Video Editing Computers, Software and Techniques

“The Goal of a Good Video Edit is to Clearly Communicate a Thought or Feeling.”

Content

• What is Video Editing
• 3-Step Video Editing Process
• 5 Things to Look for in a Video Editing  Computer
• How to Choose the Best Video Editing Software
• 30 Things You Must Know to Learn Video Editing

What is Video Editing

Video editing is the process of taking your camcorder video, webcam video or a web video from YouTube, putting it into your  computer and making it shorter or longer, adding music, adding text or adding graphics or extra videos and photos.

Video editing is an art.  The art of arranging pictures and dialog and sounds, that a completed video product is able to communicate a story or message to its target audience.

Video editing is more than just cutting and arranging a video sequence. Video editing is a blend of technical knowledge combined with an artist’s creativity.

In the hands of a skilled video editor, camera footage is rearranged to become a “story” with a beginning, middle and end.

It is because of the importance of this phase of video production that the process takes an extended amount of time to complete.

With today’s increasingly powerful personal computers and software programs, almost anyone  can learn video editing, produce commercials and even make movies from their home or office.

Video editing tools are available not only to  professional video editors, but also to the general public.

3-Step Video Editing Process

The video editing process occurs in three basic steps. These include:

1. Capturing
2. Assembling
3. Rendering

During the capture phase, the actual “shots” or raw footage are transferred into the video editing computer.

During the assembling phase, the collection of videos, stills and graphics are organized in a desired sequence and sound is added in until they form a comprehensive storyline.

Once this has been accomplished, the video is rendered in the desired format for distribution.  Commonly in DVD and web video format.

5 Things to Look for in a Video Editing Computer

Mac or PC?

That is the question!

I use the PC and recommend the PC or rather a Windows-based computer.

Those that swear by the Mac come from film schools and fanatics that are not exposed to the videography industry.

You will understand when it comes to finding software available in the market that we need for video production.  Most of them are written for the PC.

I am not saying that the Mac is bad.  It is just not flexible enough to accommodate the wide variety of useful software available.

I am very tempted to get the Mac myself because it looks cool and trendy with all that hype going on.

Here’s a secret.  I am eying at this model.  The MacBook Pro 17″.

And when I get this baby I am going to install Windows Vista and Sony Vegas Pro with the rest of my favorite software.  I will then have both the Mac and the PC all in one.

With that said. Let’s get back to the PC side.

Desktop or Laptop?

I have both. I need both.
(I have more than  both, that means I have more than 2 video editing computers)

The Desktop runs faster than the Laptop  for video editing .

However with the Laptop, I run faster, getting edits done on location and delivering to clients quickly.

It is your choice, though I recommend the Laptop, because if you were to come to my video editing class live, you have to bring along your own machine for practice.

This brings us to the next question.

What is the Best Specifications for a Video Editing Laptop/PC?

Or What to Look for in a Video Editing Laptop/PC?

Here are my tips based on experience.

5 Things to Look for in a Video Editing Laptop/PC

1. Intel Processor
2. Firewire Ports
3. Maximized RAM
4. 2nd Monitor Port
5. Super Multi Drive

1. Intel Processor

Most Video Editing Software in the market like Sony Vegas and Corel VideoStudio are optimized to run faster with Intel Processor than any other processor brands.  Always go for the latest Intel chip. At the point of writing, it is the “quad” chip.

2. Firewire Ports

If you are recording on tape, you will need a firewire port to transfer the video from the camcorder to the PC via a firewire cable.  (This is becoming less significant as we begin to record video on memory cards)

3. Maximized RAM

Video Editing is very memory intensive as video files are huge. So more RAM capacity means faster video editing operation.  In computer stores, they always sell you less RAM so that the whole PC is cheaper.  Please ask for more, pay for it, max it out.

4. 2nd Monitor Port

This is optional but having a second monitor makes video editing extra efficient, with the editing timeline on one monitor and the full size video preview on the other.

5. Super Multi Drive

All edited video ends up mostly on DVDs. So a DVD writer is essential. Look for the term “Super Multi Drive” as it will allow you to burn all sorts of discs: DVD+R / DVD+RW / DVD-R / DVD-RW / DVD-RAM/DVD-ROM CD-R/ CD-RW / CD-ROM / 8.5GB DVD-R Dual Layer / DVD+R Double Layer.  Now there is also the blu-ray disc burner for high definition videos.

A Typical Video Editing PC Specifications

This is the general specs of a Acer PC I bought in the beginning of 2008.  It is value for money and works great for video editing , video conversion and dvd production.  Surprisingly despite what others say bout Acer, my Acers seem to be very robust.

Acer Aspire M5630 Specifications

Platform:

• Intel® Core™2 Quad processor (2.4Ghz)

Operating System:

• Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium

System Memory:

• 3 GB of DDR2 800 MHz SDRAM

Hard Disk Drive:

• 500 GB SATA hard disk for one 3.5″ drive

Graphics:

• Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 (Intel®GMA 3100)

I/O Ports:

• Six USB 2.0 ports (2 in front, 4 in back)
• Multi-in-one card reader
• Headphone and microphone jacks
• IEEE 1394 port (6-pin)
• PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports
• Ethernet (RJ-45) port
• Six audio jacks
• D-Sub VGA port
• Parallel port
• Serial port
• S/PDIF jack

DVD Super Multi Double-Layer Drive:

One more tip on getting a Video Editing Laptop/PC.

Buy First Hand.

That means buy new.  If you have a Laptop/PC older and 2 years old, forget it and try not to attempt upgrading it.  It will only frustrate you more when you edit on a slow PC.

How to Choose the Best Video Editing Software

First, let me tell you what I have chosen.

Sony Vegas Pro and Corel VideoStudio.

If you’re just starting out in video making, you may be confused by the wide range of video editing products in the market today. Some software packages cost more than $500 while others are below $100, yet some are free! How do you decide which package to choose?

For the Beginner

If you are brand new to video editing, I highly recommend Windows Movie Maker.  It comes free with every latest PC running on Windows XP or Vista.  Use Windows Movie Maker to get the hang of video editing on your own. You can actually make a rather decent looking movie with it.

For the Intermediate User

Once you get the hang of  the basics of video editing, you might want to step up to intermediate level using Corel VideoStudio. One of the best mid-range video editing programs, Corel VideoStudio provides features that will suit both beginners and intermediate videographers. There are also many very reasonably priced video editing programs available: Adobe Premiere Elements, Pinnacle Studio, Sony Vegas Movie Studio, and Muvee just to name a few.

For the Advanced or Professional User

If you’re serious into videography or want to become a professional video editor as a freelance career, you will most likely have to use Sony Vegas Pro.  I strongly recommend this for advanced users who want to tweak and customize their videos to their heart’s content.  Other popular advanced video editing programs include Avid Express Pro, Adobe Premier Pro and Apple Final Cut Pro.

30 Things You Must Know to Learn Video Editing

“Where do I start?”

Here are the step-by-step segments that you must go through in order to master your video editing program.  Look into its manual or click the help button in your video editing program to learn more.

This is the sequence I will teach in my live video editing class.  Just follow diligently and you can start video editing on the right path.

Introduction

*      Workspace Layout
*      Menus
*      Timelines
*      Resource Bins

Creating New Projects

*      Starting a New Project
*      Capturing from a Camcorder
*      Importing Media from Computer

Working with Video Files

*      Splitting Video Clips
*      Deleting Video Clips
*      Adding Transitions
*      Adding Effects
*      Panning and Cropping
*      Picture-in-picture
*      Working with Audio Files
*      Adding Background Music
*      Cropping Music
*      Fading Out Music
*      Controlling Volume
*      Multiple Audio Tracks

Adding Titles

*      Modifying Text Properties
*      Title Placement
*      TV Safe Area
*      Text Effects
*      Applying Transitions to Titles
*      Correcting / Modifying Titles
*      Credits

Media Generators

*      Noise Texture
*      Backgrounds

Rendering

*      Rendering for Web
*      Rendering for DVD
*      Rendering for Broadcast

Conclusion

All in all, there is a huge range of video editing software in the market. My basic advice is to start simple. Go  try out Windows Movie Maker. Learn the ins and outs, get comfortable with video editing. Once you progress and learn more about video editing in general, you can then consider upgrading to better programs like Sony Vegas Pro and Corel Videostudio.

 

 

Enjoy!

Adrian Lee
http://VideoLane.com

PS: Please ask me questions on Video Editing using the form below.

 

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