TimecodeKit

The most robust, precise and complete Swift library for working with SMPTE/EBU timecode. Supports 23 industry-standard timecode frame rates with a suite of conversions, calculations and integrations with Apple AV frameworks.

Timecode is a broadcast and post-production standard for addressing video frames. It is often used for video burn-in timecode (BITC), and display in a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) or video playback/editing applications.

Supported Timecode Frame Rates

The following timecode rates and formats are supported.

Film / ATSC / HD	PAL / SECAM / DVB / ATSC	NTSC / ATSC / PAL-M	NTSC Non-Standard	ATSC / HD
23.976	25	29.97	30 DF	30
24	50	29.97 DF	60 DF	60
24.98	100	59.94	120 DF	90
47.952		59.94 DF		120
48		119.88
95.904		119.88 DF
96

Supported Video Frame Rates

The following video frame rates are supported. (Video rates)

Film / HD	PAL	NTSC
23.98p	25p / 25i	29.97p / 29.97i
24p	50p / 50i	30p
47.95p	100p	59.94p / 59.94i
48p		60p / 60i
95.9p		90p
96p		119.88p
		120p

Core Features

• Convert timecode between:
  • timecode display string
  • total elapsed frame count
  • real wall-clock time
  • elapsed audio samples at any audio sample rate
  • rational time notation (such as CMTime or Final Cut Pro XML and AAF encoding)
  • feet + frames
• Convert timecode and/or frame rate to a rational fraction, and vice-versa (including CMTime)
• Support for Days as a timecode component (some DAWs including Cubase support > 24 hour timecode)
• Support for Subframes
• Math operations: add, subtract, multiply, divide
• Granular timecode validation
• Form a Range or Stride between two timecode instances
• Conforms to Codable
• Formatters
  • A Formatter object that can format timecode
  • An AttributedString showing invalid timecode components using alternate attributes (such as red text color)
• SwiftUI Views
  • A timecode entry text field
  • A timecode string Text view emphasizing invalid timecode components using alternate attributes (such as red text color)
• AVAsset video file utilities to easily read/write timecode tracks and locate AVPlayer to timecode locations
• Exhaustive unit tests ensuring accuracy

Installation

Swift Package Manager (SPM)

1. Add TimecodeKit as a dependency using Swift Package Manager.

   • In an app project or framework, in Xcode: Add the package to your target using this URL: https://github.com/orchetect/TimecodeKit
   • In a Swift Package, add it to the Package.swift dependencies:

     .package(url: "https://github.com/orchetect/TimecodeKit", from: "2.3.4")

2. Import the entire library to use all features (core, AV, UI):

   import TimecodeKit

   Or import individual targets as-needed:

   import TimecodeKitCore // core value types
   import TimecodeKitAV // AVFoundation extensions
   import TimecodeKitUI // UI components

Documentation

See the online documentation for library usage, getting started info, and 1.x → 2.x migration guide.

Also check out the Examples folder for sample code to see TimecodeKit in action.

References

• Wikipedia: SMPTE Timecode

Author

Coded by a bunch of 🐹 hamsters in a trenchcoat that calls itself @orchetect.

License

Licensed under the MIT license. See LICENSE for details.

Sponsoring

If you enjoy using TimecodeKit and want to contribute to open-source financially, GitHub sponsorship is much appreciated. Feedback and code contributions are also welcome.

Community & Support

Please do not email maintainers for technical support. Several options are available for issues and questions:

• Questions and feature ideas can be posted to Discussions.
• If an issue is a verifiable bug with reproducible steps it may be posted in Issues.

Contributions

Contributions are welcome. Posting in Discussions first prior to new submitting PRs for features or modifications is encouraged.