What is the difference between User Bit and Time Code

[Ario Narendro]

Hi guys, I found a little bit confusing about the differences between Userbit and Timecode.. anyone can help me, i searched through this forum but cannot find the answer about it...thanx guys I really appreciate any comment in this thread..

[Robert Wiejak]

User bits are set by the user and they don’t change automatically.
You may use this information as you desire. For example tape #, take #, scene #, etc.
There are 4 digits (01:02:03:04).
The range for each digit is from 0 to 255 written in hex format (00…FF).

A time code changes on each frame and it is a mechanism to identify each frame.

[Ario Narendro]

Ah I see, so are we have to set it each time we start shooting?hmm.. I will try it in my camera..
thanx for the information Robert..

[Chris Hurd]

Fun with user bits:

DE AD BE EF

and

FE ED FA CE

and

C0 FF EE

any others?

[David Aliperti]

can anyone make me another example of use? In a documentary where everything is boom and go how could be used it?

[Chris Hurd]

User bits are helpful for identifying footage later in post... C1 for Camera One, C2 for Camera Two, etc.

[Jim Michael]

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

Fun with user bits:

DE AD BE EF

and

FE ED FA CE

and

C0 FF EE

any others?

Speaking of Java:

CAFE BABE