Xara Video Pro - X2 User Guide

2 Copyright

This documentation is protected by law. All rights, especially the right of duplication, circulation, and translation, are reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in the form of copies, microfilms or other processes, or transmitted into a language used for machines, especially data processing machines, without the express written consent of the publisher.

All copyrights reserved.

All other product names are trademarks of the corresponding manufacturers. Errors in and changes to the contents as well as program modifications reserved.

Created under licence from Dolby Laboratories. Dolby and the double D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.

MAGIX is a registered trademark of MAGIX AG.

Other named product names may be registered trademarks of their respective owners.

This product uses MAGIX patent pending technology.

Foreword

Thank you for choosing MAGIX Video Pro X2! Your new software offers you the tools to edit video material at a professional level, including many special functions like DVD authoring, multicam editing, and keyframe animation.

The intuitive functionality featured by MAGIX Video Pro X2 will help you achieve great results even after a relatively short introductory phase. Thanks to the optimal hardware support, you can import your audio and video recordings from any source to your computer. Cut them and optimize them; add effects, titles, and transitions. MAGIX Video Pro X2 provides all of the detailed editing options you need for ambitious video projects. When you're finished, you can export your projects or burn them to disc in any conventional format.

This documentation offers you an overview from the beginning, plus a quick start with the program. The sections at the end provide a detailed and systematic description of the numerous functions.

Have fun using MAGIX Video Pro X2,

The MAGIX team

Foreword 3

Table of Contents

Foreword 2

Support 9

Serial number 10

Unlocking MAGIX Video Pro X2 10

System requirements 11

Introduction 12

What is MAGIX Video Pro X2? 12 What’s new in MAGIX Video Pro X2? 12 Features 14 Notes for MAGIX Movie Edit Pro users 18

Quick start 20

Starting the program and orientation 20 DV recording 25 How to capture analog video 27 Video editing 29 Enriching movies 35

Workspaces 37

Activating the main screen 38 Media Pool 38 Toolbars 43 Program and source monitor 50 Arranger 53 Project folder 55 Adjusting the workspace 55 The "Burn" screen 56

Create new video project 57

Movie settings 57 New project settings or new movie 64 Load project 64 Save project 64 Save project as... 64

Video recording 65

Connect camera 65

4 Foreword

Select the recording method 67 DV cameras 67 HDV camera 72 Batch recording 73 Logging 73 Analog video recording 74 Single frame 76 Audio 78 Screen 80 Recording AVCHD 81 Edit after recording 82 Creating new movies or attaching them 83

Insert object into the project 84

Select files in the Media Pool 84 Load files 84 Loading parts of longer movie files 84 MPEG-4 import 85 Automatic scene detection 85

Working with objects 87

Select objects 87 Moving objects 87 Splitting objects 87 Edit menu 87 Duplicate objects 88 Object handles 88 Shrink or interlace videos 89 Extract sound from videos 89 Save objects separately 89 Video mix 90 Magnetic objects 90 Transitions (fades) 91 Scene overview 94 Grid and snap 95 Search for and remove ads 95

Trim Objects 96

General advice for operating both trim editors 96 Trimmer for individual objects 97 Cut trimmer 98

Markers 99

Playback marker 99 Set project marker 99 Ranges (in and out points) 100 Chapter markers 101

Scene markers 102 Ad markers 103

Multicam editing 104

Preparation 104 Source and preview images 104 Multicam edit functions 105 Synchronize video objects using the sound track 107

Titles and effects 107

3D text 107 Apply fades 107 Apply effects to objects 107 Comparison image in the source monitor 108 Video effects in the Media Pool 108 Movement effects in the Media Pool 115 Video effect plug-ins 119 Image stabilization 122 Create panorama pictures 123 Borders 124 Title Editor 124 Slideshow Maker 128 Master effects 130 TV picture 132 Audio Effects 133

Foreword 5

Animate objects 148

Preparing animations 148 Place keyframe 148 Copy keyframe 149 Display keyframes of individual parameters 149 Retroactively editing an effect's keyframes 149 Soft movement 149 Delete keyframe 150 Editing an effects curve in the object 150 Change curve shape 150 Effects curves - Additional functions 151

Add sound 152

Load and edit audio files 152 Import audio CD 152 MAGIX Soundtrack Maker 154 Tempo and beat recognition 156 Adding a sound track using MIDI songs 160 Synthesizer 162 Mixer 166 Audio effects 169

6 Foreword

5.1 Surround 169 Using DVD audio tracks 174 Scrubbing 176 Mix down of audio objects 177

Managing video projects 178

Backup copy 178 Load backup project... 179 Importing & exporting EDL files 180 Clean-up wizard 180

Options for using the final movie 182

Create playable disc 182 Export movie 182 Export audio/video 188

Burn discs 196

Preview and editing 197 Menu 198 Templates 199 Edit disc menu 200 Burn dialog for DVD player 209 Create PC show 211 Create webDVD 211

Batch conversion 212

Open batch conversion 212 Administration 212 Queued entries for batch conversion 212 Format settings for the selected conversion process 213 Shut down PC automatically after successful export 213 Start batch conversion 213

Menus 214

File menu 214 Edit menu 220 Effects (FX) 226 Windows menu 230 Help menu 232

Context menu (right click) 234

Video objects 234 Image objects 238 Transitions 243 Audio objects 243 Text objects 247 MAGIX 3D Maker objects 250

Program settings 254

Playback 254 Path settings 256 Video/Audio 256 System 258 Display templates 259 Display options 260

Problems and solutions 262

File will not load 262 Choppy or uneven playback 262 Problems and Remedies regarding the Auto Remix Assistant 262 Activation problems 263

Online functions 264

Integrated browser 264 MAGIX News Center 266 Embed Flash videos into your own web page 266

Keyboard shortcuts 268

Playback functions 268 Arranger view 268 Move view 269 Transport control in Media pool 269 Mouse modes 269 File menu 269 Edit menu 272 Effects menu 272 Window menu 274 Help 274 Edit keyboard shortcut 274

Foreword 7

Activate additional functions 276

Free activation (MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Dolby Digital 2.0 & 5.1) 276

Annex: Digital Video and Data Storage 277

Video Editing on the PC 277 MPEG Compression 277 General notes on AVI videos 278 Overview of the different disc types 278

MPEG-4 encoder settings 285

MPEG-4 285 AVC / H.264 290 AMR 295 AAC 296 Multiplexer 296

8 Foreword

Appendix: MPEG Encoder Settings 298

General settings 298 Video settings 299 Advanced video settings 300 Audio settings 300

MPEG glossary 302

Motion estimation 302 Bit rate 302 Block 302 Chroma format 302 Field 303 Frame 303 GOP 303 I frames 304 Interlace 304 P frames and B frames 305 Prediction 305 Quantization scaling 306

If you still have questions... 308

Program help 308

Index 309

Support 9

Support

If you experience any problems with your software, please contact our support team:

Support website: http://support.magix.net/contact/us

This website takes you to the MAGIX user service page; the following free offers are also featured there:

FAQs (frequently asked questions) and general tricks and tips. In most cases, you’ll find

•

the solution to your problem here. If not, use the email support form. Email support form: Use the special form to inform our support staff about your system.

•

This information is used to solve your problems quickly and competently. Simply fill it out and send it with a mouse click! Support forum: You are not alone. Perhaps other users had a similar problem and can

•

help you solve yours. Our support staff are also regular contributors. Download section: Updates, improvements, and patches are likewise offered free of

•

charge via download. Many problems you may experience are already familiar to us, and they can often be solved by downloading the latest patch. Besides patches, there are also wizards for checking and optimizing your system. Links: The links list contains the contact addresses for all of the most important

•

hardware manufacturers.

Please note: To be able to use the support, you have to register your product using the serial number provided. This number can be found on the CD case of your installation CD or on the inside of the DVD box.

You can also reach our support team by telephone:

UK: 0203 3183666 (Mon. - Fri., 09:00-16:00 GMT)

USA/Canada: 1-775-562-0527 (Mon.–Fri. 9 am to 5 pm EST)

Denmark: 699 18763 (Mon.- Fri. 10:00 - 17:00) Finland (Suomi): 09 42419023 (Mon.- Fri. 11:00 - 18:00) Norway: 210 35843 (Mon.- Fri. 10:00 - 17:00)

Sweden: 0852500713 (Mon.- Fri. 10:00 - 17:00)

You can request a free access code to the phone support hotline by using this link: http://support.magix.net/phone. There you'll also get additional information and explanations about phone support.

Please have the following information at hand:

• Program version

• Configuration details (operating system, processor, memory, hard drive, etc.), sound

card configuration (type, driver)

• Information regarding other audio software installed

10 Serial number

You can also contact our support team by mail:

UK/Scandinavia: MAGIX Development Support, P.O. Box 20 09 14, 01194 Dresden, Germany

US/Canada: MAGIX Customer Service, 1105 Terminal Way #302, Reno, NV 89502, USA

Customer service & upgrades (US only)

Periodically, MAGIX offers users who purchased their software an upgrade from a previous product to the current version. For details about an upgrade, please call us using the following number:

Sales Department 1-305-722-5810

Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm (EST)

Serial number

A serial number is included in each product. This serial number is required for the installation of the software and enables usage of additional bonus services. Please store this number in a safe place.

What can a serial number do?

With a serial number your MAGIX Video Pro X2 is clearly assigned to you and only you. This way improved and more targeted customer service is made possible. Abuse of the software can be prevented with a serial number, which ensures that optimum the price/performance ratio continues is guaranteed.

Where can the serial number be found?

The serial number can be found on the reverse side of your CD/DVD case. If your product is packed in a DVD box, then you'll find the serial number on the inside.

For the versions that have been especially optimized for the Internet (download versions), you'll get your serial number for activating the software directly after purchasing the product via email.

When will you need the serial number?

The serial number is required when you start or register MAGIX Video Pro X2 for the first time.

Note: We explicitly recommend registering your product (free), since only then are you entitled to download updates and use MAGIX support (view page 8) services.

Unlocking MAGIX Video Pro X2

After MAGIX Video Pro X2 has been installed and the serial number has been entered, the software can be used for 30 days. After these 30 days have expired, MAGIX Video Pro X2 must be activated.

System requirements 11

System requirements

For Microsoft® Windows® XPTM / VistaTM / 7

• Intel® Pentium® IV or AMD® AthlonTM, 2 GHz or higher

• 1 GB RAM

• 1 GB free hard disk memory and a DVD drive for program installation

• Graphics card with a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768

• Sound card (multi-channel sound card recommended for surround sound editing)

Minimum requirements for HD editing

• Intel® PentiumTM IV 3 GHz with hyperthreading, or dual core with at least 1.3 GHz

• 2 GB RAM

• DirectX

Recommended configuration for AVCHD editing

• Intel® CoreTM 2 Quad with 2.83 GHz

• 3 GB RAM

• ATI Radeon HD 3000 series or higher with 512 MB VRAM

9.0c compatible graphics card, min. 128 MB graphics card memory, and

Pixelshader 2.0, ATI X300 or higher, NVIDIA GeForce 6600 or better

12 Introduction

Introduction

What is MAGIX Video Pro X2?

MAGIX Video Pro X2 is a professional video editing program for Windows PC systems. High-performance, native HD editing, DVD authoring with up to 8 audio tracks, or keyframe animation with Beziér curve control is directed at users with higher standards.

The program is clearly divided into intuitive modules. Videos, photos, and audio from a wide range of sources can be transferred from various devices to PC. Longer movies can be automatically separated into chapters or scenes. You can also do the opposite and combine individual recordings to make a single movie.

Once your video is finished, you can use it in different ways: Transfer it back onto the tape or to your camcorder, export it in any conventional format, or burn it directly to Blu-ray, DVD, or another format of disc.

What’s new in MAGIX Video Pro X2?

Improved file import

MAGIX Video Pro X2's support of video formats has been improved, and new formats have been added.

• For DVD videos, multiple audio tracks, or the corresponding

audio track (view page 84)

may be selected.

• OGG and MP3 are now read directly; conversion to the WAV format is omitted. To import DVDs with multiple audio tracks (e.g. multi-lingual videos), the corresponding audio track can be selected via the context menu for the respective audio object.

Creating backgrounds

Media Pool (view page 42) features useful templates for various applications. For

The example, there are professional backgrounds for measurements, but there are also special templates with more creative freedom and adjustable color schemes.

Performance test for your PC during AVCHD import

A performance test has been integrated into MAGIX Video Pro X2 for loading AVCHD videos. This tests whether your computer is powerful enough to edit AVCHD material directly.

Revised MAGIX MovieShow Maker

MAGIX Slideshow Maker (view page 128) has been completely revised. Effects and fades can now be set and adjusted in detail. This program is accessible via "Edit -> Wizards -> Slideshow Maker".

Object zoom

Activate this mode and click on an object to zoom in for detailed editing. This allows individual drum hits in a loop to be edited in a very detailed way or cut. Select the object

Introduction 13

and then you will see a button with four arrows pointing outwards on it in the lower right section of the Arranger. Click this button again to reset the view to the original settings.

Scrubbing

Scrubbing (view page 176) originates from the time of tape machines and provides quicker monitoring of passages of a film or piece of music. This was technically implemented in these devices by keeping the tape head on the tape itself, but the motor doesn't drive the tape rolls in this case. Instead the tape is "manually" set to the desired position. Scrubbing in MAGIX Video Pro X2 is available beneath the transport controls via a large wheel, which may be used to move the playback marker.

Audio effects animation in the Media Pool

Audio effects can also be animated in the Media Pool in the same way as video effects. Automation curves that were normally difficult to draw can now be set and changes be made with just few keyframes. Because these curves are object-related, the entire arrangement remains clearly laid-out even with complex automations. The button for animations is located in the Media Pool (like video effects).

Improved video upload

Video uploads to video portals and communities (view page 218) can now even be done in HD quality, and in most cases, without recalculation on the video portal or community website. Upload functions are accessible via "File -> Internet".

Revised DVD menu design

The DVD menu design function has been generally revised. You can access this option directly via the "Burn" button.

New Title Editor

Titles, text, opening and end credits are now written directly in the preview monitor so that you can see exactly where your titles will be positioned right away. Click the "Title" button in the Media Pool, select a template and place it onto the track via drag & drop. You may now edit your titles in the preview window.

Additional new MAGIX Video Pro X2 features

• Secondary color correction for impressive color effects

• Level display for audio file import

• Extended jump markers for improved project navigation

• Creation of colored surfaces/color scroll generator

• Upload videos to Vimeo

• Travel route animation

• MAGIX Music Editor with optimized user guidance

• Advanced support for Blu-ray and AVCHD discs

• Timeline zoom for individual objects

• 3-point cut

• Faster and improved direct support of Video DSLR (Canon 5D, 7D, etc.)

• Time code rendering direct into video

14 Introduction

• Direct support of VST audio plug-ins

• Direct entry of a desired target frame rate for easy up/down video clip speed adjustment

Features

Recording

MAGIX Video Pro X2 provides the following recording options:

DV cameras: Mini DV camcorders or DV video recorders

•

• HDV cameras: HDV1 and HDV2 camcorders

Video: Analog TV, video input, VHS recorders, webcams

•

Single frame: Single and series images from webcams, video recorders, video cameras,

•

or TV cards Audio: Microphones, cassette recorders, MiniDisc players, turntables

•

Screen: PC monitor

•

Analog capture requires capture cards compatible with DirectShow. DV capture can be performed through an OHCI-compatible IEEE 1394 host adapter (FireWire or iLink). A TV card can be used to record programs from TV or from your video recorder.

There is no limit to the length of your recordings. Now you may record video as long as there is available space on your hard drive. Using real-time compression during capture creates smaller file sizes and more available space.

Import/Export file formats

Video files: Video files in the video formats for Windows and DV-AVI type 1/2 (*.avi), MPEG-1 and 2 (*.mpg,*.mp2,*.MPEG), QuickTime (*.mov), MAGIX video (*.mxv), Windows Media, VOB streams from DVD (when unencrypted), AVCHD (only import), MPEG4 (*.mp-

4), XDCAM files (Sony PMW-EX4).

Audio files: Wave, MP3 (Windows Media Player 10 or higher required for export), WMA, OGG Vorbis, MIDI files, and audio CD tracks.

Graphic files (for slideshows or as a still behind a scrolling title): Windows bitmaps (BMP), JPEG, GIF, animated GIF, PNG, Adobe Photoshop (PSD), Tagged Image File Format (TIFF).

Text files in RTF format: You may enter texts, such as credits with any formatted text and save them in universal text format (.rft). Loading such text into MAGIX Video Pro X2 creates a title object.

Notes:

AVI video files in DivX™ format can only be imported with the corresponding codec installed! The DivX codec can be downloaded from www.divx.com.

The QuickTime library has to be installed to import QuickTime files (*.mov).

Introduction 15

Additional export formats: In addition to the above-mentioned audio and video formats, the following formats can also be exported: RealMedia™, BMP, Snapshot function (export any film motif as a bitmap or JPEG file). In addition, MAGIX Online Album can be used to create a Flash video. The video to be uploaded to the MAGIX Online Album will be exported in Windows Media format, and from there it can be exported as a Flash video.

Note: To import and export AVC and MPEG-4 files, the MEPG-4 codec must first be activated (view page 275). A dialog will open if the codec is required.

AVCHD standard support

Files from AVCHD cameras can be either read directly or imported. Newer computers are capable of decoding and playing this format in real-time. MAGIX Video Pro X2 does a performance check in order to make sure that the computer has enough computing capacity. If the check indicates that the computer is insufficient, AVCHD material is transformed into a MPEG-2 file to allow older systems to edit it, too.

Note: To import AVCHD video, the camera drive must be installed even if you are working with portable media (8 cm DVDs, SD memory card, etc.). Reason: AVCHD cameras use an improved UDF file system which Windows can't handle without the driver.

AVCHD Lite

MAGIX Video Pro X2 now also supports the AVCHD Lite standard, which is used by digital cameras for recording video (among other things).

AVCHD activation details

Attention: For AVCHD support, Dolby Digital Stereo and the MPEG-4 codec must be

activated. To convert AVCHD videos to MPEG-2, the MPEG-2 codec must be activated.

Burnable disc formats

• 1:1 copies of DVDs & (S)VCDs

• Double-layer DVDs

• VCDs (MPEG-1 on CD-R)

• S-VCDs (MPEG-2 on CD-R)

• DVD (MPEG-2 on DVD)

• miniDVDs (MPEG-2 on CD-R)

• Blu-ray Discs

• AVCHD disc to DVD and Blu-ray

• Project backups and backup copies

Program and source monitor

MAGIX Video Pro X2 offers two video monitors for transport control which can be used independently. The program monitor shows the current project in the Arranger, the source monitor offers a preview for file import from the Media Pool.

16 Introduction

Project folder

The project folder is for storing your material. It's useful for preselecting the necessary media for your current project. Use it to store video, audio, titling files, and even edited versions or sections of films for use later in your projects.

Savable window layouts

MAGIX Video Pro X2 offers a flexible user interface which allows windows to be adjusted for any working situation. Both preview monitors can be enlarged to fullscreen and moved around, e.g. to use multiple monitors more effectively. Even the project folder, the Arranger, and the Media Pool can be scaled and moved as a separate window.

Effects

MAGIX Video Pro X2 offers numerous effects and effects settings options as described in detail in the chapter "Effects and titles". A short overview:

• Every object (every video, every single scene, every photo, and every audio recording) can be provided with its own individual effects combination. Every effects combination can be saved separately so that you can use it later on different objects. Right click the object and choose the "Save video effects" option in the context menu.

• Video effects are selected and set up in the "Effects" folder in the Media Pool. Most effects allow "keyframes" to control their behavior. The current settings only become effective beginning with the first selected keyframe. The next keyframe activates the settings present at that keyframe. The area between two keyframes approximates the corresponding effects settings ("tweening").

• Video effects can be controlled using effects curves. A curve is shown in the video's object display which controls the application of the effect; the higher the curve, the more intense the effect. Keyframes are indicated by curve handles, and these can be manipulated as desired. For every curve handle, Bezier handles can be generated to create harmonic curves and effects automations.

• Effects presets are standardized effects configurations for the most important cases. They can be used via drag & drop; just hold down the mouse button and drag the selected effect from the Media Pool to the desired object - finished.

• The effects mixer (”Slide FX”) combines or interweaves an assortment of recordings to create a complex visual arrangement. To execute this effect, simply drag the transitions to the space between two videos.

Title effects with MAGIX 3D Maker

The title editor features the MAGIX 3D Maker 3D program for especially high-quality 3D subtitles and texts. The title editor opens when a title template is dragged from the "Title" folder onto the track. The title editor provides access to MAGIX 3D Maker via the "As 3D title..." button.

MultiCam editing

MAGIX Video Pro X2 enables multiCam editing for up to four cameras. The different camera recordings can be played back in sync and edited together for a single version.

Batch conversion

Introduction 17

Time-saving conversion of multiple movies and videos in a single target format via conversion

(view page 212) is available under "File".

batch

Batch capturing

When video material is imported from digital sources (miniDV cameras, DV video recorders, HDV cameras), scenes which you would like to use can be selected first and cut at once. To save space, HD files can be converted directly into MPEG format.

Color correction

MAGIX Video Pro X2 offers

3-way color correction (view page 110) for optimizing poor or incorrectly exposed videos. Color correction can be found in the Media Pool under "Effects".

HD audio support

MAGIX Video Pro X2 supports audio formats that conform to Intel's High Definition audio standard for sound cards. This means that MAGIX Video Pro X2 can be used to produce stereo signals at a sampling rate of 192kHz (32-bit) and 8-channel signals at a sampling rate of 96kHz (32-bit).

DVD authoring with up to 8 audio tracks

You can set your DVDs up with up to eight audio tracks. This is especially useful for creating multilingual DVDs or DVDs with different sound formats (5.1 Surround, stereo). More information about creating different audio tracks can be found in the chapter " tracks

(view page 174)".

Audio

Synchronization with external devices

MAGIX Video Pro X2 features synchronization with external devices via MIDI or SMPTE (master or slave).

Support of "Shuttle Pro V2" and "Shuttle Express" from Contour

For easy work, an easy preset has been created that enables controlling MAGIX Video Pro X2 with "Contour Shuttle Pro V2" and "Contour Shuttle Express" quickly and efficiently.

MAGIX Soundtrack Maker

If you need a soundtrack, MAGIX Soundtrack Maker offers a massive selection of suitable sounds for background music in different variations, from "funky" to "easy listening" – simply add music to your movie project. The result is real movie background music with changing moods to perfectly match your images.

Multimedia editable DVD menus

The program includes many DVD menu templates (for chapter selection, etc.) for projects intended for TV, and some are also in 16:9 widescreen format. They can be easily inserted during the burning process to give the DVD a professional look.

18 Introduction

Every menu template can be customized with your own photos, thematic animations, 3D titles, sound, intro videos, etc. Write with flowers if your video takes place on a meadow, or with clouds if you’ve flown somewhere. A lovingly created menu always makes a great impression. It's your video's calling card.

Media library

A license-free media library including music, video, and graphics files is included for free use and combination. All files are clearly arranged on your DVD in a well-arranged structure.

Tip: For additional multimedia content, you can also browse the online media catalog Catooh by clicking "File -> Internet".

Additional features

• Automatic scene recognition: Long films are divided into shorter scenes as they are imported or retroactively.

• Metadata logging during recording

• Import of non copy-protected DVDs, including all audio tracks and chapter markers

• Master audio level display on the timeline

• Alpha channel support for AVI videos

• Sample-exact positioning for audio objects on the timeline

• Project-transfer from professional audio programs Samplitude or Sequoia via EDL

interface

• 6-channel PCM Surround on Blu-ray Discs

Notes for MAGIX Movie Edit Pro users

For users who are used to working with MAGIX Movie Edit Pro, the user interface can be switched to the "classical" Movie Edit Pro view via "File -> Settings -> Basic settings". Also, when the program is launched for the first time, a selection dialog appears for choosing settings from either "Movie Edit Pro" or "Video Pro X".

Only those program settings will be changed that can be changed via "Menu -> Settings -> Program". In the "

Program settings (view page 254)"chapter in this manual, you can learn

more in detail about the individual settings.

For everyone who has never used MAGIX Movie Edit Pro, we recommend using the "Video Pro X" mode. This operational mode provides the most options.

The following provides a detailed overview of the differences between the operational modes:

Video monitors

• "Movie Edit Pro" mode only has a preview monitor which is used for both program and source monitor. When the project is stopped, files can be selected in the Media Pool and played back with the transport control. To play back the arrangement again, the Arranger has to be clicked first.

• "Video Pro X" mode provides two preview monitors, one program monitor for previewing the project in the Arranger and a source monitor for previewing files in the Media Pool.

Introduction 19

Both preview monitors have different transport controls for separate control of the preview in the Media Pool and playback of the project. More information about the preview monitors can be found in the corresponding section of the chapter " objects into the project

(view page 50)".

Inserting

Keyboard layout

The preset keyboard shortcuts are different and can be displayed in both modes via "File -> Settings -> Keyboard shortcuts". MAGIX Video Pro X2 also allows familiar shortcuts from Movie Edit Pro to be loaded if they are easier to work with. More information about keyboard shortcuts can be found in the chapter "

Keyboard shortcuts (view page 267)".

Loading files

• In "Video Pro X" mode, files are dragged (drag & drop) to the desired position in the Arranger or loaded via the commands from the insert menu. For more about commands in the insert menu, read the section "

Insert modes (view page 45)" in the chapter

"Workspaces".

• In "Movie Edit Pro" mode, files can also be loaded form the Media Pool by double- clicking them. Videos and image files are placed in the first track at the location of the playback marker, and the associated sound track lands on track 2. If another object is already there, then the new object will be appended behind the last object on the first track. Titles appear on tracks 3 and 4, and additional audio material on track 5.

Space bar behavior

Both modes allow playback to be started by pressing the space bar. Pressing the space bar again has different effects depending on the program version:

• In "Movie Edit Pro" mode, the playback marker is placed at the last stop position.

• In "Video Pro X" mode, the playback marker is kept at the current position. This

corresponds with the functionality of a tape recorder when stopped.

Note: Playback behavior can be switched via the dialog under "File -> Settings -> Program" and then the "Playback" tab.

Project folder

• In "Movie Edit Pro" mode, the project folder is not available.

• In "Video Pro X" mode, the project folder is a separate window on the right side of the

screen for intermediate storage or combination of any kind of project material. You can drag files from different Media Pool folders or edited objects from the Arranger to the project folder. More information about this can be found in the section "

Project folder

(view page 54)" in the chapter "Workspaces".

Note: In the following chapters of the documentation, we will suppose that the program is operating in "Video Pro X" mode. If you want to operate the program in "Movie Edit Pro" mode, then deviations may result from the processes described here. You can switch the basic settings at any time via "File -> Settings -> Basic settings".

20 Quick start

Quick start

This chapter explains the basic functions of MAGIX Video Pro X2 with a step-by-step introduction. A systematic description of the program functions can be found in the chapters and in the extensive PDF manual.

Tip: Open the tutorial video and the "Quick start" tutorial by clicking the "Help" menu.

Starting the program and orientation

Once you have installed MAGIX Video Pro X2, start the program from the Windows® Start menu.

Start dialogs

When you start MAGIX Video Pro X2 for the first time, multiple start dialogs will be opened. For MAGIX Movie Edit Pro users, a special dialog option is offered to select either the "Movie Edit Pro" or "Video Pro X" interface. If you have upgraded from MAGIX Movie Edit Pro and are interested in the differences between the different interfaces, then please read

Notes for MAGIX Movie Edit Pro users (view page 18)". We basically recommend using

the " the program with the Video Pro X interface, since this offers the most options. Over the course of this manual, we will assume that you have selected this interface (you can switch the basic settings at any time via "File -> Settings -> Basic settings").

In the next dialog, you can decide if you would like to "Load an existing project" or "Create

new project". Under "Options", you can "Create a new project folder". All data that

longs to the movie will be saved

be in this folder.

Quick start 21

e're still at the very beginning, so let's stick with keeping an overview of everyW thing. Click

"OK" to end the dialog and continue.

Selecting, loading, and playing videos

e program's functions. th

In the beginning, it's probably best to load a video file for test purposes and to get to know

22 Quick start

• The Media Pool appears to the top right; this is a file manager which displays all usable files (besides movies, also photos, images, audio files, and even RTF text files for captions) in the current folder.

• The navigation functions exactly the same way as other file managers: folders can be opened by double-clicking them. The arrow keys jump a step ahead or back in the folder structure. You can also have a folder tree and all of its branches displayed.

• All of the files in the file list can be loaded and used. Find a video file, e.g. in the format *.mpg, *mxv, or *.avi.

• In the upper-left area, you will see two preview monitors.

Quick start 23

• The left "program" monitor is responsible for playback of objects in the Arran right "source" monitor displays a pre

• In order to be able to play back movie files from the Media Pool in the right source monitor, double-click the file in the file list first. Double-clicking loads the file in the monitor first.

• To play the video, click the play button on the transport control under the source monitor to the right..

• This method lets you select and play back different video files. Drag the selected file down the mouse button) from the Media Pool down into the arranger. An object app at the location on the track where you release the mouse file.

view of files in the Media Pool.

button to represent this video

ger. The

(hold ears

24 Quick start

• Each object can be moved in any way in the Arranger with the mouse, i.e. horizontally a track as well as vertically between tracks. Drag the video object on the first track all way to the left to the beginning of the track.

the

Note: If the video also has a sound track available, then a corresponding audio object will appear underneath it on track 2. Both objects are connected as a group.

• Now that the first file has been loaded into the Arranger, it can be edited, cut, and exported. Other files can also be loaded onto the tracks to combine movies, audio files, and photos.

• To play back the Arranger, click the play button on the transport control under the program monitor to the left.

Tip: An even easier way to do this is by pressing the space bar on your keyboard.

• During playback, a vertical line will move across the Arranger, i.e. the playback marker that displays the current position. You can reposition it by clicking at different locations as desired.

Quick start 25

• You can also define playback ranges, e.g. playback point, i.e. marker will appear to indicate the out point of the playback range. The length of the playback area is shown in the center of the section display.

marker. Clicking in the timeline ab

the start point of the playback range. If you right click further on, the end

to freeze a certain position independent of the

ove the first track lets you define an end

• The in and out points can be moved with the mouse. Left-clicking positions the "in" point, and the right mouse button sets the "out" point.

• To play back the range, click the "Play back range" button on the transport control under the program monitor.

Now you know how to load and play back media files in different ways. Would you like to try to make your own movie now?

• If you want to continue with your own movie project instead of the demo, select the "New movie" option from the "File" menu and read the next chapters of the tutorial on analog/digital video recording.

• If you wish to continue working with the test file, simply skip the following recording tutorials and begin rea g the "Video editing" section

din .

DV recording

• Connect the DV device (DV camcorders or DV video recorders) to your PC. Switch the device's operating mode to "Video recorder" or "Playback".

26 Quick start

• To open MAGIX Video Pro X2's recording dialog, click the red "Record" button on the transport control under the source monitor.

• Select "DV camera" from the recording dialog. Uncompressed DV capture requires approx. 220 MB per minute of video. If you would instead like to record using the m space-saving MP option.

• This opens the actual recording dialog. Check to see if a DV camera driver has been selected.

• Name your recording. It's worth choosing a logical name which will allow you to find it easily again on the hard drive.

• You can access the appropriate place on the camcorder ta control buttons: shuttle forwards, backwards, and start/stop playback. To start recording, click the "Record" button. Keep an eye on the remaining hard-drive space.

• Cease capturing with the "Stop" button and exit the record dialog.

Tip: In the DV recording dialog, you can set clips from the DV video which will then be recorded one after the other (batch capturing).

EG format, then you should first activate the "Record DV as MPEG"

pe by using the remote

ore

Quick start 27

How to capture analog video

1. Wiring

Connect the video out of your DVD or VHS recorder to the video in (TV, video or video in graphics card) of your computer, and the audio out to the audio in on your sound card.

Due to the variety of device configurations, it is difficult to say which cables function best with your setup. If you’re not sure, check the manual of your VCR or your TV, video, or graphics cards.

Example:

Europe: Many VCRs and DVD players have a SCART, 3 RCA (2 for stereo sound, 1 for

video), or S-Video/optical audio line out. In such case, you will need a SCART to RCA adapter, a cable with 3 RCA jacks, or an S-Video cable.

North America: Many VCRs and DVD players have a 3 RCA (2 for stereo sound, 1 for video), or S-Video/optical audio line out. In such case, you will need a cable with 3 RCA jacks, or an S-Video cable.

SCART/Cinch adapter SCART/Cinch adapter

with 3 RCA jac

card audio in, you will need a stereo RCA / mini phone plug adapter.

Therefore, you will most likely have to buy a cable with 3 RCA plugs and a stereo cinch/mini jack adapter from your local supplier.

ks phone jack adapter

Stereo RCA/mini

t to the sound Most sound card inputs are mini phone jacks. To connect the VCR audio ou

28 Quick start

2. Program start and record

• To open MAGIX Video Pro X2's recording dialog, click the red "Record" button on th transport control under the source monitor.

• Select "Video" from the record dialog. If you would like to burn your video directly to a DVD, then first activate the box "Burn directly to DVD". This opens the • actual recording dialog. In the record dialog, select the appropriate driver for your video and audio cards (if you have more than one installed). A video preview window is now displayed.

• Name your recording. It's worth choosing a logical name which will allow you to find easily again on the hard drive.

• Start recording now by pressing the "Record" button in the dialog and end it by pressin the "Stop" button. Pay attention to the number of "dropped frames": If you get a readin of more than 10 dropped frames per minute, then reduce the video quality to prevent your PC from overloading.

• Cease capturing with the "Stop" button and exit the record dialog.

Quick start 29

Video editing

meline mode Ti

All editing is done in the Arranger. Your movies are displayed according to time in "Timeline" mode, i.e. the longer the representative object in the track, the longer the associated movie.

H f

andles: All objects can be shortened by moving the mouse to one of the lower corners o

th s

e object until it turns into a stretch symbol. You can now stretch the object as much a

u like. At the top corners of every object, you’ll find two fade handles that can be

ad e

justed to fade an object in or out. The handle at the top center can be used to adjust th

lume of audio objects and the brightness of video objects.

Selection: For advanced effects editing, the objects must be selected first. Each object can be selected by clicking it. Objects will change color to show that they have been selected. Multiple objects can be selected by holding down "Shift". You can also click and drag out a rectangle to select multiple objects. All objects included in the rectangle will be selected.

30 Quick start

Editing effects: Selected objects can be edited with the effects from the Media Pool.

e settings for each effect can be made directly in the Media Pool. Most effects are

ntrolled with keyframe animations or effects curves. The intensity of the effec

co t is controlled dynamically via individual points (keyframes) or via a drawn curve (effects curve).

frames or effects curve animations can be found after the effect is Every button for the key

selected in the lower area of the Media Pool.

Note: To activate an effects curve, an initial keyframe must be set first.

Video mix (chroma key): You can mix two videos as foreground and background images.

The video on the lower track makes up the background, a video on the track above it makes up the foreground. Backgrounds are us foregrounds are usually people or objects that are captured in front of single-color surfaces. If you have, for example, a recording of a dancer as the foreground in front of a blue are a und

nd a lake as a background, then drag the background lake to a track and the foregro

da eneath the other. Now

ncer to the track beneath it and arrange it so that one is directly b

select the lower object and open the "Effects" tab in the Media Pool. The item "Chro k nd

ey" is available under "Video effects". Select the background color of your foregrou video and you will already see the video-mix result in your monitor – the dancer dancing on th

e lake.

ontext menu: The context menu also offers a series of editing options for objects. You

n open it by right-clicking on an object. Different trim editors can be opened which

able an exact cut with different transition parameters (for example). For video objects,

there is another context menu.

ually landscapes or animations, whereas

emoving unusable scenes

Quick start 31

One of the most important steps during import of your footage is cutting out unusable scenes from the material. There are two options in this case:

Option 1: First, the complete material is loaded into your project and the unusable

•

scenes are cut out. Option 2: You can cut the material already in the Media Pool, i.e. BEFORE you import it,

•

and then proceed to import only the scenes long movies with a lot of

editing.

you need. This process is recommended for

Cutting videos in the project

Let's assume that you have already imported your film material into a project and would to edit it now.

• Play back your video by clicking "Play" on the program monitor's transport control (or simply press the space bar on the keyboard).

• If during playback you have reached a scene that you would like to cut out, click the playback button in the transport control a second time. The playback marker stays near the start of the scene to be removed.

Tip: In case of long films or to speed up the search, you can fast forward the video and follow the action with the preview monitor. To do so, pull the playback marker across the timeline while holding down the mouse button (but not too fast!).

• Set the playback marker exactly at the start of the unusable material. The zoom function is recommended to get a better view of longer videos (the +/- buttons in the bottom right corner).

• Press "T" on the keyboard. This will split the current scene into two sections at the playback marker.

32 Quick start

• Repeat these steps for the end of the unusable material. Find the end of the unusable scene, place the playback marker at the end point, and then press the "T" key on the keyboard again.

• Now you have "isolated" the unusable scene and may delete it from the video by pressing "Del" on the keyboard. Before this, the scene must be selected by clicking it with the mouse.

• If you weren't very precise during cutting, don't worry; By using the bottom object handles, you can always lengthen or shorten the remaining objects and "pull" parts of the deleted material back in or "push" remaining parts of the deleted scene away.

• Aft

er deletion, a gap will appear in the film sequence where the removed material was

rlier. How can you remove the gap from the movie? Easy: Pull the later scenes up to

the

earlier scenes until they "dock" with each other. Please make sure that the later

sce

nes are all taken along during the pull, otherwise the gap will have simply moved to

the ter objects, use "Intelligent" mouse mode,

back of the film sequence. To pull up la

sin

ce this automatically takes all the objects found later on the timeline along with the

ject being pulled.

Quick start 33

Hint: ject has not only a video track but also a sound track, then it is often If your pro

neces o sary to cut both of these tracks simultaneously. After import from the camera, vide and sound tracks are automatically grouped, which is why all cutting and moving actions have an effect on video and sound tracks simultaneously. However, if you have added a separ s not yet been grouped with the video sequence, then you ate sound track which ha should group them before starting to edit. To do so, select the video object and the audio object via "Ctrl + mouse button", and in the "Edit" menu select the "Group" option (or click the group tool).

Feel free to experiment with the editing functions. Nothing can go wrong, since all editing functions (like all editing processes) are no will remain unchanged on your hard disk.

Importing individual scenes from longer movies

If you have saved a longer video as a file on your hard disk and of it for your project, then proceed as follows:

• Double-click the desired file in the Media Pool. Double-click the file to load it in the source monitor and play it back using the transport controls.

• Find the range which you would like to import. Position the playback marker above the transport control at the start position of the range and click the "Set in point" button

ndestructive. This means that all original material

only want to use a section

34 Quick start

• Next, position the play ack m button.

b arker at the end of the section and click the "Set out point"

ears highlighted in blue in t• The currently selected range app he range display. You can

e separately wplay back this rang ith the "Play back range" button.

• All range limits can be moved the range matches the se on on the preview monitor and drag the section onto the track. An object will appear there featuring the material you

to import. If you're not sure where you would like to use the section in the

wanted project, you can drag in into the project folder instead of the onto the track.

Regrouping scenes

It will often be the case that you will want to move whole scenes or even groups of scenes to a different pl selected in any view by clicking them and moving them to the desired position (drag & drop). You can also create scene groups which can be moved together: "Ctrl" + mouseclick lets you select more than one sce

at lie in between.

ace within a film. This happens completely intuitively: Single scenes can be

by holding down the mouse button and dragging. Once

that you want to import, click cti

ne, "Shift" + mouse-click selects all of the scenes

Three final tips for advanced video arranging:

• Using "

• The commands "

• If cutting and moving around parts of your project has left it a little unorganized, try using

Intelligent mouse (view page 49)" mode, you can move not only the selected scene, but also all elements directly bordering it (like transitions, fades and scenes following the selected scene, plus those on neighboring tracks).

Group (view page 222)" and "Ungroup (view page 222)" let you

combine any scenes into groups which can then be

the project folder. The project folder is better suited for intermediate storage of all of the objects you want to from the Arranger into the project folder by dragging them there (they will be removed from the corresponding track), or you can copy th project folder. Hold down "Shift" while you click to select multiple f sections of files or files from the Media Pool and drag them directly into the proje folder.

use in your movie. You can either move all of the objects directly

moved together as a block.

e objects and paste them into the

iles. You can also drag

Note: Please ensure that the project folder is reserved for the respective project at hand. The contents will be saved together with the project and made available the next time the same project is opened, but not when another project is opened.

Enrich

Burning DVDs and Blu-ray Discs with interactive menus

You can burn your projects onto DVD or Blu-ray discs with an interac

Note: Authoring for DVDs and Blu-ray Discs is the same for both formats.

For multiple films that are subdivided into individual scenes (chapters), the DVD selection menu becomes even more important, allowing you to jump to each movie or chapter using your remote control into sensible sections. Place the start marker where you'd like to have it and choose the option "Cha select the option "Automatic chapter markers", a chapter marker is autom the beginning of every scene.

ing movies

. To make sensible chapter divisions in your movie, it should be split

pter marker" from the "Edit" menu (keyboard shortcut: Shift + Enter). If you

Quick start 35

tive menu.

atically placed at

You can switch to the "Burn" screen by pressing the correspo

nding button at the top right.

At the center of the monitor, you can see a preview of the current DVD menu. All movies appear in the uppermost entries, and all chapters appear as sub-entries.

36 Quick start

Use the "Navigation structure" button to access the selection menu structure. You can delete unnecessary scenes by clicking the corresponding box. The entry will be removed from the menu, but the scene will not be removed from the movie.

If you

are satisfied with the subdivision of the movies and chapters, you can devote yourself to the layout of the menu. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see an array of preset menu temp

lates. Use the scroll bar to view each template. There are plenty to choose from:

• If you wish to fully apply a template, then click "Complete" on the template bar above

and double-click the template of your choice. The complete template will then be applied.

• You can also combine the various elements of the individual templates. For example, if

you want to combine the text format of a template with the background of another one then select "Font" first and double-click the template with th

e text of your choice. Then select "Order" and double-click the order you like. The preview in the middle shows you the results immediately.

• Double-click the preview picture or a menu entry to change the film or chapter name a select a different preview picture.

• The b

utton "Design" at the top left enables detailed editing of each element.

When all videos and chapters (scenes) are logically arranged and you are satisfied with the selection menu, you can go a

head and burn. Use the virtual remote control to test the

behavior of finished discs to make sure that everything works as planned.

Export video as file

Besides burning your project, you can also export it as a video file. When exporting files your entire movie is put into one file and placed into a folder of your choice on your hard drive. The available export formats can be found in the "File" menu. If you would like to create

videos for the Internet or send them per email, you should compress your file using a

compression format like Quicktime or RealMedia.

Workspaces 37

Workspaces

1 Upper toolbar: These are the buttons for quickly accessing important commands. 2 Menu bar: Most functions in MAGIX Video Pro X2 can be accessed via the me 3 Program and source monitor: Here you can preview video and picture objects. 4 Templates: Here you can find the folders for transitions, titles, effects and pans. To

preview a template, simply click on it.

5 Media Pool

navigation buttons to acces

6 Buttons for overview and m

mode displays all of the objects on the first track and enables quick sorting of scenes. The right button activates "Multicam" mode.

7 Lower toolbar: Select the "Timeline" o

editing functions.

8 Timeline: Defines the playback range. Features a scaled time 9 Peak meter: The peak meter shows the sum of the current s 10 Project folder: Provides all of the files needed for the project 11 Arranger: Drag & drop files from the Media Pool, then arrang

here.

12 Scroll bars: The lower scroll bars can be dragged apart and pushed together for

zooming with the mouse. The right scroll bar zooms into the tracks vertically. Click on the edge of the scroll bars with the mouse button held down to change the visible window in the Arranger.

: Load your photos and other media files via the Media Pool. Use the

s any drive or folder on your PC.

ulticam mode: Switches to "Overview" mode. Overview

r various different mouse modes for diverse

line.

ound track's volume.

e and edit files in detail

nu bar.

Note: Various screen elements are only available via MAGIX Video Pro X2's basic settings ("File -> Settings -> Basic settings").

38 Workspaces

Activating the main screen

MAGIX Video Pro X2 always starts with this view. If the burn screen is visible, click the left button in the top-right corner of the screen (active in graphic).

Media Pool

The design and operation of the Media Pool is very similar to Windows Explorer. It serves to control and load multimedia files of all kinds: video files, audio files, fades, effects, and even entire projects. At the same time, it is used as a window for editing different tasks.

Importing

Navigation buttons

The navigation buttons let you navigate through your compu

ter’s drives and folders.

The "Back" button always returns you to the folder you Forwards/Back last used.

The "Up" button brings you to the next highest folder level.

Folder tree Here you can activate a folder tree to navigate through your

computer system.

To quickly find specific files, use the search function. You can also specify file type, data and certain fol

ders

that should be searched.

Browse history list

ilsand path deta

The current folder's path is displayed in the top center. Use the arrow button to open the menu to find the folders you previously visited.

Workspaces 39

Options

All functions of the context menu (switch views, rename, or delete files, etc.) can also

accessed via the options button.

Display

options

Settings for how detailed the entries should be listed can be made here.

The Media Pool activ te

a d and turned off again with the shown button.

has an easy search function for finding files on the computer. It may be

File name: Enter an ame of th The X symbol delete ntry. A "?" may be and "*" for any number of c

F e ty ultiple entries are separated using a

il pe: Here you can enter a file name extension. M

semicolon. Below the entry fiel extensions.

Date: Here, you can set time period limits on your search. Choose an entry from th

Fold

r: If you don't want to search the entire computer, but only look on certain drives or in

e folder, you can define

a singl a certain search path.

Search depth: Here you have various should be searched.

y part of the n e file you are looking for in the "File name" field.

s the e used as a placeholder for a single character,

haracters.

d, various presets may be selected for often-used file name

e list.

options that determine whether additional locations

• Search indexed locations

• Search indexed locatio

• Sea ect file.

rch indexed locations, the selected folder, personal files and the proj

"Index ws via the

ed locations" are folders, which are searched and cataloged in Windo

index l e files in the indicated folders will be indexed while

ist. If the index list is activated, th

and the selected folder

ns, the selected folder and personal files.

the computer is idling, so that the user's search query may be completed faster.

Note: In Microsoft Windows XP™, the indexing service is usually deactivated by default. The search functions in Windows Vista™ may be installed with the current version of "Windows Search". They make it possible to easily add to the indexing service. Please refer to the installation instructions from Microsoft.

40 Workspaces

Computer

The link button "Computer" displays the drives in the Media Pool. All drives will be listed along with their drive letters and can be opened with a double click.

User directory

The second button featuring the user's name opens their personal folder in the Media Pool.

My media

The "My media" button lets you select "Projects", "My videos", "My music", "My images", and "Recordings".

Projects

Switches to the folder where y

My vid

eos

Displays all found in "My documents\My videos."

usable files

our projects and videos are usually stored.

My music

Displays

the contents of the "My Documents\My Music" folder. MAGIX Music Manager also

suggests this folder for importing your music collection into the database.

My pictures

Switches to the "My documents\My pictures" folder. This folder is often used by digital cameras and scanners to store transferred images by default

. The included MAGIX Photo

Manager program also uses this folder (e.g. during image import).

Recordings

Recordings: MAGIX Video Pro X2 stores all recordings here to access all recordings as quickly as possible.

MAGIX tools

The "M

AGIX tools" link selects links to "Downloads", "Database", "Online A

et Media".

"Inte

lbum", and

Downloads: Use this n to a

Database: Us

ea . The database first has to be created using the supplied additional pro

s rch gram, MAGIX

Manager.

Photo

butto ccess the media files that you downloaded with Catooh.

e this button to open the database view. Right-clicking opens the database

Online Album: This buttons opens MAGIX Online Album. This provides a shortcut to uploading and deleting data. T

are many ways to upload data:

There

hile holding "Ctrl" down, select the data to be uploaded in the Media Pool, and

1. W

s MAGIX

elect "Copy" in the context menu (opened by right-clicking). Switch to the

O he context menu.

nline Album screen, open the desired folder, and select "Paste" in t

o do this, you must first register on MAGIX Online Album.

2. In , and go to the desired directory. Open the

the Media Pool, click on "Online Album"

Workspaces 41

Windows Explorer, select the desired data with "Ctrl" held down, and drag it into the Media Pool.

Both options will

result in your desired data being uploaded to your MAGIX Online Album.

Hint: This function requires an Internet connection. To gain access, make sure you have your login information (email address and password) ready.

Intern e 264). It

et media: This opens MAGIX Video Pro X2's integrated browser (view pag

offers yo rent project.

u the possibility to collect media from the Internet to use in the cur

Fades

hi vides a list of all fades sorted into categories. Clicking on a category s

T s pro hows all of the fade

To load a fade, click on it and drag it onto a scene which you would like to blend into Alternatively, you can select the scene into which you would like to blend into before

s contained therein.

and

double click on the fade in the Media Pool later.

Tip: All fades will appear in the menu between two scenes, and they can also be selected there.

tle

Title presets and the Title Editor

(view page 124) are located here. They are sorted into various categories and can be loaded via a double-click or drag & drop. You will also find templates for 3D titles here. The text of title objects can be changed in the program monito by double-clicking on it.

Effects

Access the effects presets via "Video effects", "Movement effects", "Audio effects", and "Design elements".

Video effects

These a e set a more information, see the "

These are movement effects you can use to animate the frame by using zoom or cam movements. For more information, go to the "Effects and titles" chapter in " effects in Media Pool

re the various effects which can be applied to videos and stills. The effects can b

r an object is selected in the respective effects dialog which appears. For

fte

Video effects in the Media Pool (view page 108)" chapter.

ovement effects

(view page 115)".

era

Movement

42 Workspaces

Audio effects

In addition to many different audio effects presets (echo, reverb, equalizer, compressor, etc.), you can also use the included synthesizer. A synthesizer can be dragged onto the arranger like a multimedia file. It will be displayed as a synth object. Use the corresponding control console to edit the synth sounds and melodies. The control console opens automatically when the synthesizer is dragged onto the arrangement for the first time. A synth object can be opened for further editing later by double clicking.

Design elements Multi picture-in-picture: These are various effects presets for image stacking.

Collages: These work similarly to normal picture-in-picture effects, but more objects are

used. Depending on the collage, arrange the selected objects one after the other and drag the collage onto the first object.

Portrait effects: Select individual effects which are especially suited to vertically formatted photos.

Image objects: These are various image objects like black bars, thought bubbles for cartoons, etc.

Intros/Outros: These are beginning and end scenes for films with various themes.

Visuals: Graphical displays of any played sounds which can be combined with other video

material.

Various file list view modes

In the

file list, all of the supported multimedia files and subfolders of the currently selected

folder are displayed. Three different views (list, detail, large symbols) can be set by right clicking on the Media Pool context menu.

List: Only file names are listed. This view mode displays the most files simultaneously.

Details: In the details section the type, size, and date of modification are shown for every media file beside its name. The list can be sorted by clicking on any of these details.

Workspaces 43

Large icons can be quite useful because they show a

preview frame for each movie and pictu allows you to sort through the material q disadvantage is that it takes longer for th

re file. This

uicker. One

e file list to be

displayed.

Preview function

A preview funct by pressing

ion for all of the files in the Media Pool can be started by double-clicking or

the playback button on the source monitor.

There are also previews for effects that display their effects.

The "Extras" button or the enhanced transport control function allows you to select sections from chapter

a longer video file in the Media Pool and load them. Please refer to the

"Inserting objects into the project (view page 50)".

Toolbars

Upper button bar

The upper button bar can be found in the monitor to the top left. It has the following functions:

New project

Creates a new MAGIX Video Pro X2 project. A dialog with settings for a

ew disc project or a new film

Keyb

oard shortcut: Shift + N

Load p

roject

(view page 63) opens to get started.

Use this option to load a movie into your disc project. Please note that all media

files associated with it must be accessible. MAGIX Video Pro X2 will search for all used sounds and video files in the folders in which they were located when the movie was saved.

Keyboa

rd shortcut: Ctrl + O

44 Workspaces

Save project

The current movie is saved with the name displayed in the project window. If you have not yet specified a name for your project, a dialog will open wherein MAGIX Video Pro X2 asks you to do so.

Please note: In the project file (*.MVP), all information about the used media files, cuts, effects, and titles are saved, but not the picture and sound material itself. This is found in the recorded or imported media files that remain unchange

d during the entire MAGIX Video Pro X2 editing process. To save the full movie into a dedicated directory, for instance to continue editing on d ector

ir y".

Keyboa

rd shortcut: Ctrl + S

a different PC, please use the command "Copy movie and media into

Program settings

Opens the program settings (view page 254).

Key

board shortcut: Y

Conte

xt help

By choosing th text h entry from th on the button to ar, the mo

e con elp e "Help" menu, or by clicking

in the p toolb use cursor will turn into an arrow

with a question mark.

Then, when you click on any button of the m

ain screen, program help describing the

control element in question will open.

Shortcut key: Alt + F1

MAGIX News Center

MAGIX can supply you with all of the latest information about your software. In the MAGIX News Center, you will find all of the links to current online tutorials as well as tips & tricks on individual topics or software application examples.

You will also be informed of the availability of brand new updates and patches for your program as well as special offers, contests, and surveys.

The news is

• Gree

• Yell

• Red

• And n the button will be grey

split into three color-coded sections:

n for practical tips & tricks for your software

ow reports the availability of new patches and updates for your product

for special offers, contests, and surveys if there are no new messages, the

All available information is shown as soon as you click on MAGIX News Center. If you click on one of the news items you will be forwarded to the corresponding website.

Workspaces 45

Lower toolbar

The following buttons are available in "Overview" and "Timeline" modes:

Using the dropdown menu, you can control various movies wit project.

Undo

Durin p o problem if

g roject editing, you can undo the last changes you made. This way it's n

you wan you can

t to experiment with critical operations. If you don't like the results, then

always revert to the previous state by using

K yboar

e d shortcut: Ctrl + Z

Restore

The "Redo

" function undoes the previous "Undo" function.

edit Select a movie to

hin a

"Undo".

Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Y

Delete objects

his function deletes the selected scene (or the selected object in

"Timeline" mode).

Keyboard shortcut: Del

Title editor

Opens the title editor (More Informationen can be found in the section

Title Editor" on page 124) for the selected photo, video, or title object.

Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + T

Mute button

This button mutes the sound output. By clicking on the triangle, you can selected which track should be played back by default.

Mixer

This option allows you to display or conceal the real-time mixer. You will find further information, especially with regard to the integration of effects plug-ins, in the chapter "Mixer".

Keyboard shortcut: M

Paste modes

MAGIX Video Pro X2 provides various options for how an object selected in the Media Pool will be pasted into the project.

46 Workspaces

Apply automatically

Pastes the file selected in the Media Pool into the arranger. Video and image objects will always be placed behind the last object into the first track; audio and text objects are separated into different tracks.

Intelligent ripple

Inserts an object from the Media Pool at the position of the playback marker and simultaneously moves the objects following it.

• In contrast to automatic insertion, all objects will be inserted at the position of the

playback marker.

• Videos and images are placed on the first track. If another object is found at the

playback marker positio (s tion).

o that the inserted object can start exactly at the point of inser

n, then it will be cut continued at the end of the inserted object

• The objects lying further along on the track will be moved further down.

• Objects on other linked tracks (all objects up to the first completely empty track) will also

be moved further down. This includes sound tracks, fades, and titles, all of which will be moved together so that nothing gets mixed up. All objects will be moved which start at the same pos

ition as or behind the playback marker.

Note: The prerequisite for a good ripple effect is that the soundtrack, most importantly, is cut at the position of the playback marker. Otherwise, the elements located further down would move down even more, while the soundtrack would stay at its old position, causing picture and sound to separate from each other. If you would like to create an intelligent ripple, make sure that th ints of ale starting po l objects that are to be moved are positioned at or behind the play a his is noback m rker. If t t the case, click on the screen to cut the corresponding object at the playback marker position.

Single-track ripple

Inserts an object from the Media Pool at the position of the playback marker and simultaneously moves the objects on the track following it.

• The one-track ripple behaves similarly to the intelligent ripple, the difference is that only

the objects on the target track are moved.

Bordering tracks are unchanged.

• In contrast to automatic insertion, all objects will be inserted at the position of the

playback marker.

• Videos and images are placed on the first track. If another object is found at the

playback marker position, then it wi (so that the inserted object can sta

• The objects lying further along on the track will be moved

ll be cut continued at the end of the inserted object

rt exactly at the point of insertion).

further down.

Multitrack ripple

The object selected in the Media Pool will be inserted on the target track at the position of the playback marker. All objects found at the playback marker position will be split and moved down the length of the inserted object. All objects on the track located further on will als be moved.

Workspaces 47

• The multitrack ripple behaves similarly to the intelligent ripple, but the difference is that objects on all tracks following the playback mark

er's position will be moved.

• In contrast to automatic insertion, all objects will be inserted at the position of the playback marker

• Videos and images are placed on the first track. If another object is found at the playback marker position, then it will be cut continued at the end of the inserted ob

ject

(so that the inserted object can start exactly at the point of insertion).

• If other objects are located at the playback marker position, these

will also be separated

and moved further along the track.

• Objects lying further along on all tracks will be moved further down.

Replace

Replaces the selected object with an object selected in the Media Pool.

Overwrite

Overwrites the object in the target track at the position of the start marker with the object selected in the Media Pool.

Hint: In contrast to "Replace", no length adjustment takes place. With "Replace", any downstream objects are moved, while "Overwrite" overwrites downstream objects as well (sometimes only partially), depending on the length of the object being inserted in comparison to the object being overwritten.

Cut button

You can access the individual options using the dropdown menu.

Split

This command cuts a scene at the point where the playback marker is positioned. This way, two free-standing objects are created.

all

Keyboard shortcut: T

Remove start

This command cuts a scene at the point where the playback marker is positioned and removes the material before the playback marker.

Keyboard shortcut: K

48 Workspaces

Remove end

This command cuts a scene at the point where the playback marker is positioned and removes the material behind the back marker.

Keyboard shortcut: U

Hint: If the commands "Split" and "Remove beginning/end" are applied without a selection, all objects at the position of the playback marker are cut.

Remove scene

This command allows scenes that follow will in front of the scene to

Ke oard

yb shortcut: Ctrl + Del

Split mov

K yboard

e shortcut: Alt + W

Additi

Splits the movie at the playback marker position into two sections within o e

nm project. These can be individually controlled using the "Window"

e he button "Select movie for editing" (see above).

nu or t

onal buttons in Timeline mode

you to completely remove selected scenes. The

e automatically moved to the end of the scene

be removed.

The following buttons are only available in "Timeline" mode:

Set chapter marker

Sets a chapter marker at the position of the playback marker. This cre ng to

ates a chapter entry in the disc menu, in case you are planni

burn the movie to CD/DVD.

You ca re our chapter markers by right clicking and selecting "Rename". The name

n name y

then appears in the chapter menu.

Shortcut: Shi

ft + Enter

Object grid

Use this button to switch grid is switched on, the that everything fits in sea

the object grid on and off. When the object

objects snap into place beside one another so

mlessly.

Form group

Orders all selected objects into groups. As soon as an object from the group is selected, all other objects in the group will be highlighted as well so that you can work on them collectively.

Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + L

Ungroup objects

This turns all

selected objects into free-standing objects again.

Workspaces 49

Keyboard shortcut:

Ctrl + M

Mouse modes

MAGIX Video Pro X2 offers special mouse modes for different kinds of editing. They can be selected using the small arrow next to the button.

Mouse mode for individual objects

This is the preset mouse mode which performs most of the work.

Select objects with a left click. You can move an object by dragging it to the desired position.

K yboa

e rd shortcut: Alt + 1

Intelligent mouse mode

In principle, this mouse mode behaves like the "Single object mouse" mode.

However, all objects that b

order the object on the same or on adjacent tracks are also moved, starting from the mouse position. This means that all objects overlapping adjacen tracks (fades, fade effects) and those directly connecting to the next one (hard cuts) are

together up to the next empty space in the arrangement (the technical term for this

pushed action is "Ripple until black").

This is useful for preventing destruction of fades you have already set and want to mo object included therein. To move individual object, switc

h to "Single object mouse" mode.

ve an

You can also drag an object vertically onto a free track, thereby breaking the connection with the following

objects. You will then be able to move it freely without having to move

other objects with it.

Keyboard shortcut: Alt + 2

50 Workspaces

Curve mouse mode

This mouse mode is used especially for drawing effects curves.

The effects curve controls the intensity of the effect: The higher the curve point, the more intense the respective effects parameter at this location. The curves can be used for video and image objects on the image tracks and also for audio objects on the audio tracks.

More information about this can be found in the chapter "Animate objects", section "Editing object effects curves".

Keyboard shortcut: Alt + 3

Stretch mouse mode

This special mode is for customizing the length of objects.

With timestretching, audio objects can be expanded or compressed using the handles at the bottom. The duration of the audio material is therefore lengthened without changing the pitch. Playback of the video objects is accelerated/decelerated with the help of the handles at the bottom.

Attention! If the object to be stretched or compressed is going to be animated with an effects curve, then the option "Connect curve length with object length (view page 151)" should be set for the effects curve.

Keyboard shortcut: Alt + 4

view audio mouse mode Pre

This mode allows you to preview audio objects (as long as the mouse button is held down).

In this mode, objects cannot be moved or changed.

Keyboard shortcut: Alt + 8

Program and source monitor

MAGIX Video Pro X2 features two preview monitors, i.e. a program monitor for object image output in the Arranger and a source monitor for previewing files in the Media Pool.

Setting up the preview monitor

The program and source monitors can be set up variably:

• You can adjust the size of each of the monitors. This can be accomplished by clicking the screen with the right mouse button and selecting the desired size from the context menu - either from the presets submenu or self-defined (“Other resolution”).

• You can also freely position both of the monitors. Click on the top bar of the monitor window and drag it down to any position you want.

• By maintaining the original dimensionality, black frames appear if the display format of the monitor does not correspond to that of the video played. You only need to deactivate

Workspaces 51

this option if you want to display a distorted video intentionally, e.g. if it was incorrectly encoded.

• The option "Display play time" displays a large time countdown in the program monitor. This und and background

shows the current position of the playback marker. The foregro

colo justed in the context menu.

rs as well as the transparency can be ad

Tip: nd in the tab "Display Useful presets for the Arranger and video monitor can be fou p eset gs. r s (view page 259)" in the program settin

Fullsc

reen view

The p onitors. Alternatively, double-

tion "Fullscreen" in the context menu maximizes the m

c k o e window. The

licln a monitor or select one and press "A + Enter" to maximize th

fu lscre pecially recommended for working with two screens; one screen for the

en view is es

film preview in the preview monitor, and the other for the Arranger.

You can also shift the monitor into full screen mode and access it via the context menu (right mouse button). There, you can also hide and display the basic transport controls.

"Esc" returns you to the normal view (or click on "smaller" button to the right in the fullscreen mode).

Film overview

The option "Film overview" in the "Window" menu enables an overview of the entire Arranger. All objects in the Arranger will be displayed in the program monitor. The overview display is especially recommended for work with long movies because the reduced overview in the program monitor and the zoomed detailed view in the Arranger present a good combination.

The film overview can be used for moving around in the movie and for editing certa

• When

you click on a certain object in the program monitor, the Arranger will zoom into

in parts:

that object.

• You can use the mouse to draw a frame in the preview monitor – the corresponding section will be zoomed in the Arranger.

• When you move the playback marker in the program monitor, the Arranger playback marker will also move correspondingly.

Tip: If you use this option very often, then try using the corresponding keyboard shortcut ("Shift + A").

52 Workspaces

Transport control

Transport controls on the preview monitor enable you to play back video and image material in the Arranger or as a preview in the Media Pool.

Transport control buttons

Range: Above the playback functions, the range between

the in and out points can be changed by clicking it.

Playback marker: This marker indicates the location of the image currently displayed on-screen.

Set in/out points: Defines the start and end of the playback range.

To the start: This button sets the playback marker to the start of the current

area.

Playback by a frame: This button sets the playback marker just beh d the current frame and plays it back.

Play/Stop (pause): The playback button in the middle starts playback click ends playback.

. A second

Tip: I er the n the menu "File -> Settings -> Program -> Playback", you can set wheth playb r following ack marker will go back to the start position (stop) after the second click o the appropriate shortcut (space bar), or if it should stay at the current position (pause function).

Area playback: This button plays back the current range.

To the end: This button sets the playback marker to the end of the current

range.

Jog wheel: Using this wheel, you can move frames within the vide

o and position the playback marker

exactly at high magnifications. Shuttle control: The further the slider control is moved to the side, the quicker the arrangement is played in the

reached quickly.

by single

tain position can be corresponding direction. This way a cer

Workspaces 53

Arranger

MAGIX Video Pro X2 offers an editing interface for advanced editing: audio dubbing, professional editing, plus precise transitions and effects editing.

Tracks

The arranger offers tracks for multimedia material positioning and editing. The number of tracks displayed can be specified in the file menu under "Movie settings".

In principle, any object type may be placed on any of the tracks. You can also combine video and bitmaps objects with MIDI and audio objects on any of these tracks. The maximum length of a movie is restricted to 6 hours.

At the beginning of each track is a track box where you can mute a single audio track with the Mute button or play them

Solo.

Clicking the lock symbol protects all objects in a track against unwanted editing. The track name can be changed by double clicking the text above the buttons.

Zooming

The vertical zoom function sets the number of visible tracks in the window. For a lot of tracks, enlarging the view (zooming) is sensible for editing a single track or object.

Use the horizontal zoom function to increase the visible section of the arrangement on the timeline.

Enlarge objects: Vertical and horizontal zoom stages are enlarged so that all of the selected objects are able to be displayed at maximum size.

If the function is switched off, the zoom stage will be restored.

Multiple sound tracks

MAGIX Video Pro X2 offers up to eight multi s streams on a singl

e disc. An example of application might be the creation of multilingual

ound tracks, e.g. to include different audio

discs.

54 Workspaces

This kind of audio stream is assigned via the track box's context menu; select "DVD audio track 1" - "DVD audio track 8". Every multi sound track can be clearly nam ed via the "Rename DVD audio track" entry in the context menu.

Grid and snap

The time of the arrangement is displayed by the h

orizontal course of the tracks. To structure this course, a timeline with a grid has been positioned at the top a track.

A grid is also displayed in the arranger area. The raster ensures that the objects always "snap" to certain points so that they can be positioned precisely according to the beat. Tw consecutive objects will seamlessly snap together even if they are on different tracks. This avoids undesired gaps or overlaps.

Overview mode

bove the first

The "Scene overview" mode is a special view that improves manageability and categorization of scenes. All scenes are listed one after the other (in multiple lines, like in a text program) and can be copied, cut, moved, deleted and inserted.

In the "Overview" mode, there are no start, play, or end markers. The sce

ne being played

back has a frame around it.

Zoom fader

This slider specifies how large the photos will appear in the storyboard. The smaller the scenes, the more of them you'll be able to fit on screen.

Maximize: Use this button to maximize the scene overview to fullscreen.

Workspaces 55

Project folder

This is a kind of catchall for all required files.

A dialog opens for placing files (alternatively to drag & drop via the Media Pool) into the project folder. Create new folder: Creates a virtual folder. You can create as many folders as you need for sorting your media files. No folders can be created within folders. The "Up" button brings you to the next highest folder level.

Search box: MAGIX Video Pro X2 searches through all file names for the text entered and then lists the results. Settings for how detailed the entries should be listed can be made here.

Note: Folders in the project folder are not ordinary folders that are created on the hard drive. They are created directly in the project and are intended to keep complex projects clearly laid-out.

Adjusting the workspace

The source and program monitors, the project folder, the Arranger, and the Media Pool can

shut off completely or freely repositioned. Individbe ual settings can be saved and reloaded. To do this, open the menu "Window -> Workspace -> Save...". The first three workspaces ar

e automatically assigned to F9-F11, but these can be

reassigned (view page 274).

Program settings -> Dis

nder " for display presets. On systems with a connected monitor, only the first two templates m

ake sense. The presets are explained on the right side of the dialog. All window

pr rranger, video monitor, etc. can be changed after the application of a

operties of the A

preset.

For larger arrangements, the program monitor can be used to show an overview of the Arranger ("Window ->

Movie overvie

play templates" you will find a collection of useful presets

w (view page 231)").

56 Workspaces

The "Burn" screen

1 Preview menu: This is a preview of the selection menu. Read more in the

"Menu (view page 213)" chapter

2 Switch views: Here you can switch between the Preview and Edit views.

3 Remote control: Check how your disc reacts when you press a button

on your remote control.

4 Output: Choose between burning a project, a show optimized f

a web show.

Play preview: Here you can playback the menu preview, which you can

test with the remote control.

6 Template category: Switch between different templates for designing

your menus.

7 Menu templates: Switch between different templates for d

menus.

8 Apply templates: Here you can select whether a template should be

assigned to the page, menu or all disc menus.

Functionality

You can switch to the "Burn" screen by pressing the corresponding button at the top right.

Here you can burn your movi them to your MAGIX Online Album as a "virtual DVD".

es (including a selection menu) onto CD or DVD or upload

or PC, or

esigning your

All movies loaded into the project are taken into account during the burning process. If you want to take ou the "Edit" screen and delete some of them from the project. To do so, switch to the corresponding movie, open the "File" menu and select " (view page 214)".

t some of the movies that are loaded, then you will have to switch back to

Create new video project 57

Manage movies -> Remove movie

For more information about the "Burn" screen, please read the chapter " page 196)".

Burning discs (vie

Create new video project

Movie settings

Open the movie settings via "File -> Settings -> Movie..." or by pressing "E". The following dialog opens:

The buttons at the top are for the four tabs in the dialogs: "Movie settings -> Synchronization ->Movie information" and "Project settings".

Movie settings

Name: You can enter the name of the current movie here.

Path: This is where you determine the path to the folder on your hard drive where your

movie is saved.

58 Create new video project

Play movie back in loop mode: The movie is then played over and over again, i.e. once

the movie reaches the end marker, it is started again from the beginning.

Cut new images to fi

the project automatically so that they fit the screen.

Number of tracks

Audio sample rate: The preset sample rate is 48 kHz. This sample rate is applied t

recordings and is also a prerequisite for DVDs. This setting guarantees optimum sound quality. Audio material at different sample rates (e.g. CD audio at 44 kHz) is automat adapted when loaded material at a different sample rate or if your sound card does not support this sample rate.

Video settings: You can select the standard settings for PAL or NTSC images or for your own fo a width/height ratio divisible by 8.

Synchronization

Synchronization dialog

t the screen automatically: Fits all images and videos inserted into

: Changes the track number.

o all

ically

(resampling). Only change this value if you are working with sound

for the picture format and frame rate

rmat. Please note that MPEG encoding requires

Note: A description for each of the synchronization dialog's functions is provided here. A description of how synchronization is set up can be found in the section "Synchronization settings (view page 59)"

Create new video project 59

Input synchronization: Select the driver via which MAGIX Video Pro X2 should receive the

MIDI timecode. This setting is a the device set matches the S

lso used SMPTE. Note that for synchronization via SMPTE

MPTE input of your MIDI interface.

Preroll frames: E synchronization starts. This will ensure that analog devices reach the correct speed. In order to preve

nter a frame number that MAGIX Video Pro X2 will ignore before

first require a certain time to

nt synchronization of MAGIX

Video Pro X2 to an

invalid time, this can be skipped by means of preroll frames.

Output synchronization

: Select the driver via which MAGIX Video Pro X2 should send the MIDI timecode. Note that for synchronization via SMPTE the device set matches the SMPTE output of your MIDI interface.

SMPTE settings: Specify the correc for PAL video and audio synchronization, 29.97 drop/non drop, or 30 f

t frame rate with "Type", e.g. 24 for cinematic films, 25

or NTSC video.

Start offset: Specify a period in milliseconds and SMPTE frames to be deducted from the incoming SMPTE time before the time is applied for synchronization. With an offset of 60:00:00 (1 hour), you can therefore synchronize a tape with an SMPTE code that starts at 1 hour, MAGIX Video Pro X2, however, still starts at the tape beginning at 0.

Correction factor: Normally, this value should be at "1" (if you haven't changed it). In seldom cases, MIDI synchronization and audio can run apart for longer arrangements. You can accelerate the speed of the MIDI playback by slightly increasing this factor (e.g. to

1.000001).

Note: Set the check box for the corresponding item according to whether you want to apply input or output synchronization.

Specify synchronization

MAGIX Video Pro X2 is capable of being synchronized by external sources or synchronizing external sources.

Synchronizing MAGIX Video Pro X2 with Samplitude or Sequoia is also possible via a virtual MIDI cable (e.g. "MIDI Yoke" or Hubi's MIDI Loopback Device"). The requirement in this case is simply that the virtual MIDI cable has been installed successfully.

MAGIX Video Pro X2 as master

If MAGIX Video Pro X2 should synchronize external programs or sources, then proceed as follows:

• Open the

Synchronization dialog (view page 58).

• Under "Output synchronization", set the MIDI device that is connected to the device that

MAGIX Video Pro X2 is supposed to sync with.

• In case you want to synchronize another program (e.g. Samplitude/Sequoia) via a virtual

MIDI cable with MAGIX Video Pro X2, please make sure that the corresponding MIDI device is set in both programs. The program to be synchronized must support MTC and be configured as the "slave".

60 Create new video project

• For example, if you use "MIDI Yoke NT1" under "Output synchronization", then the device "MIDI Yoke NT 1" must also be set in the MTC input of the program to be synchronized.

MAGIX Video Pro X2 as slave

MAGIX Video Pro X2 set as the slave causes the program to follow an external source or another program during playback.

• Open the

Synchronization dialog (view page 58).

• Under "Input synchronization", set the MIDI device that is connected to the device that MAGIX Video Pro X2 is supposed to sync with.

• In case you want to synchronize another program (e.g. Samplitude/Sequoia) via a virtual MIDI cable with MAGIX Video Pro X2, please mak ing MIDI device is set in both programs. The program that ization source

e sure that the correspond is set to be the synchron

must support MTC and be configured as the "master".

• For example, if you use "MIDI Yoke NT1" under "Input synchronization", then the device "MIDI Yoke NT 1" must also be set in the MTC output in the master.

Synchronizing Samplitude/Sequoia with MAGIX Video Pro X2

This section should help you synchron

ize MAGIX Video Pro X2 with Samplitude/Sequoia for

Surround productions.

T e introh is he m o Pro X2 but sen ethod allows p

The chapter " explains how completed Surr MAGIX Video Pro X2 and how

Re u

Since be install e" or "Hubi's MIDI Loopback Device". Configure the driver

duction featured here provides a single example. In this case, MAGIX Vi

aster: Samplitude/Sequoia follows the time information from MAGIX Vide

ds information from the transport control to MAGIX Video Pro X2. This m

layback from both programs to be started while they run synchronously.

Transferring a Su

rround project to MAGIX Video Pro X2 (view page 173)"

ound projects are transferred from Samplitude/Sequoia to

they are processed.

q irements

synchronization occurs via MTC (MIDI time code), a virtual MIDI driver must

ed. Examples are "MIDI Yok

deo Pro X2

as required so that at least two virtual MIDI devices are available.

If a Surround project is to be created, then you require a Surround-capable sound card with at least 6 channels.

Setting up MAGIX Video Pro X2

• Open the synchro d

nization ialog

• Activate the box "Input synchronization active".

Under "Device", set the first free virtual MIDI device (e.g. "MIDI Yoke NT 1").

•

Now set the transport controls via MMC (MIDI machine control):

• Click the "MMC button" to open the "MIDI machine control".

• Activate the box "Receive MMC commands (slave)".

• Under "Device", set the second free virtual MIDI device (e.g. "MIDI Yoke NT 2").

• Close both dialogs by pressing the "OK" button.

Setting up Samplitude/Seq

• Start Samplitude/Sequoia; MAGIX

• Open the Samplitude/S

the transport console, or se

uoia

equoia synchronization dialog. Right-click the "Sync" button on

lect the entry "Synchronization settings" in the "Options"

Video Pro X2 can remain open.

Create new video project 61

menu.

• Activate the box "Output synchronization active".

• Under "Device", set the first free virtual MIDI device (e.g. "MIDI Yoke NT 1").

ow set the transport controls via MMC (MIDI machine control):

Click "MMC settings" to open the "M

• IDI machine control" dialog.

• Activate the box "Send MMC commands (master)", "Transport window as remote

control for external device", and "Space bar for remote control". Under "Device", set the second free virtual MIDI device (e.g. "MIDI Yoke NT 2").

•

Close both dialogs by pressing the "OK" button.

•

Now you can conveniently dub your movie in Samplitude/Sequoia while you edit and cut your work in MAGIX Video Pro X2. Playback can be started from both programs and always runs synchronously.

MIDI Machine Control (MMC)

MC modes

Th ol via MIDI Machine Control.

e synchronization window provides settings for remote contr MAGIX Video Pro X2 supports synchronization of external devices via MMC. Three working modes are provided:

Receive MMC commands (slave): If you have set up MAGIX Video Pro X2 to wo slave, activate this option. MAGIX Video Pro X2 keeps track of the J

OG shuttle operations

rk as a

and fast forward and rewind commands of external devices. MAGIX Video Pro X2 also receives the current playback positi

on of the device and displays it as an additional blue

cursor on the timeline.

Send MMC commands (master): MAGIX Video Pro X2 operates as master. The external device follows the time position every time the playback cursor moves to a certain positio

within the arrangement.

While playing a range in MAGIX Video Pro X2, the MMC device stops once the end of the

nge is reached. If this option is

ra activated, the start and stop commands sent by the space bar only control the MMC device.

Use transport console as remote control for external d

If you activate this option, the transport control no longer controls directly within t

he program but instead controls the external MMC device. Play, stop, fast

evice

playback and recording

forward, rewind, and fast rewind no longer have any direct effect on playback. The record button starts recording in synchronization with the playback of the MMC device.

Use the space bar to start playback remotely: If this option is activated, the start and stop commands are controlled via the space bar on

the MMC device.

62 Create new video project

Advanced options

Input MIDI device: Here you can set the MIDI device via which MAGIX Video Pro X2

should be controlled.

Output MIDI device: Select the MIDI device which is connected to the device you want to control remotely.

MMC input ID: Enter the MAGIX Video Pro X2 input ID here. Normally this is "All".

MMC outpu

t ID: Set the input ID of the MMC device you wish to control remotely.

Normally this is "All".

Movie information

This option opens an information window:

Name: Enter the name of the current movie. Path: The path for the folder on your hard drive where your movie is saved. Created on: Displays the time the movie was created. Last changed: Displays the time of the last save. Number of objects used: Displays the number of all objects in the movie. Number of objects used: All files used in the movie are listed here.

Keyboard shortcut: E

Create new video project 63

Project settings

In this dialog, you can view and change the settings for the current film.

Automatically select preview image

MAGIX Video Pro X2 uses an automatically selected preview image.

Use image file

Clicking the folder button opens a dialog to load image files. In th

is dialog, you can navigate

to the directory where the image file is found and select it by double clicking.

Use preview

image from movie

Use the controller to select a frame from the corresponding directory.

64 Create new video project

New project settings or new movie

Wh ne you start MAGIX Video Pro X2 the following dialog will open:

Decide in this dialog if you want to "Load an existing movie" for further editing and burning to disc, or if you want to "Create a new movie". Under "Options" you can "Create a new movies folder". All data that belongs to the movie will be saved in this folder.

We're still at the very beginning, so let's stick with keeping an overview of everything. Cli "OK" to end the

dialog and continue.

Load project

Use this option to load a movie into your disc project. Please note that all media files associated with it must be accessible. MAGIX Video Pro X2 will search for all used sounds and video files in the folders in which they were located w

hen the movie was saved.

Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + O

Save project

The current disc project is saved with the name displayed in the project window. If you have not yet specified a name for your project, a dialog will open asking you to do so.

Keyboard shortcut: Shift + S

Save project as...

A dialog opens where you can specify the path and name of the video for saving.

Keyboard shortcut: Shift + O

Video recording 65

Video recording

Connect camera

Connect AVCHD camera

AVCHD cameras are available in basically three types:

Cameras with removable storage: The camera includes a slot for a memory card. Your

•

computer should feature a card reader for the associated medium so that you can simply

insert the card from the camera and import the desired material. Different camera

models c

Cameras which burn DVDs directly (usually 80 mm diameter instead of the regular

•

120 mm)

computer. For so-called "Slot in DVD" drives, look beforehand in the operational manual

whether or not 80 mm DVDs (also called 3" DVDs or MiniDVDs) are acceptable.

Note: These variants require a special UDF driver (normally included with the camera) to be installed before the DVDs or removable storage can be imported into Windows.

• Cameras with built-in hard drives: The camera is present as a drive as soon as the

USB cable is connected to the PC. This additional drive is then visible in the Media Pool.

A separate UDF driver doesn't usually need to be installed.

an be connected via USB.

: The DVD can simply be taken out of the camera and inserted into the

Note: The variants listed here and their procedures are explained according to our experience. We also recommend reading the camera's manual for more detailed instructions and contacting the manufacturer in case of problems.

Connect a DV or HDV camera

MAGIX Video Pro X2 supports continuous editing of DV (digital video) files. You will require a DV recorder or DV camera with an IEEE-1394 interface (also known as FireWire or iLink) as well as an OHCI-standard IEEE-1394 host adapter for you

r PC. You must also have

Microsoft’s DirectX8.a (or higher) installed.

• Connect the digital output of the switched-off camera with the computer's

DV interface

(also called FireWire or iLink).

• Insert a DV cassette or the storage device into the camera.

• Switch your camera’s operating mode to "Video rec

The camera is now ready to transfer

the video to the computer.

order" or "Playback".

Note: You may also use a HDV camera in DV mode to, for example, transfer recordings in the old DV format. We have noted problems with this mode in many cameras, and therefore recommend that the Record mode of the camera is also switched to DV, switching the camera off and then on again.

66 Video recording

Connect analogue video source

Connect the video out of your camcorder, or DVD/VHS recorder to the video in (TV, video or video graphics card) of your computer, an, d the audio out to the line in of your sound card.

Due to the variety of device configurations, it is difficult to say which cable will function best with your setup. If you’re not sure, check the manual of your VCR or your TV, video, or graphics cards.

Example:

Europe: Many VCRs and DVD players have a SCART, 3 RCA (2 for stereo sound, 1 for

video), or S-Video/optical audio line out. In such case, you will need a SCART to RCA adapter, a cable with 3 RCA jacks, or an S-Video cable.

North America: Many VCRs and DVD players have a 3 RCA (2 for stereo sound, 1 for video), or S-Video/optical audio line out. In such case, you will need a cable with 3 RCA jacks, or an S-Video cable.

SCART/Cinch adapter SCART/Cinch adapter

with 3 RCA jacks

Most sound card inputs are 3.5 mini stereo jacks. To connect the VCR audio out to the sound card audio in you will need a stereo RCA/ m

You will most li /mini jack adapter from your local supplier.

kely have to buy a cable with 3 RCA plugs and a stereo cinch

Stereo RCA/mini phone jack adapter

ini phono plug adapter.

Video recording 67

Select the recording method

First, you should find out the correct recording method for your camera. The following options are basically available:

• Analog transfer: Transformation of the analog signal into a digital data current, whereby

the actual video file is then created using the settings (Super 8, Hi8, (S)VHS, video

recorder, and other analog sources).

• Digital transfer (DV camera, HDV camera)

• Copy the finished video files from a storage medium or directly from the connected

camera to the local hard drive for AVCHD cameras, DVDs (without copy protection),

DVD cameras with built-in hard drive or removable storage. Next, import the copied file

into the project.

To start recording, click on the "Record" button under the source monitor.

The following selections are possible:

• DV cameras: For mini DV

cameras and DV video recorders HDV camera: For HDV1 and

•

HDV2 cameras Video: For analog vid

•

cameras TV, analog TV, VHS recorders (video input), webcams

Single frame: For single and series images from analog cameras, analog TV

•

, or VHS

recorders, webcams, etc.

Audio: For microphones, cassette recorders, MiniDisc players, turntables, etc.

•

Screenshots: Records directly from the computer monitor.

•

DV cameras

DV devices

MAGIX Video Pro X2 supports continuous editing of DV (digital video) files. You will require a DV camcorder or DV recorder with an IEEE 1394 interface (also known as FireWire or iLink) as well as an OHCI conforming IEEE 1394 host adapter for your PC.

To record digitally, the digital output of the Mini DV camcorder or DV video recorder mus be connected to the DV interface of the PC, but remain switched off. You must also have Microsoft's "DirectX8.a" (or higher) installed. Now switch your camcorder to "video recorder" or "playback" (according to your particular device) and open the DV capturing dialog.

68 Video recording

Capturing DV recorders or cameras

To start recording, cli

• Select "DV camera" from requires approx. 220 MB per min the more space-saving MPEG form s MPEG" option.

ck the "Record" button under the source monitor.

the recording dialog. Uncompressed DV capture

ute of video. If you would instead like to record using

at, then you should first activate the "Record DV a

• This opens the actual recording dialog. Check to see if a DV camera driver has been selected.

• Name your recording. It's worth choosing a logical name which will allow you to find it easily again on the hard drive.

• You can access the appropriate place on the camcorder tape by using the remote control buttons: shuttle forwards, backwards, and start/stop playback. To start recording, click on the "Record" button. Keep an eye on the remaining hard-drive space.

• Cease capturing with the "Stop" button and exit the record dialog. You can see the recording in the film-strip in the low

Tip: In the DV recording dialog, you can set clips from the DV video which will then be recorded one after the other (batch capturing). Read more on this in the chapter "Batch processing" (view page 73)

er third of the screen.

"DV capturing" dialog

Video recording 69

Note: Keep an eye on the available hard drive space before each recording. DV capture

requires approx. 220 MB per minute of video!

Select DV device driver: The device driver for your DV device should be listed here. If "Audio recording" is deactivated, then only video without sound is recorded. "Audio preview" activates the audio output of the recording.

Note: The audio preview is deactivated at first, since DV cameras usually include built-in speakers.

Save video file as/save in following folder: Enter the name of the movie to be recorded. You can also select the folder where you wish to store your video file. The default recording directory is set by default, but you can change the Path settings settings under menu item "File -> Program settings -> Path settings".

Edit after recording: This provides access to the automatic editin

Start device automatically: Starts the DV recorder or DV camera a

g options.

utomatically when the

"Record" button is pressed. This does not function with all digital cards/video devices.

Movie preview: On the preview monitor you can see a preview of your movie.

Original size: This option allows you to preview the video in the original size. To retu

rn to

the dialog use the "Esc" key.

70 Video recording

Automatic capturing: Here the start and end points can be set for the capturing. This

allows you to search the entire video for all captures to be used and list them for planned batch capture. This is then processed in sequence when the recording starts (via th button). That way you don't need to record each scene individually. You simply determine recording time points, and the computer takes care of the rest. To set the start and end points precisely, click "

Enter start/end point (view page 71)"

Recording list: Use this button to view the available list of already recorded videos and scheduled recordings. All

R heduled recordings.

ecord: Starts the recording process. Also contains the list of sc

Th capturing).

ese are processed step-by-step (batch

op: Stops the recording process.

entries from the list can be selected and deleted.

Snapshot! With the Snapshot! button, you can create a frozen image directly from the preview monitor. Start the camcorder and watch the preview window. When the image you want appears, click "Snapshot". Or you can navigate using the remote control to the position you want, and stop there in

Pause mode. Stopped playback on the DV camera

will not deliver an image! The images are saved in the record directory as graphics files in the set resolution.

Remote control: Digital camcorders can be controlled remotely. This does not function with all digital cards/video devices. If your hardware does not support the remote control function the buttons will not be usable.

e red

The transport buttons required for this are in the DV or HDV recording dialog.

Tape name: Enter a name for your tape here. MAGIX Video Pro X2 requires this name for the DV logging feature.

Video recording 71

Recording information: Displays various information about your recordings.

Enter start/end point:

Enter the exact start and end point or the recording length for a scene.

Both values can be entered as ATN (absolute track number) or as a timecode in hours:minutes:seconds:frames

DV as MPEG

The "Recording selection" dialog option allows you to transfer DV recordings directly into the space-saving MPEG format on the hard disk.

The "Enhance" button presents the MPEG encoder settings options.

lso burn your DV material directly to disc withYou can a

taking any interme

diate steps.

out

72 Video recording

HDV camera

Use this option to open the "HDV camcorder recording" dialog. To do this, you have to connect an HDV 1 or HDV 2 camcorder.

The options in this dialog can also be found above in DV recording.

Remote control: Digital camcorders can be controlled remotely. This does not function with all digital cards/video devices. If your hardware does not support the remote co function the buttons will not be u

sable.

ntrol

The transport buttons required for this are in the DV or HDV recordin

g dialog.

Video recording 73

Batch recording

Set the start and end points for the capture here. This allows you to search the entire video for all captures to be used and then list them for planned batch capture. This is then processed in sequence when the recording starts (via the red button). That way, you don't need to record each scene individually. You simply determine recording time points, a the computer takes care of the rest. To set the start a start/end point

(view page 71)".

nd end points precisely, click "

Enter

Recording list: Use this button to view the a

eduled recordings. All entries from the list can be selected and deleted.

sch

vailable list of already recorded videos and

The basis for batch recording is the recording list in the DV recording, DV to MPEG recording, or HDV recording's recording dialog. All recordings listed there are "logged". Recordings for which the correspondin the hard disk wi

g video material is no longer on

ll appear as "planned recordings". Click the red record button to move all video files back to the hard disk.

Logging

Logging means that MAGIX Video Pro X2 also saves the original position and additional information (metadata, e.g. scene, take, rating, comments, etc.) about DV video and au files.

dio

If does not find the corresponding DV and WAV files during the loading of a video, it will ask that the corresponding DV tape is inserted into the connected camcorder again f

automatic scene import.

You no longer have to save DV time you would like to work on a film again, but do not have the space to keep the ma

AVI and audio files (which can be very large). If at a later

terial

for it on your hard disk, then you can simply delete the bulky DV AVI and audio files.

The basis for the log is the recording list in the DV recording, DV to MPEG recording, or HDV recording's recording dialog. All recordings listed there are "logged". Recordings for which the corresponding video material is no longer on the ha

rd disk will appear as

"planned recordings". Click the record button to move all video files back to the hard disk.

74 Video recording

Analog video recording

Video/Audio driver: Here you can set up the video card or sound card for recording. In

practically every case, the driver software supplied with the hardware must be installed.

Hint: Under "video driver" you will find a "screen capture" entry. You can read about how it functions in the chapter "Screen (view page 80)".

Input/Tuner settings: If your video capture card supports multiple sources, i.e. your card also has a TV tuner or multiple inputs (SVHS, composite, etc.), then you can select the proper recording source and the TV channel to be recorded here.

Save video file as/save in following folder: Enter th You can also select the folder where you wish to store yo recording folder is set as default. The loca settings" under "File -> Program settings -> F

Edit after recording: Use this to access the automatic editing options.

Recording quality: You can select from a variety of preset quality levels from the list. They are sorted according to picture quality. Use preset.

Presets displayed with MPEG record directly in MPEG format.

Tip: Use the presets marked MPEG if you want to burn your recordings straight away, since smart encoding can omit laborious encoding after recording.

tion of this folder can be changed in "Path

olders".

Configuration to fine-tune the quality for the

e name of the movie to be recorded.

ur video file. The standard

Video recording 75

Advanced...: Opens the video driver settings dialog (view page 75).

Capture control: Here you'll find the "Red" record and "Stop" buttons; these start and

p record

sto ing.

Tim t time and

er recordings active/time limit: Here you can specify a recording star

length, and thus turn your PC into a fully functioning VCR.

apshot!: With the "Snapshot" button, you can create a still image directly from the

eview monitor. The images are saved in the recordings folder as graphics files in the

solution you have set.

Recording information

available sp

ace on the hard drive, the recorded frames, and the “dropped” frames. Dropped frames are frames that have been left out because the computer processor is to slow for the selected

: This shows statistical information such as the recording time,

image format and cannot accept all incoming frames.

Preview: Some graphics adapters allow you to reduce the system lead by deactivating the

eo preview. If you hear an "echo", deactivate the audio preview.

vid

dvanced configurations

A in the video capturing dialog

Here you can adjust certain settings for the video recording driver.

These dialog boxes, so-called “property sheets,” come with the video card drivers. driver-speci

fic performance properties may deviate depending on the cards. We also have

These

a very limited influence on the behavior of these drivers. If you encounter any difficulties, please contact the video card manufacturer for the la

put: Sets the crossbar of the video card.

e crossbar determines which video and audio inp

Th ut signal will be recorded. The crossbars are connected i tself. In the output field, the

output (for the crossbars) is the

video

n series to the video recording chip i

input for the recording chip (video or audio decoder-

test driver updates.

in) of the video card. In the “Input” field, select the signal source that will be used by the video card to capture for this input. Many video cards have separate crossbars for audio and video. If you have a problem, try out the different configur

ations until the right sound

matches the right image.

Composite-in = the normal video input (typically a c S-video = S-video input (mini-din jack) SVHS-in = SVHS input (special ca

ble)

Tuner-in = TV signal of the integrated tuner

inch jack)

76 Video recording

Imagesetting

Video decoder: If the picture only appears in black & white or it flickers, the video standard

may be set incorrectly. In mainland Europe,

VideoProcAmp: Fine-adjustment of colors, brightness, contrast etc. We recommend against changing any of the manufacturer’s settings.

PAL_B is used.

Format: Please do not change anything here. The capturing format is set in th

quality" option in the video recording dialog.

Station selection

This option is only available if a TV tuner is integrated into your video card.

e "Recording

Single frame

The single-frame recording function lets you record snapshots directly from the connected video source. This requires either a video clip compatible with DirectShow, a TV card, or a USB device such as a webcam.

The time control function allows you to automatically take snapshots. Here are just a few examples of where it might be used:

• for creating photo stories from videos

• for animated films (stop-moti

• for video surveillance

• or for time-lapse photography

The recorded images are added to the current arrangement.

on animation)

Video source: Sets the video card to be used to take pictures.

Video recording 77

How would you like to name the recorded JPEG file?: Enter the title of snap

e about to record. They are saved under this name and numbered conse

ar cutively. You

shots you

can also select the file path for storage.

Resolution: The resolution of the recording is defined here. It corresponds to the resolu op ng higher

tions offered on the camera. The slider lets you set the image quality. Usi

tion

resolutions results in larger file sizes for each recording; moving the slider in the opposite direction sets the image quality back to the preset value.

Advanced…: Opens the

video driver settings dialog.

Camera noise during recording: You can make the program play a clicking sound each time a snapshot is taken.

Recording: The red "Record" button triggers a snapshot or alternatively a series of recordings when using the time control function.

Time control

Photo length in frames: Specifies how long the photos appear in the slideshow.

Interval: When this function is activated, a series of images is made once the recording has

started. Snapshots are automatically saved and numbered consecutively at a preset time interval.

For example, if you specify a two-second interval between shots and that each shot be added at a length of 5 frames to the slideshow, then the end result is a time-lapse recording at 10x normal speed.

Enhanced single-frame recording dialog settings

You can adjust certain settings for the video recording driver.

These dialog boxes, so-called "property sheets", come with the video card drivers. The driver-specific features may slightly vary from driver to driver. The MAGIX team has little direct influence on the performance of the various drivers. If you encounter any difficulties, then please co

Input: Sets the crossbar switch of the video card. This lets y signal is used in the recording. The crossbars are connected

ntact the video card manufacturer for the latest driver updates.

ou define what video and audio

in series to the video

recording chip itself.

Output: In the "Output" field, the video output (for the crossbars) is the input for the recording chip (video or audio decoder in) of the video card. In the "Input" field, you selec the signal source to be used for this input by the video card during recording.

Composite in = the normal video input (typically a ci S-VHS in = S-VHS input (speci

al cable)

nch jack)

Tuner in = the TV signal of the built-in tuner

78 Video recording

Video decoder: If the picture only appears in black & wh

standard may be set incorrectly. PAL_B is used in Ge

ite or it flickers, then the video

rmany and most European countries

(France: SECAM; US/CAN: NTSC).

VideoProcAmp: For fine tuning of colors, brightness, contrast, etc. We recommend against changing any of the manufacturer's settings.

Format: Do not change anything here! The capture format settings can be changed under

esolution" in the "Recording" dialog box.

Audio

S truments can be easily recorded in MAGIX Video Pro X2 using the

ongs, noises, or ins audio recording function. A hooked-up microphone or various audio devices (especially a stereo system) c

Connecting the source for recording

First of all, the source of the audio material must be connected to the sound card input.

ain, there are several possibilities which primarily depend on the type of equipment you

ve.

you want to record material from a stereo system, then you can use the line-out or AUX

t jacks on the back of your amplifier or tape deck. This involves connecting them t

ou o the

und card input (usually red).

If your amplifier has no separate output (other than for the speakers), then you can use

nnection intended for headphones for your recordings. In most cases, you will need a

ble with two mini-stereo jack

ca s. This type of connection has the advantage of being able to set the headphone input signal level with a separate volume. As headphone connecti

nerally are not the best, it is advised that you use the line outputs if possible.

an be used as recording sources.

the

ons

hen recording cassettes from a tape deck, you can connect the tap

W e deck's line out directly to the sound card input.

When recording from vinyl records, you should not connect the record player's output directly with the sound card because the phono signal needs to be pre-amplified. A more suitable method would be to use the headphone connection or an external pre-amp

If you are recording from a microphone, then please connect the microphone to the microphone jack on your sound card (usually red).

Adjusting the signal level

Adjusting the signal level to the sound card is also recommend to get the best sound quality during digital recording.

Once a recording source is connected to the sound card, the "Record" button opens the recording dialog and starts the recording source.

Yo recording

u can now adjust the recording level with the help of the LED display in the

dialog. For this, you must first check off "Show levels".

the adjustment is set too high, distortion occurs and the incoming signal must be

duced. If you have connected the source through either an amplifier or tape deck output

the sound card, you can only reduce the signal level in your sound card’s software mixer

terface. You can access the mixer directly from within the recording dialog via thein

“Recording level” button.

you reduce input sensitivity by using the inputIf fader, the resolution at which the analog signal is digitized is also reduced. Try to set these automatic controllers to the loudest so

und level possible!

e maximum setting for an optimal level is the loudest part of the material. The loudest

pa d to be the maximum. The actual recording begins when you press

rt should be adjuste

e "Record" button. At the end of the the recording you will be asked if you want to use

th the recording. Upon con free track at the position of the start maker in the arrangement.

"Audio record" dialog

firmation, the newly-recorded material will be placed in the next

Video recording 79

Audio driver: Selects the sound card for the recording.

Save audio file as/ save in the following folder: Here you can select the title of the audio

file you wish to record. You can also select the folder where you wish to store the file.

Recording quality: Sets the sound quality of the recording. I choose between medium wave radio ("AM tuner"), UKW ("FM Radio"), DAT (Digital Audio Tape) and CD quality.

n the preset menu you can

80 Video recording

Peakmeter (Monitor): Using the peakmeter, you can monitor the level of the incoming

l. Please read more on this in the chapter

signa

rding: This button starts the actual recording.

Reco

: Click this button to stop recording

Stop

"Adjusting levels" (view page 78)

Normalize after recording: With this option activated, your material's volume is raised

er level after recording is completed. In order to achieve good results, you should try

prop to

rd the source as loud as possible without overmodulating it. To do so, refer to the peak

reco

r reader in the recording dialog.

mete

Playback while recording: This option is particularly important for spoken comment

to a

ary, etc. If activated, the selected movie (or selected scene if recorded in the "Edit" screen) is played while recording. This acts as orientation for the movie.

Advanced: Use this button to open a window where you can select from special features:

Advanced options

• "Mono" creates a mono recording and requires half of the har

d drive space required for

stereo.

• "Real-time sample rate adjustment" automatically matches the sample rate of a new

to be recorded with the sample rate of

the selected movie sound track.

file

• "Ducking" (reducing the sound volume): To add narration or other sound material to a

video that already has sound volume levels set, activate the option "Automatic reduction of sound volume of remaining audio tracks". This automatica

lly reduces the volume of audio objects in the arranger during the recording session ("ducking"). A volume curve controls the whole process, produces the fading in and out of effects automatically and guarantees consistent overall volume.

Screen

Use this feature to record everything that moves on your monitor. This process is called "screen capturing".

• Under "Recording quality", you will find various presets for different applications. You can either record the entire monitor ("fullscreen"), a frame of variable size (e.g. to film the Windows Media Player display), or a different video player. Click "Configuration" to make custom size adjustments.

Hint: Because many video players work with overlay, it is recommended to open each player before starting the capture! This way switching into "Overlay" mode can be prevented.

Video recording 81

• Click the "Record" button in the recor A small dialog with a red record butto

ding dialog. n, a black

s a frame with dashed stop button as well a bordering appears. Activate the option "Record mouse pointer" to record the movements of the mouse pointer.

• Now select the screen area you wish to record, i.e. the screen of the video player in which the video is playing. Drag the frame over the area you wish to record and adjust its size as required by dragging the edges and corners.

• The actual recording process can be started by pressing the red "Record" button. The recording starts; the record symbol appears in the task bar (tray).

• Once the video you wanted to record has come to an end, click on the "Record/Stop" button to stop the recording. Recording ends and the recording dialog is visible once again.

Recording AVCHD

This recording is actually not really a recording as such, but rather "only" the transfer o already c

reated video file and its import into the existing project.

f the

A CHD uded with the camera) to be installed

V requires a special UDF driver (normally incl

before t 't necessary

he DVDs or removable storage can be imported into Windows. This isn for AVCHD cameras with built-in hard drives. The camera is preset as a drive as soon as the USB the Media Pool, and sponding M2TS files can be simply dragged from the list.

cable is connected to the PC. This additional drive is then visible in

the corre

Files with the M2TS extension can easily be dragged down from the Media Pool (above right). You will be asked during the first import if you want to convert the movi

e into the MPEG-2 format. You should definately answer this question with "Yes", since only then will you be able to ed box "Don't ask me again". The advantage is that you won't have to answer this singl i

me you import individual files. e t

Switch on hard

mode -> Direct3D hardware acceleration"). This lets you playback multiple tracks

> Video

it your movies in real time. We also recommend you activate the check

query every

ware acceleration, too (press "P -> Display options -> Playback in Arranger -

simultaneously with a modern graphics card (better than ATI Radeon 1300). Another advantage of converting to MPEG-2 is the op

tion of using "smart encoding". The sound will be re-encoded to guarantee synchronicity of image and audio. It is currently not possible to maintain 5.1 sound; thi

s is automatically converted to MPEG stereo.

82 Video recording

AVCHD activation details

Attention: For AVCHD support, Dolby Digital Stereo and the MPEG-4 codec must be activated. To convert AVCHD videos to MPEG-2, the MPEG-2 codec must be activated.

Edit after recording

The "Edit after recording" dialog can be opened from all recording

alogs.

All editing steps from recording to automatic burning can be carried out without further user involvement.

In the "Edit after recording" dialog you can:

• Automatically search for and remove ads. For more on this please read the "Automatically search for and remov

• Split up the material i page 85)" section for more on in the P

Set automatic chapter markers. Please read the "

•

(view page 101)" section in

Burn disc immediately: You can use this option to record and burn in a single step. Simply select the format you would like to burn, insert a suitable blank disc into the drive, and then press rec

Note: Make sure that the selected recording quality corresponds with the disc type (e.g. the preset "MPEG DVD" for DVDs)!

If you use your own settings for MPEG encoding (e.g. half image resolution for long-play DVDs), then make sure that the settings for recording and later for burning are the same so that no new recording is necessary (Smart encoding).

After recording, the program automatically switches to the "Burn" screen, the burn window opens, and the disc is burned. The last set layout is used for the menu layout for the DVD.

nto scenes. Please read the "

the "Edit menu" chapter in the PDF manual.

ord.

e ads" section in the PDF manual.

Automatic scene recognition (view

this DF manual.

Set chapter markers automatically

Video recording 83

Tip: This function is particularly suitable for burning lengthy disc projects directly to disc,

since you can start recording in the evening and have the finished DVD by morning.

Export for mobile device: The recorded movie is immediately converted into the forma

t of the selected mobile device and transferred onto the device. The list field contains the device which has be

en selected in the "

Settings: Opens the export settings (vie

Export video/audio (view page 188)" dialog.

w page 182) for the selected target device.

Hint: If you enter a file name and memory path in the export dialog, then the path is used but the file name is ignored. For EPG-controlled TV recordings the name of the program is used instead.

Creating new movies or attaching them

If you record or load multiple movies one after the other, then you will need to decide for every new film if it should be appended to the previous film or created as a new one.

Th design of the DVD burning selection

e choice you make here is important for the later menu; movies will be entered into the first level of the menu hierarchy and scenes are en

tered into the second level. Every movie can also be edited in detail and enriched with

fects, titles, and transitions via the "Edit" screen.

84 Insert object into the project

Insert object into the project

Select files in the Media Pool

l selection processes take place in the source monitor. View and edit material before Al

importing it. There's also a preview function for all of the files in the Media Pool.

• Double-click the desired file in the Media Pool which you would like to preview. Image objects will be displayed immediately, video objects need to be loaded first. A preview is also provided for special objects like titles or fades.

• Use the playback button in the source monitor to start a preview for a video object. Audio files and synthesizer objects from the Media Pool can also be previewed via the

•

playback button.

oad files

edia files can be loaded into the Arranger from the Media Pool in several different ways:

• The fastest way: Drag the desired file from the Media Pool into the desired track. If an object is alrea on the next empty track below. Load several files: If you would like to load several files, hold down the "Ctrl" key while

•

clicking on the entries you would like to use. If you would like to load a sequence of files, hold the "Shift" key and click the first entry, then on the last. All entries present in between will be selected. Every file can be moved from the Media Pool to the Arranger via drag & drop. Insert via menu command: You can also use the menu commands of the "In

•

modes" button. For more about this, read the section "Insert modes (view page 45)" in the chapter "Workspaces". Project folder: If you would like to combine your ma

•

project folder is recommended. It can be used as a sort of clipboard where files that may be used in the project are sorted ahead of time. This creates a better overview and sav repetitive, annoy

DVD files (VOB) with mu

MAGIX Video Pro X2 also loads VOB files that contain multiple audio tracks. After the VOB file loads, simply click the audio object created and select the desired audio track.

dy present at this position, the file is inserted at the desired time position

terial separately, then using the

ing navigation through folders in the Media Pool.

ltiple audio tracks

sert

Note: To view and select audio objects in the arrangement, Timeline mode must be active.

oading parts of longer movie files

r longer videos, it is recommended to define the areas which should be loaded in

Fo to the project before importing. An in and an out point is set to define the area for this purpose

oceed as follows:

• Select a file from the Media Pool by double-clicking it. Play it back using the play button in the source monitor to indicate the section which you want to use in the project.

Insert object into the project 85

• Either move the range markers directly by dragging them with the mouse or set them using the buttons or the shortcuts

I and O. The shortcuts are

especially useful for exact positioning using the shuttle and the jog wheel.

• Left-click on the monitor and drag it to the Arranger. An object will appear on the track and in the project folder simultaneously which corresponds with the selected area. You can also drag your selectio

n into the project folder and use it in your project later by dragging it from the project folder onto the Arranger. The file in the project folder has the same name in this case as the original file but includes the selected range only.

• You can also drag a file fro

m the Media Pool into the project folder first and then cut it from there with the help of the source monitor. The in and out points that result are saved directly when the range is stretched.

• Alternatively, objects can be moved the opposite direction from the Arranger into the project folder. In c

ase the object should appear in the project folder and in the Arranger, hold down "Ctrl". This adds all object-associated settings (fades, effects, animations). This enables differe

nt editing work to be done on an object and then saved in the project

folder for use later.

MPEG-4 import

MPEG -4 files can be loaded from the Media Pool just like other files using drag & drop.

Note: To import and export AVC and MPEG-4 files, the MEPG-4 codec must first be activated (view page 275). A dialog will open if the codec is required.

Automatic scene detection

Automatic scene recognition can be opened via the "Effects" menu. The scene recognition function analyzes the film for scene transitions and scans for drastic changes in the brightness and color distribution within the picture.

Automatically created timestamps from digital vi device was turned on and off) are also marked as scenes.

deo devices (the points in time at which the

86 Insert object into the project

1. First, select "Start" from the "Search scene change" box. The search for possible

scene transitions will begins. If you have a large amount of material, then this may take a while, but the image analysis has to be done just once for each results are saved together with the video file. If the scene recognition is performed again with the same source material, then th scene transitions found are immediately displayed. If you a resulting scene partitioning simply repeat and correct where necessary.

re still not happy with the

2. All found scene transitions in the list can be checked in the dialog. Every scene

marker can be selected or deleted. Select a scene transition from the list of found scene transitions and use the preview images to check whether the found transition i really a scene change or not.

Tip: This option is helpful, for example, if a camera flash was captured in the source footage. The flash from the camera would cause a sudden brightness modification even though there was no actual scene change.

The preview always displays the end of the previous scene and the beginning of the new scene. If the images do not differ except for the brightness, then the scene may have been falsely recognized. In this case select

"Delete scene marker".

recording. The

Via the zoom +/- bu scene begins or p

You can use the to detect different scene changes, depending on the settings.

"Action on OK" lets you specify whether the movie should be cut at the selected scene transition or at all scene transitions and whether the found scenes should be saved as takes.

ttons you can enlarge the part of the arranger where the selected

revious scene ended.

"Sensitivity" controller to change the sensitivity of the scene recognition

Working with objects 87

Working with objects

Select objects

To edit or delete objects using the menus, you must first select them. To do so, simply click on the object you wish to sele ct. Objects will change color to show that they have been selected.

When the "Shift" key is pressed, multiple objects are selected. You can open up a rectangle positioning the mouse over the object, then holding down the mouse button and marking all objects within the rectangle (”elastic band selection”) by left clicking and dragging.

Any object can be combined with others to make up a group to avoid objects being unintentionally moved out of relation to each other. Once they are combined,

clicking on one object of a group will select the entire group. To group or ungroup objects, use the buttons in the tool bar or the corresponding commands in the "Edit" menu.

Moving objects

Any object selection

ifferent tracks by clicking and holding the left mouse button on the selected objects. After

d releasing the mouse button the objects appear at the new location.

If the "Shift" key is pressed while moving the object selection, then the object's horiz time position will be maintained. The object selection can only be moved vertically (up and down to different tracks).

can be moved (dragged) along the horizontal timeline or vertically into

ontal

Splitting objects

All objects can be split. Each object section then becomes is then split into individu objects.

• First of all, select the object to be split.

• Position the playback marker at the position where the movie is to

be cut.

• Click on the "Cut" button or select the "Cut" option in the "Edit" menu.

In order to rejoin these split objects at a later stage, simply highlight the individual parts and select the command "Create group" to group the selected ob jects together.

Edit menu

With a click on the small arrow beside the cut button, you can access the cut menu. There you will find further relevant commands.

Split

This command cuts a scene at the point wher way, two free-standing objects are created.

Keyboard shortcut: T

e the playback marker is positioned. This

88 Working with objects

Remove start

This command cuts a scene at the point where the playback marker is positioned and removes the material before the playback marker.

Keyboard shortcut: K

Remove object end

This command cuts a scene at the point where the playback marker is positioned and removes the material behi

nd the back marker.

Keyboard shortcut: U

Remove scene

If you wan

t to cut a scene out of a movie retroactively, this option automatically moves all

objects, titles, and transitions on all tracks forwards so that no gaps result.

Objects on

other tracks which project into the area of the selected scene will not be moved

automatically; they will remain at the current position.

Keyboard sh

lit movie

ortcut: Ctrl + Del

This command splits a movie at the point where the playback marker is positioned, making two separat

e movies. The part before the playback marker will remain in the arranger. The remaining part will be erased from the current arranger and turned into a new movie, which can be found in the "Wind

ow" menu.

Keyboard shortcut: Alt + T

Duplicate objects

It is easy to copy objects to create larger arrangements from small au quickly. Speed up this process by clicking on the object to be copied with the mouse while holding down the "Ctrl" key. This generates a copy which you can immediately drag to the desired position.

dio or video loops

Object handles

All objects can be re-sized with the “object handles” on the lower edge. Move the mouse over one of the lower corners of the object until the mouse pointer becomes a double arrow. You can now stretch the object as much as you like.

5 "handles": Length, fade, brightness (volume)

Working with objects 89

An object can be faded in or out using the handles to the left and right upper corners of the object. Crossfades between different objects can be created by overlapped position

ing of

objects that are fading in and out. The length of the crossfade can be adjusted with the

handles

Using the brightness/volume handle located centrally at the top of the object, adjusts the volume of audio or MIDI objects, or the brightness of video and image objects. Even if several objects are playing simultaneously, the volume or brightness of individual objects can still be altered.

Shrink or interlace videos

Videos can be made smaller, e.g. to show a fo video. To do this, both videos have to be placed above each other in the arranger.

• Place one video above the other in the tracks.

• Position the foreground video on the track beneath the background video.

Note: Make sure that the mixing effect "Stamp" is active under "Video effects -> Chroma key".

• Select the foreground video, and in the Media pool under "Effects -> Movement effects", select the entry "Position/Size" or "Crop/Zoom".

• You can change the image area/size by holding down the mouse button and dragging the edges of the video in the program monitor. This is also useful for placing the selected video at the desired position in the program monitor.

For more detailed information, see the section entitled "Movement effects in Media Pool" in the chapter "

Effects and titles (view page 107)". Nearly all preset effects may be automated

or animated. To animate effects or produce movements, please read the "Animating

(view page 147)" chapter.

objects

reground video in a cut-out of a background

Extract sound from videos

Video with sound material object and a video object). The two objects automatically form a group.

appears in the arranger on two tracks as two objects (an audio

To edit the video and audio material separately from one another, the objects can be separated with the

Ungroup (view page 222) function in the "Edit" menu or button in the arranger. Now you can replace the audio or the video track, or process each file separately. Rejoin/regroup the tracks with the ”Export arrangement” function.

Save o

bjects separately

You can easily save the object from the Arranger as separate files. Objects contain a reference to any multimedia file or a special objects (video, sound, visual, etc.) with all additional properties that an object can have like in

and out point, fade and effects including

effect curves that can be used in MAGIX Video Pro X2.

90 Working with objects

In MAGIX Video Pro X2 you can use Takes for various applications.

• You can divide your videos into takes while loading into the Arranger. To do this, first press the "Media/Film" button. The transport functions of the transport control no longer apply to the objects in the Arranger but rather to the video file selected in the Media Pool.

• The Extras bu

tton lets you set in and out points for scenes. The selected scene can

subsequently be saved to the Takes directory.

• All scenes found by the automatic scene recognition function can be stored in the Takes directory. This creates the basis for a quick assembly of found scenes.

• This takes directory may be used in both direction

: either as a source of takes to be dragged into the Arranger or a destination directory for new scenes. Use the Takes directory to build complex storyboards: The individual scenes that make up the video are cut first, before being arranged on the tracks. Since

• Takes also contain corresponding effects, one can store different variations of the same movie with different effects (for example, video cleaning) in the Takes directory. The Takes directory uses very little me

mory in contrast to rendering out the

actual video files!

Video mix

This term refers to mixing various videos while simultaneously playing them. The video objects to be mixed must be placed one below the other in the arranger so they overlap in time. Add a special video mix effect to the lower video, which determines the parts that will be transparent for the upper video. This way, you look from the bottom to the top through the arranger.

To make a dancer dance

in front of a landscape using the "blue box" effect, the landscape must be placed on, for example, track 1 and the dancer on track 2 and the "blue box" effect be activated for the dancer.

Tip: For further details on video effects and adjustments, see the chapter "Video effects (view page 108)".

Magnetic objects

You can attach a video, picture, or text object to moving picture content of another video. The "Image object" automatically completes the movement of a picture element from the film. For example, you could use this method to insert a hat that stays on someone's head throughout, even if the person hops through the picture. Let's roll:

• Place an image object (e.g. a photo of a hat) on a track below a video with a

corresponding image element (e.g. a walking person). The picture element should have enough contrast in it (bright-dark difference) and should have a consistent size.

• In the Media Pool under "Effects -> Movement effects -> Position/Position", you can

match the zoom of the image object to the video and then position it precisely (i.e. add the hat to the person).

• Right click on the image object and select the "Attach to image position in the video".

• In the "Attach to image position in the video" dialog, click on "Change size and position".

Working with objects 91

• Select an image section in the preview monitor using the mouse which you would like the image object to follow. This section should have as high a level of contrast as possible.

• Calculation of the object movement starts automatically.

Transitions (fades)

When importing video files into the arranger, individual objects usually follow directly after one another. This is called a "hard cut". However, you can make scenes blend or “transition” into each other.

This means that for the duration of a transition, two objects are shown at once and can be mixed "faded" together in different ways. You transition directory.

Simple crossfade

A simple transition can be created in the arranger by dragging one object over another. A crossfade will be automatically created. During this standard transition, the brightness of

both objects is incre e. th

ration of the crossfade is displayed in the arranger by white crossing lines. You can

du adjust the length of the crossfade by dragging the upper the second object to the left or to the right.

ased, i. e first clip fades out while the second clip fades in. The

will find numerous blends in the Media Pool’s

handle (See "Object handles") of

To select a different fade click on the transition symbol displayed when an object is selected.

The fade menu opens. The transition icon will change, depending on your selection.

Fades from the Media Pool

To open the fade directory, click the "Fade" button; double clicking enables a preview of the fade in the preview monitor.

Simply drag the desired fade preset onto the border between the two objects. Only when the mouse pointer with the transition preset is placed over a scene change will it turn into an object symbol. The object at the back will be shifted to the front to accommodate the transition.

The length of a transition is decided by you, so if a transition is shortened, it means that the resulting effect is speeded up.

92 Working with objects

Some transitions ca fade symbol in the timelin

n be adjusted even more exactly. To do so, click the corresponding

e or in the storyboard and select "Settings". An object's fade

symbol in the Media Pool can represent an entire group of different effects.

The alpha fades (in the directory: iris, objects, random, etc.) are actually pre-produced black and white videos combined with the alpha keying effect.

Note: Use transitions economically! Most professional movies or TV shows use hard cuts as the rule and transitions less frequently. Videos appear unprofessional and too ornate if fade effects are added to every change of scene.

Custom fades with Alpha-keying

Alpha keying extends the range of transition effects used in MAGIX Video Pro X2 to produce black & white m create such a video from any video material (also color) by exporting it as a transition

ovie transitions or selected color fade-ins and fade-outs. You can

(File -

> Export movie -> Export as transition).

The loaded movie is then exported as a black and white video in mxv format and the fade directory. Afterwards, it will be available in the Media Pool and the fade menu

stored in

3D transitions

General options

3D power effects offer exciting and var

ied opportunities for creating transitions between

two videos. You will find the 3D effects in the Media Pool’s transitions directory.

To display the 3D fades as smoothly as possible, the pro

gram uses the accelerator features of your graphics adaptor. 3D functions can be used with both software standards: Direct3D and OpenGL. These standards are variably supported by the respective graphics car drivers. For this reason, you can switch between di

fferent fade settings for each standard.

Settings

In the transition settings you can a

djust the look and reaction of the 3D transitions. To do so, click the corresponding fade symbol in the timeline or in the storyboard and select "Settings".

The following options are then available to you:

Anti-aliasing: An undesirable ste

p effect is usually created at the borders of 3D objects. Anti-aliasing reduces this effect, but also requires more computer power. This setting applies globally for all 3D fades. Switching anti-aliasing for a 3D transitions therefore ensures that this setting is applied to all other 3D tran

Mirror X/Y: This option lets you influence the movement curve of the 3D objects transitions. The "X axis mirror" option mirrors the movement of the object option "Y axis mirror" mirrors the movement of the object

Rendering: Determin h s

e whic oftware standard (see above) you would like to use to render

sitions

vertically

within the

horizontally. The

(along the Y axis).

the 3D objects, i.e. OpenGL or Direct3D. Both modes use the hardware functions of the

Working with objects 93

graphics card to both in performa

To use Direct3D, you have to have DirectX9.0a installed. OpenGL requires an OpenGL1.1 driver.

This setting applies globally t

D transition therefore ensures th sitions also use this setting.

Hardware acceleration de

card increases the performance multiple times over; however, it may lead to problems on some systems. If error deactivate hardware ac

To do this, select the “ he options “Hardware acceleration for 3D effects”. To apply these changes, you will need to restart the program.

Troubleshooting

Problem: The 3D transition display in the video monitor is sluggish and jittery.

Solution: The performance of the 3D power effect

adapter's CPU power. To achieve a smoother display you can deactivate anti-aliasing in the 3D transitions settings dialog, or you can choose a lower resolution for your screen. Furthermore, you should ensure that you have the latest driver for your graphics card installed. During export or burning to disc, transitions will be dis

render the 3D transition. Nevertheless, they can produce different results,

nce as well as in the final look of the transitions.

o all 3D transitions. Switching between the render modes of a

at all other 3D tran3

activation: Hardware-accelerated rendering on the graphics

s should occur in connection with the 3D transitions, you can

celeration for calculating 3D transitions.

Program settings” item from the file menu and deactivate t

s is dependent on your graphics

played fluidly in any case.

Problem: The screen remains black or displays errors during 3D transitions.

Solution: The 3D transitions use hardware-accelerated rendering on your graphics card to

calculate the image. This can lead to compatibility problems on certain systems. Ple ensure that you have the latest driver for your graphics card installed. In certain circumstances, this may also fix the switchover between the render modes (in the settings dialog of the transitions) or solve the problem by deactivating anti-aliasing.

If there are still problems, howeve Refer to “Deactivating hardware acceleration” for more info.

Problem: A warning that there is insufficient graphics card memory for rendering the transition is displayed when exporting or burning a slideshow containing 3D transitions.

Solution: The vid the desired resolution. Select a lower resolution (e.g. 720 x 576) in the export dialog. If th problem persists, deactivate the hardware acceleration as described in the section “Deactivating hardware acceleration”.

Problem: Only a crossfade is displayed when displayed that insufficient graphics card memory is available

eo memory on your graphics card is insufficient to render the 3D effect at

r, you can deactivate hardware acceleration completely.

previewing a 3D transition. A warning is

ase

94 Working with objects

Solution: The video memory of your graphics card is insufficient to render the 3D effect at

the desired resolution. Right click the video monitor and then select a lower resolution in “Resolution presets”. If the problem persists, try deactivating hardware acceleration as described above.

Problem: Only a crossfade is displayed when previewing a 3D transition. A warning is displayed that the 3D transition may not be displayed correctly.

Solution: Deactivate hardware acceleration; see "Deactivating hardware acceleration".

3D series

The 3D series are a further d

evelopment of

3D transitions (view page 92), whereby the transitions are thematically sorted. For instance, you can make photos pop up and disappear on a notice board or make it look as if the photos were hanging on the walls of a gallery.

There are several options to load 3D series for photos or scene transitions:

• Click the "Fades -> 3D -> 3D series" bu

series and drag it onto the first scene or image transition where the 3D transiti

tton in the Media Pool. Select the desired 3D

on should

start.

• In the transitions menu between two scenes choose the option "3D

series". Click on the desired 3D series to select it.

You can select how many of the subsequent fades should be replaced by the 3D series in the dialog.

cene overview

The "Scene overview" mode is a special view that improves manageability and categorization of scenes. All scenes are listed one after the other (in multiple lines, like i te inserted.

xt program) and can be copied, cut, moved, deleted and

n a

In the "Scene overview" mode, there are no start, play or end markers. The scene being played back has a frame ar

ound it.

Working with objects 95

Zoom fader

This slider specifies how large the photos will appear in the storyboard

. The smaller the

scenes, the more of them you'll be able to fit on screen.

Maximize: Use this button to maximize the scene overview to fullscreen.

Grid and snap

The time of the arrangement is displayed by the horizontal course of the tracks. To structure this course, a timeli

ne with a grid has been positioned at the top above the first

track.

A grid

is also displayed in the arranger area. The raster ensures that the objects always

"snap" can be positioned precisely according to the beat. Two

to certain points so that they consecutive objects will seamlessly snap together even if they are on different tracks. This avoids undesired gaps or overlaps.

Search for and remove ads

The "Ad killer" feature can be used to automatically locate and remove commercials in recorded TV programs.

How it works: First, characteristics typical of commercials are located, and then th

e entire section including the ads is edited and removed. This is particularly effective in movies broadcast in 16:9 widescreen format since there are two visible black borders at the top and bottom. The borders disappear when ads are shown, so the

ad killer detects this when they disappear and edits the movie at these positions. Using the button "Get black value" you can click on the b ars in the monitor a

lack b nd thus set the color shade in order to

96 Trim Objects

improve detection. A further characteristic typical for commercials is raising (maximizing) the volume.

Specify in this dialog wh You also have various sear and display options.

Keyboard sh

ortcut: Shift + C

ether you want to cut the ad block immediately or highlight it first.

Trim Objects

Trimming provides exact placement of object borders or transitions. MAGIX Video Pro X2 has two different trimmers, and these can be opened using the context menu for a video image object.

General advice for operating both trim editors

Play functions: The trim window contains its own play functions that allow the object to be

played individually or in relation to the arrangement.

• The right play button plays the arrangement normally. Note: Replays can sometimes appear shaky because the processor may be overworked, and some frames may be left out.

• The middle play button plays the arrangement "frame-by-frame", which means no frames are left out, but that the replay may be slower.

• The left play button renders material before playing. This method ensures a smoother playback.

The start marker in the timeline is reset when the rewind and fast-forward functions are activated, allowi

ng for complete control of transitions between two videos.

Increments: A click on the +/- buttons in both trim editors places the handle or the within an object exactly into a frame. With the "Ctrl" key you can increase the frame frames/sec per mouse click).

material rate ( 5

Trim Objects 97

Trimmer for individual objects

A schematic display of the selected object and its handles can b trimming window.

Fade in/out (4, 5): These buttons adjust the upper fade handles of an object.

Object content (3): Here you can move the video material to be played without changing

e object length.

e found in the center of the

Position (2):

First frame/End fade-in (7): Toggles the left monitor between the first frame of the object

and the end of the transition.

Start fade-out/Last Frame (8): Toggles the right monitor between the start of the transition and the last frame of the object.

Left/right arrow buttons (1, 6): Here you can adjust the lower object handles.

Next object/cut (9, 10): The buttons below and to the right skip to the next/previous

object and/or cut in the arranger. These buttons make it easy to move and trim objects in the arrangement without having to leave the trimmer.

Keyboard shortcut: Q

Moves the object on the track.

98 Trim Objects

Cut trimmer

A schematic display of the selected transition and its handles can be found at the center of the trimming window.

Left arrow buttons (1): These buttons move the last frame of the first object while adjusting the second. The length of the transition remains. The display indicates the relative change in comparison with the starting situation when the trimmer was opened.

Position (2): Moves the second object. The length of the transition is changed. Th corresponds with shifting an object in the arranger.

Object content (3): Moves the movie under the second object. The length of the object and the object itself are not changed.

Crossfade (4): Changes the transition’s length between both objec of equal length. The length can be numerically entered.

Middle arrow buttons (5): Shifts the existing transition. Both objects remain in their positions, but the transition’s center p

T ns

ra ition (6): Displays the type of transition. A mouse click opens a popup window from

which a transition.

you can select

Right arrow buttons (7): Move the first fram transition remains. Only the length of the second object changes.

Start fade-out/Last frame (8): Switches the le and the last frame of the object.

First frame/End fade-in (9): Switches the right monitor between the first frame of the following object and the end of the transition.

Next cut (10)/Next object (11): The buttons below and to the right skip to the next/previous object and/or cut in the arranger. These buttons make it easy to move and trim cuts in the arrangement without having to leave the trimmer.

oint moves.

e of the second object. The first object and the

ft monitor between the start of the transition

ts. The objects remain

Keyboard shortcut: N

Markers 99

Markers

MAGIX Video Pro X2 also allows you to set various types of markers within your project.

The Lock button lets you lock all markers (jump markers, chapter markers) against accidental moving or deleting.

Playback marker

The playback marker indicates the point from which the material – either the arrangement or a selected file from the Media Pool – will be played back. There is a playback marker below each preview monitor and an additional one above the timeline in the arranger.

The playback marker is displayed as a red triangle below the monitors. In the arranger it is displayed as a red triangle.

In order to move the playback marker, simply double click on the desired area below the monitor. Alternatively, you can click on the playback marker and move it by dragging it with the mouse. While being moved, the current image will appear on the monitor, letting you see exactly where in the material you are located.

The playback marker in the video monitor can also be moved by clicking on the lower section of the time scale in the arranger. The playback marker will also be moved on the program monitor, as both markers are coupled to each other.

The exact position of t below the corresponding monitor. There, you can change the displayed values (Hour:Minute:Second:Frame) per mouse click to reach a certain point in time. Simply the desired value and the playback marker will jump to the corresponding position.

Tip: In the "Playback" tab under "File -> Settings -> Program", you can set whether repeatedly pressing the space bar resets the playback marker to the current position or moves it to the original position.

he playback marker can be seen in the time display at the top left,

enter

Set project marker

The menu provides the option of placing a project marker (view page 224) at the current playback location. These provide a way to mark certain segments or events of interest in the project, etc.

After selecting the menu, a dialog for entering the name of the marker to be created will open. The first 10 project markers may be selected using the number keys 1-0 (0 accesses th 1

e 0th marker). This allows you to jump to a particular position of a longer video

immediately, without scrolling and searching.

100 Markers

Project markers can be deleted or renamed at any time via the context menu. They do not have any direct effect on the results of your work, but they can be very helpful.

Ranges (in and out points)

Range markers are the "in points" (range start) certain range for playback that can be viewed the bottom of the corresponding monitor.

To t point (range start), and an out point is visible

he left, you can see an in

(range end) to the right

Hint: The value between both markers shows the length of the selected area according to the pattern Hours:Minutes:Seconds:Frames.

Ranges in the video monitor

There are various options for changing the playback area and the in/out points.

• Set the playback marker at the desired position and press "Set range start" or "Set range end" underneath th

• Click on one of the markers below the monitor and move it to the desired position b dragging it.

• C ck one of the markers in the upper-most bar in the arranger and drag it.

• Right clicking on the bar moves the out point to the position of the mouse cursor. The

ea grows or shrinks in size correspondingly. Left clicking moves the in point, whereby

the area size stays constant (out point is moved as we

• You can adjust the position of the entire range by clicking the blue bar between the markers and moving it by dragging while holding down "Crtl".

and "out points" (range end). They mark a

by pressing the "Playback range" button at

e monitor to set the in and out points.

ll).

Keyboard shortcut: Set the start of the rang

e (in point) at the position of the playback marker: "I"

Set the end of the range (out point) at the position of the playback marker: "O"

Range markers in the source monitor

In/Out points are set in the source monitor in the following way:

• Set the playback marker at the desired position and press "Set range start" or "Set range end" underneath the monitor to set the in and out points.

• Click on one of the markers below the monitor and move it to the desired position by dragging it.

• You can adjust the position of the entire range by clicking the blue bar between the markers and moving it by dragging.

For the exact functions of the r

Logging (view page 84)".

ange markers in the source monitor, please read the section

Xara Video Pro - X2 User Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Foreword

Support

Serial number

Unlocking MAGIX Video Pro X2

System requirements

Introduction

What is MAGIX Video Pro X2?

What’s new in MAGIX Video Pro X2?

Features

Notes for MAGIX Movie Edit Pro users

Quick start

Starting the program and orientation

DV recording

How to capture analog video

Video editing

Workspaces

Activating the main screen

Media Pool

Toolbars

Program and source monitor

Arranger

Project folder

Adjusting the workspace

The "Burn" screen

Create new video project

Movie settings

New project settings or new movie

Load project

Save project

Save project as...

Video recording

Connect camera

Select the recording method

DV cameras

HDV camera

Batch recording

Logging

Analog video recording

Single frame

Audio

Screen

Recording AVCHD

Edit after recording

Creating new movies or attaching them

Insert object into the project

Select files in the Media Pool

MPEG-4 import

Automatic scene detection

Working with objects

Select objects

Moving objects

Splitting objects

Edit menu

Duplicate objects

Object handles

Shrink or interlace videos

Extract sound from videos

Video mix

Magnetic objects

Transitions (fades)

Grid and snap

Search for and remove ads

Trim Objects

General advice for operating both trim editors

Trimmer for individual objects

Cut trimmer

Markers

Playback marker

Set project marker

Ranges (in and out points)