Need help editing video

[dave walbridge]

So ...I have the digital video and the editing software;I just can't import the file from the dvd. Wrong format/ unsupported format.

Anyone want to help?

[Doctor Eric]

DVD is not raw digital video, you need to rip it, try HERE (http://www.google.com/search?q=dvd%20ripper&sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS175US204&aq=t)

[Rachel Peters]

What I do on my PC -- I open the DVD to see the files.
I drag it onto my desktop.
The file now has some crazy, un-usable file type. I click on the name and change the ".VOB" (or whatever it may be) to ".AVI" or ".MOV" or whatever the editing program supports (I generally make them all AVI's. Can't remember why at the moment, but there must be a reason.)
It sounded too simple to be true when someone first told me to do it, but it worked.

I don't know if it works for all, or if I'm just made of magic.

Well, regardless of whether it works or not, I'm pretty sure I AM made of magic. That's why when I put one hand up to my eyeball and stare straight ahead, I can see through my hand.

-rachel

[Doctor Eric]

Hah! Does that really work?

[Rachel Peters]

it does for me. consistantly.

[Stephon]

Ok, so I'm looking at the files for the "Repo Man" DVD. First, there's two folders--one audio and one video. The audio looks one is empty, so I'll assume I only need to deal with the video one.

The video folder has 28 files, some with .VOB extensions, some with .BUP or .IFO.

Do you copy and rename each of the .VOB files? If so, how do you compile them into one movie? And what do you do with the other files?

Inquiring (and ethically flexible) minds wanna know.


And c'mon Eric--I know you've gotta have comments about my promo video.

[scot]

why don't you try and find out, stephon? don't worry, you can do it, someone has done it before.

[Stephon]

I'm not sure how to put this gently, scot, but. . .duh. ;)

I did try it but had no luck getting it to work. In fact, I wasn't even able to get it to copy to my desktop.

[Doctor Eric]

maybe you suck @ computers?

[Stephon]

Naw, I'm fairly traditional--I prefer the men's room at the bus station.

[Rachel Peters]

Originally posted by Stephon
Ok, so I'm looking at the files for the "Repo Man" DVD. First, there's two folders--one audio and one video. The audio looks one is empty, so I'll assume I only need to deal with the video one.

Right.

Originally posted by Stephon

The video folder has 28 files, some with .VOB extensions, some with .BUP or .IFO.

Only grab the VOB's. You can play with the others, but I doubt they do anything. It would only take a second to try... but I'm pretty sure it's just the VOB's.

Originally posted by Stephon

Do you copy and rename each of the .VOB files? If so, how do you compile them into one movie? And what do you do with the other files?

Yes, rename each .VOB into something workable.
Edit them together with an editing program.
I use ... a variety. If you know how, many programs that weren't intended for editing will work. I have a crappy version of premiere for basic editing, but I also have been known to use After Effects and even Flash.
Your Microsoft calculator will NOT make a good video editing tool. ...lesson learned.



Originally posted by Stephon
I ... had no luck getting it to work. In fact, I wasn't even able to get it to copy to my desktop.

Perhaps it's got copy right stuff on it? I don't know.
I had the same problem with one DVD I was trying to pull stuff off of for a long time. It was a working copy of my NFB film that htey ahd sent me before the real things was released. I still don't know what the problem was with that DVD, but everything else I've ever tried to copy has worked for me. For some reason many NFB DVD's don't work for me.
Sometimes computers are stupid.

[dave walbridge]

Ok -- is there a book on editing video with small words and big pictures? I even got a mac 'cause they said it would be easy...

Dave

[Rachel Peters]

My first thought is to find a manual for the specific program you'll be using.

Unless you're asking about the ART of editing -- like do's and don'ts.

[Hunter]

For a simple intro, try iMovie HD6 and iDVD 6 (http://www.amazon.com/iMovie-iDVD-Visual-QuickStart-Guide/dp/0321423275/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/102-3113254-5394530?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178649180&sr=8-2)

That's assuming that you'd be using the standard iMovie; which despite being a beginner's program is still fairly worthwhile.

As for the art of editing, I would tell you that even a promo video is responsible for conveying a narrative. Learning more than you might absolutely need won't make your video any worse.

In the Blink of an Eye (http://www.amazon.com/Blink-Eye-Revised-2nd/dp/1879505622/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-3113254-5394530?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178649451&sr=1-1) is a great intro to editing theory, and it covers everything from individual cuts to overall aesthetic.

[Rachel Peters]

And "Shot by Shot" is a good instructional book on directing.
Dynamic composition, shot sequence, jump-cuts, etc.