Jon Zanone
Forum Replies Created
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You are on the right track. Here is a link to an MPEG2 guide at Avid:
https://www.avid.com/content/8576/DVD%20Workflow%20Using%20Avid.doc
Jon
“The Almighty tells me He can get me out of this mess. But He’s pretty sure you’re F%$#*D!”
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Couldn’t let this one go…
I don’t have an Uncle named Tito, but my wife has a chihuahua named Tito. My production studio facilities actually occupy some of the most exclusive office space on the Front Range of the Rockies. I actually take time to marvel at the sunrise as I work to finish projects on deadline (I haven’t missed one yet). The sunsets can be pretty spectacular as well. I’ve seen them both, many times. My shows have worldwide exposure, and we get all kinds of clients. In fact, if I screw up, the possibility exists my company won’t get paid – and that affects a whole lot of paychecks. I am good enough to be hired by the company I work for over lots of other talented people, mainly because I can handle the pressure and make it look easy.
Yes, I understand deadlines, and the frustration of working through a problem with a client sitting behind me boring holes in my skull. I also have been working on Avids long enough to remember getting faxes saying customer support would not be open on the holiday weekend. I distinctly remember being on hold for HOURS waiting for C/S to come on the line. I also know, in the 12 years I’ve dealt with Avid they’ve been nothing but professional and have ALWAYS solved my problem. I know from being involved with the COW for the last couple of years, the majority of their calls have got to be from people who refuse to invest the time and money you and I have to buy qualified systems, and insist on trying make Avid work on Uncle Tito’s email machine from 1999.
I understand you’re frustrated, but keep it civil.
Jon
“The Almighty tells me He can get me out of this mess. But He’s pretty sure you’re F%$#*D!”
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I use Vegas for Audio. Mostly for multitrack stuff. It’s a lot easier than my old Teac 144 4 track tape machine. Needless to say, I think Vegas has some outstanding audio tools. I sometimes cut my audio in Vegas, then export it to Avid. Obviously I can’t edit it, but if you cut it right the first time, there’s no need (barring persnikity customers…).
You can easily create loops in Sound Forge for use in Acid. You can also use Acid to create loops, but I find Sound Forge better for my purposes.
Jon
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See the thread below…
Avid is considered ‘better’ by Avid users because of media management, multicam, stability (as long as the system is approved…).
A Final Cut Pro user would disagree, and usually with much voracity.
It really comes down to what you are cutting, the end product…
I’ll restate my analogy regarding the hammer: Would you use a sledge hammer to drive a picture tack into the wall?
You could, but it’s overkill. Same with the Avid. Are you cutting home movies? Commercials? What’s your output? DV? HD?
Jon
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As I said before – I’m an Avid editor. I’ll recommend Avid. But I’m not a Homer.
The hammer analogy fits perfectly if you consider this: Some people tend to ‘evangelize’ their system. I won’t do that. I merely wanted to point out that you need consider your goals and a lot of systems will fit the bill. From what you typed, an XPress Pro w/ a Mojo will fit perfectly. Add an Avid 101 class (or expect a lot of seat time with the tutorial) and you’ll be set. Avid is a deep box, and there will be a learning curve. However, knowing Vegas will help with the concept of non-linear editing.
You will wind up spending around 10k for a good system with decent storage. Buy from a reseller and save yourself lots of headaches. If you are a real tech head, build it yourself.
Jon
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You must have hit the busy time – everytime I’ve called it’s been a reasonable wait (less that 15 minutes)…
My brother works customer service at Papa John’s Pizza… (“Dude! this pizza sauce is freakin me out!” “Relax, sir. Are you sure you took the top off the can?”)
Jon
“The Almighty tells me He can get me out of this mess. But He’s pretty sure you’re F%$#*D!”
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Well, instead of writing a brilliant response on how great Avid is (and I do think it’s a pretty good system), Let me ask you this: What are you planning to do with it?
Please forgive me if it sounds like I’m talking down to you. I’m really not. BUT, I’ll bet if you go on a carpentry message board, you will never see the question “Which hammer is better – Craftsman or Husky?”
Avid is a tool, just like Premiere, Final Cut and Vegas. They all have their strengths. Avid is great at media management but it’s title tool sucks. Premiere’s strength is it’s seamless integration with AE, PhotoShop and Encore. I hate its interface (just my opinion). Vegas’ strength is it’s audio capability. Final Cut Pro is Mac specific. Want to upgrade your CPU just to get the latest greatest FCP version? Not to mention the numerous Mac-phobic network administrators out there. Want to have some fun? Tell your IT guy your hooking up a mac to their network…
I like Avid – I’ve used one since 1995. But if my boss told me we were switching to another platform, I’d do so in an instant (after whining a little bit, of course).
Pratically speaking, Avid is very picky about hardware, and even the academic version can cost a good bit more than Premeire or Vegas.
Bottom line? It’s the story thats important.
Jon
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This is from an earlier post…
Well, I’ll give you the standard operating answer first – read the manual. I’m not being flip – there’s really some good info in there.
Now, for some real world advice.
First, check your settings. I have seperate settings for multicam, and have F5 thru F8 assigned as source buttons – think of it as a switcher. I also use quad split (I think that’s what it’s called) and several others – you’ll customize to your liking once you get going.
The names of the tapes are not really important, other than when you redigitize (you did start off digitizing at 15:1, right? Multicam works best at this resolution) you’ll know what tape the machine is asking for.
Open up each clip and mark a standard in point. If you have common TC, that’s great – you don’t even have to open them up. If you select a common inpoint, you must use inpoint on all clips – same goes for outpoints. Hilight all your clips, go to CLIP>GROUP CLIPS (please bear in mind I’m doing this from memory – I’m not in front of my machine – I’m also assuming you are working on XPress – you didn’t say). A dialog box will come up asking what you want to sync your clips on (in, out, TC, AUX TC). Pick your poison.
Next, load that group clip into the source monitor. USe your quad split button to show up to 4 (in XPress) or 9 (in MC) clips. Select the clip with the best audio – click on an individual window, and hit play. At the top of the source window, to the center you’ll see something like “V1/A1-2”. That’s your audio follow video assignment. You can assign what your main video is, as well as your main audio – otherwise, cut that main audio into a sequence. Mark an in to out and slap it in there – you can fix it later.
Once you have your main audio laid into a sequence, go to SPECIAL>GROUP CLIP MODE – you’ll notice the hash marks in the source monitor are gone. When you move the blue line on the sequence, you’ll notice your source is (hopefully) synched up, and all (in your case) 3 clips will move at the same time. If your clips are not synched up, you’ll have to delete the group clip and start again (unless someone knows a way to do it).
At this point, you can work it like a switcher – hit play, then go through and hit your source buttons as appropriate. Don’t worry about screwing up. You can go back and tighten up the edits, trim bad cuts, etc. Keep in mind: When you click on a source IN GROUP CLIP MODE, it will edit that clip into wherever your blue line is in your sequence.
That’s all I can think of right now. Post back if you have anymore questions!
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There are three buttons on the bottom of the command pallete – make sure the ‘menu to keyboard’ button (I think that’s what it’s called – I’m not in front of my Avid right now) is active.
Jon
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Using the native settings out of the Avid will give you the most pristine, unmessed with video. Using QT ref will give you the highest quality – with the caveat you have to use the Q ref file on the same machine. The QT reference file uses the OMFI media files to play video. If you have external media drives, you’ll notice them flash as you play the file. When you bring it into After Effects, you’ll be using the OMFI files wrapped in a QT file. You’ll only have a self contained QT file when you render your project out of After Effects.
Jon