Recording and playback
Reeltime provides a highly performant video pipeline and a modern recording and playback engine, allowing for simultaneous timecode-synced group recording of up to six camera signals (in HD and 4K resolution at up to 60 fps).
Create recordings#
There are several ways to create single recordings and timecode-synced group recordings.
You can create a single recording from a single camera’s live signal using the record control in the corresponding slot card, the associated menu item, or a controller action.
You can create a timecode-synced group recording from all currently armed input slots and composite slots:
- Using the record control in the viewer controls. A sync indicator shows which slots are currently synced and will be included in the group recording
- Using the “Record All” control in the toolbar, the associated menu item, or a controller action
By default, all armed input slots and composite slots are included in a group recording. You can exclude slots from the next group recording by un-arming them using the control next to the record button in the slot UI.
You can enable or disable recording for each slot individually. When enabled, the slot is armed for the upcoming group recording. For example, if one scene is recorded with three cameras and the next scene uses only two cameras, you can keep the third input slot configured but un-arm it for that scene.
During recording, you can set multiple in/out ranges to mark several actions within a single take. You can annotate and rate these ranges during recording or adjust and delete them later in the in/out ranges and markers tab. Refer to the related articles In/Out ranges and markers with annotations and In/Out ranges and markers tab.
The clip name and SMPTE timecode embedded in SDI camera signals are stored together with the global metadata for each recorded clip. SMPTE timecode requires the “Original Timecode” recording settings.
If you want to abort an ongoing recording, you can cancel recordings via menu items, keyboard shortcuts, or controller actions, either for the selected slot or for all recordings. Canceled recordings are not added to the clip library. Their media can either be moved to the trash or deleted permanently, depending on your recording settings.
Recording controls with multiple in/out ranges
Load and play recorded clips#
There are several ways to load and play back single clips or timecode-synced group recordings.
You can load a synced group recording from the clip library into the source slots by double-clicking a clip from that group. Alternatively, you can use the Library > Load Group of Selected Clip into Source Slots menu item, the associated keyboard shortcut, or a controller action. A contextual menu is also available for each group recording.
You can load a single clip from the clip library into the currently selected slot using the Library > Load Selected Clip into Current Slot menu item, the associated keyboard shortcut, or a controller action. A contextual menu is also available for each clip.
By default, new recordings are automatically loaded into their source slots for instant playback. You can disable this behavior in the recording settings by unchecking “Automatically load new clips for playback” in the “Behavior After Recording” settings.
In the same settings, you can define whether a new recording starts playback automatically, either immediately after loading or after a short delay.
The Playback > Play Last Recording menu item, or the associated keyboard shortcut or controller action, lets you load and play the most recent recording at any time.
Playback controls#
Reeltime provides multiple ways to control playback of clips.
Industry-standard “JKL” keyboard shortcuts let you navigate conveniently within clips:
- Toggle playback (Space)
- Play forwards/backward (L / J)
- Play faster (press L or J multiple times to increase playback speed to 2×, 4×, 8×, 16×, 32×, and 64×)
- Play slower (press Shift+L or Shift+J to reduce playback speed to 1/2×, then press again for 1/4× and 1/8×)
- Step to next/previous frame (hold K and press L or J)
Various controls and actions let you navigate through in/out ranges and markers:
- Jump to next/previous in/out point (cycle through)
- Jump to next/previous marker (cycle through)
Learn more about working with in/out ranges and markers in the related article In/Out ranges and markers withannotations.
Ranges playback controls allow you to play back only the marked ranges in a group or single clip:
- Playback the entire clip
- Playback the current range
- Playback all ranges
Loop playback controls allow you to loop playback (also in combination with ranges playback):
- Loop: repeats playback from the start to the end of a clip or range
- Ping Pong: alternates forward and backward playback between the start and end of a clip or range
Playback controls with editing options and enabled ranges playback and loop playback
Playback speed#
You can increase or decrease playback speed using JKL controls or by selecting a playback speed multiplier.
A playback speed indicator in the viewer controls shows the current speed. Clicking this indicator opens an overlay with preset speed options and a field for entering a custom value.
Setting the playback speed in the viewer controls
Alternatively, you can set a playback speed multiplier via the Playback menu or controller actions.
Audio recording and playback#
Reeltime can receive audio input signals from multiple connected audio devices and record audio in sync with video.
The input signals are mixed into one main audio track, which can be included in recordings and output to a single audio output device for monitoring and playback.
Here is an overview of working with audio:
- You can select multiple audio input devices and mix their channels into one dual-mono signal
- You can choose an output device for monitoring or use the system output
- You can set the audio source to follow the currently selected input or library slot, or pin it to a specific slot
- Audio meters in the toolbar visualize audio activity (green for playback, blue for monitoring, grey when muted)
- Menu items and controller actions allow muting live audio or all audio, including a global mute control in the toolbar
- You can apply an audio delay to maintain sync with video signals
Learn more about working with the main audio in the article Main Audio for Recording and Playback.
Read how to set up audio devices in the article Setting Up Audio I/O Interfaces.