audio explains how reference sound can help sync picture and separate audio. Once your edit is organised, browse RouteNote Licensing for music and sound effects.