Editing Keykode (section)

==Keykode==
With the popularity of telecine transfers and video edits, Kodak invented a machine readable edge number that could be recorded via computer, read by the editing computer and automatically produce a "cut list" from the video edit of the film.

To do this, Kodak utilized the USS-128 [[barcode]] alongside the human-readable edge numbers. They also improved the quality and readability of the human-readable information to make it easier to identify. The Keykode consists of 12 characters in human-readable form followed by the same information in barcode form. Keykode is a form of [[Metadata (computing)|metadata]] identifier for film negatives.

===Keykode deciphered===
An example Keykode:

'''KU 22 9611 1802+02.3'''

*The first two letters in the Keykode are the manufacturer code (<code>E</code> and <code>K</code> both stand for [[Kodak]], <code>F</code> stands for [[Fujifilm|Fuji]], etc.) and the [[List of motion picture film stocks|stock]] identifier, respectively (in this case Kodak's <code>U</code> standing for 5279 emulsion); each manufacturer has different stocks' naming convention for their emulsion codes.
*The next six numbers in the Keykode (usually split in 2+4 digits) are the identification number for that roll of film. On Kodak film stocks, it remains consistent for the entire roll. Fuji Stocks will increment this number when the frame number advances past "9999".
*Computers read the (optional) frame offset (marked every four perforations on actual film by a single "-" dash) by adding digits to the Keykode after the plus sign. In this case, a frame offset of two frames (with respect to the film foot) is specified. The number of frames within a film foot depends on both the film width and the frame pulldown itself, and can also be ''uneven'' within the same roll, but rather repeat periodically (like in the 35mm 3perf. pulldown).
*The last (optional), dot-separated number is the perforation offset which, if preceded by a frame offset like in the above example, is a bias ''within'' the just-specified frame; otherwise (as interpreted by most [[Digital Intermediate|DI]] software) this considered to be an offset within the whole film foot.

'''EASTMAN 5279 167 3301 122 KD'''

*These numbers are consistent for a whole batch of film and may not change in many rolls. EASTMAN is the film manufacturer, 5279 is the stock type identifier. The next three numbers (167) is the emulsion batch number. The next series of four digits (3301) is the roll and part code, followed by the printer identification number that made the Keykode (122) and finally a two letter date designation (KD). In this case, KD=1997.