Tip #12Kinesense LE

How to add a timestamp to an exported video clip

Burn a timestamp into clips that have none, using the text annotation, with transparent spotlight and shaded background options.

Patricia McCabeSoftware Engineer

Edit: Adding a timestamp can now be achieved with one click by using the text annotation button.

Text annotation button

Timestamp is selected by default and the settings are the same as below.

The Text Annotation panel with Timestamp ticked by default and font, size and colour options.

Original Post: Not all videos come with hard coded timestamps. If you want to add one to your video clip before you export it you can do this in the annotation tab. In the annotation tab select your clip and add a spotlight and then click Add Text.

The Add Text button in the spotlight Label section, highlighted.

In the Add Text box check the Use Timestamp checkbox to add the timestamp and then click Add Text. (This dialog can also let you add any text to the video, e.g. “suspect 1”)

The Add Text dialog with Use Timestamp ticked, Courier New font and size 18.

Now you’ll have the timestamp but if you leave the default colour you’ll also have a nice big red circle just underneath it. To remove the circle – change the colour to transparent by clicking though the various colours.

The Colour and Shape options, with the transparent shape selected.

A timestamp burned into the top of a video frame over trees.

If the white text doesn’t show up well on your video you can add slight background shading to the text by selecting the shading text background button

The shaded text background button in the Label section, selected.

A timestamp with a shaded background, easier to read over the trees behind it.

Format support

3000+ video formats

Anything playable in Windows Media Player, VLC or FFmpeg is supported, without the manufacturer's original player. Have a format that isn't listed? Our engineers have 17 years experience of dealing with difficult formats.