<p>You can use <code>ffmpeg</code> to display current localtime:</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/6o2oK.jpg" alt="localtime"></p>

<pre><code>ffmpeg -i input -vf "drawtext=fontfile=/usr/share/fonts/TTF/Vera.ttf: text='%{localtime}': x=(w-tw)/2: y=h-(2*lh): fontcolor=white: box=1: boxcolor=0x00000000@1" image%03d.png
</code></pre>

<p>See <a href="https://superuser.com/a/575935/110524">Can <code>ffmpeg</code> extract images from a video with timestamps?</a> for more examples.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-07-25T21:45:33.800Z
2014-12-19T01:50:30.160Z
2017-03-20T10:18:33.487Z
llogan
<p>Timecodes can be added in Sony Vegas. It's possible to adjust the vertical and horizontal allignment and scale of the timecodes as well as the format (Time, Frames, Feet).</p>

<p>Open or create a new project in Sony Vegas and switch to the 'Video FX' tab, find the Timecode effect, click and drag one of the formats onto your media event. In my example I've chosen to use the 'Time &amp; Frames' timecode which displays in hours, minutes, seconds and frame number (HH:MM:SS:FF)</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Ku96V.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p>If you don't own this software, and you only intend to add a time stamp, you can download a free 30-day trial from the <a href="http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/download/trials/moviestudiohd" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Sony Vegas</a> website.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-22T19:02:00.320Z
2014-12-19T23:09:17.673Z
2014-12-19T23:09:17.673Z
Ambo100
<p>Most pro non-linear editors (NLEs) such as Vegas or FinalCut include something to do that. Search the documentation for "timecode burn" or "window burn". I know in Sony Vegas it's one of the text effects. While it's possible that the prosumer NLEs like Windows Movie Maker, iMovie, Vegas Studio may have that functionality, I just don't know about those products for sure. </p>

<p>good luck!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-06T18:00:31.703Z
Moviemaker does allow you to do a fixed date stamp as a caption, but you can't easily add a changing timecode.
Dr Mayhem
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-06T18:20:26.707Z
Good info to know! I suspect that may be the case with most prosumer/consumer products.
dwwilson66
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-22T18:48:19.773Z
Windows Movie Maker does not have this function
Ambo100
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-20T00:53:29.257Z
Thanks for the general answer, the ones referring to specific paid programs aren't particularly useful if the OP doesn't list a program they own.
KC McLaughlin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-04T18:50:05.517Z
2012-06-04T18:50:05.517Z
dwwilson66
<p>There is a tool for Sony Vegas Pro (<strong>not free</strong>) that can grab the recording metadata and burn it on the movie. </p>

<p><a href="http://vegasaur.com/recorded-date-time-subtitles" rel="nofollow">Here</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-18T13:41:56.333Z
2014-11-18T13:41:56.333Z
altarvic
<p>For example <em>Motion</em> has textgenerators for this task. 
Just look for "Timecode" and "Time &amp; Date" in the effect-library. </p>

<p>But most compositing and editing applications can do that. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-24T09:09:52.447Z
2012-06-24T09:09:52.447Z
DoktorHauser
<p>Adobe Premiere has this functionality.</p>

<p>Search for "Timecode" in Effects tab.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-09T13:37:30.660Z
That doesn't actually seem to put the date/time of when the clip was taken. Is that normal?
hendry
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-07-24T21:37:18.983Z
2012-10-24T17:31:56.237Z
2012-10-24T17:31:56.237Z
sarahedits
<p>Anyone know of a program that will add a visible date and time stamp to a video file? Preferably, I can just put in the start time of the video and it will just keep incrementing the time as the video plays.</p>

<video><timecode>
Adding a time stamp to a video
Alan Bryan
# Adding a time stamp to a video

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-06-04)

Anyone know of a program that will add a visible date and time stamp to a video file? Preferably, I can just put in the start time of the video and it will just keep incrementing the time as the video plays.

**Tags:** video, timecode


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## 6 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2012-07-25. Score: 7

You can use ffmpeg to display current localtime:

ffmpeg -i input -vf "drawtext=fontfile=/usr/share/fonts/TTF/Vera.ttf: text='%{localtime}': x=(w-tw)/2: y=h-(2*lh): fontcolor=white: box=1: boxcolor=0x00000000@1" image%03d.png

See Can ffmpeg extract images from a video with timestamps? for more examples.


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2012-06-22. Score: 2

Timecodes can be added in Sony Vegas. It's possible to adjust the vertical and horizontal allignment and scale of the timecodes as well as the format (Time, Frames, Feet).

Open or create a new project in Sony Vegas and switch to the 'Video FX' tab, find the Timecode effect, click and drag one of the formats onto your media event. In my example I've chosen to use the 'Time & Frames' timecode which displays in hours, minutes, seconds and frame number (HH:MM:SS:FF)

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/Ku96V.jpg)

If you don't own this software, and you only intend to add a time stamp, you can download a free 30-day trial from the [Sony Vegas](http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/download/trials/moviestudiohd) website.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2012-06-04. Score: 1

Most pro non-linear editors (NLEs) such as Vegas or FinalCut include something to do that. Search the documentation for "timecode burn" or "window burn". I know in Sony Vegas it's one of the text effects. While it's possible that the prosumer NLEs like Windows Movie Maker, iMovie, Vegas Studio may have that functionality, I just don't know about those products for sure.

good luck!

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: Moviemaker does allow you to do a fixed date stamp as a caption, but you can't easily add a changing timecode.  
> **username_3**: Good info to know! I suspect that may be the case with most prosumer/consumer products.  
> **username_2**: Windows Movie Maker does not have this function  
> **username_5**: Thanks for the general answer, the ones referring to specific paid programs aren't particularly useful if the OP doesn't list a program they own.  

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### Answer by username_6 on 2014-11-18. Score: 1

There is a tool for Sony Vegas Pro (**not free**) that can grab the recording metadata and burn it on the movie.

[Here](http://vegasaur.com/recorded-date-time-subtitles)


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### Answer by username_7 on 2012-06-24. Score: 1

For example *Motion* has textgenerators for this task.
Just look for "Timecode" and "Time & Date" in the effect-library.

But most compositing and editing applications can do that.


---

### Answer by username_8 on 2012-07-24. Score: 1

Adobe Premiere has this functionality.

Search for "Timecode" in Effects tab.

> **Comments:**
> **username_9**: That doesn't actually seem to put the date/time of when the clip was taken. Is that normal?  

---

