Nationalsolo

Hi To my mind this is an annoying drawback. As you say,you can insert a clip anywhere into the timeline and your clips and their associated soundtracks will shuffle along to the right to make way for the new bit. That's great! Unfortunately separate sound clips on any other track will not notthis shuffling act. Furthermore you can't link them together like windows files (using the select + shift key) to move them en masse. (Oddly you CAN do this in movie maker.) As far as I am aware the only way is to move each sound clip along the correct distance manually or at least individually. This can be a bit of a pain if you have lots of carefully synched sounds. There is a way to make this a bit easier however. (You may need to note this down...) Let's assume that the video clip you want to insert is 12 seconds long. You will need to create (or cut down) a sound clip to exactly this length. (let's call this sound clip "Measure") Add your new clip to the sequence. This will move your film along leaving all the unassociated sound clips in their original places. Now, each sound clip will need to move along the sequence 12 seconds so as to resynchronise them with the main track as well as retain thier individual separations. You will need to work along each sound track one at a time. Scroll along to the end of your film and then drag "Measure" from the media list and drop it onto the first free soundtrack. Check in "Options/Other" that when soundclips overlap that the action is set to "Push clips to the right". (I think you will be seeing where this is leading.... ) Now, working from the end of your sequence backwards drag "Measure" along until its front end lines up with the front end of the sound clip on the track above. (ie the fronts are both in line) You will now see that the upper sound clip must move to the right 12 seconds, ie the length of "Measure" Simply drag the upper clip down on top of "Measure" and release it. As it overlaps, it will jump along to the right of "Measure" and and end up touching "Measure". It will have moved onto "Measure's" track but 12 seconds to the right. Just repeat this for every sound clip on the track to be moved. (and do the same for any other tracks.) The final result will be that all the sound clips will have been moved to the right the same duration as the new inserted clip but will be on a lower sound track (which is not important.) OK, it's a bit laborious but it's quicker than manually moving each sound clip to the right 12 seconds and trying to use the timescale to do it. (Might be 12.3 seconds!) Hope this helps Nat

Hi If the sound is in synch up the point where it stops I can't think what it might be. When it's added to the sequence line can you see the missing sound on the audio track? If you can it should be rendered when you create your film. The black frames thing has been mentioned before. Again, I have no idea about them. All I can say is I never get them but, of course when a clip is previewed, it always ends with a black frame. It's not part of the clip however as it's not present when another clip is added on. I am wondering if it's related to the format your camera is producing? With regards converting MPEG4 to MPEG2. It's what I do as a routine (or until I can affort a whizz PC). There a quite a few free conversion programs available. I use "Any video converter" from: http://www.any-video-converter.com/products/for_video_free/ (NCH do one of course but I had this one first which does what I want.) It's pretty easy to use and you can add multiple files and convert between different video formats using variable parameters. (frame size/fps/ etc.) The resulting file outputs to a named folder (usually on the desktop) and the original remains unchanged so you can try something different. Sorry, all in all not much help. Try MPEG2 and see if there is any difference. Nat

Hi Assuming you have loaded your clips to the media list, you can set VP options to prompt you where a clip is to be placed. Start, cursor position, or end. (or indeed, to ask you). It would seem you have it set set to "Start of sequence" In VP click the "Options" tab followed by the "Other" tab. Select your requirments regarding "Add new clip to the following position" using the drop down menu arrow. "Ask me" is probably best for a start. Note you can drag and drop the clip directly from the media list to any point on the sequence line. There is no real need to select it first and reply to the options prompt. When you have dragged your new clip to the sequence line look for the pink arrows mantioned below. Once you have clips on the sequence line you can move one by right clicking it to select it and then dragging it in the required direction along the sequence until you see a pink arrow appear. This is seen when you have arrived between two previous clips. If you release your dragged clip when this pink arrow is seen, your clip will be inserted at the arrowed junction. If you switch into Storyboard mode then its easier to see each clip as they appear as simple thumbnails. Just grab and drag the thumbnail (or the media list clip) you want to move and drop it over the pink arrow when it appears in the place you want. These methods simply insert your clip BETWEEN other clips. But by placing the cursor line at the point on the sequence where you want your new clip inserted (timeline mode is best) you have to select the clip from the media list and then choose to "Add files to sequence" followed by "Cursor position" VP will then split the sequence line clip, and insert your selected clip at that point. In a similar way you could also split your sequence line clip, so creating two clips and then dragging dropping your new clip along to the split where a new pink arrow will appear. Nat

Hi Was the sound in synch up to the point that it stopped? Full frame HD (1920 x 1080p H.264 MPEG4) from my camera has increasing lag between sound and vision on my PC making the clips unusable as such. (Whatever the reading software) but is OK when converted to MPEG2. The DVD writing part of VP doesn't appear to have menu creation. You can insert chapters into each section of your film which will enable the DVD player to jump from chapter to chapter. (If it is capable of this,) but this is not really the same thing as menu driven film selection. Neither can you create a DVD from several films unless you load the films (not the projects-which you can't do anyway)) one after the other on the sequence line with chapters between them. The best way if you want to have menus is to save your edited film to your PC and then use a third party DVD creator. Windows DVD creator is OK and comes with WMM. Otherwise there are several free programs that work OK. eg. Sothink Movie DVD maker. (Has an advert flash screen between menu items unless you buy it but it's not too detracting, otherwise) You can set up menus and screen display/ music etc. Free DVD creator is similar but has no promotional tags. Nat

Hi Is this "something" going to be moving? If not you can easily blank it out with the chroma function using an image on the overlay track. If it is moving it will be more difficult. Nat

Hi You may have made the overlay longer than the clip on the main track. If this is at the end of a sequence then the overlay stops before it has completely played, leaving the text still on the screen. However, as you say your preview played OK then this may not be the answer. It is normally better to keep the overlay containing text shorter in length than the clip against which is being played. Scrolling text however should be kept down to a speed that can be easily read and the only way to slow it down is to increase the length of the overlay. This means using a longer clip on the main sequence line to match it. (You can add more clipss of course.) Another possibility is that if the text of your overlay has too many characters on a single line then it will not clear the screen before the overlay finishes whatever the length of the overlay. (About 26 characters are the maximun to just clear the screen) There may also be a rendering problem as in some cases I have encounterd a difference in position of text/subtitles in the saved (to PC) film and the VP prevued film. It seemed to be linked to the output avi frame size selected. The overlay image (the text) coming out differently sized against the film track itself. I wouldn't have thought that would have affected the end of the scroll position but it might. You will have to suck that one a see. If you are happy with the VP preview then try outputting to the PC with different settings. Nat

Hi I think it's simply because you have plugged in a capture device that uses Nero. If I plug in my webcam, it's the webcam output that is captured. In the Capture screen you can set the device to use if there is more than one device connected, but under this you can set the encoder. (H.264 or MPEG4) Try changing this, it may make a difference. Nat

Hi I believe that the Nero software produces an avi container with a Divx format file which won't play in VP or WMP, although the sound file being mp3 or ac3 is recognised and plays. You will need to convert it to a compatible file such as MPEG2 or MPEG4 or wmv all of which can be imported and played. (Note: MPEG4 won't play in WMP) Nat

Hi Oh! You DID start a new topic. Here's my reply..... Yes, you can alter the video that you have placed on the overlay track. However the normal "Split" button only works for clip on the main sequence line and its associated soundtrack. If you left click the video that you have placed on the overlay track, it will preview in the left hand screen, along with the green time track and its red and blue In/Out markers. By adjusting these you can effectivly isolate a section of the overlay clip. (However, unlike the same feature which is present when you preview a main sequence clip or a clip from the media list, you cant save the isolated section as a new clip or drop onto the overlay track as there is no green down arrow amongst the overlay controls.) The changes you make to the In/Out points are directly tansferred to the overlay. Probably the easiest way is to simply drag the ends of the overlay left or right. This effectively shortens it and isolates the section you want (monitoring the result in the left hand preview window) and then, once VP has registed the changes, drag the shortened overlay along the track to the position you want relative to the main clip. In fact it's pretty much the same as using the red/blue markers. Nat

Hi Nono49 Probably better to start a new thread with this question, but yes, you can alter the video that you have placed on the overlay track. However the normal "Split" button only works for clip on the main sequence line and its associated soundtrack. If you left click the video that you have placed on the overlay track, it will preview in the left hand screen, along with the green time track and its red and blue In/Out markers. By adjusting these you can effectivly isolate a section of the overlay clip. (However, unlike the same feature which is present when you preview a main sequence clip or a clip from the media list, you cant save the isolated section as a new clip or drop onto the overlay track as there is no green down arrow amongst the overlay controls.) The changes you make to the In/Out points are directly tansferred to the overlay. Probably the easiest way is to simply drag the ends of the overlay left or right. This effectively shortens it and isolates the section you want (monitoring the result in the left hand preview window) and then, once VP has registed the changes, drag the shortened overlay along the track to the position you want relative to the main clip. In fact it's pretty much the same as using the red/blue markers. Nat

Hi Glad it worked. Nat

Hi Could be your output settings that are not right. What did you use? If you output your WMV file edited in VP as another WMV file then there will be some image degradation. Also if your imput resolution was small and you output as a larger image then that will have a similar effect. Try the following settings.... Preset HD 720 File format .avi Resolution Take the default resolution or reset to original size or you can try smaller. (This may change the preset to Custom but no problem) Frame rate Take the default value that appears (normally 25 fps) Give it a try ans see what you get. Nat

Hi For me MPEG4 video does not play in synch particularly in the larger formats or higher framerates. As an example.... If I load a 20 second MPEG4 H264 1920 x1080 60fps clip. It indicates 20 seconds above the clip in Timeline mode and shows 20 seconds in Storyboard mode. The clip looks perfect...until I play it. (in preview). The soundtrack plays in 20 seconds The visuals play in 45 seconds So no way can it be edited in VP. Is it VP or the PC? NCH say its the PC.Others disagree... I am inclined to think it's the PC. Added to this, the clip in question does not play correctly in Quicktime, (WMP wont play MPEG4) and it behaves like it does in VP. Jerky video and out of synch sound. I find it better if I shoot in a smaller format at 30 fps, but it still not really usable. i.e HD H.264 1280 x 720 MPEG4@30 fps. If, now, I convert the video to MPEG2, the result is perfect. It edits correctly and there is no sound lag (although it is NOT the sound that is lagging). For me this works. Nat

Hi Can't really say why its not working as these are the settings I use except I use PAL. I assume you have set the PAL/NTSC to the correct setting for your area. Have you tried to explore the DVD to see what has been written to it? There should be a VIDEO_TS folder containing VOB and other files. Perhaps somebody else out there has an answer. Failing that and you still can't get it to play... If you have "Windows DVD maker" or "Sothink Movie DVD maker" (Free,) you could resave your film to your PC as an avi file and then create your DVD with one of these programs. As its a DVD-RW it will be automatically erased before the save. Browse to a suitable saving destination. Click the Preset down arrow and select HD 720 (or any other suitable format) Output format will be avi. Click the Framerate down arrow and select PAL or NTSC as appropriate for your area. Under "Encoder Options" select MP3 Native for the sound compressor. Click OK Click OK VP will render your avi to your selected folder. If its a long video it may take some little time. Once it is finished you can open WDVDM and load the avi, choose a menu etc. (The Sothink free version is similar) The resulting DVDs have always played for me even on different players. Nat

Hi OM "(Or correct that damn spellingg error you saw a hundred times but still didn't notice it untiil the final is made and copies distributed to friends and family.)" BEEN THERE, SEEN IT, DONE IT! Know exactly what you mean about the cross fade. I think I shall have a closer look at what is happening frame by frame. Nat

Hi "Select your video format...as you are in the US left click the NTSC option. Left click the Aspect ratio for your output film. Click OK If you have not added any chapters (or bookmarks) to your film you will get a window up telling you this with the option to return and add chapters or to continue without chapters." Yup...Half way down.... Hope the result is OK. Nat

Hi To export as a DVD Open your saved project into VP. (You DID save it didn't you?) Left click the "Save Movie" tab on the toolbar. Left click the "Disc" option. Left click the "Make DVD Movie" button. Enter a name for your Disc. Select the drive you are going to use if you have more than one. Insert a blank DVD-R or -RW into the drive. (I prefer to do a trial with a rewritable disc just to check it works OK) Select your video format...as you are in the US left click the NTSC option. Left click the Aspect ratio for your output film. Click OK If you have not added any chapters (or bookmarks) to your film you will get a window up telling you this with the option to return and add chapters or to continue without chapters. Select to continue and VP should burn your video to the DVD. There will be a progress bar at the botton right of the screen whilst this happening. DVD will eject when finished. Nat

Hi Yes you are correct. Using an external program that allows me to check every individual frame of an avi, I have examined several avi files generated on VP both at 25 fps and 30fps. In each case the sequence finished with a single black frame. (An avi file of an original MPEG4 camera clip finished without a black frame.) Joined clips however were perfect in that the frames from clip1 to clip2 were completely consecutive. (But clip 2 still finished with a black frame.) It is not affected by any default transition you might have set. But, more importantly, why do you find this a problem How do want the clip to finish when it is shown? After all a projected film generally finishes with white screen, or a film lead out full of dust and scratches. If you finish with a fade out............... Nat

Hi From the original post it did seem that the second video was required to start 5 seconds after the end of the first one and this implied something to fill the gap. A fade into a blackout for 5 seconds with a fade into the next video is one suggestion I made. (It could equally be a fade out(or crossfade...equally effective) into a 5 second white frame and a subsequent fade in.) I also suggested a manual method for a sudden transition into the dividing frame. However, (and equally effective to my mind), is what you suggest..i.e. a normal crossfade, this is actually a dissolve from one clip to the next,and not actually a fade in the true sense of the whole image gradually turning dark, but in the particular case cited, the second clip would not then have started 5 seconds after the first clip had ended which was what he poster apparently wanted to happen. With your particular transition on and off the swing, you could easily use a crossfade between the clips. Once in place over the sequence line you can drag the ends of the effect (the yellow bar) left or right to alter the extent each clip is affected as well as the duration of the effect. Initially it's placed equally over each clip with the default duraton. To get the delay effect if you don't see it immediately, you could either split a few frames from the end of the second clip and use the speed effect to slow them down or possibly generate a still frame (the camera under the RH preview pane) and insert that. You would need to experiment a little - but that's the fun in editing. Nat

Hi If you want each clip to automatically fade through black into the next clip 5 seconds before it finishes, try this.. Get all the clips in order onto the Media list. Click the "Options" tab on the toolbar and then under the "Transitions" section set the default transition duration to 10 (seconds) and the default transition type to "Fade" Now click the "Add transitions automatically" box. Return to the main screen and select ALL your clips in the Media list. (Left click the top one and with the shift key pressed, left click the last clip. They will all highlight. Now right click the highlighted list and choose "Add items to the sequence" Switch into Storyboard mode and you should see each clip with a Fade icon beween them. This should start 5 seconds before each clip finishes and will continue for 5 seconds into the next clip. i.e the duration you choose will be divided between the clips. However this is not exactly what you are wanting but is the nearest automatic way. If you want a sudden blackout between your clips (ie no fading of the clip) then you will have to manually add a 5 second blank Black frame between each clip. Note: This can also be added with an automatic fade in/out...see below. The process is a little phaffier.... Add your clips to the media list. Set the Options "Default clip image" duration to 5 seconds. Unclick the Automatic transition box. Under the "Other" tab check that the "Add new clip" is changed to "End of the timeline" Back in the main screen click the little down arrow to the right of the "Insert blank" tab in the tool bar, and select "Black" (If it adds a blank clip to the sequence just delete it) You should be in Storyboard mode so you can see what is happening. Now right click each clip on the media list in turn, and add it to the timeline using the second option in the menu that pops up. Now left click the "Add blank" button on the toobar. Repeat like this until all your clips have been added. Each clip should play with a sudden 5 second blank between them. If you find this too sudden then simply set the automatic transition box as described above but with a 1 second duration time for "Fade". This will fade in and out quickly to and from each of your black frames. You can make it longer if you like. Unfortunately there isn't a way of automatically adding all your clips as well as the blank frames unless you go to the bother of creating a blank black image and add copies in between each of your clips on the media list. Nat

Hi "Worst of all is some crap someone in a related post that said that it's YOUR machine not rendering fast enough that is the problem. Absolute crap." I have said this in previous posts when the subject has come up (and its seems to be a widespresd problem if you Google it) but I am only repeating what NCH say about it. It may be correct however (nobody has given another possible reason,) as on my PC MPEG4 HD H.264 1920 x 1080 clips playing in quicktime as well as VP (media player won't read MPEG4) show the same lag between the image and sound and this is dependant on the frame size and FPS. As the frame size reduces the lag gets less but is still there with MPEG4. In fact with a 7 second full 1080 HD clip the sound plays for the correct time but the video plays for 15 seconds-the last 8 seconds in silence! All I know is that if I convert all the sizes to MPEG 2 the problem goes away and the clips play correctly. In the absence of any other suggestions..... (PC is Packard Bell Intel Core2 Duo CPUE4500 running at 2.20GHz 2.0 GB RAM NVIDIA GeForce 8600GS) Nat

Hi This would seem to be a codec problem. When you created your movie by clicking the "Computer/Data" option you can choose your output format. It doesn't have to be avi. By clicking the down arrow on the end of the File format box you can choose different formats. Try outputting it in wmv format. Similarly clicking the "Encoder Options" button will enable you to change the encoder settings. Nat

Hi The original post to this is quite old (March) as the current trial version is v2.41 . Useful all the same.

Hi Does the avi file play OK in windows media player? Could be a codec problem. Nat

Hi Hmmmm....That's a new one. Are you sure you haven't clicked the "Rotate" effect twice? (Just joking!) If it plays ok within VP with the zoom effect, it's a bit odd. What export settings are you using? Nat