Basic Tips ll Basic Editing ll Troubleshooting ll FAQs ll Writing to your CD-RW
 

Graves 301 will be open during afternoon and evening hours.  You will be asked to schedule a time for your editing. (Refer to the calendar handed out in class for specific times!)

While you will have help available, YOU will be responsible for the actual editing and saving to CDROM.

Although you will have a two (2) hour session to use the AVID editing program, you should plan to spend a minimum of 30 minutes of this time saving your final product!!  In other words, your session will be an hour and a half (1 1/2) for editing and 30 minutes to save.

Before you Begin -- Some very basic tips:

1. When videotaping your teaching episode, RECORD TO A VHS TAPE and it is best to record in SP (standard play) mode.

2. You will need to bring your VHS tape AND a CD-RW CD to your session.  Make sure the CD you purchase is a CD Rewritable--CD-RW (will store 650 MG). Be sure to format your CD-RW before your session. You can also store to your zip disk if you choose (Drive letter "D" on this machine).  However, one 2:00 digitally edited .mpg file can easily be 65 MG and more!  The AVID machine has a 250-Zip drive, so it will read both 100- and 250- Zip discs.  We are recommending that you use a CD-RW so you can ADD to your portfolio as you progress through student teaching.  However, once you "perfect" your portfolio, we recommend that you burn additional CD-Rs (CD Recordable) for distribution.  The reason for this is that some older CD-ROM drives will not read the CD-RWs.  The primary difference is you can not re-write to a CD-R.

3. PLAN AHEAD!  Before you come to your session, review your videotape and decide which "shots" or segments you want to include.  Time out your segments and think of your total 5 minute teaching episode as a commercial.  Where will you need TITLES (such as your name on the first shot); where will you need effects such as dissolves?

There is not a timer on the VCR, but having a general idea of where in the tape your scenes are can help so you don't have to spend so much time fast-forwarding and rewinding to the desired clips.

We have two dedicated machines with a VCR hookup in Graves 301.  You will be restricted to the lab during the open hours in which a lab assistant is working, or during times in which we've scheduled as class time.  The PC password for this class is: netclas; the screensaver password is netclass.
 
 

Some very basic steps for editing:
(when in doubt, choose HELP.  HELP is available on all AVID screens)

• At the network prompt, click on "Cancel;" at the windows prompt, click "Cancel" again.  If for some reason the screen should freeze, restart the computer - but wait a few minutes before resorting to this, as it may just be that the computer is a little slow.
• The 301 lab has two computers that are equipped with AVID programs: AVID Cinema and the more recent AVID ePublisher.
• The programs are very similar, but ePublisher has some added features which will be discussed in this tutorial.
  
• To open AVID:
• Click "Start," Programs," "AVID," and then "Avid Cinema" or "Avid ePublisher."
• OR -- click on the camera or ePub icon in the lower left-hand corner of the screen.
• When using AVID Cinema, open the AVID program -- Select NEW; Name your file; then select CREATE.  This will become a .cma file.

• AVID ePublisher works a little differently.  The first screen allows you to select a template for your video.  For your purposes, you can select "Video Only A" or "Video Only B."  After selecting, click on "Next."

• Then you should be taken to a dialogue box similar to the one discussed above, where you will name your file and specify a location to save it. The only difference will be that those files created using ePublisher will have the extension .epb as opposed to .cma.
• ePublisher will then take you to a screen that requires you to specify whether you will began by capturing video or importing files.

• Select either of the two and click on "Finish."
  
• In each of the programs, the computer should then automatically go to the next screen, but if it doesn't, click on "Bring video in" tab (or "Capture Video" in ePublisher) to proceed.
• You will see a message that states "Please be sure your video source is connected, is the correct video format, and is playing."   DO NOT WORRY, the machine is set up properly -- DO NOT CHANGE ANY SETTINGS OR CORDS.
• Press "Play" on VCR (make sure your tape is in the machine and the power is on!).
• You should then see your video in the AVID viewer.  [If you don't see video, choose HELP.]
• When you see your video playing, click "Record Video" on the AVID screen.
• When you have recorded the segment you need to AVID, click "Stop" on the screen and press "Stop" on the VCR (otherwise the tape will continue to play while you edit, potentially causing problems when you go to record your next clip to AVID...).
• The video you chose is now in your "timeline" in AVID.
• You can click on "Bring video in" or "Capture Video" for additional clips; you can also import from your library (under tab "3. Edit Movie") and drag to your time line.                                                                     
  

AVID Cinema

AVID ePublisher

      

• Before you edit your movie, save what you have so that your .cma  or .epb file is updated.  That way, should there be any problems in the editing process, or if the computer should "perform an illegal function" and quit the program, you don't have all of your work lost!  It is also good to save as you get substantial amounts of editing completed.

• In order to EDIT your video clips, THEY MUST BE BROUGHT IN SEPARATELY! (See also FAQs)  For example, if you've taken video with a camera which allows dissolves and you bring in 1-2 minutes of your shot video AS you recorded with your dissolves, you will not be able to EDIT that portion.  Bring them in separately.
• "Edit Movie" tab allows you to import images and sounds, add text, add effects, etc.  When you're working with the time line elements, work with the little clips which look like seat belts; click on the bar to drag and review.
• You can change clips; change your order . . . drag the position bar on your timeline … drag handle to clip, watch viewer on when to stop!
• The various editing tabs, listed below, help enhance your movie.

AVID Cinema

AVID ePublisher

• "Library" tab allows you to import images from a folder …. Art, movie, and sounds; you can then drag into timeline.
• "Effects" allows you to choose dissolves, and other special effects; again, move your transition bar to where you want the effect, preview, then APPLY.  You can increase or decrease the amount of time devoted to the various effects by dragging it longer or shorter before clicking "apply."
• With "Titles"  you can create titles or credits.  Notice the different buttons you can click on to apply text, style, and colors.  Again, you will APPLY.
• "Sound" gives you options to record clips and import music from the CD drive; remember though, we currently do not have a mike set-up on this machine! If you choose to import from CD, you import and then select your music track.
• In AVID Cinema, the "Finish Movie" tab allows you to package the complete movie and choose your output format.  You will want to choose the zip drive (D: drive) or write to a CD. Save your file to the hard drive first, then you can save it to your removable media.  Save it as a Presentation MPEG.  The other formats include:  Web-Internet AVI; Avid Cinema AVI,MOV; CD-ROM 2x, 4x, 8x; Optional Formats; Video Email; Web-Internet ASF, AVI, MOV, RM.
• Avid Cinema is a bigger file, and thus higher quality; this contrasts with the more compact Web files, which will take up less space.  It is recommended that you choose to save as an mpeg (Presentation.mpg) file.
• To save your final product, click on START and Avid will export the file to select drives.  The default setting will save your file in "Spring 2003."  Save it here FIRST, so that if something should happen, you have a BACK-UP!!

• In ePublisher, begin by selecting "Publish."  Select "Video Only" on the next screen.  By doing so, you are selecting to save the video as an MPEG.

• Click on "Next," and a dialogue box should appear asking you to enter the title, author, and copyright date of the work.  Do so and click on "Next." 
• On the following screen, select "Start Audit."

AVID ePublisher

• Then, click on "Start Encoding."  A dialogue box should then appear requesting that you name and select a destination for the .mpg file.
• Save the file in the "Spring 2003" folder on the hard drive.

• Quick Saving:  Once you've saved on the hard-drive (C:) you can move the file from C: to D: (the zip drive) or E: (the CD-Rom drive -- this is the second CD-drive on the tower, in the middle).  If you open Explorer, you should be able to drag & drop from the hard-drive to your removable media, and vice versa.  This technique may not work with the CD-RW in most of the UA computer labs.

• You can then view your movie full screen!

Troubleshooting Tips:

We brought in a VHS-C tape (compact VHS) which you can put in a special VHS adapter for VCR play.  We had trouble importing some of our shots and believe the VHS-C could have been the reason.  Also, we were unsure if the tape was recorded at SLP or EP.  SP (Standard Play) would probably be the best setting.

Cutaways and maintaining sound?  Import the video segment with the sound as you're in sound tab (this will put the clip on the SOUND portion of the timeline); Then, remove audio of the original video segment. (You will need to play with the synching).  Split the clip to add a video "cutaway."

FAQs
Is two hours really enough time to create a good AVID presentation??

• YES! If you come to the lab prepared.  Be sure to read these instructions, some have found it helpful to print them out and bring them for easy access while working on AVID.
• Have all music and photos picked out and clearly labeled.
• Watch your video before attending your session and know what clips you would like to use.

• Yes and some times even longer! Be sure to reserve the last half hour of your lab time for saving.
• You will have to save your project to the hard drive first and then to your CD-RW or Zip disk.

• You can split a clip, if you decide after importing the whole thing that you wanted parts of it; or if you forgot to break up your segments.  Right Click where you want to split the segment.
• Also, if you want additional fade/ dissolve effects you can insert black/ silence between clips -- this can be an opportunity for text and sound only with no video; you might be interested in putting this at the end of your movie so you can add credits, additional notes of interest, or simply fade out.

• When you add clips, the program defaults and titles them "untitled1," "untitiled2," etc.  While you are in the "Bring in video" tab, you can rename these to help you to organize and remember which clips are which.  When using AVID Cinema, click on the movie reel icon for the clip you want to rename.

AVID Cinema

• When working in ePublisher, simply click on the title of the individual clips.

AVID ePublisher

My title/ text runs through the whole clip - how can I change this??

• You  can adjust the length of text/ titles in the time-line or the "effects" editing screen.  Click on the 'seat-belt buckle' and make it smaller if you don't want text running the whole length of that particular clip.
• Keep in mind -- if you move it in from the right, it will run shorter at the beginning of the clip; if you move it in from the left, it will run shorter at the end of the clip.  By pulling it in, you can make it longer....

I want only sound, no video -- how do I do this??

• right click between the clips where you want to add just sound, then select "insert black/ silence."  There will be no video though you can add text if you decide you want to see something while your sound plays.

• Yes you can do this. Make sure you are on the sound tab. There is a box in the middle of the screen where you can adjust the volume on your video clip. Turn the volume for the selected clip all the way down and leave the audio clip in the middle where it is.

• Theoretically, yes.  Actually, no.
• Currently, the AVID-dedicated machines don't have the right hook-up... so for now, you cannot transfer your video back to a VHS-tape.

• You can import digital photos or scanned images that you have saved to your removable media (zip, CD, floppy).  While you are in the "Edit Movie" tab, click on the "library" tab to import these photos, then insert them where you want them.

• You can use a music CD that you have from home (or borrowed from a friend).  You can download tracks from the E: drive -- the lower of the two CD-drives -- and import them from the "library" edit tab.
• You can try this site for some sound-bytes:  www.emusic.com
• sign-up for a 30 day trial period; otherwise they charge for a year or three month membership.
• Remember the general copyright rules for using another artist's music: 10% or 30 seconds, whichever is smaller.
• Remember to budget your time, the length of the track you are importing determines the length of time it will take to download. For example, a 5 minute song will take the entire 5 minutes to download.
• You may not download a portion of a track, you must download the entire thing and then trim it once it is in the timeline.
• To save time, download your music files to a zip disk. These can be downloaded much quicker.

• Your AVID file will be too large for you bama account web-site.  You may want to store your AVID production at one of the sites for free disc space on-line (see below). Some of the options may allow you to link files from your bama web-page to the storage site so that people visiting your page can still view your 'movie.'  Administrators or others who need to view your movie would have to have access to your account (for free space) in order to download the video if you cannot create a link.
• Free Disc Space On-Line:
• http://www.xdrive.com/
• 100 MB free; up to an additional 50 MB free for referrals..
• http://www.freedrive.com/FDHome.htm
• 50 MB free.
• http://www.lockergnome.com/freedrive.html
• 50 MB free.
• http://www.idrive.com/
• 50 MB free.
• http://www.filesanywhere.com/
• 50 MB free 30 day trial.
REMEMBER TO CONTINUALLY SAVE YOUR WORK!!!!

Writing to your CD-RW

There is no need to open the CD Creator program if you have a CD-RW; you can perform a normal save function as you do with other removable media.  However, if you are burning EVERYTHING to a CD-R, you can go through the steps for a ONE TIME burn.  Just remember, you will NOT be able to write to the CD later.
From "Start," click "Programs," "Roxio Easy CD Creator," and then "Easy CD Creator."  Choose Data CD and the Wizard will walk you through.  Writing to the CD will take a few minutes -- be patient.  After your file has been written, then the CD writer will make a table of contents -- be patient until the process is complete!  If you get a message with errors, something is wrong!  Get assistance with troubleshooting.

To save to your removable media after saving it to the hard-drive, follow this quick-saving step.