Speaking good video -- a tutorial for beginners

musicvid10 wrote on 8/5/2013, 6:56 PM

I am encountering a number of new users to the forums who are in the dark about such terms as file extensions, codecs, bitrates, resolution, and the like. As a result, confusion or occasional misunderstanding may occur.

To serve the purpose of introducing new users to the basics of video-speak, plus save wear and tear on us oldtimers, I am repeating a little tutorial I wrote four years ago, with minor revisions, It is not intended as a comprehensive guide, nor to replace the many fine video editing resources on the internet; however, if it saves a bit of angst for any of us, new or experienced, then repeating the information here will have served a purpose.
Let's Get Started

Comments

Markk655 wrote on 8/5/2013, 8:43 PM

Nice summary...

Are you missing a "not" in..." It is a good idea not to provide your personal email or contact information in a post, because this kind of information occasionally gets misused."?

Another few of bullets could include...

Use the forum search button. Often the same questions are repeated, so using the search function may get you an answer faster.

Read the forum stickies (how to embed pictures, links, etc...)

If you came to the forum screaming that Vegas isn't working, you won't get much help, BUT if you calmly explain what you are seeing (even though Vegas is crashing), someone will likely respond.

I'm sure there are others too.

Again, excellent summary (and wish it could be a sticky!)

musicvid10 wrote on 8/5/2013, 9:13 PM

Misplaced syntax fixed.

I'll let your added comments speak for themselves; they sound better coming from you.

I doubt Sony would ever "stick" a user post, although it's occasionally been done on other forums.

OhMyGosh wrote on 8/6/2013, 9:35 AM

Thanks for doing that Musicvid. Maybe it would also help if they included the specs of their computer they are working on and the version of VMS? Cin

dsttexas wrote on 8/6/2013, 2:20 PM

Not sure 8) a) is correct regarding file extension renaming, which should do nothing about the encoded data within the file. It's like a file written in French with .fre extension and changing it to .eng and expecting the file to now be in English.

Changing the format of a file to be one more compatible should be done with a utility such as MOVAPI or similar.

Great tutorial!

musicvid10 wrote on 8/6/2013, 2:32 PM

"Not sure 8) a) is correct regarding file extension renaming,"

It is 100% correct.
Vegas does not necessarily recognize all compatible wrappers for certain codecs. Even though it is better than it was four years ago, it's still not perfect, and older Movie Studio versions are definitely not perfect. Your example conveys no understanding of compatible video wrappers; changing the wrapper is "often" an entirely different matter than changing the format!

Common examples, depending on your Vegas version, are some MPG/VOB with AC3, TOD/MOD/MPG, MOV/MP4, various TS flavors, and M4V/M4A/MP4; and there are others that will likewise open in Vegas with one extension but not another, the package "contents" being identical. Information given is correct, if for legacy purposes, and we are careful to give out advice that has been tested thoroughly and proven in the field.

Thanks for your input.

gpsmikey wrote on 8/15/2013, 2:36 PM

Very good - one more important thing to include - PLEASE pick a meaningful title for your posts so others can find them when they encounter the same issue ... "panic -- I need help" doesn't serve anybody :-)

mikey