Setting the Time Code

Depending on the frame rate used, you may be able to select between a drop frame and non-drop frame time code signal. The default mode varies depending on the country/region of purchase and, though the time code display style is different for DF and NDF, in this article the NDF display style is used for simplicity's sake.

Selecting the Time Code Mode

1. Open the time code [Mode] submenu.
   Setup screen: TC  [OPTIONS]  [Mode]
   Monitoring menu: EVF  [System Setup] ()  [Time Code]  [Mode]
2. Select the desired option and then press SET.
   
   Options

   [Preset]:	The time code starts from an initial value you can select in advance. The default initial time code is 00:00:00:00.
   [Regen]:	The camera will read the selected recording media and the time code will continue from the last time code recorded on the recording media. The time code runs only while recording so clips recorded consecutvely on the same recording media will have continuous time codes.

​ NOTES

• When the main recording format is set to [ProRes (CFast)] and a CFast card is not inserted in the camera, sub recording clips will not be recorded even if an SD card is inserted in the camera. For this reason, when the time code running mode is set to [Regen.], the last time code recorded on the SD card will not be read.

Setting the Time Code Running Mode

If you set the time code mode to [Preset], you can select the time code running mode.

1. Open the time code [Run] submenu.
   Setup screen:TC  [OPTIONS]  [Run]
   Monitoring menu: EVF  [System Setup] ()  [Time Code]  [Run]
2. Select the desired option and then press SET.
   
   Options

   [Rec Run]:	The time code runs only while recording so clips recorded consecutively on the same recording media will have continuous time codes.
   [Free Run]:	The time code starts running the moment you press SET and keeps running regardless of the camera's operation.

   
    

Setting the Time Code's Initial Value

If you set the time code mode to [Preset], you can set the initial value of the time code.

1. Open the time code setting screen.
   Setup screen:TC  [SET TC]
   Monitoring menu: EVF  [System Setup] ()  [Time Code]  [Setting]  [Set]^{*
   *} To reset the time code to [00:00:00.00], select [Reset] instead.
   • The time code setting screen appears with an orange selection frame indicating the hours.
2. Set the desired time code using the keyboard screen.
   • Camera menu only: Press [RESET] to reset the time code to [00;00;00.00].
   • If the running mode is set to [Free Run], the time code will start running from the selected time code the moment you confirm the time code.

Selecting Drop or Non-Drop Frame

When the frame rate is set to 29.97P, 59.94i, or 59.94P, you can select between a drop frame (DF) or non-drop frame (NDF) time code, depending on how you plan to use your recordings.
With all other frame rates, the time code is set to non-drop frame (NDF) and cannot be changed.

1. Open the [DF/NDF] submenu.
   Setup screen:TC  [OPTIONS]  [DF/NDF]
   Monitoring menu: EVF  [System Setup] ()  [Time Code]  [DF/NDF]
2. Select [DF] or [NDF] and then press SET.
   • The time code display will differ depending on the setting. When you select [DF], the time code will appear as [00;00;00.00]; when you select [NDF], it will appear as [00;00;00;00].

 

Putting the Time Code Display on Hold

If you set an assignable button to [Time code Hold], you can press the button to freeze the display of the time code^*. While the time code display is put on hold, [H] will appear next to the time code on the HOME screen and at the bottom right corner of the monitoring screen.
The time code continues to run normally while the time code display is on hold. When you resume the time code display, the current time code will be displayed.
^* The time code signal output from the SDI OUT terminals, MON. terminals and TIME IN/OUT terminal will not be put on hold. However, the time code displayed on a monitor connected to the HDMI OUT terminal will be put on hold.

About the Time Code Display
A letter may appear next to the time code depending on the operation. Refer to the following table.

Letter	Description
R	The time code mode is set to [Regen.].
P	The time code mode is set to [Preset] and the running mode is set to [Rec Run].
F	The time code mode is set to [Preset] and the running mode is set to [Free Run].
E	Time code signal is coming from an external source.
H	Time code display is on hold.
None	Time code during clip playback.

​ NOTES

• The frames value of the time code runs from 0 to 23 (frame rate set to 23.98P or 24.00P), from 0 to 24 (frame rate set to 25.00P, 50.00i or 50.00P), or from 0 to 29 (all other frame rates).
• When you mix drop frame and non-drop frame time codes, there might be a discontinuity in the time code at the point where the recording starts.
• When you are using the [Free Run] running mode, the time code will continue running as long as the lithium button battery has some charge left, even if you disconnect all other power sources.
• If you set an assignable button to [Time Code], you can press the button to open the [Time Code] submenu in the monitoring menu.