user22216: As a followup to Add timecode information to file
ffmpeg documents the -timecode parameter:

-timecode hh:mm:ssSEPff
Specify Timecode for writing. SEP is ’:’ for non drop timecode and ’;’ (or ’.’) for drop.

Two questions come up:

Which container formats support the -timecode option? Are there any that don't?

The option to specify DF/NDF timecode implies the ability to store DF flag in the file alongside the framerate. Is that how it works, or does ffmpeg convert DF timecode to a corresponding NDF frame count and stores that?



user1871: 
FFmpeg only supports timecode in a limited set of formats. They are the MOV family (MOV/MP4/3GP..), MXF family, raw DV and Grass Valley GXF.
How the timecode is stored and flagged is specific to the format. MOV stores a DF flag, integer framerate and the timecode as a rate-adjusted integer frame index. MXF does essentially the same.


22216: <p>As a followup to <a href="https://video.stackexchange.com/questions/25082/add-timecode-information-to-file/25115#25115">Add timecode information to file</a></p>
<p>ffmpeg documents the <code>-timecode</code> parameter:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>-timecode hh:mm:ssSEPff</p>
<p>Specify Timecode for writing. SEP is ’:’ for non drop timecode and ’;’ (or ’.’) for drop.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Two questions come up:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Which container formats support the <code>-timecode</code> option? Are there any that don't?</p>
</li>
<li><p>The option to specify DF/NDF timecode implies the ability to store DF flag in the file alongside the framerate. Is that how it works, or does ffmpeg convert DF timecode to a corresponding NDF frame count and stores that?</p>
</li>
</ol>
 1871: <ol>
<li><p>FFmpeg only supports timecode in a limited set of formats. They are the MOV family (MOV/MP4/3GP..), MXF family, raw DV and Grass Valley GXF.</p></li>
<li><p>How the timecode is stored and flagged is specific to the format. MOV stores a DF flag, integer framerate and the timecode as a rate-adjusted integer frame index. MXF does essentially the same.</p></li>
</ol>
