In this lesson we will capture a single shop video clip and trim it to set the entry and exit point. Video can be quite complicated, but newer software is making it more and more manageable all the time. There are many possible sources for a video: webcam, digital camcorder, analog camcorder. And these might be connected to a computer in a variety of ways: analog video capture card, video-in on your main video card, external video capture devices (Dazzle), s-video, USB or Firewire connection. We will be using a Firewire connection (IEEE-1394) to a digital camcorder capture a video signal in digital format, but we will explore some of the other options as we go. Two programs available on our system can use this remotely control a digital camcorder through a Firewire connection and capture video, the Windows Movie Maker and Adobe Premiere (or Premiere Elements) . We will be using Premiere first and looking at Movie Maker later.
An analog video signal can come from any of several locations (video camera, videotape recorder, DVD) and enter most video capture devices through its RCA or S-Video ports.
RCA cables are common in audio and video equipment. Don't forget to make audio as well as video connections and to plug in your speakers ;-)
Other common connections use the following size plugs:
Stereo mini-plug
Capturing Video in Premiere
Adobe Premiere is a very powerful and expensive program, and like all very powerful programs, there are a LOT of possible settings that can lead to confusion. We will see that Windows Movie Maker, though capable of doing much less, is much easier to use.
All work in Premiere must be done in a project. The first thing you need to do after launching Premiere is to create a new project. If you are not sure what size to use, you can select a general purpose preset mode: Presentation 160x120. A project window will appear. This is where individual video clips for the project will be kept.
Assuming that the video camera is properly set up and turned on, cables are connected to the Video In or S-Video port, or DV in/out for a digital Firewire connection, and a microphone is connected to the microphone in jack, we are ready to roll. Test all equipment to verify light intensity, focus, background, and sound level. Then do a short test to be sure that the video capture board is working.
Select the Premiere menu item File / Capture / Movie Capture. Right click on the capture window, and select Capture File... to use a preallocated file in the root directory. This will tend to be more efficient because you will use the same file each time, but you could also use a new file each time if you prefer. The latter solution could create problems if memory is low or the disk fragmented. Make sure that the size of any preallocated file is sufficient. If you have enough RAM, it is even more efficient to Capture to Memory.
Right click on the capture window again to select the Video Source. depending on whether you are using RCA Video or S-Video inputs. You may also need to adjust brightness and contrast here. At this point you should see the video image in the capture window. If you are capturing from recorded tape, you will see the video after you press Play on your VCR.
Right click on the capture window and select Record Audio. Under Audio Recording Options, select 8/16 bits and sample rate depending on your needs. For a test file you may use 16-bit, 11kHz.
Right click on the capture window and select Recording Options. Choose a frame rate (we will use 15 frames per second (fps). Under Video Format, select the image that you wish. You may also have to select a compressioin option depending on the video capture board. We will use no recompression. In some instances, further processing may require uncompressed video input.
When ready, press Record 1/2 second before you wish to begin. Click again when recording is done. Give your clip a name when saving it via the menu item File / Save.
Setting IN and OUT points
When viewing your clip in the Clip Window, you can trim the final product by setting the In and Out points. Use the sliding controls in the lower left hand cortner of the clip window to find the frame where you want the clip to begin. Set the In point by clicking on the In button in the lower right portion of the clip window. To set the Out point, find the frame where you want the clip to stop and click the Out button. The words In and Out will appear above the video when the In and Out frames are viewed in the clip window.
Drag the clip to the Project Window so it will be available for future use in this project. Then open the Construction Window by selecting Window / Construction.
Most of today's digital still cameras have a video setting. You can film short clips and download them to your computer just as you do your images. because of their small size, stability tends to be difficult to control when trying to hold these cameras cameras still for video. It's even harder if you try to pan or zoom. A tripod or other stable surface can help keep the camera steady.
http://web.cortland.edu/flteach/mm-course/vid-cap.html
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