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Sams Teach Yourself Digital Video and DVD Authoring All in One
- By Jeff Sengstack
- Published Feb 7, 2005 by Sams. Part of the Sams Teach Yourself series.
Book
- This product currently is not for sale.
Description
- Copyright 2005
- Dimensions: 7-3/8" x 9-1/8"
- Pages: 744
- Edition: 1st
- Book
- ISBN-10: 0-672-32689-2
- ISBN-13: 978-0-672-32689-9
Life is full of special moments that we don't want to let pass us by. With digital video equipment and your home computer, you can capture them forever. Sams Teach Yourself Digital Video and DVD Authoring All in One will show you how, step-by-step, from selecting the best equipment, to shooting great video, to authoring your own DVDs. You will cover multiple products and technologies, so whether you use Movie Maker 2, Studio 9, Premiere Elements, Sonic's MyDVD or DVDit!, you will benefit from the lessons in this easy-to-understand book. Learn techniques for taking all kinds of videos with your digital video camera, loading them onto your computer and then trimming, splicing and adding special effects using your video editing software. You will have professional-quality DVDs that will keep your memories, special projects and documentaries safe for a lifetime. Let Sams Teach Yourself Digital Video and DVD Authoring All in One get you started.
Extras
Related Articles
Entertainment on the Fly: Porting Movies and TV Shows to Your Sony PSP
Using Microsoft Movie Maker 2 to Create... Well... Movies
Sample Content
Online Sample Chapter
Creating Compelling Still Images from Digital Video
Table of Contents
Introduction.
I. PRODUCTION PREPARATION: VIDEOS, IMAGES, SOUND, AND STORY.
1. Digital Video and DVDs-Getting Acquainted.
Converging Technologies
Digital Video Camcorders
DV Camcorders-Higher Quality and Lower Prices
IEEE 1394-"FireWire"-Connectivity
High-Speed PC Processors
DVD Format Adoption
MPEG-2 Video Compression
DVD Recorders
DVD-Authoring Software
Introducing Nonlinear Video Editing
Multiple Methods to View Your Videos
What's DVD Authoring?
Making Sure Your PC Hardware Makes the Grade
Enough Processor Power
Windows XP-Home or Professional Edition
Sufficient RAM
Large and Fast Hard Drive(s)
FireWire Connection
DVD Recorder
3D Video Card
Summary
2. Shooting Great Videos.
Choosing a Digital Video Camcorder
One or Three Chips-CCDs
Features Worth Strong Consideration
Two Features of Interest: Progressive Scan and True Widescreen
Features Not Worth Considering
Camcorders to Avoid Entirely
Doing Some Homework
Legacy Analog Camcorders
Sixteen Tips on Shooting Great Video
Plan Your Shoot
Adhere to the Rule of Thirds
Use Additional Still-Camera Composition Techniques
Get a Closing Shot
Get an Establishing Shot
Get a Good Mix of Shots
Lean Into or Away from Subjects
Keep Your Shots Steady-Use a Tripod
Let Your Camera Follow the Action
Use Trucking Shots to Move with the Action
Avoid Fast Pans and Snap Zooms
Shoot Cutaways to Avoid Jump Cuts
Don't Break the Plane
Get Plenty of Natural Sound
Shoot Enough Continuous Audio
Use Lights to Make Your Project Brilliant
Expert Advice from Karl Petersen
Summary
3. Creating Compelling Still Images.
Digital or Film Cameras-What Will Work Best for You
Digital Camera Buying Tips
Making High-Quality Photos-Tips and Tricks
Putting an End to Blurry Images
Composing Your Shots
Other Photo-Taking Tips
Compensating for Lag Time
Importing and Scanning Images
Importing Digital Images to Your PC
Selecting a Scanner for Your Video and DVD Projects
Explaining Scanner Settings
Scanning Images Using Manual Settings
Formatting Images for Videos and DVDs
Editing Images with Adobe Photoshop Elements
Summary
4. Acquiring Audio.
Selecting the Right Mic for the Job
Low-Cost Mic Solutions
Stepping Up to Professional-Quality Mics
Handheld Mic
Lavaliere Mic
Shotgun Mic
Boundary or Surface Mount Mics
Wireless Systems
Connecting Mics to Your Camcorder or PC
Making the PC Connection
Upping the PC Mic/Soundcard Ante
Getting the Most from Your Mics-Expert Audio Tips
Building a Simple and Inexpensive Voice-Recording Area
Voicing Solid Narrations
Summary
5. Making Marvelous Music.
Ripping Music CDs
Licensing Music or Buying Royalty-Free Music
Licensing Music
Using Royalty-Free Music
Creating Custom Music with SmartSound Movie Maestro
Introducing Two High-End Music Creation and Editing Products
Making Music with SmartSound Sonicfire Pro
Introducing Adobe Audition
Auditioning Audition and Sonicfire Pro
Summary
6. Story-Creation and Video-Production Tips.
Creating Your Story
Overall Story-Creation Tips
General Writing Tips
Specific Writing Tips
Story-Creation Tips from Bob Dotson
Bob Dotson's Storyteller's Checklist
Keep It Simple...and Short
Writing in the Active Voice
Mackie Morris's Writing Tips
The Good Writer's Dazzlin' Dozen
Storytelling with Video
Stephen Black's and Henry Stern's Scriptwriting Tips
Unblocking Creativity
Video-Editing Tips from an Expert-John Crossman
Summary
II. VIDEO EDITING.
7. Capturing and Editing Video with Windows Movie Maker 2.
Movie Maker 2-Pros and Cons
A Minimal Run-Through
Go Ahead-Give Movie Maker 2 a Try
Movie Maker 2-Pluses and Minuses
Overview of Video Editing with Movie Maker 2
Tour the Interface
Capturing Video
Gathering Other Assets
Using the Storyboard to Make a Rough Draft
Splitting and Trimming Clips on the Timeline
Summary
8. Jazzing Up Your Video with Windows Movie Maker 2.
Adding Video Effects and Transitions
Give Your Clips Some Visual Special Effects
Working with Titles
Editing in Extra Audio
Exploring Some Fun Add-on Packs
Microsoft Fun Packs
Microsoft Plus! Digital Media Edition
Pixelan SpiceFX
Exporting to DV Tape or PC File
Summary
9. Capturing Video with Pinnacle Studio Plus.
Video Editing: From Engineers to Artists
Old-Fashioned Editing
Getting Acquainted with Pinnacle Studio Plus
Studio Plus Pricing and Packages
Try Out Studio Plus for Free
Looking Over the Studio Plus User Interface
Fire It Up
Fire It Up Again
New to Studio Plus: An Overlay Video Track!
Checking Out Pinnacle Systems Video Capture Hardware
Two Video Capture Options
Capturing Digital or Analog Video and Still Images
Analog Video Capture
Capturing Still Images from Your Camcorder
Summary
10. Editing Cuts-Only Videos with Studio Plus.
Assembling Your Assets
Creating an Instant Music Video with SmartMovie
Using a Storyboard Approach
Editing Your Cuts-Only Video on the Timeline
Adjusting the Ruler Timescale
Trimming and Match Edits
Summary
11. Enhancing Your Video with Transitions, Effects, and Titles.
Using Transitions with Restraint
Transitions with a Purpose
What Transitions Can Do
Adding Transitions
Using Special Effects
Checking Out Specific Effects
Putting Still Images in Motion
Using Supers to Help Tell Your Story
Adding Titles to Your Videos
Using the Shape Tools
Summary
12. Audio Production with Studio Plus.
Voicing Narrations and Adding Music
Voicing a Narration
Adding Music
Making Music with Studio's SmartSound Module
Adding Other Audio
TV News-Style Editing
To A/B or Not to A/B?
Adding Cutaways
Working with J-Cuts and L-Cuts
Working with Audio Effects
VST Effects-New to Studio Plus
Adjusting Audio Levels and Surround Sound with the Mixer
Summary
13. Advanced Editing Techniques, Add-ons, and Exporting.
Advanced Two-Track Editing Techniques
Using the Picture-in-Picture Tool
Spicing Up Your PiPs
Two Other Picture-in-Picture Effects
Keying Out Parts of a Clip
Testing Third-Party Audio Effect Plug-Ins
Unlock Effects for Use in Projects
Algorithmix Effects
NewBlue Audio Essentials
Reviewing Third-Party Video-Effect Plug-Ins
Bravo Studio Packs 1 and 2
BWPLUGINS and BWPLUGINS 2
Dziedzic's Effects Packs 1 and 2
eZedia eZeMatte and eZeScreen
PE CameraPOV
proDAD Adorage and Heroglyph
StageTools MovingPicture and MovingPicture LE
Overview of Studio's RTFX Packages
RTFX Plus
RTFX Mega
HFX Creator
Exporting Your Finished Product
Summary
14. Two Additional Recommended PC Editing Products.
Overview of the Video Editing Market
Studio Plus and Premiere Elements Raise the Bar
Changed Plans
Professional NLEs
Touring Adobe Premiere Elements-Things Look Different Here
What Makes Premiere Elements So Different
Minutely Detailed Control
Professional But Not Impenetrable
How Do Studio and Premiere Elements Compare?
Premiere Elements Charts a New Course
Taking Adobe Premiere Pro for a Test Drive
Demonstrating Premiere Pro's Power
Exploring Premiere Pro's User Interface
Looking at Layering
Playing Clips Slower, Faster, or Backward
Changing Video Effects Over Time-Using Keyframes
Editing Audio
Adding Text with the Adobe Title Designer
Summary
III. ENTRY-LEVEL DVD AUTHORING.
15. What DVDs and DVD-Authoring Software Can Do for You.
Enhancing Your Media with DVDs
DVDs Improve the Viewing Experience
Delving into DVD Projects-Personal to Professional
Home DVD Projects
A First-Time DVD-Authoring Experience
Videographer DVD Projects
Using Prosumer Techniques on Personal Projects
Business DVD Projects
Designing a Business-Oriented DVD
Commercial/Professional DVD Projects
Creating Interactive DVD Fun for Children
Discovering What DVD-Authoring Software Can Do for You
Menu Creation and Functionality
Button and Text Features
Special Features
Burning DVDs and Making Masters for Mass Production
Compliance with DVD Specifications
Overview of DVD-Authoring Products
Entry-Level Video Editors with DVD-Authoring Modules
Standalone Entry-Level DVD-Authoring Software
Standalone Prosumer DVD-Authoring Software
Summary
16. Getting Your Gear in Order-DVD Recorders and Media.
Clearing Up the DVD Recording Format Confusion
Dash R/RW Versus Plus R/RW Versus DVD-RAM
DVD+R/RW-Better, But with a Bitter Aftertaste
Selecting a PC DVD Recorder
Narrowing Your Search
Multiformat DVD±R/±RW Drives
Single-Format DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW Drives
DVD Dash R and DVD-RAM Combo
Evaluating Three DVD Software Movie Players
Cyberlink PowerDVD
Intervideo WinDVD
Sonic Solutions CinePlayer
Using Sonic Solutions CinePlayer to Test Drive Your DVD Recorder
Summary
17. Burning Data DVDs.
Selecting Recordable Media
Using Windows XP to Copy Files to a CD
Burning a DVD
RecordNow!-A Bundling Favorite
Taking a Quick Tour of Roxio's Easy Media Creator
Summary
18. Authoring DVDs Using Studio's DVD Module.
Overview of Studio's DVD-Authoring Process
Menu Track Characteristics
Other DVD-Authoring Options
What About DVD Parts?
Creating a Single-Menu, Single-Button DVD
Higher-Level DVD Authoring and Menu Editing
Editing Menus
Using Multiple-Nested-Menus
Burning Your DVD Project
Summary
19. Stepping Up to MyDVD 6.
Introducing MyDVD 6
MyDVD Flavors
MyDVD 6 Features
Some Features That Are New to MyDVD 6
How MyDVD 6 Stands Up to Studio
Checking Out the MyDVD 6 Interface and Feature Set
Capturing Video with MyDVD
Why Capture or Edit Video with MyDVD?
Editing Video with MyDVD
Summary
20. Authoring DVDs with MyDVD 6: Chapter 1.
Assembling Video Assets
Adding Part Markers
Adding a Slideshow
Organizing Assets into Menus
Summary
21. Authoring DVDs with MyDVD 6: Chapter 2.
Previewing Your Work in Progress
Adding a First-Play Video and Fixing Some Links
An Imperfect First-Play Methodology
Editing the Menu Style
Fixing Two Other Project Features
Introducing Custom Templates
Importing a Style
Recording Videos Direct-to-Disc
Burning Your DVD Project to a Recordable Disc
Summary
22. Creating Custom MyDVD Templates with Style Creator.
Introducing Sonic Solutions Style Creator
How Style Creator Works
Taking a Close Look at the Plug-in
Installing Photoshop Elements
Installing the Style Creator Plug-in
Changing a Template Background
Setting Text Boundaries and Font Characteristics
Text Features
Examining Button Characteristics
Editing Buttons and Button Elements
Working with Other Button Layers
Testing Your Template Edits in MyDVD
Summary
IV: Intermediate-Level DVD Authoring.
23. Introducing DVDit! 5.
Planning Your Project
What's the Message?
Who's the Audience?
Presenting Your Media in the Best Light
Keep It Simple
Keep It Short
Take It for a Test Drive
Organizing Your DVD's Menu Structure
Nested Menus
Use a Flowchart
Buttons Should Do What They Say
Introducing DVDit! 5
What's Missing in DVDit! 5
Checking Out the DVDit! 5 Interface
Touring DVDit! 5's Interface
Summary
24. Creating Menus with DVDit! 5.
Adjusting Preference and Project Settings
Four Preference-Setting Categories
Changing Project Settings
Trimming Videos and Adding Part Points
Gathering Assets and Creating a Slideshow
Adding Assets in Edit Mode
Adding Assets in Author Mode
Creating a Slideshow
Laying Out Menus and Submenus
Summary
25. Editing Menus with DVDit! 5.
Adding and Building Buttons
Working with Text
Scaling Buttons, Graphics, and Text
Arranging, Aligning, and Ordering Objects
Adding Drop Shadows and Adjusting Object Opacity
Setting First Play and Linking Media and Menus
Setting First Play Is Easy
Linking Media and Menus
Summary
26. Advanced DVDit! 5 Authoring Techniques.
Creating Custom Buttons in Photoshop
Check Your Work
Cool Tips and Tricks
DVD Menu Outros and Intros
Creating a Chain of Videos
Adding Appendix Buttons En Masse Using the Titles Details View
Quickly Duplicate Buttons, Graphics, or Text
Fine-Tuning Button Subpictures and Navigation
Setting Subpicture Highlight Characteristics and Opacities
Adjusting Menu and Media Properties
Menu Button Routing
Forcing a Button Selection
Setting Title End Actions
Adjusting Menu Types, Durations, and End Actions
Adding ROM Data
Summary
27. Burning DVDs and Dealing with DVD Duplicators.
Checking Menu and Media Links and Project Flow
Selecting Transcoding Settings
Preferences-Setting Finish Parameters
Project Settings-Transcode Settings
CBR Versus VBR
PCM Versus Dolby Digital Audio
Bit-Rate Calculation
Using DVDit! 5 to Record Your DVD Project
Test Your DVD
Printing Labels Directly on Your DVDs
Going the Mass-Replication Route
Walking Through the Replication Process
Using Sonic Solutions's Publishing Showcase
DVD Trends
DVD Ubiquity
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center
OpenDVD Format
Integration with Web
High Definition TV and DVDs
Long Live the DVD Format
Summary
Index.