Video Editing software (free) and formats?

KingTermite · 12-13-2004, 02:13 PM

Ok, I'm thinking of finally giving my DVD burner a good test as I've barely used it since I got it.

I was thinking I would record (using my tv capture card) EarthSea tonight, then go back and edit out the commercials and burn it to a DVD.

1. What format should I record the on my capture card? MP4, MP2?

2. What software can I use to edit out commercials and re-render it?

I normally don't give that "it has to be free" on software, but this time I will. This is not something I'll be doing on a regular basis.....it's more of a fun test than anything, so I don't want to spend money on the video editing software.

Suggestions?

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PCBruiser · 12-13-2004, 02:24 PM

Probably the most mature freeware vid editor is VirtualDub, from here:

http://www.virtualdub.com/

It takes a little practice to work with it - not the simpliest software around to use, but excellent nonetheless.

If you are going to do the playback on your computer, I would personally use DivX Pro (about $15 - $20) as my codec, with Lame for the audio. If you are playing back on your DVD player, then mpeg4 with mp3 for the audio would be the way to go. Do this, do the capture without compression, that will be a BIG file, about 10gb for an hour, then edit and compress once you have sliced out the parts you don't want. You get the best results with only compressing the video once, at the end of the processing. Otherwise, you do get noise. The other alternative is to use one of the "lossless" codecs for the capure and then whatever you want for the final compression. Two lossless vid codecs that I use for this purpose are Huffyuv and CamStudios Lossless codec. Note that they still produce BIG files, but somewhat smaller than uncompressed. You can find them using google or by going to DivX Digest here:

http://www.divx-digest.com/

KingTermite · 12-13-2004, 02:37 PM

Thanks for the tips, PCB.

sumrtym · 12-13-2004, 02:56 PM

I normally record in Mpeg-2 because I later author to DVD that I want to be able to play back in a standalone dvd player.

For removing commercials from in mpeg-2, I use mpeg-vcr from womble.

For authoring to dvd, I'm using Adobe Encore 1.5 which is expensive, but someone could probably point you to a different alternative as well for correctly authoring a dvd from the mpeg-2.

pointreyes · 12-13-2004, 03:06 PM

The TV Tuner card should give you the option to record in high DVD quality and will even note that it's mpeg4 format. Even though this will create a sizable recording, it gives much leeway with the final format you want for DVD playback on a DVD player.

I don't use the free software route though.
For VHS to DVD - I use Pinnacle Studio 9 with a breakout box for the RCA jacks. Blasted software crashes with MPEG4 files.

For MPEG4 to DVD - I use TMPGenc with AC3.

Spiderman that was on TV several weeks ago was over 7Gig in mpeg4 format, with TMPGenc using AC3 for sound format, I was able to fit the movie with commericals cut out to a 4.2Gig size on an authored DVD.

There is also a TMPGenc for free but I'm not sure if it has the mpeg editor on it and you definitely don't get AC3 sound. I have heard good things about Virtual Dub as well.

patentman · 12-13-2004, 03:09 PM

..but, I hope you`ll get the whole picture that way.
Recently I bought a AverMedia Studio TV 303 tv tuner card.
It`s awesome!The tv quality quality rocks and the capture is exceptional.It captures to any format you like (real time) and can use any codec you have like DivX.
I`m new to DVDRW as well and so I haven`t still decide which format to choose from as I want -mostly- to save personal videos and not tv program.But rather prefer not to save to avi but at least mpeg2 which can be edited in many video editing software -not sure about VirtualDub,check it out first.But as for the TV capturing card I recomend it as a top buy.
I think you`ll not like the idea of buying Ulead Mediastudio PRO...but rocks,then Ulead DVD MovieFactory is a good solution (all toghether VERY expensive).I`ll give a try to Intervideo`s software as well.Adobe is a bit behind I think.

Golden_abx · 12-13-2004, 03:22 PM

I came across a program called VideoReDo. http://www.drdsystems.com/VideoReDo/ It has a 30 day trial. (although I can't seem to get a key from these folks for the trial version and thus limits to a 30 minute recording). It is simple enough that even I can use it.

sumrtym · 12-13-2004, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patentman

Adobe is a bit behind I think.

Encore 1.5 is VERY nice and has some nice improvements over the 1.0 first try by Adobe. I like it better than any I've tried.

But keep in mind for video editing, it's more meant to be used with Premiere. Encore is primarily for DVD authoring, not editing.

BoWevil_abx · 12-14-2004, 03:08 AM

I know you said you wanted free editing software and this is just if you can't locate any that meets your needs. I was at a CompUSA store the other day and saw a Dazzle Digital Creator 80 in the discount bin for $25. It is a USB capture device with Moviestar video editing software. Moviestar is easy to use and is a good basic editor (Pinnacle purchased Dazzle about a year ago).

ronbo 613 · 12-15-2004, 04:21 PM

Howdy-If you don't have a lot of disc space, you can capture from your TV using VirtualDub or VirtualVCR using the Huffyuv codec. I'm not sure if Virtual VCR can capture to MPEG2, you can check it out. I don't use it myself, but my friends who save lots of TV shows swear by it. Anyway, you can convert the AVI files produced with VirtualDub with TMPGEnc to nice MPEG2 files. You can also cut out the commercials after encoding with the MPEG tools. You can download TMPGEnc HERE or HERE.

KingTermite · 12-15-2004, 04:31 PM

Well recording format ideas are now past....both are already recorded (uncompressed AVI). I still need to figure out which of the suggested editing software to use....I'll probably check them out now.

ronbo 613 · 12-15-2004, 04:38 PM

If all you need to do is straight cuts, no fades, effects or titles, you can encode to MPEG2 with TMPGEnc and use the MPEG tools to cut the parts you don't want. VirtualDub does the same thing with AVI, but I haven't used it myself because I have other editors.
I know most video editing companies have trial versions, but I can't recall any free, full-featured editors. I use Ulead VideoStudio, it's not too bad for basic stuff. Lots of times you can find it bundled with a $20-30 firewire card.

How about Windows Movie Maker?

sumrtym · 12-15-2004, 04:39 PM

This looks to be $30, but heard a lot of good things about the convertor (just never used it). Looks like maybe it burns too.

Win AVI

jcarno · 12-15-2004, 05:04 PM

ronbo.........how do you get video studio to save your file as an mpeg instead of that unlead file format(can't think of the name of it at the moment). You know what I mean?????? After editing, I just want to save the file for now but there is no choice to "save as" mpeg. Maybe its not possible????

ronbo 613 · 12-15-2004, 05:22 PM

In the last tab of the editing window: Finish , the first option is Create Video File. There are some preset options like DVD and VCD but the first option allows you to create your own video file where you can adjust the audio and video bitrates and pick the format. I have VideoStudio6, other versions may be a little different.
Project Playback sends the project you are working on back to the DV source.

12-13-2004, 02:13 PM	#1
KingTermite The Shade of Lazarus Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: PM me to keep in contact Posts: 26,003	Video Editing software (free) and formats? Ok, I'm thinking of finally giving my DVD burner a good test as I've barely used it since I got it. I was thinking I would record (using my tv capture card) EarthSea tonight, then go back and edit out the commercials and burn it to a DVD. 1. What format should I record the on my capture card? MP4, MP2? 2. What software can I use to edit out commercials and re-render it? I normally don't give that "it has to be free" on software, but this time I will. This is not something I'll be doing on a regular basis.....it's more of a fun test than anything, so I don't want to spend money on the video editing software. Suggestions? __________________ Bye Bye ABXZone.....Rest In Peace.
(Offline)

12-13-2004, 02:24 PM	#2
PCBruiser Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 13,497	Probably the most mature freeware vid editor is VirtualDub, from here: http://www.virtualdub.com/ It takes a little practice to work with it - not the simpliest software around to use, but excellent nonetheless. If you are going to do the playback on your computer, I would personally use DivX Pro (about $15 - $20) as my codec, with Lame for the audio. If you are playing back on your DVD player, then mpeg4 with mp3 for the audio would be the way to go. Do this, do the capture without compression, that will be a BIG file, about 10gb for an hour, then edit and compress once you have sliced out the parts you don't want. You get the best results with only compressing the video once, at the end of the processing. Otherwise, you do get noise. The other alternative is to use one of the "lossless" codecs for the capure and then whatever you want for the final compression. Two lossless vid codecs that I use for this purpose are Huffyuv and CamStudios Lossless codec. Note that they still produce BIG files, but somewhat smaller than uncompressed. You can find them using google or by going to DivX Digest here: http://www.divx-digest.com/
(Offline)

12-13-2004, 02:37 PM	#3
KingTermite The Shade of Lazarus Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: PM me to keep in contact Posts: 26,003	Thanks for the tips, PCB. __________________ Bye Bye ABXZone.....Rest In Peace.
(Offline)

12-13-2004, 02:56 PM	#4
sumrtym King without a castle Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 987	I normally record in Mpeg-2 because I later author to DVD that I want to be able to play back in a standalone dvd player. For removing commercials from in mpeg-2, I use mpeg-vcr from womble. For authoring to dvd, I'm using Adobe Encore 1.5 which is expensive, but someone could probably point you to a different alternative as well for correctly authoring a dvd from the mpeg-2. __________________ \| P4 3.2c Northwood\| Gigabyte GA-8KNXP Rev 1.0 BIOS F10 \| GDM-FW900 24" widescreen Trinitron \| 2 GB Mushkin "Special" DDR400 2-3-2-6 @ 2.7v \| Antec 1080 black with 430 W TruePower \| 2 x 120 GB WD1200JB in RAID 0 for video \| 200 GB WD2000JB for OS and all programs \| 200 GB WD2000JB for .wav music \| Turtle Beach Santa Cruz \| VideoLogic DigiTheatre DTS speakers \| ATI AIW 9800 Pro 128 MB \| Sony 1.44" floppy \| Toshiba SD-1712 DVD-ROM \| Benq 1620 DL DVD+/-RW \| Win XP Pro \| MS Intellimouse Explorer \| MS Natural Multimedia Keyboard \|
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12-13-2004, 03:06 PM	#5
pointreyes The race for quality has no finish line- so technically, it's more like a death march. Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 18,159	The TV Tuner card should give you the option to record in high DVD quality and will even note that it's mpeg4 format. Even though this will create a sizable recording, it gives much leeway with the final format you want for DVD playback on a DVD player. I don't use the free software route though. For VHS to DVD - I use Pinnacle Studio 9 with a breakout box for the RCA jacks. Blasted software crashes with MPEG4 files. For MPEG4 to DVD - I use TMPGenc with AC3. Spiderman that was on TV several weeks ago was over 7Gig in mpeg4 format, with TMPGenc using AC3 for sound format, I was able to fit the movie with commericals cut out to a 4.2Gig size on an authored DVD. There is also a TMPGenc for free but I'm not sure if it has the mpeg editor on it and you definitely don't get AC3 sound. I have heard good things about Virtual Dub as well.
(Offline)

12-13-2004, 03:09 PM	#6
patentman Modded Person Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 2,281	KT I`m a bit out of your point of subject ..but, I hope you`ll get the whole picture that way. Recently I bought a AverMedia Studio TV 303 tv tuner card. It`s awesome!The tv quality quality rocks and the capture is exceptional.It captures to any format you like (real time) and can use any codec you have like DivX. I`m new to DVDRW as well and so I haven`t still decide which format to choose from as I want -mostly- to save personal videos and not tv program.But rather prefer not to save to avi but at least mpeg2 which can be edited in many video editing software -not sure about VirtualDub,check it out first.But as for the TV capturing card I recomend it as a top buy. I think you`ll not like the idea of buying Ulead Mediastudio PRO...but rocks,then Ulead DVD MovieFactory is a good solution (all toghether VERY expensive).I`ll give a try to Intervideo`s software as well.Adobe is a bit behind I think. __________________ P4C800-E DELUXE, 3.2E D0 218FSB 1:1 2.5 2368 (up to 240 stable 5:4), Zalman CNPS7000B Al-Cu, 2x512 TwinMos PC3200, Chieftec LBX-03, Chieftec HPC-420, 2x WD1600JD Raid 0, 2x WD800JD RAID 0, WD1200JB, WD800BB, NEC ND3500A, 6800LE, AverMedia TvStudio 303, Zoom 56K, USR9105, SB Live! and and old but too modded CUSL2 !!!
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12-13-2004, 03:22 PM	#7
Golden_abx Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Omaha Posts: 77	I came across a program called VideoReDo. http://www.drdsystems.com/VideoReDo/ It has a 30 day trial. (although I can't seem to get a key from these folks for the trial version and thus limits to a 30 minute recording). It is simple enough that even I can use it. __________________ _________________ DFI SLI-DR AMD X2 4800+ Leadtek 6600GT THD - Samsung 930B OCZ 2x 512mb PC 3500 Performance Series 2 x WD740GD not Raid Raid 0 2x Hitachi 160GB SATA Maxtor 160gb, Maxtor 300GB, Hitachi Deskstar 250GB NEC 3410 DVD, Pioneer 106 DVD
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12-14-2004, 03:08 AM	#9
BoWevil_abx Non-expert Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Traveling full time Posts: 1,865	I know you said you wanted free editing software and this is just if you can't locate any that meets your needs. I was at a CompUSA store the other day and saw a Dazzle Digital Creator 80 in the discount bin for $25. It is a USB capture device with Moviestar video editing software. Moviestar is easy to use and is a good basic editor (Pinnacle purchased Dazzle about a year ago).
(Offline)

12-15-2004, 04:21 PM	#10
ronbo 613 Computer User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,642	Howdy-If you don't have a lot of disc space, you can capture from your TV using VirtualDub or VirtualVCR using the Huffyuv codec. I'm not sure if Virtual VCR can capture to MPEG2, you can check it out. I don't use it myself, but my friends who save lots of TV shows swear by it. Anyway, you can convert the AVI files produced with VirtualDub with TMPGEnc to nice MPEG2 files. You can also cut out the commercials after encoding with the MPEG tools. You can download TMPGEnc HERE or HERE.
(Offline)

12-15-2004, 04:31 PM	#11
KingTermite The Shade of Lazarus Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: PM me to keep in contact Posts: 26,003	Well recording format ideas are now past....both are already recorded (uncompressed AVI). I still need to figure out which of the suggested editing software to use....I'll probably check them out now. __________________ Bye Bye ABXZone.....Rest In Peace.
(Offline)

12-15-2004, 04:38 PM	#12
ronbo 613 Computer User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,642	If all you need to do is straight cuts, no fades, effects or titles, you can encode to MPEG2 with TMPGEnc and use the MPEG tools to cut the parts you don't want. VirtualDub does the same thing with AVI, but I haven't used it myself because I have other editors. I know most video editing companies have trial versions, but I can't recall any free, full-featured editors. I use Ulead VideoStudio, it's not too bad for basic stuff. Lots of times you can find it bundled with a $20-30 firewire card. How about Windows Movie Maker?
(Offline)

12-15-2004, 04:39 PM	#13
sumrtym King without a castle Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 987	This looks to be $30, but heard a lot of good things about the convertor (just never used it). Looks like maybe it burns too. Win AVI __________________ \| P4 3.2c Northwood\| Gigabyte GA-8KNXP Rev 1.0 BIOS F10 \| GDM-FW900 24" widescreen Trinitron \| 2 GB Mushkin "Special" DDR400 2-3-2-6 @ 2.7v \| Antec 1080 black with 430 W TruePower \| 2 x 120 GB WD1200JB in RAID 0 for video \| 200 GB WD2000JB for OS and all programs \| 200 GB WD2000JB for .wav music \| Turtle Beach Santa Cruz \| VideoLogic DigiTheatre DTS speakers \| ATI AIW 9800 Pro 128 MB \| Sony 1.44" floppy \| Toshiba SD-1712 DVD-ROM \| Benq 1620 DL DVD+/-RW \| Win XP Pro \| MS Intellimouse Explorer \| MS Natural Multimedia Keyboard \|
(Offline)

12-15-2004, 05:04 PM	#14
jcarno Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: upstate N.Y. Posts: 751	ronbo.........how do you get video studio to save your file as an mpeg instead of that unlead file format(can't think of the name of it at the moment). You know what I mean?????? After editing, I just want to save the file for now but there is no choice to "save as" mpeg. Maybe its not possible???? __________________ DFI NF4 SLI-D/X2 4400/2x1024 G-Skill PC4000 /2xBFG 7800GT/1 Maxtor 200g Sata150/1 Maxtor 160g Sata/
(Offline)

12-15-2004, 05:22 PM	#15
ronbo 613 Computer User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,642	In the last tab of the editing window: Finish , the first option is Create Video File. There are some preset options like DVD and VCD but the first option allows you to create your own video file where you can adjust the audio and video bitrates and pick the format. I have VideoStudio6, other versions may be a little different. Project Playback sends the project you are working on back to the DV source.
(Offline)

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