ADigitalMan's Guide to MPEG2/AC3 Editing — Page 3

Author: Pagz
Time: 31-Mar-2006 10:07 PM
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Okay, so after much waiting and decompressing and such, I finally have Vegas open and Rots loaded. Now I come to my next hurdle. I don't know how to use vegas

So, here's what I want to do: Specifically I want to remove the word "Master" from the audio track at a specific point "Master, general grievous's ship is directly ahead, the one crawling with vulture droids." I just don't like the delivery of the word, sounds odd in my ear. I don't want to just chop it out because I'd end up with a jump cut. Instead, I'd like to mute out or replace that section of the center audio track where the line is located. I don't know specifically whether it would be better to just mute it out for those couple of frames, or to replace the audio with the left and right tracks to preserve the music on that track. I'm leaning towards just muting. Anyway, I haven't the faintest idea how to do it. How do I edit small pieces of the audio on a specific channel? Anyone got some tips for me?

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Author: ADigitalMan
Time: 1-Apr-2006 8:40 AM
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Choose the point where you want the cut to happen and select "split" at that point. If you have all six tracks grouped, you'll split them all, so you'll have to hit the "unlocked" button on in the toolbar to ignore grouping, once the split is made, then hit that button again to keep future grouping together.

It'll take some time to get used to it. Play around and see what you can learn by experimentation. It's a great way to learn the program.

I am the BASF of the film community. I don’t make the films you watch. I make the films you watch better.

Author: Pagz
Time: 1-Apr-2006 7:43 PM
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Sweet, thanks for the info. I've been having a lot of fun with Vegas. Thus far I've just been going through and making the actual cuts to the film that I want, with the intention of going back over the audio afterward for those smaller details I mentioned. I've made it as far as the Dooku duel. I'm very pleased with the quality of the cuts I'm getting out of Vegas, they seem much more precise than the womble cuts I had made in my first rough edit. Anyway, I'm sure I'll be back with more questions soon

Visit my Webcomic! Nonstop Pop

Author: MeBeJedi
Time: 3-Apr-2006 6:37 PM
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Wow, I didn't even realize my name was being called here. We need some sort of "Bat Signal" or something.

So far, ADM's advice has been what mine would have been as well. If you are serious about learning Vegas, I HIGHLY recommend this book: Vegas 5 Editing Workshop.

I learned many cool tricks and methods from this book, and the CD is full of cool material. If you have Vegas 6, there is an updated version, but I've not read it.

Good luck with your project, and I'll try to check this thread more often.

MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.

MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.

JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.

Author: ADigitalMan
Time: 3-Apr-2006 9:34 PM
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I wouldn't be where I am without MBJ's early advice and support.

I am the BASF of the film community. I don’t make the films you watch. I make the films you watch better.

Author: Marvolo
Time: 8-May-2006 9:03 PM
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ADigitalMan can you P.M. me on how to do a professional wipe from one scene to the next? Thanks.

Author: ADigitalMan
Time: 9-May-2006 9:47 AM
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That's something I never figured out, but Trooperman is an ace at it. Drop him a PM and see what he can tell you.

I am the BASF of the film community. I don’t make the films you watch. I make the films you watch better.

Author: Marvolo
Time: 16-May-2006 5:02 PM
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Thanks for the suggestion. I will P.M. Trooperman and see what he says.

Author: MeBeJedi
Time: 25-May-2006 2:16 AM
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"I have Vegas, but the problem I run into there is that Vegas doesn't recognize the .M2V or .AC3 file extensions that DVD Decrypter gave me for my video files and audio file. Do I have to further convert the video files for use on Vegas? Is there some kind of plug-in? Any help would be appreciated."

I just wanted to point out that, if you have the MPEG plugin, you can import the VOB and edit the video (though you will still have to recompile to an entirely new MPEG) Extract the audio and convert it to .wav (I use Sound Forge to pull it straight from the VOB), sync up to the video, and you're good.

MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.

MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.

JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.

Author: ADigitalMan
Time: 25-May-2006 10:11 AM
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I had no idea Vegas had this capability. Way cool. Where is the MPEG plugin available? Who makes it?

I am the BASF of the film community. I don’t make the films you watch. I make the films you watch better.

Author: MeBeJedi
Time: 25-May-2006 11:17 PM
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Wouldn't you like to know....

(Check your PMs

)

A few caveats - some VOBs can get a little wonky, such as the SW opening crawl from the DVDs. (Multiple branching streams for the various languages) and it can run a little slow sometimes.

MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.

MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.

JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.

Author: Taolar
Time: 16-Jun-2006 4:39 AM
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Ok, I've tried the how-to with four different DVD's and I've noticed that with each, after bringing the files into Womble, about 5 frames are removed from the beginning of each m2v, leaving what look like jump cuts between each file, and the video getting progressively more out of sync with the audio.

Is this the same symptom everyone with the audio sync problems are experiencing?

If so, I've found the solution: In DVD Decrypter's settings, under the "IFO Mode" tab, set "File Splitting" to none. It'll output the video to one huge file, that when imported into Womble matches the audio frame for frame.

Now back to work on the next great fan edit!

-T

edit: p.s. The first time I imported that 5gig m2v into Womble, the video was completely black. I closed Womble and re-opened it, and the video was there.

Working on: Superman: Son of Jorel

Author: MeBeJedi
Time: 17-Jun-2006 12:56 AM
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^ Sounds like a familiar fix with many programs I've used.

MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.

MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.

JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.

Author: ADigitalMan
Time: 17-Jun-2006 2:12 PM
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I still get the sync problem from time to time even though I always flag file splitting off.

My solution has ultimately been to calculate the final number of frames off the result is, and stretch/squeeze the reference audio file that number of frames, then sync all my edits to the altered reference file. Seems to do the trick great.

I am the BASF of the film community. I don’t make the films you watch. I make the films you watch better.

Author: Taolar
Time: 17-Jun-2006 5:13 PM
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You might want to put the file splitting setting in your guide. It would save some frustration. Even if the audio sync problems continue, the video frame skipping would stop. Or am I the only one having that problem?

-T

Working on: Superman: Son of Jorel

Author: ADigitalMan
Time: 18-Jun-2006 2:38 PM
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No problem. Good idea. It's done.

I am the BASF of the film community. I don’t make the films you watch. I make the films you watch better.

Author: LeoneNut
Time: 21-Jun-2006 9:04 AM
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ADM, many thanks for the guide. I've been wanting to do my own edits of films for years.
I looked into this a few years back, but was put off by how complicated it was.
I've already created simple edited together clips and burned them to DVD.

I'm in the process of restoring three Sergio Leone films at the moment

Star Wars 1977-1983

Star Trek 1966-1991

LeoneNut's Edits

YouTube Clips

Author: ADigitalMan
Time: 21-Jun-2006 10:08 AM
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I love to hear it when others are able to pick up the hobby. Just remember, at the time I wrote the guide, I'd only been doing for a year. So if I can do it, anybody can. Glad to hear another success story.

I am the BASF of the film community. I don’t make the films you watch. I make the films you watch better.

Author: Taolar
Time: 22-Jun-2006 10:23 PM
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Oh yes, ADM, thanks from me too. Your guide has been instrumental in me actually getting anywhere in my re-edit project. I doubt I would've found the time to learn how to do this otherwise. Or I would've just converted everything to DV, losing a lot of quality.

Not to mention the inspiration I've gotten from some of your edits. Great job!

-M

Working on: Superman: Son of Jorel

Author: MeBeJedi
Time: 24-Jun-2006 2:03 PM
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Taolar doesn't begin with M.

MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.

MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.

JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.

Author: Taolar
Time: 24-Jun-2006 8:12 PM
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Yeah, it does. It's just silent.

Working on: Superman: Son of Jorel

Author: MeBeJedi
Time: 25-Jun-2006 9:12 PM
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LOL!

MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.

MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.

JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.

Author: meedermow
Time: 8-Jul-2006 4:43 AM
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Many thanks to adigitalman for the exhaustative guide.

One issue I'm having with Step 3 - turning 4:3 into 16:9 is that the source I'm working with is 2 hours long (i.e. I need to change a whole movie from non-anamorphic cinemascope to anamorphic) - the output file from VirtualDubMod is a projected 250GB and I only have a 150GB drive ! Is there a way to modulate the size of the outputted file without compromising quality (too much ?). Probably a pipe dream, I know - but thought I'd ask

Or do I simply do half the project and then rejoin it to the other half ?? Now there's a thought !

Thanks in advance !

Author: MeBeJedi
Time: 8-Jul-2006 6:27 PM
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Just buy a 300GB drive online. A PATA drive can be very, very cheap these days, and would be excellent for such video projects.

.....

Wait-a-second...250GBs for one video project? What codec are you using?

MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.

MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.

JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.

Author: meedermow
Time: 9-Jul-2006 5:30 AM
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Originally posted by: MeBeJedi

Wait-a-second...250GBs for one video project? What codec are you using?

Eek - Not a clue (complete n00b here

) !

How would I find that out ? I'm using ADM's guide to the letter, so all the software etc. is exactly the same.

It is a 2hr 19 min project - so does that make a difference ?

I went ahead and split the project into 3 and have rejoined it together, however an original 4GB source is now 9GB. All a bit confusing...

Cheers,

mm