Keykode (also written as either KeyKode or KeyCode) is an |eastman kodak company| advancement on edge numbers, which are letters, numbers and symbols placed at regular intervals along the edge of 35 mm and 16 mm film to allow for frame-by-frame specific identification. It was introduced in 1990.
Keykode is a variation of timecode used in the post-production process which is designed to uniquely identify film frames in film stock.
With the popularity of telecine transfers and video edits, Kodak invented a machine-readable edge number that could be recorded via the 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 a human-readable form followed by the same information in barcode form. Keykode is a form of metadata identifier for film negatives.
