[Don Bloom]

The Vegas FX have KEY FRAMES which make doing FX on certain parts of a clip very easy. First place the FX on the clip THEN set the FIRST key frame to the time you want the FX to happen, move down the FX timeline and set the next keyframe for where you want the FX to stop. Same with the pan/crop for the zoom. You can also split the clip you want the FX and zoom on as it will probably be easier to work with since it would be a smaller clip.
Play around with it I think you’ll find it to be pretty easy to do. KeyFrames are you friend 🙂
Don

[Don Bloom]

Copy the event an then PASTE EVENT ATTRIBUTES to the new clip.

Don

[Don Bloom]

Use a SPLIT SCREEN (icon over the preview screen) to make this job a whole lot easier.

Don

[Don Bloom]

In no particular order; to raise the levels you can 1)normalize the clips 2) use a volume envelope and set point to adjust the levels 3) set the clips that are “low” on a seperate track and adjust the levels with a bus 4) raise the “amplitude modulation OR volume levels in Non Real Time FX. I probably missed a couple but you might find you need to use more than 1 thing to get it right. Start with Normalization and see where you go. YOu can always go back to the original take.
As for removing background noise, well, that makes the cheese more binding. It depends on the noise; the level, the frequency, where the noise is in relation to the voice, I could go on but I think you get the idea.
Here’s what I would start with if you don’t have a NR program. I would take 1 clip go to Non real time FX goto TRACK EQ and pull #1 down and right until the voice starts to change then back off, then goto #2 and pull down and to the LEFT a bit to even it out. See how it sounds and if need be add some graphic EQ to put a bit of base back into it. Remember anytime you do anything to audio you most often change something else (sometimes not for the good) but play away because you can always go back to the original.

Don

[Don Bloom]

Try END ACTIONS in the menu-set to LOOP- that should solve the situation.

Don

[Don Bloom]

Use the same process but go to the DVD drive of your computer and use that instead of the handycam OR use a set top DVD player thru a pass thru to play the footage into your computer and now you have an editable AVI format to work with.
You were on the right track with the import dvd, don’t let the language fool you.;-)

Don

[Don Bloom]

When you change the time of the generated media you must save it as the new preset.
So if you change it to 3 secs. name it 3 sec preset or something like that and click on the disc icon. You should be all set from there. it’ll show up in the generated media library from now on.

Don

[Don Bloom]

If you have Excalibur version 5 it also has a FIX BAD FRAME script that might be able to work for this.
Don

[Don Bloom]

How low is way too low? After capture did you run some footage thru preview (I’m sure you did) but what do the Vegas audio meters read?
Once we know that we can help you try to boost them if they really need it.
Don

[Don Bloom]

Well, I know folks that use everything from GL1s to DSR570s but here’s what I use (at least for a while and perhaps until I retire)
1 or 2 PD150s and a DSR250 ( I used to use a JVC5000 with the PDs but found color match to be a bit more difficult but loved the image control of the JVC BUT to save time in post went back to the DSR250)
Anyway, for the 150s I use the LCD for framing but use the viewfinder for exposure control-on the 250 I of course use the VF but when on a tripod I use the LCD-easier for these old eyes to see.
I use the full size camera because thats what I “grewup” on in the business and I like having my on camera lite and wireless recievers on the camera at all times without the extra length of wires running down my side as it were.
Anyway, I also have an old VX1000 (circa 1995 or 96) that still produces a kick butt image that I use on occassion.
Hmmmm, sounds to me like I’m pushing the Sony product.
Some folks will tout the newer HD cameras but I have to be honest here and tell you that I have not had a single client ask me seriously about doing HD and IF it does come up in conversation they admit to me that they do not have nor do they intend to buy (at least not yet) any type of HD DVD player HOWEVER HD will in my opinion be a very viable product in the next few years so thats up to you but again, for now I LOVE the Sony cameras.

HTHs
Don B.