I’m working on a 13 episode series right now and I need to make sure that each show fits a definite format. By format, I’m referring to the show’s outline or structure. Most shows follow a specific format so that the broadcasters (television stations and cable networks) know when to insert commercials. This is a process that happens automatically, but someone from the station needs to enter the time code information into the system. This is so that the machines know when to do their thing. If it’s off, even by a frame or two, it will throw off the entire show. So we, as editors, need to be diligent about our formats and therefore, we need to be accurate with our time code.

How is this done

Ever try adding segment times together for multiple shows at a time? How about converting drop frame time code to non-drop frame time code? It’s not something that I like to do in my head, or on paper. Avid has a built-in solution and Apple offers a widget that you can download but both of these require open windows on my already crowded display. Some people don’t mind the clutter, but I’m not one of them.

iTC Calc's interface

Enter iTC Calc. It’s an app for your iPhone that does exactly what it says – calculates time code. I was given a copy to try out and I really like using it. Why do I like it? First off, it works. I have tried to review several iPhone apps in the past and I always had trouble with them crashing. Not this one. I tried everything I could to get it to crash but it never did. I can’t say the same for the “free” versions of similar time code calculators, but I’ll just leave it at that.

What makes iTC Calc different?

I like that I can take iTC Calc with me. If I have to work on a system that is different than my own, I don’t have to take the time to try to download the widget for FCP and I don’t have to worry about switching back and forth between windows. It also really helps when I’m in meetings and I don’t have my computer near me. It’s a quick way to adjust timing on the fly.

iTC Calc in the real world

For the last week, I have worked on finishing up the final episodes of the show that I mentioned above and I put the iTC Calc to the test. It hasn’t failed me in almost a week of work. It offers a setting for 24, 25, 30, 50, 60 and 29.97. That means drop frame time code is supported, which is a great plus for me. They are going to update the software in the future to accomodate 23.98 and 59.96 formats as well.

Keep the phone upright (Portrait mode) and you have a time code calculator, but turn the phone sideways (Landscape mode) and it opens up a whole new set of features:

In Landscape mode iTC Calc give you more advanced features

• Touch History – keeps track of previous entries
• Vari-Speed mode – calculates the percentage of speeding up or slowing down for a shot – great for paper edits
• Duration Calculator – adds times for segments or clips easily

At first, I thought that I would have difficulty writing about something as simple as a time code calculator. I mean, how useful could it be? Actually, I was quite surprised at how much I actually use it, now that I know it’s there. I used it in a meeting just the other day – so yes, I can say that it has come in handy for me.

If you’re looking to pick one up there are two versions: iTC Calc Lite is $0.99 and iTC Calc is $4.99.

The feature list is below

You can find both of them in the App Store right now. Check it out if you find yourself scratching cryptic numbers on scraps of paper. This is much easier.