Cyberlink PowerDirector - 3.0 Instruction Manual

CyberLink

PowerDirector 3

User’s Guide

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of CyberLink Corporation.

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The terms and conditions here under shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of Taiwan.

PowerDirector is a registered trademark along with other company and product names mentioned in this publication, used for identification purposes and remain the exclusive property of their respective owners.

PowerDVD Auto-Player Agreement

The PowerDVD Auto-player is provided for your personal and individual use only. Its commercial use, distribution or sublicense is strictly prohibited, regardless of whether it is for profit or not. If you would like to use the player for any of these prohibited purposes, you may be required to obtain license(s) from third party(ies) for such use, and it shall be your sole responsibility, and at your own expense, to obtain such license(s). For the same reason, you shall indemnify and hold CyberLink harmless from any claims, proceedings, damages, costs, and expenses resulting from your use of the PowerDVD Auto-player for any of these prohibited purposes. You will note that by incorporating the Auto-player, you shall be deemed to have accepted all of the terms mentioned above, and such terms shall constitute a part of the license agreement for PowerDirector between you and CyberLink.

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Mailing Address CyberLink Corporation

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Web Site www.gocyberlink.com

Telephone 886-2-8667-1298

Fax 886-2-8667-1300

Contents

Introduction.............................................. 1

Welcome ................................................................................. 2

Where to Begin Reading ...................................................... 2

The Movie-Making Process ........................................................ 3

Pre-Production .................................................................... 3

Editing ................................................................................ 3

PowerDirector Projects ......................................................... 4

Ready to Burn ..................................................................... 4

General Preferences .................................................................. 5

System Requirements ................................................................. 7

PowerDirector Versions .............................................................. 8

Visual Overview ........................................ 9

The PowerDirector Program ..................................................... 10

Capture Mode ........................................................................ 12

Edit Mode .............................................................................. 13

Library ................................................................................... 14

Media Room ..................................................................... 15

Effect Room ...................................................................... 15

Title Room ........................................................................ 15

Transition Room ................................................................ 15

Audio Mixer ............................................................................ 16

Voice-over Recording Room ..................................................... 17

The Workspace ....................................................................... 18

Timeline View .................................................................... 18

Storyboard View ................................................................ 19

Preview Window ..................................................................... 20

Media Viewer ......................................................................... 21

Media Editor .......................................................................... 22

Production Mode .................................................................... 23

Burn Mode ............................................................................. 24

Capturing Media .................................... 25

Capture Preferences ................................................................ 26

Capture Options ..................................................................... 28

Capture Limit Options ....................................................... 28

Profile Options .................................................................. 29

Analog Video Capture Options .......................................... 30

Audio Capture Options ..................................................... 31

Webcam Video Capture Options ........................................ 32

CyberLink PowerDirector

CD/Microphone Capture Profile Setup ................................ 33

Captured Clip Options ...................................................... 34

Capture from DV Camcorder ................................................... 35

Capture a Single Scene ..................................................... 35

Batch Capture .................................................................. 37

Capture from TV ..................................................................... 40

Capture from Webcam ............................................................ 41

Capture from Microphone ....................................................... 42

Rip Audio Tracks from CD ....................................................... 43

Record a Voice-over ................................................................ 44

Working with Media Clips ....................... 45

Managing Media in the Library ................................................ 46

Load Clips into the Library ................................................. 46

Sort Clips in the Library ...................................................... 47

Remove a Clip from the Library .......................................... 48

Rename a Clip in the Library .............................................. 49

Restore a Clip’s Original File Name .................................... 49

View Clip Properties .......................................................... 49

Detect Scenes in a Video Clip ............................................. 50

Managing Clips in the Workspace ............................................ 52

Add a Clip to the Workspace ............................................. 52

Move a Clip in the Workspace ........................................... 54

Cut/Copy/Paste a Clip in the Workspace ............................ 55

Remove a Clip from the Workspace .................................... 55

Editing Clips ........................................................................... 56

Split a Clip ....................................................................... 56

Trim a Video or Audio Clip ................................................ 57

Take a Still Snapshot of a Video Clip .................................. 60

Change the Speed of a Video Clip ..................................... 60

Stretch the Audio Portion of a Video Clip ............................. 61

Mute the Audio Portion of a Video Clip ............................... 61

Change the Color of a Visual Media Clip ............................ 62

Set a Video Clip’s Interlacing Format .................................. 63

Change Audio Clip Volume Levels ...................................... 64

Add a Fade Effect to an Audio Clip ..................................... 65

Mute an Entire Audio Clip .................................................. 66

Restore an Audio Clip’s Volume Levels ................................ 66

Preview a Clip ................................................................... 67

Working with Effects................................ 69

Managing Effects in the Library ................................................ 70

Sort Effects in the Library .................................................... 70

Restrict the Display of Effects .............................................. 70

Add an Effect to My Favorites ............................................. 71

Remove an Effect from My Favorites .................................... 71

Managing Effects in the Timeline .............................................. 72

Table of Contents

Add a Video/Title/Transition Effect ...................................... 72

Replace an Effect in the Timeline ........................................ 73

Delete an Effect ................................................................. 73

Move an Effect in the Workspace ........................................ 74

Cut/Copy/Paste an Effect in the Workspace ......................... 74

Modifying Effects ..................................................................... 75

Set an Effect’s Hold Time ................................................... 75

Split a Video, Title, or PiP Effect .......................................... 76

Set an Effect’s Duration ...................................................... 76

Modifying a Video Effect .................................................... 78

Modifying a PiP Effect ........................................................ 79

Modify a Title Effect ........................................................... 87

Preview an Effect ............................................................... 91

Producing Your Movie ............................. 93

Preview Your Movie ................................................................. 94

Preview Your Movie in the Preview Window ......................... 94

Preview Your Movie in the Media Viewer .............................95

The Production Wizard ............................................................ 96

Produce a Disc ....................................................................... 97

Create a File ........................................................................ 101

Create an AVI File ........................................................... 101

Create a DivX File ........................................................... 108

Create an MPEG1/MPEG2 File ........................................ 110

Create a Streaming File ......................................................... 112

Create a WMV File for Streaming ..................................... 112

Create a RealVideo File for Streaming ............................... 114

Create a QuickTime File for Streaming ............................. 117

Write Back to DV Tape .......................................................... 120

Appendix.............................................. 123

Technical Support ................................................................. 124

Web Support .................................................................. 124

Fax Support .................................................................... 124

Telephone Support .......................................................... 125

Hotkeys ................................................................................ 126

FAQ .................................................................................... 133

The Right Technology ............................................................ 139

CD vs. DVD .................................................................... 139

NTSC vs. PAL .................................................................. 142

Video Quality ................................................................. 142

Glossary .............................................................................. 144

Index.................................................... 151

iii

CyberLink PowerDirector

Chapter 1:

Introduction

This chapter introduces CyberLink PowerDirector and the digital video editing process. It provides a discussion of the different kinds of technology you will use in the digital movie-making process, as well as system requirements for working smoothly with CyberLink PowerDirector.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Welcome on p.2

• The Movie-Making Process on p.3

• General Preferences on p.5

• System Requirements on p.7

• PowerDirector Versions on p.8

CyberLink PowerDirector

Welcome

Welcome to the CyberLink family of digital video tools! PowerDirector is a digital video editing program that can help you create professional-looking video movies, complete with music, voice-over, special effects, and transition effects.

If you don’t have experience making movies, don’t worry. CyberLink PowerDirector provides home users with a simple tool to help them do something a little more creative with their home videos. You don’t have to be a video professional or have aspirations of a box office hit to enjoy using PowerDirector.

Where to Begin Reading

Of course, we hope that you will read through the entire User’s Guide for complete information on working with CyberLink PowerDirector. However, some people like to just jump in and get working on specific projects. If you are one of those people, please refer to the list below for the page numbers of the information you are looking for.

• If you have questions about the program or the digital

movie-making process, start by reading the Introduction on p.1, then the Visual Overview on p.9.

• If you want to capture media, read Capturing Media on

p.25

• If you want to put your media clips together into a story,

start by reading Editing Clips on p.56.

• If you want to modify your media clips, read Working

with Media Clips on p.45.

• If you want to modify your story, read Working with

Effects on p.69.

• If you want to create a disc, start by reading Producing

Your Movie on p.93, then Burning Your Movie to Disc on p.123.

Chapter 1: Introduction

The Movie-Making Process

The digital movie production process involves a combination of artistry and technology, beginning with raw video footage and ending with a movie production. CyberLink PowerDirector provides the easiest way to produce your finished movie and publish it to the medium of your choice.

Pre-Production

Before you edit your movie using CyberLink PowerDirector, you must first create (or gather) its component parts: video clips, photos, music, and narrative voice-overs.

You may collect raw footage yourself with a camcorder or other recording device, or you may simply use non-copyright protected media files that you have on hand.

You should have all of the bits and pieces of your movie on hand so that the video editing process goes as smoothly as possible.

Editing

When you have your raw footage on hand, you might expect to use CyberLink PowerDirector to perform the following tasks:

1. Acquire video and audio content.

2. Trim video and audio content to a desired length.

3. Add a special effect to a video clip.

4. Adjust the sharpness, contrast, and color of a video clip.

5. Mix your background and voice-over tracks.

6. Add transition effects between video clips.

7. Preview your production.

8. Burn your production to CD/DVD.

CyberLink PowerDirector

PowerDirector Projects

Whatever changes you make to your video clips, audio files, or photos in CyberLink PowerDirector does not affect your original media. Since your settings are all saved in the project file, you can trim, edit, or delete clips in PowerDirector, but still keep your original files on your hard drive, untouched. So let yourself get creative! If you end up changing things too drastically, you can always start over.

You can open and save a PowerDirector project file just like any other file in Windows. You can also create a new file or save the current file under a different file name.

Ready to Burn

When you are ready to burn your movie to disc, you should have several discs on hand that are compatible with your burning drive. Make sure not only that the media type is correct (i.e.: that you have DVDs for a DVD drive and CDs for a CD drive), but that your discs are all in the correct format (for example, CD-R or DVD+RW).

Keep several discs on hand in case your drive encounters errors, or to make duplicate copies when you are satisfied with the results.

Chapter 1: Introduction

General Preferences

CyberLink PowerDirector offers a range of choices to set your video production environment to better suit the way you work.

To set your working preferences, do this:

1. Click Edit > Preferences... The Preferences dialog box opens.

2. Set your preferences:

• Import directory: Set the folder where PowerDirector

looks by default for media clips when you load media files. To change this folder, click Browse and select a new folder.

• Export directory: Set the folder where PowerDirector

saves captured media files by default. To change this folder, click Browse and select a new folder.

• Durations: Set default durations (in seconds) for image

files, titles, transitions, and video effects.

• Undo levels: Enter a number (between 0 and 100) of

levels of undo you would like to make available while you work on your movie production. Setting a higher number of undo consumes more CPU resources.

CyberLink PowerDirector

Recently used file list: Enter a number (between 0 and

•

20) of recently used files that you would like to make available in the File menu when you open PowerDirector.

• TV format: Select the TV format (NTSC or PAL) of the

region in which you would like to produce your movie. This format should correspond to the format of the region in which you plan to play your movie (if you burn it to disc).

• Always prompt me when TV format conflicts: Check

this option to enable a warning message when you add a video clip to the workspace whose TV format (NTSC/ PAL) conflicts with that of the video clips already located in the workspace.

• Default mode: Select to open PowerDirector in Timeline

or Storyboard mode by default.

• Production preview: Select On to enable the video

preview window during production. Select Off to disable the preview window during production and reduce production time.

• Automatically load the most recent project: Check this

option to load the project you have been working on most recently whenever you open PowerDirector.

• Enable file deletion from hard drive and ask me for

confirmation: Check this option if you would like to be able to delete files located on your hard drive using a menu option in the Library.

3. Click OK.

Chapter 1: Introduction

System Requirements

The system requirements listed below are recommended as minimums for general digital video production work. You may find that your system, while meeting these recommended minimums, requires expanded capacity during specific DV editing tasks.

Minimum Recommended

Screen Resolution

Memory

CPU

HDD Space

Video Capture

CD/DVD Burning

Mic

1024 x 768, 16-bit color 1024 x 768, 32-bit color

Windows XP/2000/ME/ 98SE

128MB 256MB DDR

• Capture/Produce AVI: P2-450

• Capture/Produce MPEG-1: P3-600

• Capture/Produce MPEG2: P4-2G

• Optimized for CPU with SSE, SSE2, 3DNow!, and HyperThreading technology

• 1GB for making VCD/ SVCD/MiniDVD

• 10GB for making DVD

• PCI or USB1.0/2.0 capture device compliant with WDM standard (For example, PC Camera and TV tuner with WDM driver)

• DV/D8 camcorders connected via OHCI-compliant IEEE1394

CD or DVD burner (CD-R/RW, DVD+-R/+-RW) is required to burn VCD/DVD/SVCD/MiniDVD titles

A microphone is required to record a voice-over

Windows XP/2000

• 3GB for making VCD/ SVCD/MiniDVD

• 15GB for making DVD

• 7200RPM drive

CyberLink PowerDirector

PowerDirector Versions

PowerDirector is available in many different OEM versions and the full retail version. File format support, editing features, discmaking functions, and other features vary depending on the version that you have. For information on the availability of specific functions in the PowerDirector version that you are using, please check the PowerDirector Readme file.

Chapter 2:

Visual Overview

This chapter introduces the CyberLink PowerDirector program and the components that are available in PowerDirector’s different modes. Descriptions in this chapter focus on the appearance of the program, not on procedures for using the program. For instructions on how to use the program, refer to the many function-specific sections throughout the rest of the manual.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• The PowerDirector Program on p.10

• Capture Mode on p.12

• Edit Mode on p.13

• Library on p.14

• Media Room on p.15

• Effect Room on p.15

• Title Room on p.15

• Transition Room on p.15

• Audio Mixer on p.16

• Voice-over Recording Room on p.17

• The Workspace on p.18

• Preview Window on p.20

• Media Viewer on p.21

• Media Editor on p.22

• Production Mode on p.23

• Burn Mode on p.24

CyberLink PowerDirector

The PowerDirector Program

When you first open PowerDirector, the program appears as follows:

Library

Contains media clips, effects, and transitions

Preview window

Mode buttons

Click to switch working modes

Provides playback controls to preview clips and movies

Smart Guide

Provides function-specific tips

Media tracks

Insert media clips here

Chapter 2: Visual Overview

PowerDirector has four modes that enable you to perform different tasks: Capture, Edit, Produce, and Burn.

Click to switch to the capture interface. See Capture Mode on p.12.

Click to switch to the editing interface. See Edit Mode on p.13.

Click to switch to the production interface, which opens the Disc Wizard. See Production Mode on p.23.

Click to switch to the burning interface, which opens the PowerProducer tool. See Burn Mode on p.24.

The PowerDirector program changes appearance depending on mode. (By default, the program opens in Edit mode.) In addition, certain parts of the program may change within a specific mode. For example, the Library changes display when you click an editing function button, and the workspace can toggle between Timeline and Storyboard views. The different modes and the varying appearances they bring to the PowerDirector program are all described in the sections that follow.

CyberLink PowerDirector

Capture Mode

When you click the button, PowerDirector enters Capture mode, in which you can capture media from a variety of capture devices. In Capture mode, the program appears as follows:

Capture preview window

Displays media clips during capture.

Captured Clips area

Displays media clips after capture.

Capture device selection area

Allows you to switch capture devices and set capture limits

Information display area

Displays information about captured file size and available HDD space

For more information on capturing media, see Capturing Media on p.25.

Chapter 2: Visual Overview

Edit Mode

When you click the button, PowerDirector enters Edit mode, in which you can edit your video production. In Edit mode, the program appears as follows:

Edit function buttons

Open editing rooms dedicated to a specific task

Workspace view buttons

Click to switch between Timeline and Storyboard views

For more information on editing a video production, see Working with Media Clips on p.45 and Working with Effects on p.69.

CyberLink PowerDirector

Library

The Library is the storeroom in which all of the media clips used in your projects are kept. In addition, the Library displays all of the different types of effects that can be applied to media clips. The Library appears as follows:

Filter drop-down list

Library menu button

Load media button

Library contents

Detect scenes button

Which contents the Library displays depends on the edit function button you click. These buttons are shown below:

Media Room button

Effects Room button

Titles Room button

Transitions Room button

Audio Mixer button

Voice-over Room button

Each of these buttons opens an editing ‘room’ dedicated to a specific task. By default, the Library opens to the Media Room. However, the Library retains the same buttons and functions in each of these views.

Media Room

The Media Room is the storage area for the media that you will use in your video editing project. Which type of media clips appear in the Media Room depends on the selection you make in the Filter dropdown list.

Effect Room

The Effect Room contains all of the special effects that can be applied to video or image clips in the workspace.

Title Room

The Title Room contains all of the title effects that can be applied to the workspace.

Chapter 2: Visual Overview

Transition Room

The Transition Room contains all of the transition effects that can be applied between video or image clips in the workspace.

CyberLink PowerDirector

Audio Mixer

The Audio Mixer contains audio mixing controls for the different audio tracks in the workspace. The Audio Mixer appears as follows:

Audio mixing controls

Chapter 2: Visual Overview

Voice-over Recording Room

The Voice-over Recording Room contains controls for recording a narration from a microphone while watching the video clip the voice-over is destined to accompany. The Voice-over Recording Room appears as follows:

Recording options buttons

Record button

Recording volume controls

CyberLink PowerDirector

The Workspace

The edit interface consists of a workspace to which you can add clips. You can set which view opens by default in the Preferences dialog box. You can also switch views by clicking the Timeline or Storyboard buttons.

Timeline View

When you first open PowerDirector, the program opens to the Edit interface in whichever mode you have set in your preferences.

To switch to Timeline view, click . The workspace appears as follows:

The Media Tracks

Video

Effect

PiP

Title

Vo i ce

Music

Contains your movie’s main video and/or image clips.

Contains special effects that apply to the video or image clip in the Video track at the same location.

Contains video/image clips, which are overlaid on any clip in the Video track that appears during the PiP effect’s duration.

Contains title effects that appear over any clips in the Video track that occur during the title effect’s duration.

Contains a narrative voice-over or second audio clip.

Contains your movie’s main audio clip.

Chapter 2: Visual Overview

Resizing the Ruler

You can resize the ruler for a more expanded or more condensed view of your production. The graphics below show the effect of a condensed versus an expanded ruler:

Condensed ruler:

Expanded ruler:

To resize the ruler, click inside the ruler and drag. Expand the ruler for more a precise view, which is especially handy when aligning clips and effects, or condense the ruler for a global overview of your entire production.

Storyboard View

You can switch to Storyboard view while editing your movie for a simpler view of the clips that your movie contains.

To switch to storyboard view, click . The workspace appears as follows:

CyberLink PowerDirector

Preview Window

The preview window to the right of the Library allows you to preview both media clips located in the Library as well as your entire movie production.

Slider

Time display

Volume

Open Media Viewer/Media Editor

Fast forward

Next frame

Previous frame

Stop

Play

Movie mode

Clip mode

Chapter 2: Visual Overview

Media Viewer

The Media Viewer allows you to preview media clips as well as your entire movie production in a large, resizable window. The Media Viewer appears as follows:

Preview window

Provides playback controls to preview your movie

Playback controls

Allow you to control playback of clips

CyberLink PowerDirector

Media Editor

The Media Editor is similar to the Media Viewer but offers additional functions for trimming video clips. The Media Editor appears as follows:

Preview window

Provides playback controls to preview your movie

Playback controls

Allow you to control playback and editing of clips

Precise Cut sliders

Allow you to trim long videos accurately

Chapter 2: Visual Overview

Production Mode

When you click the button, PowerDirector enters Production mode, in which you can compile your movie into a file that is ready for a variety of destinations, including burning to disc. In Production mode, PowerDirector opens the Production Wizard. The Production Wizard appears as follows:

Preview window

Provides playback controls to preview your movie

Information display area

Production mode buttons

For more information on producing your movie, see Producing Your Movie on p.93.

CyberLink PowerDirector

Burn Mode

When you click the button, PowerDirector enters Burn mode, in which you can burn your produced movie to disc. In Burn mode, PowerDirector opens the PowerProducer. For more information on burning your movie to disc, see PowerProducer help.

Chapter 3:

Capturing Media

This chapter explains how to acquire media for use in CyberLink PowerDirector. You can acquire video and audio from a wide variety of sources, including a webcam, camcorder, TV, VCR, microphone, and audio CD.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Capture Preferences on p.26

• Capture Options on p.28

• Capture from DV Camcorder on p.35

• Capture from TV on p.40

• Capture from Webcam on p.41

• Capture from Microphone on p.42

• Rip Audio Tracks from CD on p.43

• Record a Voice-over on p.44

CyberLink PowerDirector

Capture Preferences

Before you begin to capture, make sure your capture environment is set according to your preferred working methods.

1. To set your capture preferences, click Edit > Preferences. The Preferences dialog box opens.

2. Click the Capture/Export tab and set your preferences, if necessary:

• Add captured files to Library: Check this option to

import captured files into the Library, and switch to Edit mode.

• Add captured files to workspace: Check this option to

import captured files into the workspace, and switch to Edit mode.

• Use video overlay for capture: Keep this option checked

during capture unless you have an older VGA card that does not support video overlay. (Unchecking this option in this event avoids the unsupported overlay display error.)

• Enable automatic file replacement during voice-over:

Check this option to overwrite existing audio if the voice-over overlaps during recording.

Chapter 3: Capturing Media

Captured video filename: Enter a default name for

•

captured video files. PowerDirector automatically appends a sequential number to this name to create a unique filename for each captured file.

• Always prompt me to confirm filename: Check this

option if you would like PowerDirector to prompt you to enter a filename each time you capture video (or take a snapshot).

• Snapshot filename: Enter a default name for snapshot

captures. PowerDirector automatically appends a sequential number to this name to create a unique filename for each captured file. Select a file format from the drop-down list.

• Snapshot destination: Select a destination for snapshot

captures from the drop-down list.

• Do not detect scenes during capture: Check this option

if you do not want to activate the scene detection function during capture.

• After capture, detect scenes by changing of video

frames: Check this option to perform scene detection during video capture. In scene detection, PowerDirector compares captured frames to decide when there is a scene change. Each scene is saved as a file as recording continues.

• During capture, detect scenes by timecode, and save

each scene as a separate file (DV-VCR mode only): Check this option to detect scene-break signals and to save each scene as a separate file. (DV camcorder generate a scene-break signal on the tape whenever users release the REC button.) This feature is only available in DV tape capture.

• DV Parameters button: Click this button to set the buffer

parameters for your DV camcorder. Setting a buffer time ensures that your DV camcorder and your batch capture or DV writing device begin at the same time. Without a buffer, batch capturing or writing to tape may begin before the camcorder is engaged.

3. Click OK.

CyberLink PowerDirector

Capture Options

Many of the options for capturing are shared by different capture modes. These options are described below. Not all of the options described in this section are available in all capture modes. Descriptions of options specific to a single capture mode are found in the section that describes that mode.

Note: PowerDirector’s capture functions vary, depending on

version. For information on the availability of specific features in the PowerDirector version that you are using, please check the Readme file.

Capture Limit Options

You can set limits on the size or duration of video that PowerDirector captures. When the limit you set is reached, capture automatically stops.

To set a maximum capture length, check Time limit, then enter a time in the timecode box.

To set a maximum captured file size, check Size limit, then enter a size limit (in MB).

Profile Options

Click Profile. The Profile Setup dialog box opens.

• For more information on MPEG profiles, see Create a

New MPEG-1/MPEG-2 Profile on p.99. For more information on AVI options, see Windows AVI on p.104.

• Click the Comments and Details buttons for more

information about the profile.

Chapter 3: Capturing Media

CyberLink PowerDirector

Analog Video Capture Options

Click Video. The Analog Video Settings dialog box opens, displaying the Video Setup tab. You may select your capture source here.

Click the Video Adjustment tab and set the video options, if necessary.

Click the TV Setup tab and set the TV options, if necessary.

Chapter 3: Capturing Media

Audio Capture Options

Before you capture from microphone, there are several options you can set.

Drag the volume level slider to set the input volume level.

Check Begin with fade-in to start an audio capture in with a fade-in from silence.

Check End with fade-out to end an audio capture with a fadeout to silence.

Click Audio. The Audio Setup dialog box opens. You may select your audio input device, audio input source, and input volume here.

CyberLink PowerDirector

Webcam Video Capture Options

When capturing from a webcam, click Video to set up your webcam capture profile. Under the Video Setup tab, you can select your capture source. Click Advanced Settings for more options.

Click the Video Adjustment tab and drag the sliders to increase or decrease the intensity of the video attributes here.

• Click Revert to clear the changes you have just made.

• Click Default to reset the attributes to their original

levels.

Chapter 3: Capturing Media

CD/Microphone Capture Profile Setup

When recording from CD or microphone, click Profile to set up your CD or microphone recording profile. You may select an audio quality here.

• You can save a profile using a unique name by clicking

the Save As... button. Click Remove to remove the new profiles you create.

CyberLink PowerDirector

Captured Clip Options

After you capture clips, a number of options are available for managing them. Some of these options appear in the dialog box immediately after capture, while others are available in the Captured Clips area of the Capture window.

Click Change Folder to set a different destination folder for captured clips.

Note: Set this option before capturing clips.

Post-Cap ture Options

To delete a captured file, click Delete in the dialog box that appears after recording.

To name a captured file, enter a name in the dialog box that appears after recording. To use default names for captured files, check the Don’t ask me to rename files again option in the dialog box that appears after recording.

Captured Clips Area Options

Captured clips appear in the Captured Clips area. Right-clicking clips in this area displays a menu that provides several options:

• Delete from Disk: Select this option to remove the clip

from the Detected Scenes area and delete the source file from your hard disk.

• Remove Item: Select this option to remove the clip from

the Detected Scenes area.

• Play in Media Viewer: Select this option to view the clip

in the Media Viewer. See Preview a Clip in the Media Viewer on p.68.

• Detect Scenes: Select this option to detect the scenes

contained in a video clip. See Detect Scenes in a Video Clip on p.50.

Chapter 3: Capturing Media

Capture from DV Camcorder

DV camcorders are popular among video hobbyists, as they record in a digital format that does not require conversion before being used on a computer, and often provide a number of advanced recording options. You can capture a single scene or a number of scenes in a batch from your camcorder. Procedures for both methods are described below.

Capture a Single Scene

You can capture a single segment of video from your camcorder. This function is particularly useful, for example, if you want to acquire a long video segment in its entirety without skipping over sections.

To capture a single scene from a DV camcorder, do this:

Note: Make sure your camcorder is in VRC mode before

capturing.

1. Click to open Capture mode.

2. Click to open the DV camcorder capture function. (You

may have to wait a few moments as PowerDirector switches devices.)

CyberLink PowerDirector

3. Locate the position at which you would like to begin capturing. You may do this in one of the following ways:

• Use the playback buttons.

• Drag the time slider.

• Enter a timecode, then click to seek to that timecode.

4. Set your capture options (if necessary). See Capture Options on p.28.

• Check Non-realtime to continue processing captured

video after the original video stops playing in order to ensure that no frames are dropped. Capturing video at a higher speed reduces processing time, but yields video of a lower quality. Capturing better quality video requires more CPU power and more time to complete.

5. Click to begin capture. The video plays in the preview window as you capture.

• Click to stop capture before completion.

6. Enter a name in the dialog box that appears. The clips you have captured appear in the Captured Clips area.

Chapter 3: Capturing Media

Batch Capture

Batch capturing may seem intimidating, but in reality, it is an incredibly convenient method of capturing multiple video clips automatically. If you take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with batch capturing, you will save yourself loads more time when you capture video from your camcorder. PowerDirector scans your DV for intervals, then allows you to batch capture from the clips created using intervals.

To batch capture from a DV camcorder, do this:

Note: Make sure your camcorder is in VRC mode before

capturing.

1. Click to open Capture mode.

2. Click to open the DV device capture function. (You may

have to wait a few moments as PowerDirector switches devices.)

3. Set your capture options (if necessary). See Capture Options on p.28.

• Check Non-realtime to continue processing captured

video after the original video stops playing in order to ensure that no frames are dropped.

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4. Click . The DV Quick Scan dialog box opens.

• Click Note for important information on how to use the

DV Quick Scan function.

5. Locate the position at which you would like to begin scanning for intervals. You may do this in one of the following ways:

• Use the playback buttons.

• Drag the time slider.

• Enter a timecode, then click to seek to that timecode.

6. Click Start Scan to start scanning for intervals. PowerDirector scans for intervals.

7. Click Stop Scan after all of the video segments you want to capture have been scanned. Scanned intervals appear as thumbnails in the window.

Chapter 3: Capturing Media

Click Back to return to the Quick Scan function.

•

8. Check the thumbnails of the intervals you want to batch capture.

• You can change the profile of the clips to be captured. To

do this, click Profile and select a new profile.

• To combine sequential intervals into a single interval,

check the intervals, then click Merge. Click Auto-Merge to combine intervals to combine all checked intervals in sequence or to merge all of the clips in an interval that you can set.

9. Click Start Capture to begin batch capture. PowerDirector rewinds your tape to the position of first clip, then begins capturing all of the intervals you have checked. The video plays in the preview window as you capture. The clips you have captured appear in the Captured Clips area.

• Click Stop Capture to stop the capture process.

10. Click Finished to return to Capture mode.

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Capture from TV

You may wish to add segments from your favorite TV programs to your movie production, or simply record other segments for different uses.

To capture from TV, do this:

1. Click to open Capture mode.

2. Click to open the TV capture function. (You may have to

wait a few moments as PowerDirector switches devices.)

3. Set your capture options (if necessary). See Capture Options on p.28.

• Click if you have CATV, or click if your TV has an

antenna.

4. Locate the channel you want to capture. You may do this in one of the following ways:

• Click to go up a channel or to go down a channel.

• Click to return to the previous channel.

• Enter a channel number in the channel box.

5. Click to begin capture.

6. Click to stop capture.

7. Enter a name in the dialog box that appears. The clips you

have captured appear in the Captured Clips area.

Chapter 3: Capturing Media

Capture from Webcam

Webcams (also known as PC cameras) are inexpensive, handy video cameras that you can use for simple video capturing.

To capture from webcam, do this:

1. Click to open Capture mode.

2. Click to open the webcam capture function. (You may

have to wait a few moments as PowerDirector switches devices.)

3. Set your capture options (if necessary). See Capture Options on p.28.

4. Click to begin capture.

5. Click to stop capture.

6. The clips you capture appear in the Captured Clips area.

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Capture from Microphone

Your movie may require a narrative voice-over, or you may elect to record dialog in a studio for better acoustics. No matter what kind of audio tracks you record, they can be captured with a microphone for use in your PowerDirector project.

To capture from microphone, do this:

1. Click to open Capture mode.

2. Click to open the microphone capture function. (You

may have to wait a few moments as PowerDirector switches devices.)

3. Set your capture options (if necessary). See Capture Options on p.28.

• Click to add a fade-in effect.

• Click to add a fade-out effect.

4. Set your master audio level. To do this, click , then drag the slider to the desired recording level. (You may also

adjust audio levels on the fly while recording.)

5. Click to begin capture. Recording begins after a three- second countdown.

6. Click to stop capture.

Chapter 3: Capturing Media

Rip Audio Tracks from CD

Using your favorite music can help you to create a really fun, personalized movie. If you have music stored on an audio CD, you can rip the songs you want and then add them as audio tracks in PowerDirector.

To rip audio tracks from CD, do this:

1. Click to open Capture mode.

2. Click to open the CD capture function. (You may have

to wait a few moments as PowerDirector switches devices.)

3. Select a drive.

4. Select the track you want to rip.

5. Set your capture options (if necessary). See Capture Options

on p.28.

6. Click to begin capture.

• Click to stop capture.

7. Enter a file name for the captured file and click OK.

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Record a Voice-over

The Voice-over Recording Room is located in the Library in Edit mode. Using the Voice-over Room, you can record a voice-over narration while watching the accompanying video. When you capture your narration, the audio track is synched with the video portion.

To record a voice-over, do this:

1. Click to open the Voice-over Recording Room.

2. Set your voice-over options. See Capture Options on p.28.

• Click to add a fade-in effect.

• Click to add a fade-out effect.

3. Locate the point in your movie at which you want to begin recording a voice-over. You may do this in one of the following ways:

• Drag the Timeline slider.

• Drag the preview window slider.

• Use the playback buttons.

• Enter a timecode in the timecode box.

4. Drag the Recording volume level slider to set the input volume level.

5. Click to begin recording. Record your voice-over as you watch the video in the preview window.

6. Click to stop recording.

7. Click to close the Voice-over Recording Room.

Chapter 4:

Working with Media Clips

This chapter discusses how to load media into the Library for use in your projects, how to add your media clips to the workspace, then how to manipulate and edit media clips once they are loaded into the workspace. Adding and manipulating media clips allows you to construct the framework of your movie production - to lay out and organize the story you want to tell.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Managing Media in the Library on p.46

• Managing Clips in the Workspace on p.52

• Editing Clips on p.56

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Managing Media in the Library

After you have obtained the media files you want to work with, the next step is to add them into the Library (where they become media “clips”) in order to make them available for your movie. Once your clips are loaded, you can change the display of your media clips in the Library and delete unnecessary clips.

Load Clips into the Library

When loading media clips into PowerDirector’s Library, you have two options: to load media files individually, or to load an entire folder that contains media files you want to use in your current project.

Note: PowerDirector’s file format support varies, depending

on version. For information on the availability of specific features in the PowerDirector version that you are using, please check the Readme file.

Load Individual Media Files

To specify individual media files to load into the Library, do this:

1. Click to open the Media Room in the Library.

2. Select the type of media you want to

load (or All Media) from the Filter drop-down list.

Note: By selecting a media type (other

than All Media) in this dropdown list, you restrict the type of media displayed in the Library, and consequently, the type of media that you can import.

3. Click and select Load media file(s). A dialog box opens.

4. Locate and open the file(s) you want to add. Thumbnails of each of the media files you have selected appear in the Library.

Chapter 4: Working with Media Clips

Load a Media Folder

To load all of the media files in a particular folder, do this:

1. Click to open the Media Room in the Library.

2. Click and select Load a media folder. A dialog box

opens.

3. Locate the folder you want to open, then click OK. All of the media files in that folder are loaded into the Library.

Sort Clips in the Library

Once your media clips are loaded into the Library, you can restrict the display to a certain type of media for a simpler view, and you can also sort media files using different criteria.

• Select the type of media you want

to view (or All Media) from the Filter drop-down list. Only those clips that belong to the media type you have selected are displayed in the Media Room.

• To change the way media files are

sorted, click . Select Sort by, then choose a sorting option (Name, Duration, File size, Date, Type).

Note: Color boards can be sorted by Name, R (Red), G

(Green), and B (Blue), or Date.

To change the way media files are displayed, click .

•

Select Display by, then choose a display option (Thumbnails or Details).

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Remove a Clip from the Library

To remove a media clip from the Library, do this:

1. Click to open the Media Room in the Library.

2. Select the clip(s) you want to remove, then do one of the

following:

• Press the Delete key.

• Click and select Delete selected.

• Right-click the clip(s), then select Remove from Library

or Delete from disk.

Note: The Remove from Library option makes the clip

unavailable in the Library but does not affect the original media file on your hard disk. The Delete from disk option both removes the clip from the Library and deletes the original file on your hard disk.

Chapter 4: Working with Media Clips

Rename a Clip in the Library

Clips you import into the Library retain their original file names, which are often non descriptive and difficult to use in a video editing project. By using an alias, you can rename any clip in the Library to better suit your project. (For example, you may wish to use the alias “first video clip” instead of “video_005.mpg.)

To rename a clip using an alias, do this:

1. Right-click the clip you want to rename and select Use alias.

2. Enter a name and press Enter on your keyboard or click

outside the name box. The clip appears in the Library using the alias.

Restore a Clip’s Original File Name

Although using an alias is handy while working on your video project, you may find it necessary to view the original name of the clip (for example to verify which version of a clip you are using).

To restore a clip’s original name, right-click the clip you want to rename and select Restore original clip name. The clip now appears in the Library using the original clip name.

View Clip Properties

If you need to view information about a media clip in the Library or the workspace (such as its format, file path, size, frame rate, etc.), you can view the clip’s properties.

To view clip properties, right-click the clip and select Properties. The Properties dialog box opens.

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Detect Scenes in a Video Clip

The scene detection function automatically creates individual clips based on the individual scenes contained within a video clip. Detected scenes are not split from the original clip, but can be added to the workspace like any other media clip. Likewise, they may also be merged together or removed entirely without changing the original video clip.

1. To detect scenes in a video clip in the Library, do this:

2. Select the video clip whose scenes you want to detect.

3. Click . The Scene Detection window opens.

4. Increase or decrease scene detection sensitivity, if necessary.

Increased or decreased scene detection sensitivity yields an increased or decreased number of scenes that are detected. You may do this in one of the following ways:

• Drag the Sensitivity slider.

• Click the or buttons.

5. Click Settings and set your scene detection options, if necessary:

• The Detection Method section pertains to video clips that

have been captured. (If the video clip was not captured, the Detection Method options are disabled.) If you have a DV AVI clip that contains multiple timecodes (i.e.: timecodes are automatically set when you start and stop recording) and you wish to split up your clip in this manner, select Detect by changing of timecodes. Otherwise, use Detect by changing of video frames.

Chapter 4: Working with Media Clips

To detect more precisely within a video clip that contains

•

fades, check the Ignore fade-ins/outs option.

• To detect more precisely within a video clip that contains

bright flashes (for example, camera flash), check the

Ignore flashing lights option.

6. Locate the position at which you would like to begin

detecting scenes. You may do this in one of the following ways:

• Use the playback buttons.

• Drag the time slider.

• Enter a timecode.

Note: You may, of course, detect scenes from the start of the

clip.

7. Click Detect. The video clip plays in the Preview Window from the point you have set.

Note: To set scenes manually, click Split instead of Detect.

•

To stop the scene detection process before completion, click Stop or press the <Esc> key.

• After the original scene detection, you may further detect

scenes within a newly generated scene. To detect scenes manually (including changing detection sensitivity), select a scene, then repeat the steps for detecting scenes. To detect scenes automatically, right-click a scene and select Detect again from this scene.

• To remove a scene after detection, select the scene and

click Remove, or right-click the scene and select Remove

scene.

8. Click OK to close the Scene Detection window.

• To return to the Library, click Up One Level.

Clips created by the new scenes are displayed in a subfolder under the original video clip. They can be added to the workspace and managed in the Library like any other video clip.

Video clips that contain detected scenes show a small folder icon in the lower right-hand corner of the clip when displayed in the Library. To display a clip’s scenes, click the folder icon.

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Managing Clips in the Workspace

Once you have loaded media files into the Library, they are ready to be used in your movie. You can load different types of media clips into the different tracks in the workspace, move them to different locations in your story, and delete them from the workspace.

Add a Clip to the Workspace

The different types of media clips may only be added to specific tracks. The sections below describe the procedures for adding each kind of media clip into the workspace.

Note: You may prefer to add clips in Storyboard view, since

this view is simpler than the Timeline view. However, clips can only be added to the Video track in this view. Therefore, this section uses the Timeline view in all of the procedures.

Add Video & Image Clips

You can add video and image clips to either the Video track or the PiP (picture-in-picture) track. To create the basic framework of your movie, add video and image clips to the Video track. Add clips to the PiP track only to create a picture-in-picture effect.

Note: For more information on using PiP effects, see Replace

an Effect in the Timeline on p.73 and Modifying a PiP Effect on p.79.

To add video or image clips to the workspace, do this:

1. Click to open the Media Room in the Library.

2. Select Video, Image, or All Media from the Filter drop-

down list to sort the clips in the Media Room.

Chapter 4: Working with Media Clips

3. Select a clip, then add it to the workspace. You may do this in one of the following ways:

• Click to add the clip to the Video track or

to add the clip to the PiP track.

• Drag clips to a desired position in the Video or PiP track.

When adding clips to the Video track, you cannot leave an empty gap between the last clip and the new clips you are adding. Clips added to the end of the Video track follow immediately after the final clip in that track.

Note: You may select several clips and drag them together

into the same track, provided all of the clips are compatible with the destination track.

Add Color Boards

Using color boards allows you to insert solid frames of color into your movie. You might, for example, want to fade in to or out from a certain color, or add a solid background to a picture-inpicture effect.

Color boards are not media files as such, but they can be applied to the workspace and managed in the Library just like video and image clips. You can add color boards to either the Video or the PiP track.

To add a color board to the workspace, do this:

1. Click to open the Media Room in the Library.

2. Select Color boards from the Filter drop-down list. The

current color boards appear in the Library.

3. Select a color board, then add it to the workspace. You may do this in one of the following ways:

• Click to add the color board to the Video track

or to add the color board to the PiP track.

• Drag one or more color boards to a desired position in

the Video or PiP track. When adding clips to the Video track, you cannot leave an empty gap between the last clip and the new clips you are adding. Clips added to the end of the Video track follow immediately after the final clip in that track.

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Add Audio Clips

Using audio clips allows you to add background music or a narrative voice-over to your movie. PowerDirector provides two tracks for audio media (the Music and Voice tracks), which you can use interchangeably.

Note: Audio files can only be added to the workspace in

Timeline view. If you drag an audio file to the workspace in Storyboard view, the workspace automatically switches to Timeline view.

To add an audio clip to the workspace, do this:

1. Click to open the Media Room in the Library.

2. Select Audio or All Media from the Filter drop-down list.

3. Select an audio clip, then add it to the workspace. You may

do this in one of the following ways:

• Click to add the audio clip to the Voice track or

to add the audio clip to the Music track.

• Drag one or more audio clips to a desired position in the

Voice or Music track. Audio clips can be added at any point in this track.

Move a Clip in the Workspace

Once a clip has been added to the workspace, you can drag it to a different location on the track it is currently located in. However, you cannot drag clips between tracks.

Note: You may find moving media clips easier in Storyboard

view, especially if the clip has an extremely short duration, or if you need to move it a relatively long distance over the workspace.

Chapter 4: Working with Media Clips

Cut/Copy/Paste a Clip in the Workspace

You can cut, copy, and paste media clips in PowerDirector’s workspace.

• Use the Ctrl key to select multiple, noncontiguous clips.

• Use the Shift key to select clips in a series.

When you paste, clips appear at the current position of the Timeline slider. If that position occurs within the duration of a media clip, the new clip is pasted immediately after that clip. If the Timeline slider is positioned in a gap between clips, the new clip is pasted and truncated (if necessary) to fit in the gap (PiP/ Music/Voice tracks only). If the Timeline slider is positioned after the last clip, the new clip is pasted immediately after the last clip.

Remove a Clip from the Workspace

To remove a media clip from the workspace, select the clip(s) you want to remove, then do one of the following:

• Press the Delete key.

• Click

• Right-click the clip, then select Delete.

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Editing Clips

‘Editing’ is a broad term that encompasses a number of different functions: you can, for example, trim unwanted sections from video or audio clips, increase or decrease the speed of a video clip, or apply a special effect. This section describes all of the editing processes that you can perform on the different types of media clips.

Note: The functions in this section can only be performed in

Timeline view.

Split a Clip

You can split a media clip into two clips at the current position of the Timeline slider. The procedure is the same for any type of media: audio, video, image, or color board.

To split a media clip, do this:

1. Select the clip you want to modify.

2. Place your cursor at the position at which you want to split

the clip.

3. Click Split. The clip is split into two independent clips that can be moved or modified separately in the workspace.

Note: Splitting a video or audio clip does not delete any

portion of the content. Both halves of a split video or audio clip can be stretched back to any length up to the original duration.

Chapter 4: Working with Media Clips

Trim a Video or Audio Clip

Video clips captured from external capture devices often contain unwanted portions at the beginning, between scenes, or at the end. These unwanted portions can easily be removed in PowerDirector using the Trim function.

Likewise, if you want to tailor your audio clip to fit the duration of a video clip, you can easily trim your audio clip to a desired length.

Note: Trimming a video or audio clip does not delete any

portion of the content.

Trim Using the Trim Button

To trim a video or audio clip, do this:

1. Select the clip you want to modify.

2. Click Tr i m . The Trim option panel opens.

3. Enter a mark in and mark out time.You may do this in one

of the following ways:

• Click inside the timecode box and enter a time using

your keyboard.

• Drag the mark in/mark out sliders to the correct time

position.

• Navigate to the desired time position using the playback

buttons.

4. Click the Mark in and Mark out buttons.

5. Click to close the option panel.

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Trim by Dragging an Edge

You can trim any kind of media clip in the Timeline (including audio, video, and image clips and color boards) by dragging either edge of that clip. You may find trimming a clip in this way easier if you first expand the ruler.

Note: Video and audio clips cannot be lengthened beyond

their original duration.

To trim a media clip by dragging an edge, do this:

1. Select the clip you want to modify.

2. Position your cursor at one end of the clip and drag the end

of the clip to the new position.

Note: You can drag the edge of a clip to lengthen it or to

shorten it. If you compress the start of a video or audio clip, playback begins at a later frame within the clip. If you compress the ending, playback ends at an earlier frame within the clip.

Chapter 4: Working with Media Clips

Trim a Video Clip Using Precise Cut

If you need to trim video extremely accurately (for example at the frame level), use the Precise Cut feature in the Media Editor window. The Media Editor is a large, resizable preview window that offers a magnified timeline that is particularly useful for accurate trimming of longer videos.

To trim a video clip using the Precise Cut feature in the Media Editor, do this:

1. Select the clip you want to modify.

2. Click Tr i m .

• Click Clip on the preview window, if necessary.

3. Click . The Media Editor window opens.

4. Click to enable the Precise Cut magnifier, then click

to zoom the timeline in or to zoom out.

5. Enter a mark in and mark out time. You may do this in one of the following ways:

• Click inside the timecode box and enter a time using

your keyboard.

• Drag the mark in/mark out sliders to the correct time

position.

• Use the playback buttons.

Note: Drag the bottom slider for more precise control.

6. Click the Mark in and Mark out buttons.

7. Click or press the <Esc> key to close the Media Editor

window.

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Take a Still Snapshot of a Video Clip

You can capture a single frame from a video clip and automatically load the snapshot in the Library.

To take a snapshot of a video clip, do this:

1. Select the clip you want to modify.

2. Click Tr i m .

3. Navigate to the frame you want to capture using the

playback buttons.

4. Click Snapshot. The frame is captured and stored in the Library as an image file.

Change the Speed of a Video Clip

Slow-motion or fast-motion effects can grab your audience’s attention as well as break up the rhythm of a movie.

Note: Video clips can be located in either the Video or PiP

track.

To change the speed of a video clip, do this:

1. Select the clip you want to modify.

2. Click Speed. The speed option panel opens.

3. Set the new speed (between .5x and 2x). You may do this in

one of two ways:

• Drag the slider to increase or decrease the speed.

• Enter a timecode in the New video length box. (This

method allows more accurate control, as you can specify a length down to the frame level.)

4. Click to close the option panel.

Chapter 4: Working with Media Clips

Stretch the Audio Portion of a Video Clip

When you alter the speed of a video clip, you may wish to stretch the audio portion at the same proportion as the video portion.

To change the speed of a video clip, do this:

1. Select the clip you want to modify.

2. Click Speed. The speed option panel opens.

3. Click Stretch Audio. This option stretches the video clip’s

audio portion (between .5x and 2x). The pitch of the audio portion remains unchanged to avoid unexpected audio results.

4. Click to close the option panel.

Mute the Audio Portion of a Video Clip

When you alter the speed of a video clip, you may wish to mute the audio portion in order to avoid unintended audio effects.

To change the speed of a video clip, do this:

1. Select the clip you want to modify.

2. Click Speed. The speed option panel opens.

3. Click Mute Audio. This option silences the video clip’s

audio portion during playback (between .1x and 10x).

4. Click to close the option panel.

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Change the Color of a Visual Media Clip

You may wish to change the color attributes of a video or image clip or a color board in order to produce a surprising effect, or simply to emulate reality more closely. Either result is easy to achieve in PowerDirector.

To ch an ge the c ol or of a v isual media clip, do this:

1. Select the clip you want to modify.

2. Click Color. The color option panel opens.

3. Set the color options that you want to apply:

• Brightness: the brightness/darkness of the image

• Contrast: the difference in proportion between lights and

darks in the image

• Hue: the individual colors in the image

• Saturation: the depth of the colors in the image

• Sharpness: the clarity of details in the image

4. Click to close the option panel.

Chapter 4: Working with Media Clips

Set a Video Clip’s Interlacing Format

All video clips have an interlacing (TV) format, which specifies how frames are displayed. Using video clips with conflicting (or incorrect) TV formats can result in degraded video quality in your final production.

Before you produce your movie, set all of the video clips to the same format. (You do not need to know what the format of each clips is, as PowerDirector can detect this for you.) While PowerDirector can normally detect and suggest the correct format, some interlaced video (such as a video with very little motion) may be misjudged as a progressive video. PowerDirector automatically produces interlaced video for DVD, SVCD, and DV-AVI. Only change this setting if you are sure that PowerDirector has wrongly set the format.

Note: This is an extremely important step to take before

production, as it can drastically affect final video quality!

To set a video clip’s TV format, do this:

1. Right-click the video clip whose interlacing format you want to set and select Set TV format. The Interlace and Progressive Settings dialog box opens.

2. Select an interlacing option:

• If you know the interlacing format you want to use,

select the corresponding option

• If you do not know the interlacing formation you want to

use, select Scan and Suggest Format. PowerDirector scans the clip and automatically selects the best format.

3. Click OK.

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Change Audio Clip Volume Levels

Your movie may contain audio portions in the Music track, the Voice track, as well as in the video clips you have added. Since all of these tracks have probably been recorded at different levels, the result of so many audio sources can produce an overwhelming and confusing sound track. However, the audio levels of all of these different tracks can be mixed to produce a more harmonious sound track to your movie. Audio levels can be mixed in the audio mixer or inside the audio clips in the Music and Voice tracks.

In-Track Audio Mixing

You can change the level of volume at any point within an audio clip in the Timeline.

To change the volume level of an audio track in the Timeline, do this:

1. Select the clip you want to modify.

2. Click on the audio level line at the point where you want to

change the audio level to set a volume key. Drag the volume key up to increase the volume or down to decrease the volume.

• Set levels at fewer volume keys along the track for

subtler changes in volume, or more volume keys for more extreme changes in volume.

• To remove a volume key, drag it outside the clip’s

borders.

Chapter 4: Working with Media Clips

Mix Audio Levels in the Audio Mixer

Using the Audio Mixer gives you very precise control over the volume levels of the audio clips in the workspace.

To mix audio in the Audio Mixer, do this:

1. Click . The Audio Mixer opens.

2. Click Play.

3. Use the sliders to mix the volume levels of the

corresponding tracks.

• Use the vertical sliders to set volume keys to increase or

decrease the volume of the track on the fly.

• Use the horizontal sliders to increase or decrease the

volume of the entire track.

4. Click to close the Audio Mixer.

Add a Fade Effect to an Audio Clip

To add a fade-in/fade-out effect to an audio clip, do this:

1. Click . The Audio Mixer opens.

2. Click the button corresponding to the type of fade effect you

want:

• Click to add a fade-in effect.

• Click to add a fade-out effect.

3. Click to close the Audio Mixer.

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Mute an Entire Audio Clip

You may wish to mute the audio output of an entire track. To do this, right-click the track and deselect Mute track. Any audio volume keys you have added are hidden.

To unmute the track, right-click the track and select Mute track. The audio volume keys you have added are restored.

Restore an Audio Clip’s Volume Levels

If you are dissatisfied with the volume level of any audio clip after manually setting volume keys, you can easily restore the clip’s original volume level. To do this, right-click the track and select Restore original volume level. Any audio volume keys you have added are permanently removed.

Chapter 4: Working with Media Clips

Preview a Clip

As you add media to your production, it is important to preview the effect your media clips have on the story you are telling. You may want to preview imported clips, for example, to verify their content, or to preview clips you have captured to see if they contain sections you need to trim.

Preview a Clip in the Preview Window

The easiest way to preview a media clip is by playing it in the preview window. Any media clip that appears in the Library or the workspace can be previewed in this window. However, playback controls are only available for video and audio media.

To preview a media clip in the preview window, do this:

1. Click the clip or effect you want to preview. The clip appears in the preview window.

Note: When previewing clips in the workspace, ensure that

the preview window is in Clip mode. If the preview is in Movie mode, click the Clip button before previewing a clip.

2. Locate the point at which you want to begin your preview. You may do this in one of the following ways:

• Drag the Timeline slider.

• Drag the preview window slider.

• Enter a timecode in the timecode box.

3. Press Play. The preview starts from the point you have specified.

4. Use the playback buttons to control the preview.

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Preview a Clip in the Media Viewer

Previewing clips in the Media Viewer gives you a larger preview picture than the preview window.

To preview a clip in the Media Viewer, do this:

1. Right-click the clip in the Library.

2. Select Play in Media Viewer. The clip appears in the Media

Viewer.

3. Locate the point at which you want to begin your preview. You may do this in one of the following ways:

• Drag the Timeline slider.

• Drag the preview window slider.

• Enter a timecode in the timecode box.

4. Press Play. The preview starts from the point you have specified.

5. Use the playback buttons to control the preview.

Note: Use the slider in the magnified timeline for more

precise preview control.

Chapter 5:

Working with Effects

Working with effects is probably the most exciting part of video editing, as you can radically change the appearance of media clips or tastefully transition from one scene to another. You can add many different types of effects to clips in the Timeline, including video effects, title effects, PiP (picture-in-picture) effects, and video transition effects.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Managing Effects in the Library on p.70

• Managing Effects in the Timeline on p.72

• Modifying Effects on p.75

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Managing Effects in the Library

You can restrict the display of the numerous effects found in PowerDirector to a certain type of effect for a simpler view, and you can create a Favorites category in which you can store the effects you use most frequently.

Since PiP effects contain video or image clips, they are added to the workspace and managed like media clips. For information on managing clips in a PiP effect, see Managing Clips in the Workspace on p.52.

Note: The number and type of PowerDirector’s effects vary,

depending on version. For information on the availability of specific features in the PowerDirector version that you are using, please check the Readme file.

Sort Effects in the Library

To change the way effects are sorted, click , then select Sort by. You can sort the effects by Name or Type.

Restrict the Display of Effects

To restrict the display of effects in the Library, select the type of effect you want to view from the Filter drop-down list. Only those clips that belong to the media type you have selected are displayed in the Library.

Chapter 5: Working with Effects

Add an Effect to My Favorites

You can add video, title, and transition effects to the Favorites category for quicker access to the effects you use most frequently. To add an effect to the Favorites category, right-click the effect, then select Add to Favorites. When you select My Favorites from the Filter drop-down list, only the effects you have specifically added to this category appear.

Remove an Effect from My Favorites

To remove an effect from the Favorites category, select My Favorites from the Filter drop-down list. Right-click the effect,

then select Remove from Favorites. The effect no longer appears in the My Favorites category.

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Managing Effects in the Timeline

Effects are added to tracks in the Timeline that are specific to each type of effect. (Effect tracks cannot contain effects of any other kind, nor can they contain media clips.) This section describes how to add effects to the proper track and how to manage effects once they have been added to the Timeline.

Note: Since PiP effects contain video or image clips, they are

added to the workspace and managed like media clips. For information on managing clips in a PiP effect, see Managing Clips in the Workspace on p.52.

Add a Video/Title/Transition Effect

The procedure below describes how to add video, title, and transition effects to the Timeline.

To add a video/title/transition effect to the Timeline, do this:

1. Click an effect button to display the type of effect you want to add in the Library.

2. Select an effect from the Library and drag it into the desired position in the correct track. (This position is directly beneath the clip(s) in the Video track that you want to affect.)

• When a video or title effect is selected, you may click a

button located below the Library to add the effect to the appropriate track at the current position of the Timeline slider.

• You can randomly add an effect at the current position of

the Timeline slider. Click , then select the random option.

• Transition effects are randomly applied between all of

the clips currently in the Timeline.

Chapter 5: Working with Effects

Replace an Effect in the Timeline

You can replace any effect in the Timeline with a different effect that you select in the Effect Room without having to delete one effect and add another.

To replace an effect in the Timeline, do this:

1. Position the Timeline slider on the effect that you want to replace.

2. Click to open the Effect Room.

3. Right-click a new effect in the Effect Room, then select Add/ Replace in Timeline. The new effect replaces the effect in

the Timeline.

Delete an Effect

The procedure below describes how to delete a Video, Title, PiP, or Transition effect from the Timeline.

To delete an effect, do this:

1. Select the effect you want to delete.

2. Delete the effect. You may do this in one of the following

ways:

• Press the Delete key.

• Click .

• Right-click the effect, then select Delete.

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Move an Effect in the Workspace

Once an effect has been added to the workspace, you can drag it to a different location on the track it is currently located in. However, you cannot drag clips between tracks.

Cut/Copy/Paste an Effect in the Workspace

You can cut, copy, and paste effects in PowerDirector’s workspace. Use the Ctrl key to select multiple, noncontiguous effects or the Shift key to select effects in a series. When you paste, effects appear at the current position of the Timeline slider. If that position occurs within the duration of another effect, the new effect is pasted immediately after that effect. If the Timeline slider position is located in a gap that contains no effects, the new effect is pasted and truncated (if necessary) to fit in the gap.

Chapter 5: Working with Effects

Modifying Effects

Most effects boast a number of options that you can set individually to increase or decrease the intensity of the effect, or to achieve more creative results. In fact, this section describes some of the most creative functions found within the PowerDirector program. Mastering the procedures found in this section will go a long way towards making you a digital video editing expert!

Set an Effect’s Hold Time

Some effects (title and PiP effects in particular) contain inherent motion, moving across the screen as they affect the video in your movie. You can set the relative amount of time the effect remains still onscreen between its arrival and departure in both the preview window and the Media Editor.

To set an effect’s hold time, do this:

1. Set a title or PiP effect.

2. Click the effect in the Timeline.

3. Preview it in either the preview window or the Media

Editor. For more information on the preview window, see Preview an Effect in the Preview Window on p.91. For more information on the Media Editor, see Preview an Effect in the Media Editor on p.92.

4. Drag the Mark in and Mark out sliders to set the effect’s hold time. (The orange bar represents the hold time.)

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Split a Video, Title, or PiP Effect

You can split an effect into two sections at the current position of the Timeline slider. The procedure is the same for video, title, and PiP effects. Transition effects cannot be split.

To split an effect, do this:

1. Select the effect you want to split.

2. Navigate to the point at which you want to split the effect.

(You can do this by dragging the Timeline slider or by using the slider and navigation controls in the preview window.)

3. Click Split.

Set an Effect’s Duration

The procedure below describes how to set the duration of a video, title, or transition effect. The procedure for PiP effects has only a slight difference.

Set an Effect’s Duration Using the Duration Setting Box

To set an effect’s duration using the Duration Setting box, do this:

1. Select the effect you want to modify.

2. Display the timecode box. You may do this in one of the

following ways:

• Video/title/transition effects: Click Duration. The

Duration Setting dialog opens.

• PiP effects: Click Tr im . The PiP Trim Options panel

opens, displaying the timecode box in the upper righthand corner.

Note: To set a PiP effect’s duration using the Trim options, see

Trim a Video or Audio Clip on p.57.

3. Set the duration, then do one of the following:

• Video/title/transition effects: Click OK.

• PiP effects: Click to close the options panel and

return to the normal Library view.

Chapter 5: Working with Effects

Set an Effect’s Duration Manually

You can set an effect’s duration manually by dragging the edges of the effect in the Timeline. The procedure for dragging the edges of an effect is the same for video, title, PiP, and transition effects.

Note: Video clips used in a PiP cannot be lengthened

beyond their original duration. Transitions can be lengthened to half of the duration of the shortest clip they affect.

To set an effect’s duration manually, do this:

1. Select the effect whose duration you want to set manually.

2. Position your cursor at one end of the effect and drag the

end of the clip to the new position.

Note: You can drag the edge of a clip to lengthen it or to

shorten it. If you compress the start of a video or audio clip, playback begins at a later frame within the clip. If you compress the ending, playback ends at an earlier frame within the clip.

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Modifying a Video Effect

Video effects are applied to the Effect track at the time position of the video or image clip(s) that you want to affect. Video effects only affect the clips in the Video track that appear within the effect’s duration.

To modify a video effect, do this:

1. Select the video effect in the Effect track and click Modify. The Effect Modifications Options panel opens.

2. Set the intensity level of the video effect. A preview of the effect appears in the preview window. (Options vary according to the video effect you select.)

• Many options provide a slider to increase or decrease the

intensity of the effect.

• Some effects provide a drop-down list in which you can

choose an effect option.

• Click to change two settings in proportion with each

other.

• Click Reset to restore the original effect settings.

3. Click to close the options panel and return to the normal Library view.

Chapter 5: Working with Effects

Modifying a PiP Effect

A picture-in-picture effect allows you to insert an image or a video into an existing image or video clip in your movie, effectively overlaying the picture-in-picture clip on top of the existing clip. You can modify the degree of transparency of the overlapping clip, as well as its position, motion, and other properties.

PiP effects have many options that you can modify independently. These include a border, a shadow, a motion effect, a color filter, size and position, and transparency.

Change the Speed of a PiP Effect

Slow-motion or fast-motion effects can grab your audience’s attention as well as break up the rhythm of a movie.

To change the speed of a PiP effect, do this:

1. Select the PiP effect video clip that you want to modify.

2. Click Speed. The speed option panel opens.

3. Drag the slider to set the new speed (between .1x and 10x).

4. Click to close the option panel.

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Add a Border to a PiP Effect

You can add a border around the clip in a PIP effect. Available options allow you to change the border’s color and size and to add a transparency or blur effect.

To change the border of a PiP effect, do this:

1. Select the PiP effect video clip that you want to modify, then click Modify. The PiP Modification Options panel opens.

2. Click . The PiP Designer opens.

3. Set the PiP border options that you want to apply:

Apply border

Size

Blur

Transparency

Uniform color

Gradient color

Check to apply the font face settings. Uncheck to remove the font face settings.

Drag the slider to increase or decrease the size of the border.

Drag the slider to increase or decrease the blur effect of the border.

Drag the slider to increase or decrease the transparency of the border.

Check to set the border in a single color. Click the eyedropper to open the Color dialog box, in which you can select a color.

Check to set the border in a color gradient.

Chapter 5: Working with Effects

Begin

End

Gradient direction

Note: Whenever you set an option in the PiP Designer, a

preview of the effect is instantly displayed.

Click the eyedropper to open the Color dialog box, in which you can select the color at the start of the gradient.

Click the eyedropper to open the Color dialog box, in which you can select the color at the end of the gradient.

Click a dimple to indicate the direction of the gradient.

4. Click OK to close the PiP Designer.

Add a Shadow to a PiP Effect

You can add a shadow around the clip in a PIP effect. Available options allow you to change the shadow’s color and size and to add a transparency or blur effect.

To add a shadow to a PiP effect, do this:

1. Select the PiP effect video clip that you want to modify, then click Modify. The PiP Modification Options panel opens.

2. Click . The PiP Designer opens.

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3. Set the PiP shadow options that you want to apply:

Apply shadow

Distance

Blur

Transparency

Fill shadow

Color picker

Shadow direction

Note: Whenever you set an option in the PiP Designer, a

preview of the effect is instantly displayed.

Check to apply the shadow settings. Uncheck to remove the shadow settings.

Drag the slider to increase or decrease the distance between the shadow and the font face.

Drag the slider to increase or decrease the blur effect of the shadow.

Drag the slider to increase or decrease the transparency of the shadow.

Check to fill in the gap between the shadow and the font face.

Click the eyedropper to open the Color dialog box, in which you can select the color of the shadow.

Click a dimple to indicate the direction of the shadow.

4. Click OK to close the PiP Designer.

Chapter 5: Working with Effects

Add Motion to a PiP Effect

You can add a motion to the clip in a PIP effect. Available options allow you to set the start and end locations, add a fade-in or fadeout, and begin or end the effect off screen.

To add motion to a PiP effect, do this:

1. Select the PiP effect video clip that you want to modify, then click Modify. The PiP Modification Options panel opens.

2. Click . The PiP Designer opens.

3. Set the PiP motion options that you want to apply:

PiP starting position

Start off screen

Fade-in

PiP ending position

Select the position at which you want the PiP clip to begin its motion from the drop-down list. (Select clip to move at the beginning of the effect.)

Check this option if you want the PiP clip to begin off screen.

Check this option if you want the PiP clip to fade in at the beginning of the effect.

Select the position at which you want the PiP clip to end its motion from the drop-down list. (Select Still if you do not want the PiP clip to move at the end of the effect.)

Still if you do not want the PiP

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Fade-out

End off screen

Note: Whenever you set an option in the PiP Designer, a

preview of the effect is instantly displayed.

Check this option if you want the PiP clip to fade out at the end of the effect.

Check this option if you want the PiP clip to end off screen.

4. Click OK to close the PiP Designer.

Add a Color Filter to a PiP Effect

When you add a color filter to a clip in a PiP effect, portions of the underlying clip show through the overlaid clip wherever the selected color occurs.

To add a color filter to a PiP effect, do this:

1. Click the media clip in the PiP track you want to modify, then click Modify. The PiP Modification Options panel opens.

2. Check Apply color filter. This filters the selected color out of the image (i.e.: makes that color transparent).

Chapter 5: Working with Effects

3. Click the eyedropper tool. A dialog box opens, in which you can select a color from the media clip in your PiP effect.

4. Select the color from the clip that you would like to make transparent, then click OK.

• To select more accurately, you can zoom in or out of the

image. To do this, click select a magnification percentage from the drop-down list, then click the button to

zoom in or the button to zoom out.

5. Set a To l er a n ce level to extend or restrict the range of colors affected by the filter. You may do this in one of the following ways:

• Drag the Tolerance level slider.

• Click the button to increase the level or the button

to decrease the level.

6. Click to close the options panel and return to the normal Library view.

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Modify a PiP Effect’s Size and Position

You can change both the size and the position of the media clip in a PiP effect. Resizing options are unrestricted. You can reduce the clip to miniature size or enlarge it to completely obscure the underlying media file.

To modify a PiP effect’s size and position, do this:

1. Click the media clip in the PiP track, then click Modify. The PiP Modification Options panel opens.

2. Modify the PiP clip’s size and position:

• Drag the PiP clip to a desired location over the

underlying clip.

• Drag the edge of the PiP clip to a desired size. Check

Keep aspect ratio to constrain the ratio of the length and width of the PiP clip. Uncheck this option to change the aspect ratio freely.

3. Click to close the options panel and return to the normal Library view.

Modify a PiP Effect’s Transparency Level

You can modify the transparency level of the media clip in a PiP effect. Transparency options range from entirely transparent to totally opaque.

To modify a PiP effect’s transparency level, do this:

1. Click the media clip in the PiP track, then click Modify. The PiP Modification Options panel opens.

2. Set the Transparency level to increase or decrease the transparency of the superimposed clip.

3. Click to close the options panel and return to the normal Library view.

Chapter 5: Working with Effects

Modify a Title Effect

Using title effects allows you to add text to your movie - as a title at the beginning, an element during the main story, or as credits at the very end. Besides changing the look of the text itself, you can also send the text running on a path across the screen. Title effects only affect the clips in the Video track that appear within the effect’s duration.

Title effects contain font face and shadow options, which you can modify to best suit your movie. All of these options are found in the Title Designer.

Modify a Title Effect’s Font Face

You can modify the font used in a title effect, including the size, color, font type used, weight, alignment, transparency, and blur effect. Further tools aid in the precise positioning of the title on the screen and indicate the on-screen area that is safe for TV display.

1. Select a title effect in the Title track, then click Modify. The Title Designer opens.

2. Set the text font face options that you want to apply:

Click to select a title effect.

Click to select a font type.

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Click to select a font size.

Click to make text bold.

Click to make text Italicized.

Click to left-align text.

Click to center-align text.

Click to right-align text.

Click to add/remove a title mask.

Click to add/remove grid lines that can aid in the precise positioning of text on the screen. Grid lines do not appear when you preview or produce your movie.

Click to add/remove the TV Safe Zone outline, which represents the area in which video content from your movie is certain to appear on TV screens, which have a smaller display area than computer monitors. The TV Safe Zone outline does not appear when you preview or produce your movie.

Apply font face

Blur

Transparency

Uniform color

Gradient color

Check to apply the font face settings. Uncheck to remove the font face settings.

Drag the slider to increase or decrease the blur effect of the font face.

Drag the slider to increase or decrease the transparency of the font face.

Check to set the font face in a single color. Click the eyedropper to open the Color dialog box, in which you can select a color.

Check to set the font face in a color gradient.

Chapter 5: Working with Effects

Begin

End

Gradient direction

Note: Whenever you set an option in the Title Designer, a

preview of the effect is instantly displayed.

Click the eyedropper to open the Color dialog box, in which you can select the color at the start of the gradient.

Click the eyedropper to open the Color dialog box, in which you can select the color at the end of the gradient.

Click a dimple to indicate the direction of the gradient.

3. Click OK to close the Title Designer.

Mask a Title Effect

Masking a title effect hides the portion of the title effect that is located within the mask.

To mask a title effect, do this:

1. Select a title effect in the Title track, then click Modify. The Title Designer opens.

2. Click . Bars appear around the perimeter of the clip.

3. Drag the title mask bars to specify the area you want to

mask. Any text that appears outside this area does not appear when the clip is played.

4. Click OK to close the Title Designer.

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Add a Shadow to a Title Effect

You can add a shadow around the text in a title effect. Available options allow you to change the shadow’s color and size and to add a transparency or blur effect.

1. Click to open the Shadow settings.

2. Set the text shadow options that you want to apply:

Apply shadow

Distance

Blur

Transparency

Fill shadow

Color picker

Shadow direction

Check to apply the shadow settings. Uncheck to remove the shadow settings.

Drag the slider to increase or decrease the distance between the shadow and the font face.

Drag the slider to increase or decrease the blur effect of the font face.

Drag the slider to increase or decrease the transparency of the font face.

Check to fill in the gap between the shadow and the font face.

Click the eyedropper to open the Color dialog box, in which you can select the color of the shadow.

Click a dimple to indicate the direction of the shadow.

3. Click OK to close the Title Designer.

Chapter 5: Working with Effects

Preview an Effect

Previewing effects is an important step in ensuring not only that the effect is applied to the proper clip in the proper location, but that the intensity of the effect is suitable for that location in the movie. You will likely preview effects constantly as you apply them to the workspace, and it is a good idea to preview your movie at regular intervals to ensure that your editing is proceeding as you planned.

Preview an Effect in the Preview Window

To preview an effect in the preview window, do this:

1. Click the effect in the Timeline. The media clip the effect is applied to appears in the preview window.

2. Locate the point at which you want to begin your preview. You may do this in one of the following ways:

• Drag the Timeline slider.

• Drag the preview window slider.

• Enter a timecode in the timecode box.

3. Press Play. The preview starts from the point you have specified.

4. Use the playback buttons to control the preview.

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Preview an Effect in the Media Editor

The Media Editor is a resizable preview window that offers a larger screen than the preview window, a zoomable timeline, and the ability to add mark in and mark out points for effects.

To preview an effect in the Media Editor, do this:

1. Click the effect in the Timeline.

2. Click . The Media Editor opens.

3. Locate the point at which you want to begin your preview.

You may do this in one of the following ways:

• Drag the Timeline slider.

• Drag the preview window slider.

• Enter a timecode in the timecode box.

4. Press Play. The preview starts from the point you have specified.

5. Use the playback buttons to control the preview.

Note: Use the slider in the magnified timeline for more

precise preview control.

Chapter 6:

Producing Your Movie

After your movie has been completely edited, you are ready to produce your movie. Producing a movie simply means compiling (or rendering) the separate elements it contains into one playable movie file. As your movie can be destined for different uses, PowerDirector has several options to produce movies suited to any need.

Note: Before producing your movie, make sure that all of your

video clips have the same interlacing format. This is an extremely important step to take before production, as it can drastically affect final video quality! If you produce your movie and find the video quality unsatisfactory, verify that the interlacing format of all of your video clips is the same. If your clips have different interlacing formats, set them all to the same format, then produce your movie again. For more information, see Set a Video Clip’s Interlacing Format on p.63.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Preview Your Movie on p.94

• The Production Wizard on p.96

• Produce a Disc on p.97

• Create a File on p.101

• Create a Streaming File on p.112

• Write Back to DV Tape on p.120

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Preview Your Movie

Before you commit your movie to disc, it’s a good idea to preview it to make sure all of your clips and effects are working to create the movie you want. It is highly recommended that you preview your movie at least once before production so you can solve problems without spending time unnecessarily in production.

Preview Your Movie in the Preview Window

You can preview your movie at any point during the editing process in order to ensure that your editing is going smoothly. Using the Timeline slider, you can preview your movie production from any point within the Timeline.

Note: When previewing clips in the workspace, ensure that

the preview window is in Movie mode. If the preview is in Clip mode, click the Movie button before previewing your movie production.

1. Click the Movie button in the preview window.

2. Locate the point at which you want to begin your preview.

You may do this in one of the following ways:

• Drag the Timeline slider.

• Drag the preview window slider.

• Enter a timecode in the timecode box.

3. Press Play. The preview starts from the point you have specified.

4. Use the playback buttons to control the preview.

Cyberlink PowerDirector - 3.0 Instruction Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Introduction

Welcome

Where to Begin Reading

The Movie-Making Process

Pre-Production

Editing

PowerDirector Projects

Ready to Burn

General Preferences

System Requirements

PowerDirector Versions

Visual Overview

The PowerDirector Program

Capture Mode

Edit Mode

Library

Media Room

Effect Room

Title Room

Transition Room

Audio Mixer

Voice-over Recording Room

The Workspace

Timeline View

Storyboard View

Preview Window

Media Viewer

Media Editor

Production Mode

Burn Mode

Capturing Media

Capture Preferences

Capture Options

Capture Limit Options

Profile Options

Analog Video Capture Options

Audio Capture Options

Webcam Video Capture Options

CD/Microphone Capture Profile Setup

Captured Clip Options

Capture from DV Camcorder

Capture a Single Scene

Batch Capture

Capture from TV

Capture from Webcam

Capture from Microphone

Rip Audio Tracks from CD

Record a Voice-over

Working with Media Clips

Managing Media in the Library

Load Clips into the Library

Sort Clips in the Library

Remove a Clip from the Library

Rename a Clip in the Library

Restore a Clip’s Original File Name

View Clip Properties

Detect Scenes in a Video Clip

Managing Clips in the Workspace

Add a Clip to the Workspace

Move a Clip in the Workspace

Cut/Copy/Paste a Clip in the Workspace

Remove a Clip from the Workspace

Editing Clips

Split a Clip

Trim a Video or Audio Clip

Take a Still Snapshot of a Video Clip

Change the Speed of a Video Clip

Stretch the Audio Portion of a Video Clip

Mute the Audio Portion of a Video Clip

Change the Color of a Visual Media Clip

Set a Video Clip’s Interlacing Format

Change Audio Clip Volume Levels

Add a Fade Effect to an Audio Clip

Mute an Entire Audio Clip

Restore an Audio Clip’s Volume Levels

Preview a Clip