Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Novice video editor needs help

May 30, 2006 7:38AM PDT

I have two Panasonic PVGS-150 camcorders that I used to record various church services. One is used to shoot the Pastor only and the other is used to shoot the congregation. However, it?s a real pain in the you know what to edit all the footage and put it together. I'm currently using Pinnacle 9 editing program. Is there an easier way to do this? I?m a novice at editing and I?m not sure what to do. What will be a more practical and time saving way to edit all the footage? Should I buy a digital video mixer that I can use during live shots? Or shall I get a better editing program that offers more variety? Can someone help me?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
I use the full version of Sony Vegas, and have never
May 30, 2006 8:11AM PDT

used Pinnacle so I don't know what its problems are. However, in Vegas, I simply place the video from each of two cameras on the timeline. If necessary, the audio can be used to synchronize the two video sources. That's assuming that each camera is recording audio.

Vegas displays the video on the highest level video track that has video at a particular point. Thus, you can stack video tracks, and the top most video will be displayed. I then add a composite envelope to the top track. At various points along the track, I add key frames which provide the ability to vary the composite level. If I drop the level to or toward zero, the next lower video track becomes visible. Thus, I can do a jump or a transition from track to track depending on what effect I want. There is also software available which will display the available video tracks. Track selection is done by simply clicking on the track's monitor.

Various envelopes can also be applied to the audio which will allow a smooth transition from one audio source to another.

There is a Studio version of Vegas which is the lite version. I don't know how many of these abilities are available in the Studio version.

Vegas also allows me to 'cut out' sections of the tracks on the timeline. Thus, I can edit multiple tracks simultaneously if I want to remove a section.

- Collapse -
Thanks
May 30, 2006 2:04PM PDT

I'm not sure if I understand all of what you explained, but it sounds alot easier to do than what I'm currently doing now.

- Collapse -
Sony Vegas wayyyy to expensive!!!!!
Jun 5, 2006 12:22AM PDT

I sense what you are trying to do. Instead of the full Vegas software, why not get what he was saying, the Sony Vegas Movie Studio+DVD or Sony Vegas Movie Studio+DVD Platinum Edition. Check them out here:

http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/products/vegasfamily.asp

(It's the bottom two)

If you only capture from two cameras, these would work fine.