Question for Video "gurus" - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

11/05/2004 12:04:58 PM · #1

Is there a way (or a program) to separate video clips into categories (or albums, or files, or whatever you might call it), so that when putting together a video from many hours of clips, you can look at "similar" clips in a category rather than having to dig your way through hours of video?

Our church is putting together a couple of videos, (about 5-6 mins each), using clips culled from about 15 hrs of video, and it is very time consuming! Is there a way to do this that is easier? We are all new at this, and are using Pinnacle Studio, which is the program the church has on their computer.

Any advice or help is appreciated!

jimmyn4

Canon EOS-7D

11/05/2004 12:11:45 PM · #2

Well I am not familiar with the pinnacle studio software. But I know you can create a new main folder for project on you computer and then have subfolders for each of those categories. Also be sure to name the clips a distinct name. I know with the newer DV cams that plug into your computer will clip everything for you based on when you began and stopped recording. Keep in mind though it can still be a lengthy process, 15 hours of video is a lot.

RedOak

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

11/05/2004 12:15:34 PM · #3

Editing is, unfortunatly, very time consuming, and there will never be an easier way to do it, you still have to go through all the video to cut.

One thing that can be done, is to cut your video into little videos, which you save uncompressed. That way, you will basically have your big 15hours video cut into tiny videos. Then, with the same editing program you can just patch together the little videos you want.

Also, depending on the program you use (i recommand Adobe Premiere), you can make the cuts from the video, but save the project you are working on, without doing any compilation or compression. Basically, you save your worktable (work in progress). Then, you can simply cut/paste the segments of the video you want and make a feature video with them, leaving the rest unedited.

OVerall, yes its possible, but hard to explain if you do not know how to use an editing software. Use Adobe Premiere. Very good and easy to learn.
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Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

11/05/2004 04:24:31 PM · #4

Thanks so much for the replies. I am looking into Adobe Premiere. I am not yet familiar enough with Pinnacle to know how it might compare, but the guy who is doing most of the video stuff has been using it enough lately to be able to make a comparison and see if Adobe would work better for us.

Again, thanks for taking the time to reply!

Linda

behindthescenes

Nikon D70

11/05/2004 06:21:07 PM · #5

thats a good question for smokeditor. hes got to have a way of filing all his files for easy access. you might wanna pm him.

Dr.Confuser

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

11/05/2004 06:30:48 PM · #6

Originally posted by lhall:

I've used Premiere for years and like it. There's a short steep learning curve but it flattens out pretty fast.

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

11/05/2004 06:38:35 PM · #7

If you're looking for the ultimate video editor, check out Vegas . It is unbelievably awesome. I've used Premiere, and after switching to Vegas, there is no way I would ever go back...

Just some the things that are standard with Vegas.... 3D track motion and compositing, keyframable BÃ©zier masks, transition progress envelopes, bus-to-bus routing, 5.1 audio plug-in support for the master bus, Media subclips, real-time A/V event reverse, 3:2 pulldown removal from DV .AVI files, multitrack video/audio editing on unlimited tracks, Real-time playback of effects and transitions, film-style 5.1 surround mixing tools, 3-wheel primary and secondary color correction tools, real-time video scopes: Waveform Monitor / Vector / Parade / Histogram, split-screen A/B previewing, Motion Blur and Supersampling envelopes, customizable 3D transitions, velocity envelopes, searchable Media Pool Bins, parent overlay composite filters, real-time video filters and transitions, support for any aspect ratio (4:3, 16:9, etc.), 24p DV support, unlimited undo/redo, real-time nondestructive editing, DV batch capture... the list goes on and on!

You can download a free trial. If you're at all familiar with video/audio editing, be prepared to be totally blown away... Vegas is by far and away the best program I've ever used on any computer, bar none. (Vegas has the worlds fastest-growing user base in the NLE world.)

Note that they also offer Vegas Movie Studio + DVD, which is built on Vegas, but is a "streamlined" version that is only $99. A perfect way to become familiar with the power of Vegas!

I'd also recommend this book (which is also appropriate for Vegas Movie Studio) and this book if you want some cool Vegas-related books.

Message edited by author 2004-11-05 18:44:21.

11/05/2004 07:18:44 PM · #8

Thanks for all the helpful info. I am going to the church office tomorrow to meet with the video guy, and point him to the info on the programs that you all recommended taking a look at and see if we can come to a decision. Thanks also for the suggestion to PM smokeditor for additional help!

Thanks again!

Linda

Seanachai

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

11/05/2004 07:57:53 PM · #9

what's your source material (video) on?

11/05/2004 09:02:16 PM · #10

Originally posted by Seanachai:

what's your source material (video) on?

Some was on some small "tapes"(?), and some was on CD/DVD(?), but almost all of it has been dumped to the computer now. I know that he used a "Dazzle" to transfer some of it, and some of it transferred directly via USB.

I hope I am answering the question! The question marks are because I know virtually nothing about video, so don't know if I am calling things right.

Seanachai

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

11/05/2004 09:18:43 PM · #11

Originally posted by lhall:

Originally posted by Seanachai:
what's your source material (video) on?

Some was on some small "tapes"(?), and some was on CD/DVD(?), but almost all of it has been dumped to the computer now. I know that he used a "Dazzle" to transfer some of it, and some of it transferred directly via USB.

I hope I am answering the question! The question marks are because I know virtually nothing about video, so don't know if I am calling things right.

wow, that's fantastic, getting your source material digitized and on your system is a big step in the right direction. Next question, what do you want the end product to be, CD, DVD, VHS tape?

11/05/2004 09:21:29 PM · #12

DVD

Seanachai

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

11/05/2004 09:56:08 PM · #13

Originally posted by lhall:

DVD

very cool, so what you need is some way to encode your digitized files to MPEG_2 format then a Authoring program to make your DVD. EddyG has the right idea to maybe find a full blown trial version of a Authoring program and the same goes for an encoder.
sonic has some nice versions of authoring tools
and Adobe has always been very kind with their trial versions

best of luck to you! if you have anymore questions as your project unfolds just post in this thread. I'm no guru, but this "video stuff" is what I deo for a living and am always glad to help if I can.