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Using Frame Number and Time Codes

When you're viewing a movie in QuickTime Player, you can display the current movie time, frame numbers, or the SMPTE time code, if the movie has a time code track. (Some applications, such as Final Cut Pro, automatically add a time code during capture.)

Displaying Frame Numbers, Movie Time, or Time Code

The area next to the timeline in QuickTime Player displays the time information for the current movie.

  1. Click the time display area.
  2. Choose an option from the pop-up menu that appears:

    Standard: Displays movie time in HH:MM:SS format.

    Time Code: Displays the movie's time code in HH:MM:SS:Frame format. Either the time code or drop-frame time code will be displayed, depending on the frames per second of the movie. A colon in the frame segment of the time notation indicates that a non-drop time code is being displayed. A semicolon indicates a drop-frame time code. If the movie has a time code track, it will be used. Otherwise, the time code will be calculated from 00:00:00:00 at the start of the movie.

    Frame Number: Displays the frame number, incrementing from 0 at the start of the movie. An "f" in the time display area indicates that the frame count is being displayed.