Learning about file types

RunnerBrett wrote on 6/8/2012, 6:53 AM
As I delve into learning about video and video editing I find my head swimming with all of the different file types, rendering options, etc.

I doubt there in one good book to explain it all but I need to start somewhere.

Can anyone recommend the a potential "bible" of video files, rendering, interlace and other stuff I know nothing about?

Thanks for your time.

Comments

Steve Mann wrote on 6/8/2012, 7:09 AM
You really don't want to go there.

Wikipedia is actually pretty detailed about the descriptions.
But, if you are new to video editing, this is simply too much information and certainly not needed. 99% of what you do initially revolves around what your camera can shoot and what you're delivering as a finished product. The Vegas defaults in the "Render As" templates are good for most applications.

Until you get a good grasp of the basics, you really don't want to know the internal definitions of the various file types. Seasoned pros are often confused or misunderstand the difference in file types and often don't grasp the concept of container (type) and codec (content).
RunnerBrett wrote on 6/8/2012, 7:57 AM
Narrow focus for now--this sounds good.

Thanks Steve
JohnnyRoy wrote on 6/8/2012, 2:20 PM
> "Can anyone recommend the a potential "bible" of video files, rendering, interlace and other stuff I know nothing about?"

Take a look at The FullHD Book from Douglas Spotted Eagle at VASST. It pretty much will cover everything you need to know about HD formats.

~jr

John Rofrano
Sundance Media Group / VASST
http://www.vasst.com/
riredale wrote on 6/8/2012, 2:42 PM
If you're just starting out, one way to not get overwhelmed by all the options is to start by editing with software that offers fewer options, like Vegas Studio.

The big Vegas offers many, many bells, whistles, and knobs that can be turned. I did my first major project with a far simpler NLE, Studio7 (a lot of folks on this board probably did something similar). But maybe there is a book along the lines of "Vegas for Beginners" where they tell you to leave nearly all the settings alone and just adjust this or that.
JJKizak wrote on 6/8/2012, 3:03 PM
And believe it or not the Vegas help file actually helps.
JJK