TCIn and TCOut

The TCIn represents the start of the program on the tape/file, TCOut represents the end. Both positions are described in hours, minutes, seconds and frames relatively to the start of the asset. The first program does not have to be located at 00:00:00:00, it could also start with an offset of 10 or more minutes. There can be fades to black between the programs. A fade to black is a black image with a defined length which acts as transition between two scenes or programs by fading in and out.

The position of a program on the asset, that is the start position (TCIn corresponds to timecode in) and the end position (TCOut corresponds to timecode out) is represented by length information. A timecode is used as unit for this length information which is based on 25 pictures per second.