Add captions and transitions- what software?

[apwood]

I'm using VidoeRedo to edit video recorded on to DVD+RW by my Sony home video recorder.

I want to add captions to the home videos and some transitions (wipes / fades) between clips.

Is there any program that will add such captions and transitions whilst only encoding the parts that have changed? I would prefer not to re-encode the full video for 3 reasons 1) I'm guessing that re-encoding will result in some loss in quality 2) takes a long time 3) often such programs rash before completing the encode. I can't seem to find any programs that do this.

As an alternative, I have added a transition to a clip (cut using VRD) - I used a trial copy of ULead ideo Editor (so just re-encoding the small clip) - and then joined the small clip back into the main movie using first copy /b and then VRD joiner. In both cases, however, the resulting video jumps at the point of joining the small clip back into the main video. Is there any way to avoid this?

Am I worrying too much, is re-encoding OK in terms of quality - and if so can anyone recommend a program that can be relied on not to crash while re-encoding but produce quality results. Not bothered about bells and whistles, just some basic transitions and caption / titling options.

How do you recommend I do this, using what programs?

[phd]

For lower end price, I personally prefer Ulead VideoStudio. I use versions 6 and 7. Don't have 8. Higher end is MediaStudioPro 7 which I don't think you want to spend that much . It has all the bells and whistles.

The newest version of VideoStudio is 8. I have heard of problems with a memory leak that people say may or may not be fixed with the patch. CHeck out the Ulead forum for more info on that.

You can set the "Smart Render" feature so it will only rerender the necessary portions of the video.

I've tried other and have not generally been satisfied with either speed or quality.

Why were you using the copy /b command to rejoin segments? Why didn't you just use the joiner function in VRD?

[apwood]

I'll take a look at videostudio then. How do you set Smart Render, and how do you make sure it trys to render with the same settings as the file from my DVD recorder?

I tried copy /b because I found that this (and perhaps DVD decryptor) can join vob files from a DVD without causing the video to jump because the joiner adds padding to the GOP (or something like that).

See this thread for details

http://www.videoredo.net/msgBoard/viewtopic.php?t=698

[phd]

"I'll take a look at videostudio then. How do you set Smart Render, and how do you make sure it trys to render with the same settings as the file from my DVD recorder?"
-The way I use it to automatically configure VideoStudio is this (there may be better methods but this is what works for me.)
1. Start VS
2. Click on the 3rd Tab at the top. (Called storyboard in VS6, the one after capture. I believe called timeline in VS7. The name varies depending on the version.)
3. Drag and drop a video clip from a Windows Explorer window onto the timeline on the bottom.
4. A requester pops up. "Do you want change project settings to match the clip?" Select Yes.
5. Do your edits, transitions, etc.
6. Click on the last Tab on the right. (Called Finish in VS6 and Share in VS7.)
7. Select create video file and same as project settings or same as template settings.
8. Select "Perform Smart Render". Deselect "Play after creating". I have noticed (at least on my machine) if I play immediately after creating, VS has as tendency to crash.


"I tried copy /b because I found that this (and perhaps DVD decryptor) can join vob files from a DVD without causing the video to jump because the joiner adds padding to the GOP (or something like that)."
-I'm no expert on this part, but separate MPEGs already have a header. The purpose of stitching together the VOBs with the copy /b command is that subsequent VOBs do not have the header information and they are simple splits of the file.

[apwood]

Thanks. One thing I have noticed I'd need to purchase the Dolby Digital AC3 add-on, since my home dvd recorder records audio in AC3 (2.0 channel) format.

I guess smart render would not work unless I buy the add-on because the audio settings would be different to the clip?

Do you know if this is OK, because I'd prefer not buy AC£ add-on if I can get away with it?

How good is the sound without AC3?


Does anyone else have any alternative suggestions other than videostudio?

[phd]

There is also:

Roxio Videowave 7
Pinnacle Studio 9
Adobe Premiere Elements
Pure Motion Edit Studio
Windows Movie Maker
Arcsoft Showbiz
Cyberlink Power Producer and Power Director
Main Concept Main Actor
Muvee Auto Producer
Sony Screenblast
Intervideo WinProducer
Canopus Let's EDIT 2
Check out the features of the various packages. Some do not support AC3. Also some will want to reencode the entire video as well as potentially cause audio sync problems.

That is correct. The AC3 plugin would prevent reencoding of the audio from your native audio.

[bato]

I read that VRD will have transitions in the future (here (http://www.videoredo.net/msgBoard/viewtopic.php?t=402&highlight=transitions)), maybe in version 2 plus.