PRB: Windows Media Encoder 9 Series does not support the Preserve Timecode option for PAL devices over RS-422 or RS-232 (835257)

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Preserve Timecode option of the Microsoft Windows Media Encoder 9 Series from a Phase Alternating Line (PAL) format playback device that uses the RS-422 or RS-232 communication protocol, the timecode in the resulting file uses a National Television Systems Committee (NTSC) 29.97 frames per second (fps) frame rate instead of the expected 25 fps frame rate.

CAUSE

This bug is caused by the way that the Windows Media Encoder detects the format playback of a non-NTSC device. The Encoder incorrectly detects PAL devices as NTSC. Certain checks in the Encoder continually update this format verification. Therefore, you cannot manually override the frame rate with the Preserve Timecode option in the Advanced Settings dialog box.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a bug in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section of this article.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods:

Method 1:
1. In your Encoder project, click Properties.
2. On the Advanced tab, click Create Timecode, and then select the appropriate frame rate in the Video Format list.
Method 2: Use a digital video (DV) source to read the timecode instead of RS-232 or RS-422.
Method 3: Use an application that is built on the Microsoft Windows Media Format SDK instead of on the Windows Media Encoder, or on the Windows Media Encoder SDK.

MORE INFORMATION

Custom and third-party applications that are built on the Windows Media Format SDK 9 Series are not known to have any problems in this scenario. This problem is not known to effect NTSC video sources.