[Sal Fabbri]

Here’s my current workflow:

1. In PluralEyes, select “Camera 1” and drop all source video into the import box

2. Select “Audio Recorder 1” and drop all external audio recordings into the import box

3. Synchronize. PluralEyes will match your camera audio with the external recording and align the 2 tracks.

4. Export for your edit. I like to skip the individual editors (FCP, Premiere, Avid) and export new synced clips. As far as I know, exporting via the various editors will sync clips in your timeline, but the actual clips themselves will still reference separate video and audio sources. To me, this leaves room for error to get out of sync during my edits. Call me old school, but I like my audio and video to be synced in ONE clip 🙂
In this case, I would choose the “Media Files” option under OTHER in the Export dialogue. Checking “Copy of video files” will make a copy of your source video clips and insert the external audio into them (and remove the camera audio). Make sure you choose a separate output directory and do not overwrite your original clips. I like to output to a new sub-folder within my source clips called “Synced Clips”

5. Import/AMA link in Avid. Make separate bins for your sync clips. I like to color mine so i know which have good audio just by looking in a bin/sequence. Showing the Source Path Bin Heading will also help you keep track of which clips are which.

I’ve had occasions where the camera op will have the audio gain jacked right up on the camera, resulting in heavily distorted audio. In these cases, PluralEyes may not be able to interpret the audio to make the sync (and who can blame them!). In that case, you’ll need a good Assistant Editor to perform a manual sync. I like using the AutoSync method in Avid in cases like this.

Sal Fabbri
Supervising Editor
Blue Ant Media

[Sal Fabbri]

It is true that the find bin command only works within the project you are currently in, however, this does not mean you are not able to find what you are looking for.

For example: If you are working on a sequence in which the clips are not in your project and you use the find bin command, Avid will prompt you that the find bin command only works for bins in the current project. Fine. Mach-frame on a clip in the sequence. In the bin that the sequence is in, go to the fast-menu and select Set Bin Display and check Show Reference Clips. This will show you ALL the clips used in the sequence regardless of where the clips are. From here you can copy/move items to wherever you like.

Hope that helps…

Sal Fabbri
Avid Editor

[Sal Fabbri]

Jason,

Nothing strange about it. Anytime Avid creates ANY piece of media, it associates that media to the project you are currently IN.

You have the right idea about consolidating to avoid accidental deletion, but you are missing a few steps. Here is what i suggest:

Project ABC has a few clips that you would like to use in project DEF.
Open project DEF and OPEN BIN from project ABC. Select the clips you would like to consolidate. Once complete, move the consolidated clips into a bin in project DEF. You will notice that the new clips are “tagged” with the new project name, because, that is where you consolidated them from. This way, both sets of clips are now separated by project and safe from accidental deletion.

Cheers.

Sal Fabbri
Avid Editor

[Sal Fabbri]

Not sure if this will help but you can give it a shot. I’m assuming you are selecting Build DVD Disc. Try Build DVD>Make DVD folder. This will export the project into a series of .vob and other files that you can now burn with Nero, or whatever burning software you use. Just make sure you use the correct template. i.e. dvd video.. and drag all those files into the Video_TS folder. Audio_TS stays empty. give that a try. cheers.

[Sal Fabbri]

I’ve decided to buy a dual-layer writer. This is probably the easiest solution. Hey, can’t go wrong with a $62.99 (CA$) DL DVD writer! (Pioneer)

Thanks for your help.

[Sal Fabbri]

Forgot to mention.. its a regular DVD-R 4.74 GB disc.. DVD-5 i think its called..

[Sal Fabbri]

you’re a good man.

[Sal Fabbri]

Son of a gun. If this was my problem the entire time I will kick myself. I am in the middle of a transcode, but once it finishes I will definately do that. I always linked back to the main menu itself, as opposed to the timelines respected button.

Thanks so much! Cheers.

[Sal Fabbri]

My buddy gave me a hand.. turns out that there is a switch on the Avid timeline to toggle between video out. Blue sends a singal to the monitor and green is for editing/compositing/colour correcting/renders/etc.

…in case somebody else has the same issue.