Non-Linear Editing

"Non-linear editing" is rapidly becoming the choice of videographers. This section will review the process; its equipment; and some "pros and cons". Students in their second year have already experienced the use of non-linear editing software. However, this review will cover material that will be found on the final test for the course. The following material should be used as directed to complete any Review Questions Sheet that is assigned.

NON-LINEAR EDITING

The development of digital technology has had a major impact on camcorders and video editing. The majority of video production and editing has historically been done through a traditional process called "linear editing". This process relied on several decks, camcorders, editing consoles, character generators, special effects generators, and time base correctors. The analog process has also historically been very technical, costly and cumbersome. The rapid drop in the cost of computers and most related technologies have led to a dramatic increase in the sales of digital camcorders. Digital camcorders, combined with the new IEEE 1394 (Firewire) interface, are the key force behind the conversion of most broadcast and industrial video editing to a digital process of editing called "non-linear editing". Through this new technology, a digital camcorder can be plugged directly into the computer. The special software allows for the transfer and editing of the video, but also may allow for controlling of the camera's operating controls, and the capability to output back out to tape on the camcorder. This reduces the amount of equipment required; makes editing and special effects much easier; and also allows for "broadcast quality" output on the final video.

VIDEO CAPTURE

Previously, the basic way to obtain digital video was the conversion or "digitizing" of analog video tapes into digital video (computer) files. The process is called "video capture". Special devices or internal computer video cards are used that have audio and video connections allowing the attachment of a camcorder or video cassette recorder to the computer. Many of the camcorders or decks in use today are still "analog" devices. (The high cost of digital camcorders have kept many from being able to afford digital equipment.) Therefore, it was more cost effective to purchase video capture cards, to get the video into the computer, than to replace the camcorder. The camcorder or deck is attached to the connections on the capture card, and when a taped segment is played on the deck, the computer "records" the images electronically as a computer file.

DIGITAL VIDEO FILE SIZE

The main drawback to digital video technology is the incredibly large file sizes that are created when the digitizing takes place. "Broadcast quality" video at full screen resolutions take up the most space, actually measured in gigabytes per minute. Even using certain compression, the files can be four gigabytes per minute! Personal computers need extremely large capacity hard drives to store the files, and sometimes they require an entire dedicated hard drive (or an "array" of multiple hard drives) to store the files. The computer must have a large amount of random access memory (RAM) in order to be able to work with the video files as well. However, with the development of large, fast hard drives, these problems are slowly being overcome. Improved compression of video (primarily the MPEG compression) has also dramatically lowered file sizes, allowing for easier handling of the files.

NON-LINEAR EDITING SOFTWARE

Digital editing software is called Non-Linear Editing (NLE) software and usually works on a "timeline" interface. This means that the files can simply be "dragged and dropped" just as if they were words in a word processor. This greatly simplifies the editing process. Instead of cueing up decks and controlling editing consoles, a person can use the mouse to place video segments and even trim and clip segments. NLE software allows for the creation of sophisticated transitions between scenes, editing of multiple scenes, layering of audio tracks, and character generation for titles and credits. That's a lot of features for a small investment!

PROS AND CONS OF NON-LINEAR EDITING

The major drawback to digital video files is that the majority of software programs rely on "software compression" which results in the degradation of image quality. Instead of full-screen video images many editing software programs handle only 320 x 240 pixel images. (640 x 480 would be closer to full size video images.) This is basically only good for Internet applications and multimedia. It is not good for broadcast quality video. Newer technologies are overcoming these shortcomings, and "Firewire" (the IEEE 1394 standard) promises to improve the digital video process. The second major drawback is the cost of digital technologies, computers and digital camcorders. However, the prices are continually dropping and have now become affordable for many people.

The major attraction of this technology is that it dramatically reduces the amount of equipment required to create and produce high quality video productions. All that is required now for "broadcast quality" video is a digital camcorder, a computer, and NLE software.

That concludes this section of the advanced student web site. Please try to read all sections as you will be tested on this information.

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