---
title: Understanding time in FxPlug
framework: professional-video-applications
role: article
path: professional-video-applications/understanding-time-in-fxplug
---

# Understanding time in FxPlug

## Understanding time in FxPlug

Understanding time in FxPlug Learn about time handling in host apps and plug-ins.

Overview

FxPlug 4 uses rational time of [CMTime](/documentation/CoreMedia/CMTime) type to handle all timing in the host apps and plug-ins. Time can be in the form of a specific time or duration in an effect, object, or timeline (project). When FxPlug methods use `time` or `renderTime`, that time generally refers to the current time that the host is providing or requesting. [FxTimingAPI_v4](/documentation/professional_video_applications/fxtimingapi_v4) provides methods to access other time values available in the host app. For FxPlug methods that don’t provide time, you can use [FxCustomParameterActionAPI_v4](/documentation/professional_video_applications/fxcustomparameteractionapi_v4)’s  [currentTime()](/documentation/professional_video_applications/fxcustomparameteractionapi_v4/currenttime()) to determine current playhead time in the project.