Reference QuickTime & Burn-Ins

UPDATED Apr 14, 2026

A reference QuickTime is the finishing suite’s ground truth. It is used to verify the conformed timeline matches the locked picture — every edit, every speed change, every title, every effect. A well-built reference file prevents hundreds of small conform errors from making it into the final grade.

Reference QT Specifications

Attribute	Value
Codec	ProRes 422 LT or ProRes 422 (standard)
Resolution	Full sequence resolution
Frame rate	Match sequence exactly
Color space	Rec.709 is standard for reference; flag if delivering in HDR
Audio	Embedded stereo mix
Timecode	Visible burn-ins (see layout below)
Duration	Entire locked sequence including slate, leader, pops, and tail

Why not ProRes Proxy? Proxy is adequate for offline review but too compressed for confidence-checking against a conformed grade. Fine details in the compression can mask real conform issues. Use LT or 422 standard instead.

Burn-In Layout

Reference QuickTime — standard 4-corner burn-in layout

The four corners of the reference QT carry different timecode and metadata information. This is the industry-standard layout:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [Source Filename]                        [Timeline Name]    │
│                                                             │
│                                                             │
│                                                             │
│                    [PROGRAM PICTURE]                        │
│                                                             │
│                                                             │
│                                                             │
│ [Source Timecode]                        [Record Timecode]  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Corner	Content	Shows what
Top Left	Source filename	Which camera/archival clip is currently on screen
Top Right	Timeline / Sequence name	Which cut version this is from
Bottom Left	Source timecode	TC of the source clip at this moment
Bottom Right	Record / master timecode	TC position in the sequence

All four pieces of information are necessary. The conformer uses source timecode + filename to verify each clip conforms correctly, and record timecode to navigate the timeline.

Burn-In Style

Font — a clean sans-serif at readable size (roughly 2% of image height)
Color — white text with a semi-opaque black background plate
Opacity — ~75% so the burn-in is readable without obscuring the picture
Safe area — keep within title-safe; do not cross into action-safe edges

Avid Media Composer: Adding Burn-In Overlays

Step 1: Open the Effect Palette

Tools → Effect Palette (or Cmd+8 / Ctrl+8).

Step 2: Apply the Timecode Burn-In Effect

In the Effect Palette, navigate to Generator → Timecode Burn-In
Drag the effect onto an empty video track above your sequence (if sequence uses V1–V3, place burn-ins on V4)

Step 3: Configure Each Corner

Double-click the effect in the timeline to open the Effect Editor. You have four position slots — configure them as follows:

Slot	Display	Position
1	Source Name	Top Left
2	Source Timecode	Bottom Left
3	Sequence Name	Top Right
4	Master (record TC)	Bottom Right

Step 4: Adjust Display Settings

Font size — readable but not obtrusive
Font color — white
Background — enable background plate at ~75% opacity
Style — sans-serif

Step 5: Render

Select the effect range in the timeline and render (Ctrl+R / Cmd+R).

Step 6: Export

Export the reference QT following the standard Exporting for Resolve instructions. Note that the burn-in track should not be included in the XML/AAF you send — it goes only with the reference QT.

Adobe Premiere Pro: Adding Burn-In Overlays

Premiere does not have a single four-corner burn-in effect, so you’ll layer multiple Timecode effects on a transparent video layer.

Step 1: Create a Transparent Video Layer

File → New → Transparent Video. Match resolution and frame rate to sequence. Drop the transparent video onto an empty track above your sequence (e.g. V4).

Step 2: Add Timecode Effect — Source Timecode (Bottom Left)

Effects panel → Video Effects → Video → Timecode
Drag onto the transparent video layer
In Effect Controls:
- Timecode Source: Media (source)
- Position: move to bottom-left using X/Y offsets
- Size: set to desired readability

Step 3: Add Second Timecode Instance — Record Timecode (Bottom Right)

Duplicate the Timecode effect (or add a new one)
Set Timecode Source to Clip (or Sequence)
Position: bottom-right

Step 4: Add Text for Source Name (Top Left)

The Timecode effect does not include filename. Use the Essential Graphics panel:

Type tool → create text block top-left
Bind the text to a source filename variable, or manually update per clip
Alternative: use the Source Text expression in Essential Graphics

Step 5: Add Text for Sequence Name (Top Right)

Essential Graphics text block in top-right
Type the sequence name directly

Step 6: Customize

Set text styles consistently
Add semi-opaque background bars if needed for readability
Render effects (Enter or Sequence → Render Effects in Work Area)

Step 7: Export

Export the sequence with the burn-ins baked in.

Tip: Many editors use third-party Premiere extensions (e.g. BurnIn from various vendors) that add a proper four-corner burn-in generator in a single click. Worth exploring if reference QTs are a regular part of your workflow.

Final Cut Pro: Adding Burn-In Overlays

FCP’s Timecode generator only shows one timecode. For full four-corner burn-ins:

Step 1: Add Timecode Generator(s)

Generators panel → Timecode (in the “Elements” category)
Drag to a connected storyline above your project
Position in bottom-right for Record TC (this is the default display)

Step 2: Duplicate for Source Timecode

Duplicate the Timecode generator
In Inspector → set Timecode field to reference source
Position bottom-left

Step 3: Text Generators for Source Name & Sequence Name

Titles → Custom text
One in top-left for source filename (use {source_name} placeholder if the plugin supports it)
One in top-right for timeline name

FCP limitations: FCP does not have a single built-in filename burn-in generator. The Alex 4 Pro plugin or similar third-party tools handle this better than stock FCP.

DaVinci Resolve: Adding Burn-In Overlays (for reference)

If reference QTs are being built in Resolve (rare on the turnover side, common on the delivery side):

Workspace → Data Burn-In window. Enable and configure:

Source Name
Source Timecode
Record Timecode / Timeline Name
Clip Number, or others as needed

Resolve’s Data Burn-In is the cleanest built-in option of any NLE for this purpose.

Verification Before Delivery

Before sending the reference QT with your turnover:

All four corners show the expected information
Source timecode changes per clip (verify on a few cuts)
Record timecode runs continuously
Burn-ins are readable over both light and dark content
Audio is audible and in sync
File plays from head slate through tail black without dropouts
Filename matches the delivery naming convention