Xara Video Pro - X4 User Guide

2 Copyright

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.

Other mentioned product names may be registered trademarks of the respective manufacturer. This product uses MAGIX patent pending technology.

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Preface 3

Preface

Thank you for choosing MAGIX Video Pro X4! Your new software offers video editing and postproduction on a professional level, comprehensive format support, powerful performance, high-end audio editing and all options for DVD authoring and export.

The fully developed MAGIX Video Pro X4 operating concept helps you get top results after only a short familiarization period. This documentation offers you an overview and a quick start at the beginning. The sections at the end provide a detailed and systematic description of the numerous functions.

Have fun with your projects and MAGIX Video Pro X4 from

Your MAGIX Team

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4 Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Package Contents 12 Printed and PDF manuals 12 Installation 12 Serial number 13 System requirements 14

Introduction 15

What is MAGIX Video Pro X4? 15 Features 15 Notes for MAGIX Movie Edit Pro users 17

Quick Start 20

Program start 20 Select, load and play videos 21 Import video material from memory card 24 Video editing 27 Publish videos 33

Work screens 35

Activate main screen 35 "Edit" screen 36 The "Burn" screen 62

Basic mode 63

Switching between standard and basic modes 64 Storyboard mode 64 Export 66

Video recording 67

Select the recording method 67 AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra 68 HDV camera 71 DV camera 71 Video 79

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Table of Contents 5

Audio 82

Single frame 85 Screen 88 Editing after recording 89

Objects 91

Insert object into the project 91 Select and group objects 94 Duplicate objects 95 Move Objects 95 Extract sound from videos 95 Object handles 96 Trim Objects 97 Transitions (fades) 101 Search for gaps 103 Simple cut 104 Two-point cut 104 3-point editing 106 Four-point editing 108 Zoom 109 Working in fullscreen mode 109

Markers 110

Playback marker 110 Project markers 111 Ranges (in and out points) 111 Chapter markers 112 Scene markers 114

Multicam editing 115

Preparation 115 Source tracks and preview images 116 Multicam edit functions 117 Synchronize video objects using the sound track 119

Title 120

Creating titles using a template 120 Create titles without a template 120 Edit titles retroactively 121 Position titles 121 Advanced settings 122 3D text 123 Fade in date as title 123

Effects 124

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6 Table of Contents

Apply effects to objects 124

Preview rendering 126 Video effects in the Media Pool 129 Movement effects in the Media Pool 138 Stereo3D in the Media Pool 145 Audio effects in the Media Pool 145 Design elements in the Media Pool 146 My Presets in the Media Pool 147 Additional Effects 147 Animate objects, effect curves 150 Create effect masks 156 Create overlay graphic/animation 159 Attach to picture position in the video 161 Image stabilization 161 Image improvements for the entire movie 163 Image improvements for individual objects 165

Stereo3D 166

3D basics 166 Record 3D 167 Prepare 3D editing 168 Set playback mode for 3D 169 Align videos and pictures for 3D 170 Turn camera movements into 3D videos 172 Create titles for 3D videos 172 Export and burn 3D videos 172

Audio editing 174

Load and edit audio files 174 Audio effects 175 Audio CDs 191 Mixer 195

5.1 Surround 198 Set multiple sound tracks 204 Scrubbing 208 MAGIX Soundtrack Maker 209 Mixdown of audio objects 211

Edit disc menu 212

Preview and editing 212 Menu 213 Templates 214 Edit disc menu 215 Edit DVD menus with Xara Xtreme Pro or Photoshop 222 Create PC show 231

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Table of Contents 7

Burn disc 231

Burning wizard 232 The burn dialog 233 Disk space 235 Encoder settings 237

Export movie 240

Video as AVI 240 Video as DV-AVI 240 Video as MPEG video 241 Video as MAGIX video 241 Video as QuickTime movie 241 Uncompressed movie 242 Video as MotionJPEG AVI 242 Movie as a series of individual frames 242 Windows Media Export 242 Video as MPEG-4 video 243 Audio as MP3 244 Audio as wave 245 Export as transition... 245 Single frame as BMP file 245 Single frame as JPG 245 Animated GIF 245 Export movie information as EDL 246 Upload to Internet 247 Upload to Internet (MAGIX Online Album) 248 Export to device 248 Export as Media Player 249

Settings for and management of video projectors 250

Movie and project settings 250 Program settings 260 Preview rendering 269 Backup copy 270 Load backup project... 271 Importing & exporting EDL files 271 Clean-up wizard 272

Special functions and wizards 274

Automatic scene detection 274 Musical cut adjustment 275 Travel route animation 283 Slideshow Maker 290 Produce panorama pictures 294

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8 Table of Contents

Batch conversion 296

Blackmagic Design video cards 298

Menus 299

File Menu 299 Edit Menu 307 Menu effects 316 Windows menu 322 Help Menu 325

Context menu (right click) 328

Video objects 328 Image objects 332 Transitions 335 Audio objects 336 Text objects 339 MAGIX 3D Maker objects 342 Project folder 344 Track 345

Problems and solutions 346

File will not load 346 Choppy or uneven playback 346 Problems and Remedies regarding the Auto Remix Assistant 346 Activation problems 347

Online functions 348

Integrated browser 348 MAGIX News Center 350 Embed Flash videos into your own web page 350

Keyboard shortcuts 352

Playback functions 352 Monitors 353 Arranger view 353 Move view 354 Mouse modes 354 File menu 355 Edit menu 356 Effects menu 357 Windows menu 358 Help menu 359 Edit keyboard shortcut 359

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Table of Contents 9

Activate codecs 361

Free activation of codecs 361 Fee-based DVCPRO and AVC-Intra activation 362

Annex: Digital Video and Data Storage 363

Video Editing on the PC 363 MPEG Compression 363 General notes on AVI videos 364 Overview of the different disc types 365

MPEG-4 encoder settings 371

MPEG-4 372 MPEG-4 H.264 377 AMR 383 AAC 384 Multiplexer 385

Appendix: MPEG Encoder Settings 387

General settings 387 Video settings 388 Advanced video settings 389 Audio settings 390

MPEG glossary 392

Motion estimation 392 Bit rate 392 Block 393 Chroma format 393 Field 394 Frame 394 GOP 394 I frames 395 Interlace 395 P frames and B frames 396 Prediction 397 Quantization scaling 398

Glossary 400 If you still have questions 417

Tips for program help 417

Index 418

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10 Support

Support

Dear MAGIX customer,

Our aim is to provide fast, convenient, solution-focused support at all times. To this end, we offer a wide range of services:

 Unlimited web support:

As a registered MAGIX customer, you have unlimited access to web support offered via the convenient MAGIX service portal on http://support.magix.net, including an intelligent help assistant, high-quality FAQs, patches and user reports that are constantly updated. The only requirement for use is product registration at http://pro.magix.com

 The online community, on-the-spot support and a platform for exchange:

MAGIX customers have free and unlimited access to the online community at www.magix.info, which includes approx. 120,000 members and offers the opportunity to ask members questions concerning MAGIX products as well as use the search function to search for specific topics or answers. In addition to questions & answers, the knowledge pool includes a glossary, video tutorials and a discussion forum. The multiple experts, found round-the-clock at www.magix.info guarantee quick answers, which sometimes come within minutes of a question being posted.

 Email support for MAGIX products:

For every new MAGIX product you will receive, as of date purchase, 12 months of email based customer service. Premium email support: For priority support, or if you want the MAGIX support team to help with nonMAGIX related hardware problems you can purchase a Premium email support ticket. Log in at http://support.magix.net and click on "Purchase access code", the ticket is for a specific problem, and is valid until it is solved, it is not restricted to an email.

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

 Additional telephone service:

Besides the large number of free customer service offers, we also offer a feebased telephone customer service.

Here you can find a summary of our technical support telephone numbers: http://support.magix.net/

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Mail (Europe): MAGIX Development Support, P.O. Box 20 09 14, 01194 Dresden, Germany

Mail (North America): MAGIX Customer Service, 1105 Terminal Way #302, Reno, NV 89502, USA

Please make sure you 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

MAGIX Sales Department

You can reach the MAGIX Sales Department workdays for help with the following questions and problems:

 Orders  Product consulting (pre-purchase)  Upgrade requests  Returns

Europe

Support 11

Monday - Friday, 09:00-16:00 GMT

U.K.: 0203 3189218 Denmark: 45 699 18763 Sweden: 46 852 500713 Finland: 35 89 42419023 Norway: 47 210 35843

North America

9 am to 4 pm EST Mon-Fri Phone: 1-305-722-5810

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12 Before You Start

Before You Start

Package Contents

Installation & multimedia content DVD

The MAGIX Video Pro X4 installation manager is included on the installation DVD.

Manual

The printed manual explains most of the basics of MAGIX Video Pro X4. In addition to the printed manual, there is also more detailed documentation which is copied to your hard drive during installation. This electronic PDF manual describes all program functions. The electronic manual on your computer is located under "Start -> Program -> MAGIX -> MAGIX Video Pro X4 -> Documentation".

Printed and PDF manuals

The printed manual contains an overview of the most important functions of MAGIX Video Pro X4.

If you have further questions, please read the complete documentation and a shortcut pdf located in the program folder of MAGIX Video Pro X4. To read it, you will require the free Foxit Reader program.

Installation

Step 1: Insert the program disc into the drive. The installation program starts

up automatically in Windows. If the disc doesn't run automatically,

 open the Windows Explorer and click the letter of the CD/DVD drive.  Now double-click on "Start.exe" to start the installer.

Step 2: To begin the installation of MAGIX Video Pro X4, click on "MAGIX Video Pro X4". The MAGIX Video Pro X4 installation program will appear.

Simply follow the instructions on screen to complete the installation process and then click on "Continue". All files are copied onto the hard drive.

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Before You Start 13

Step 3: Once the installation is complete, confirm the message by pressing

"Finish". You will then be able to start the program at any time from the Windows "Start" menu.

If you would like to uninstall MAGIX Video Pro X4, you can do so via the control panel under "Software". Or go to "Programs > MAGIX > MAGIX Video Pro X4 > Service and Support > Uninstall MAGIX Video Pro X4".

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 X4 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 X4 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 9) services.

Unlocking MAGIX Video Pro X4

After MAGIX Video Pro X4 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 X4 must be activated.

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14 Before You Start

System requirements

For Microsoft® Windows® XP | Vista® | 7

Minimum configuration:

 Processor: Intel® Core™ Duo with 1.83 GHz, AMD® Dual-Core with 2.0 GHz  RAM: 1GB  Graphics card: Onboard graphics card with a screen resolution of at least

1024 x 768

 Sound card: Internal sound card  Hard drive space: 1 GB (for minimum installation)  Optical drive: DVD drive

Minimum requirements for HD/3D editing:

 Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Quad-core processor with 2.83 GHz (Intel®

Core™ i7 recommended), AMD® Quad-core processor with 2.8 GHz

 RAM: 4 GB  Graphics card: Dedicated graphics card with 512 MB VRAM or more  Sound card: Multi-channel sound card recommended for Surround sound

editing

 Hard drive space: 4 GB  Optical drive: Blu-ray burner to create Blu-ray Discs

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Introduction 15

Introduction

What is MAGIX Video Pro X4?

MAGIX Video Pro X4 is a professional video editing program for Windows PC. All common video formats can be imported directly without any conversion into a proprietary format in an open timeline. The Hybrid Video Engine supports GPU processing with OpenCL, CUDA and QuickSync. Editing options include realtime effect editing, efficient three- and four-point cuts, intelligent mouse modes for fast editing and a Multicam mode with auto synchronization on up to nine tracks. Based on the high end audio engine from Samplitude, perfect synchronization of audio and image is realized in realtime. Finished projects can be exported using efficient batch rendering into broadcast formats to DVDs, AVCHD- and Blu-ray discs or uploaded directly to common video portals and mobile devices.

Features

Recording

MAGIX Video Pro X4 features the following recording options:

 AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra/Video-DSLRs/XDCAM/NXCAM (and other

drives)*

 HDV camera: HDV camcorder  DV camera: Mini DV camcorder or DV video recorder  Video: Analog TV, video input, VCR, webcam  Audio: Microphone, cassette recorder, MiniDisc player, record player  Screen: PC monitor.  Single frame: Single and series images from webcams, video recorders, video

cameras, or TV cards

*Import of AVC-Intra and DVCPRO possible after fee-based activation (view page 362)

Analog captu 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.

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re requires capture cards compatible with DirectShow. DV

16 Introduction

Import/Export formats

Supported import formats:

Video: AVI, DV-AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MXV, MXF, MKV, MJPEG,

QuickTime, WMV(HD)

Audio: WAV, MP3, OGG, WMA, Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1

Images: JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIF, PNG, PSD, TGA

Supported export formats:

Video: AVI, DV-AVI, MJPEG, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, QuickTime,

WMV(HD)

Audio: WAV, MP3, Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1

Photo: JPEG, BMP

Note: MPEG-4, MPEG-2 and Dolby Digital require a free activation for

Multicam editing

MAGIX Video Pro X4 allows multicam editing on up to nine tracks. Various camera recordings can be played back in synch and then edited together.

Editing

 Program and source monitors: To provide an optimal overview, these two

separate preview monitors are integrated for the source material and movie arrangement respectively.

 The project folder is used for storing your material. It's useful for selecting 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.

 Picture optimization: This includes color improvement (RGB, saturation),

sharpness (focus, feathering), brightness regulator (brightness, contrast), and the anti-flicker filter.

 Sound optimization: The equalizer allows you to manipulate the frequency

spectrum, which is useful for reducing peaks, for example. The compressor limits the signal's dynamics. The StereoFX processor controls the position of the sound within the stereo panorama. The De-noiser and De-hisser are professional noise reduction tools for removing noise and hisses.

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Introduction 17

 Video effects: Such as creative filters, distortion, video mix (chroma key),

movement effects (e.g. camera/zoom or rotation), cropping, picture-in-picture collages, video effect plug-in support, etc.

 Automatic scene recognition  Slideshow Maker turns photo collages into spectacular multimedia shows

automatically.

 MAGIX Soundtrack Maker creates background music automatically.

Burnable disc formats

 DVD  Blu-Ray disc  AVCHD disc (on DVD and Blu-ray Discs)  MultiDisc (DVD + WMV HD)  Project backups, backup copies, and 1:1 copies of DVDs

Multimedia editable disc menus

Included are many disc menu templates which offer selection options for movies and chapters on the screen. Many of these are also available in 16:9 format. They can be included during burning and give the disc a professional appearance.

Every menu template may be customized with personal photos, thematic animations, 3D captions, sound, intro videos, etc.

Notes for MAGIX Movie Edit Pro users

If you are used to working with MAGIX Movie Edit Pro, you can change the window appearance to MAGIX Video deluxe "classic" view by going to "Window"> "Window appearance" > "Minimal".

For all those who haven't used MAGIX Movie Edit Pro before, we recommend the "Standard" window appearance. You have the most options available in this mode.

Below you will find a rough overview of the differences between MAGIX Video Pro X4 and MAGIX Movie Edit Pro.

Video monitors

 In the "Minimal" mode you will see only one preview monitor like in MAGIX

Movie Edit Pro, which is used as both a program and a source monitor. When the project is stopped, you can select files in the Media Pool and play them

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18 Introduction

back using the transport controls. To play the arrangement again, you first must click on the arranger.

 The "Standard" appearance offers two preview monitors: a program monitor

for project preview in the arranger and a source monitor for preview of Media Pool files. Both preview monitors have separate transport controls, so that Media Pool preview and project playback can be controlled separately. For additional information about the preview monitors, please read the corresponding section of the "Interface" (view page 58) chapter.

Keyboard layout

The preset keyboard shortcuts are different and can be displayed in both modes via "File -> Settings -> Keyboard shortcuts". MAGIX Video Pro X4 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 shortcut" (view page 351) and in the shortcut pdf located in the program

folder of MAGIX Video Pro X4.

Load files

 In MAGIX Video Pro X4, files are dragged (drag&drop) to the desired position

in the arranger or loaded via the commands from the insert menu. To learn more about the paste menus, please read the "Paste Modes" (view page 43)

tion in the "Interface" chapter.

sec

 In Movie Edit Pro, files can also be loaded form the Media Pool by double

clicking them. Videos and images are placed in the first track at the position of the playback marker. If another object is already located there, the new object will be placed after the last object in the first track. Titles will appear on tracks 3 and 4, additional audio material on track 5.

You may also change this behavior under "File -> Settings -> Program" via the tab "System" and under "Behavior on double click".

Space bar behavior

In either program, use the space bar on your keyboard to start and stop. Pressing the space bar again produces different effects according to the respective program:

 In Movie Edit Pro, the playback marker is placed at the last stop position.  In MAGIX Video Pro X4, the playback marker is kept at the current position.

This corresponds with the functionality of a tape recorder when stopped.

Playback behavior may be switched via "File -> Settings -> Program" and then the "Playback" tab.

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Introduction 19

Project folder

 In Movie Edit Pro, the project folder function is not available.  MAGIX Video Pro X4 features the project folder as a separate folder on the

right side, which serves as an intermediate store or catch-all for all kinds of project material. More information about this is available in the section "Project folder (view page 57)" in the chapter "Workspaces".

Video objects with sound tracks

 In MAGIX Video Pro X4, there are combined objects. An object's audio and

video track are by default displayed on one track. They can be separated into two tracks and therefore into two objects via the object's context menu.

 In Movie Edit Pro, video objects are always displayed as two grouped objects

in two tracks. These objects are grouped by default.

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20 Quick Start

Quick Start

This chapter explains the basic functions of MAGIX Video Pro X4 with a stepby-step introduction. A systematic description of the program functions can be found in the chapters and in the extensive PDF manual.

Tip: Take advantage of the introductory video and tutorials, which can be opened with the help of the Task Assistant.

Program start

When you start MAGIX Video Pro X4 for the first time, the start dialog will appear.

This dialog allows you to either "Load an existing project" or "Create a new project". You can also "Create a new project folder". All files belonging to this movie will be saved there.

Additionally, you can also use movie templates. Movie templates offer a structure for quickly developing certain standard projects with the help of included placeholders.

If you are looking for a quick start into the basic functions of MAGIX Video Pro X4, we recommend switching into the "Basic mode" (view page 62), which can be found under "Editing mode".

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

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Quick Start 21

Select, load and play videos

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

 The Media Pool appears to the top right; four tabs provide access to all

important elements that are required for video projects. The first tab displays all usable files (besides movies, also photos, images, audio files, and even RTF text files for captions) in the current folder.

 Navigation works exactly like with other file managers: Folders can be opened

with a double click. Arrow buttons take you one level up or down. You can also let your files be displayed as a folder tree with a hierarchy and use the search function (view page 51) to look for files according to variou

s criteria.

 All files displayed in the file list may be loaded and used. Find a video file, e. g.

in the format *.mpg, *mxv, or *.avi.

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22 Quick Start

 In

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

 The left program monitor is responsible for playback of objects in the arranger.

The right source monitor displays a preview of files in the Media Pool.

 To play a video file from the Media Pool in the right source monitor, double

click on the file in the file list. 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 (hold down the mouse button) from the Media Pool down into the arranger. An object appears at the location on the track where you release the mouse button to represent this video file.

 All objects in the arranger can be moved with the mouse - either horizontally

on a track or vertically between tracks. Drag the video object on the first track all the way to the left to the beginning of the track.

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Note: If the video also has a sound track, it will be displayed here in the same track. To learn how to separate sound and video, read the "Objects" (view page 95) chapter.

 Now you have loaded the first file into the arranger, where it can be cut, edited

and exported. You can now load additional files and combine videos, audio and photos with each other on all tracks.

 To play back the arranger, click the play button on the transport control under

the program monitor to the left.

Tip: By the way, playback and stopping is easier with the space bar.

 A vertical line travels back and forth over the arranger during playback: This is

the playback marker that indicates the current position. You can reposition it by clicking at different locations in the movie as desired.

 You can also define playback ranges, e. g. to freeze a certain position

independent of the playback marker. You can define an in-point by clicking in the position bar above the first track, indicating the starting point of the playback area. If you right-click to the right in the position bar, an out-point will appear, which indicates the end point of the playback area. The length of the playback area is shown in the center of the section display.

Quick Start 23

 In- and out-points can be moved or placed directly with the mouse: A left click

sets the in-point, and a right-click sets the outpoint.

 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 would like to continue with your own film material, select "New project"

in the "File" menu and read the following section about video import.

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24 Quick Start

 If yo

u would like to first continue using the test file, skip the import tutorial and

read the next section called "Video editing" (view page 27).

Import video material from memory card

 Connect your memory medium (camera, USB stick, SD card or other) to the

PC. You may have to first turn your camera on.

 Click on the red button below the source monitor to open the record dialog.

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 I

n the record dialog, click on "AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra".

Quick Start 25

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26 Quick Start

 Th

e AVCHD import assistant will then open. Select your connected storage

devices as "video source". A file list will appear.

 In the file list, select all the recordings that you've imported from the device.  You can preview all your recordings using the preview monitor in the middle of

the dialog in order to decide if they are suitable for your movie.

 After selecting all videos, in "Import options" you can select whether the

recordings should be directly placed into your movie project or simply copied to your computer's hard drive (you can select the location in the next dialog). You can also automatically delete your recordings after import.

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Quick Start 27

Video editing

Timeline mode

All editing takes place in the arranger. All movies and scenes are represented in accordance to their duration in the "Timeline mode": The longer the symbol is, the longer is the scene represented by it.

Han

dles: All objects may be shortened by placing the mouse on one of the

lower object corners until the mouse cursor turns into a stretch symbol. You can now squash the object as much as you like. At the top corners of every object you’ll find two fade handles that can be adjusted to fade an object in or out. The handle at the top center can be used to adjust the volume of audio objects and the transparency of video objects.

Note: Video objects with a sound track will automatically be displayed on one track. These have six, not five handles. For more information, read the "Objects" chapter.

Object selection: For advanced effects editing, the objects must be selected first. Individual objects can be selected with the mouse. Objects will change

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28 Quick Start

color to show

that they have been selected. Multiple objects can be selected by holding down the "Shift" key. If you click next to an object, you can draw a rectangle with a held-down mouse key. All objects contained therein will be selected.

Effect editing: Selected objects may be edited with the help of effects sound in the Media Pool.

Settings for each effect may be found directly in the Media Pool. Most effects can be controlled using keyframe animation or effect curves. Effect intensity is controlled dynamically using single points (keyframes) or a drawable curve (effect curve). All buttons for keyframe and effect curve animation can be found in the lower part of the Media Pool after selecting the effect.

Note: To activate the effect curve, the first keyframe must be set first.

Context menu: The context menu also offers a number of object editing

options. It is opened by right-clicking on an object. Different trim editors can be opened which enable an exact cut with different transition parameters. For video objects, there is another context menu than for audio and title objects.

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move unusable scenes

Quick Start 29

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

 Variant 1: The complete material is loaded into your project first and the

unusable scenes are cut out.

 Variant 2: Cut the material prior to importing it, and then proceed to import

only the scenes you need. This process is recommended for long movies with a lot of editing; it functions either via the Media Pool or the project folder.

Cut videos in the project

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

 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 which you would like to cut out,

click on the playback button again. The playback marker stays near the start of the scene to be removed.

Tip: For long movies or for quick browsing, you can let the movie play fast forward and follow the action on the program monitor. To do so, drag the playback marker while holding down the mouse key across the timeline (but not too fast!).

 Set t

he playback marker at the start of the unused material. To get a better view, we recommend using the zoom function (the +/- buttons at the bottom right of the arranger).

 Press "T" on the keyboard. This will have the effect of cutting the current

scene into two sections at the position of the payback marker.

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30 Quick Start

 Re

peat these steps for the end of the unusable scene. Find the end of the scene, place the play marker as close as possible to the end point, and then press the "T" key on the keyboard again.

 Now you have "isolated" the unusable scene and can simply delete it from the

movie using the "Del" key. Before this, the scene must be selected by clicking it with the mouse.

 If you didn't work accurately during cutting, then don't worry; you can use the

object handles to stretch or shorten the remaining objects to recover or exclude material from the deleted section.

 After deleting, a gap remains in your movie where the removed scene once

was. How do you remove gaps out of the film? Easy: You can drag the following scenes back until the end of the first scene "docks" to the later material. Remember to "take" all objects that are further behind, otherwise the gap will just be "passed" to the end. To pull up later objects, use "All tracks"

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use mode, since this automatically takes the objects on all tracks found

Quick Start 31

later on the timeline along with the object being moved.

Note: If your project has both a video and an audio track, it is usually necessary to cut both tracks synchronously. After camera import, image and sound tracks are combined into one object, so all cut and move actions effect both in the same manner. However, if you have created a separate sound track, which isn't connected to the image material, it is recommended that you create a group before your editing operations. To do so, select the video object and the audio object via "Ctrl" + click, and in the "Edit" menu select the "Group" option (or click the group tool).

All cutting functions (as well as all other

editing processes in MAGIX Video Pro X4) are non-destructive. This means that the original material on your hard drive will not be altered.

Importing individual scenes from longer movies

If you have saved a longer video as a file on your hard disk and only want to use a section 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.

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32 Quick Start

 N

ext, position the playback marker at the end of the section and click the "Set

out point" button.

 The currently selected range appears highlighted in blue in the range display.

You can playback this range separately with the "Playback range" button.

 All range limits can be moved by holding down the mouse button and

dragging. Once the range matches the section that you want to import, click on the preview monitor and drag the section onto the track. An object will appear featuring the material you wanted to import. If you're not sure where you would like to use the section in the project, you can drag it into the project folder instead of onto the track.

Tip: You can also edit files that are located in the project folder in the same way. A shortened file also contains information in the project folder about in and out points so that you don't always need to reset these in case the video needs to be re-imported at a later time. You can also drag each file directly from the Media Pool into the project folder.

Regroup scenes

You will often want to move specific scenes or even groups of scenes to a different place within a film. This happens completely intuitively: Single scenes can be 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" + mouse click lets you select more than one scene, "Shift" + mouse click lets you select all of the scenes that lie in between.

Finally, here are three tips for more extensive arranger work:

 With the mouse modes "All tracks" or for "One track" (view page 40) doesn't

just move

the selected scene, but all objects that are located behind the

object (one track) or all tracks (all tracks).

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Quick Start 33

 The commands "Group" (view page 311) and "Ungroup" (view page 311) let

combine any scenes into groups which can then be moved together as a

you block.

 If cutting and moving around parts of your project has left it a little

unorganized, try using the project folder. The project folder is better suited for intermediate storage of all of the objects you want to use in your movie. You can either move all of the objects directly from the arranger into the project folder by dragging them there (they will be removed from the corresponding track), or you can copy the objects and paste them into the project folder. Hold down "Shift" while you click to select multiple files. You can also drag sections of files or files from the Media Pool and drag them directly into the project folder.

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.

Publish videos

Burn DVDs and Blu-ray discs with interactive menus

You can burn your projects onto DVD or Blu-ray discs with an interactive menu.

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

For multiple films that are subdivided into individual chapters, the disc selection menu becomes even more important, allowing you to jump to each movie or chapter using your remote control. To make sensible chapter divisions in your movie, it should be split into sensible sections. Place the play marker where you'd like to have it and choose the option "Chapter marker" from the "Edit" menu (keyboard shortcut: Shift + Enter). If you select the option "Automatic chapter markers", a chapter marker is automatically placed at the beginning of every scene.

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34 Quick Start

You can switch to the

"Burn" screen by pressing the corresponding button at

the top right.

The "Burn" screen has two views: "Preview" and "Edit". The "Preview" screen provides fast loading for a menu template followed by burning. More detailed editing such as activation/deactivation of menu entries, creation of new menu pages, or individualization of templates takes place via the "Edit" screen.

Once the menu is finished, you may burn a disc to watch via your player.

Export video as file

Besides burning the project, it may also be exported as a video file. During export, the entire arrangement will be recalculated into a single file, which will be saved in the indicated folder on the hard drive. The available export formats are listed in the menu "File -> Export film".

To place a video on the Internet, you fill find a direct connection to MAGIX Online Album and platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook and Videocloud under "File" > "Online".

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Work screens 35

Work screens

This chapter will provide an overview of the the screens that available in MAGIX Video Pro X4.

Activate main screen

MAGIX Video Pro X4 contains two views where all work is executed:

 The "Edit" screen is the main view. Load the videos here and edit them in a

project window.

 T

he "Burn" screen is a special view for burning discs. This especially involves design on a selection menu, for example as used by DVDs and other storage devices.

The above right allows you to switch between these screens.

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36 Work screens

"Edit" screen

1 Top toolbar (view page 37): Here

important commands.

2 Menu bar: This contains important MAGIX Video Pro X4 functions. 3 Program and source monitor (view page 58): Video

displayed here.

4 Media Pool (view page 50):

folders, various transitions, titles and effects.

5 Switch for overview mode and Multicam mode: Here you can switch into

overview mode. In it, all objects on the first track are displayed, allowing quick scene re-sorting. The right button activates the Multicam mode (view page 115).

6 Lower toolbar (view page 38): In Timeline mode, here you can

between various mouse modes for various edits, among others.

7 Timeline: Here you can define the playback range. It is equipped with a

time scale.

8 Peakmeter: The peakmeter shows the sum soundtrack volume at the

moment.

9 Project clipboard (view page 57): Here you

the project.

10 Arranger (view page 45):

project clipboard via Drag & Drop onto the tracks.

11 Scroll bars: The lower scroll bar can be stretched and contracted for

zooming with the mouse. The right scroll bar zooms into the tracks vertically. Click on the edge of the scroll bars while holding the mouse button to change the visible part in the arrangement window.

All files can be dragged from the Media Pool or

you will find buttons for quick access to

and image objects are

Using the four tabs, you can reach your PC's

select

can collect all files needed for

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Work screens 37

Note: Various interface elements are only available in the default, "Standard"

display mode ("Window" > "Window arrangement").

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 X4 project. A dialog with settings for a new disc project or a new film (view page 258) opens to get started.

Short

cut: Ctrl + N

Load project

With this option you can load a project or a media file. Please note that all media files associated with it must be loaded along with a project. MAGIX Video Pro X4 will search for all used sounds and video files in the folders in which they were located when the move was saved.

Shortcut: Ctrl + O

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 X4 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 unchanged during the entire MAGIX Video Pro X4 editing process. To save the full movie into a dedicated directory, for instance to continue editing on a different PC, please use the command "Copy movie and media into directory".

Shortcut: Ctrl + S

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38 Work screens

Program settings

Opens the program settings (view page 260).

Short

cut: Y

Context help

The mouse cursor will turn into an arrow with a question mark.

Click on any button of the main screen, to open program help which will describe the control element in question.

Shortcut: Alt + F1

MAGIX News Center

The MAGIX News Center features links to current online tutorials and tips & tricks on the software application examples. The "News" is indicated by color according to content:

 Green indicates practical tips & tricks for the software  Yellow reports the availability of new patches and updates  Red for special offers, contests and questionnaires

If no new messages are present, the button will appear gray. When the MAGIX News Center is clicked, all of the available information will be displayed. Click the messages to reach the corresponding website.

Lower toolbar

The following buttons are available:

Select a movie to edit

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

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Work screens 39

Undo

With this command you can undo the last changes you made. This way, it's no problem if you want to try out critical operations. If you don't like the result, then you can always revert to the previous state by using "Undo".

Clicking on the arrow next to the button opens a list of changes made until now, allowing you to undo several changes made in sequence.

Note: You can adjust the length of the list to your needs in program settings (view page 260). In general: The longer the list, the more RAM is used.

Shortcut: Ctrl + Z

Redo

This function undoes the previous "Undo" function.

Clicking on the arrow next to the button opens a list of changes made until now, allowing you to undo several changes made in sequence.

Note: You can adjust the length of the list to your needs in program settings (view page 260). In general: The longer the list, the more RAM is used.

Shortcut: Shift + Y

Delete items

This command deletes the selected objects.

Shortcut: Del

Title editor

Opens the Title editor for the selected photo, video, or title object.

Shortcut: Ctrl + T

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40 Work screens

Set ch

apter marker

Places a chapter marker at the position of the playback marker. This creates a chapter entry in the disc menu in case the movie is being burned to disc.

You can rename the chapter markers by right clicking and selecting "Rename". The new name will appear in the chapter menu (view page 213).

cut: Shift + Enter

Short

Object grid

Use this button to switch the object grid on and off. When the object grid is switched on, the objects snap into place beside one another so that everything fits in seamlessly.

Form group

All selected objects are assigned to a group which may then be selected and edited jointly by clicking the mouse.

Shortcut: G

Ungroup objects

This command splits an object group into separate objects.

Shortcut: Shift + G

Mouse modes

MAGIX Video Pro X4 offers special mouse modes for different kinds of editing. These may be selected using the small arrow next to the button.

Object

This is the preset mouse mode for individual objects that is used the most often.

Left clicking selects an object. Holding down the mouse button moves the selected object. Right clicking opens the context menu.

Shortcut: 6

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Work screens 41

All tracks

This mouse mode behaves similar to "Object" mouse mode.

During movement of objects, all of these will be moved behind the selected object. The complete background component of the arrangement, i.e. all objects and gaps on all tracks, will therefore be maintained during any movement.

This is practical in order to move a complete arrangement, e. g. to insert new opening credits or to close gaps.

Shortcut: 7

One track

This mouse mode behaves similar to the mouse mode "All tracks".

When moving objects, only those objects will be moved that are located on the same track behind the selected object.

Shortcut: 8

Curve

This mouse mode is used especially for drawing effects curves.

Effects curves control

the level of the effect: The higher the curve point is, the more intense the respective effect parameter will be at this position. These may be used for the video and image objects of the image tracks as well as for the audio objects of the sound tracks.

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

Shortcut: 9

Stretching

This special mode enables the length of objects to be adjusted. The object is played back completely and the playback speed is adjusted to the stretched object length.

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42 Work screens

Video objects are therefore

accelerated or decelerated accordingly. Audio objects are stretched or pinched via timestretching, but without creating any changes to the pitch itself.

Attention: If the object is to be animated with effects curves, then the option "Connect curve length with object length (view page 153)" should also be set.

Shortcut: 0

Preview audio

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.

Shortcut: Alt + 6

Cut button

You can split objects with the cut button, you can remove the object start or object end or divide the film up. Select the object you want to edit and place the playback marker at the desired position. Clicking on the cut button cuts the object in two. You can reach extra options using the drop-down menu.

Split

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

Short

cut: 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.

Shortcut: Z

Remove end

This command cuts a selected object at the playback marker position and removes the material behind the playback marker.

Shortcut: U

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Work screens 43

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 you to completely remove selected objects. The parts that follow will be automatically moved to the end of the object in front of the object to be removed.

Shortcut: Ctrl + Del

Split movie

Splits movie at the playback marker position into two sections within one project. These can be individually controlled using the "Window" menu or the button "Select movie for editing" (see above).

Shortcut: Alt + Y

Special functions to insert new objects

MAGIX Video Pro X4 offers various possibilities how an object selected in the Media Pool will be pasted into the project.

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.

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.

 In contrast to automatic placement, with track ripple, all objects will be placed

at the position of the playback marker. Objects on the target track are automatically moved behind the inserted object. Bordering tracks are unchanged.

 Videos and images will be loaded to the first track, as usual. If another object

is found at the playback marker position, then it will be cut continued at the end of the inserted object (so that the inserted object can start exactly at the point of insertion).

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44 Work screens

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 also be moved.

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

the playback marker.

 Videos and images will be loaded to the first track, as usual. If another object

is found at the playback marker position, then it will be cut continued at the end of the inserted object (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.

Preview rendering

You can access the preview rendering options by pressing this button.

Mute button

This button mutes the sound output. Clicking the triangle provides access to settings for scrubbing (view page 208) and selection of the audio track for multi-audio tracks.

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Work screens 45

Mixer

With

this option you can open and close the real-time mixer. Further

information can be found in the Mixer (view page 195) chapter.

cut: M

Short

Arranger

The arranger offers a professional editing screen for post-production.

Tracks

The arranger offers tracks for multimedia material positioning and editing. The number of displayed tracks can be defined in "File" > "Settings" > "Movie".

In principle, any object type may be placed on any of the tracks. Video and image objects may also be combined with MIDI and audio objects on any of these tracks. The maximum length of a movie is restricted to 6 hours.

At the

start of every track there is a track header.

Lock symbol: With this symbol you can lock the complete track and all objects located on it.

Track number: For quick orientation, all tracks are numbered.

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46 Work screens

Maximize track: Enlarges the track. This way, you can easier edit details,

such as edit transitions. Solo: Switches the track into "solo". Only this track will be played during

arrangement playback. Hide video, image and title objects: All visible objects become

transparent. Audio objects remain audible. Transparency slider: Here you can set the transparency for the entire

track. Mute: Switches all audio objects on the track to mute. Video, image and

title objects will continue to be played back.

Volume control: Sets the volume for all audio objects on the track.

Track name: The name of the track. You can freely select the name by

clicking on the name field and typing the name. To apply, press the enter key.

A right-click on the track header opens the context menu, where you will find the following options:

 MultiCam > Source track: Here you can activate/deactivate a track as a

source track.

 Multicam > Master audio track: Here you can define the master audio track for

Multicam editing (view page 117).

 DVD

audio track: If you are planning to burn several audio tracks (for example, for multiple languages) to a DVD or Blu-ray, for tracks containing only audio, you can determine the position on which the current track should be found. As soon as you select an option from a submenu, a dialog opens, where you must give your audio track a name (such as "English"). For more information, read the "Audio editing".

ack height: Set whether the selected track or all tracks should be displayed

 Tr

as small, large or in standard size. You can also adjust the size using your mouse. To do so, drag the lower border of a track box downward using a mouse.

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Work screens 47

Zooming

The vertical zoom function sets the number of visible tracks. With many tracks, zooming is useful to be able to selectively edit a track or an object in full view.

Use the horizontal zoom functions to set up the visible section of the arrangement on the timeline.

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

Optimize view: Displays the complete arrangement in full width. Zoom will be set to 100%.

When the function is turned off, the old zoom level will be reactivated.

Scroll

The scroll bars serve to navigate in the arrangement. This enables the visible section of the arranger to be moved.

The zoom level may be ch

anged via the horizontal scroll bar by clicking the

bar's edge and dragging.

Tip: To zoom and scroll, it is recommended to use keyboard shortcuts.

Grid

The arranger surface features a frame-exact snap grid. This ensures that video and image objects snap exactly to the borders of a frame.

The snap stages depend on the frame rate specified in the movie settings ("File

-> Settings -> Movie"). Choose between Europe's conventional frame rate for

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48 Work screens

PAL (25 frames

per second) and America's and Japan's conventional frame

rate NTSC (29.97 frames per second) or any other manually set frame rate.

When moving an object, the position display indicates at which frame the first image of the object is shown.

The position is displayed in the form of a tooltip when moving the object.

It indicates "Hours:Minutes:Seconds:Frames".

Note: Audio objects may be moved sample-precise. That means that they do not move along a frame grid if they are not grouped with a video object.

In addition to the constantly active frame grid, an object grid may also be activated. This ensures that two consecutive objects will seamlessly snap together even if they are on different tracks. This avoids undesired gaps or overlaps.

The object grid may be activated/deactivated via the magnet symbol in the lower toolbar.

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erview mode

Work screens 49

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.

"Overview" mode does not indicate start, playback, or end markers. The scene which is currently being played has a frame around it.

The zoom slider enables the view to be enlarged or reduced.

This controller also specifies how many scenes are displayed. The smaller the preview pictures, the more will fit onto the overview.

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

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50 Work screens

dia Pool

The structure and workflow of the Media Pool is similar to that featured by Windows Explorer; however, the difference is that only the used files are displayed. This is used to access and load multimedia files of all kinds: video files, audio files, fades, effects, and also complete projects.

Preview function

A preview function for all of the files in the Media Pool can be started by double clicking or by pressing the playback button on the source monitor.

The transport control function in

the source monitor allows you to select sections from a longer video file in the Media Pool and load them. Read the "Add objects into the project" (view page 58) section.

Importing

Navigation buttons

The navigation buttons let you navigate through your computer’s drives and folders.

Forward/ back

These buttons access the previously viewed folders.

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Highe

The "Burn" screen

1 Menu preview: Here you can see a selection menu preview. For more

information, read the "Edit disc menu" (view page 298) chapter.

2 Switch view

s: Here you can switch between preview and edit views.

3 Remote control: Here you can check how your future disc will react when

you press the buttons of your player's remote control.

4 Output:Before burning the project, select the desired format (view page

231).

5 Play preview: Pla

y the preview menu and test how it works with the

remote control.

6 Template category: Select the desired section from various categories

with different menus.

7 Menu templates: Switch between different templates for designing your

menus.

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

assigned to a page, the menu or all menus on a disc.

You will find

more information in the "Burning" section.

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Basic mode 63

Basic mode

MAGIX Video Pro X4 offers a wide range of menus, toolbars and control elements, which may confuse those who are new. For simple video editing tasks such as a rough cut or format conversion, MAGIX Video Pro X4's full function range isn't necessary.

For this reason, by going to "Window" > "Editing mode", MAGIX Video Pro X4 can be switched into a simplified, or basic mode. In this mode all operating elements, menus and toolbars are reduced to the very basics.

 T

he window arrangement is similar to that of Movie Edit Pro, with a program

monitor, Media Pool and project.

 The arranger is replaced with a one-track Storyboard (view page 64). Here,

ted movie material can be split into individual scenes and arranged.

impor Control elements and menu commands for effect and audio editing are hidden.

 Only standard fades and simple titles with preset fonts are possible.  Media Pool may be used only for file import. Fades, titles and effects tabs are

hidden.

 In addition to the buttons for switching between the main screens Edit and

Burn, there is an additional button Export. With the corresponding export

dialog, the finished movies can be saved in various formats and uploaded to various Internet platforms.

 In the Burn window the control elements for menu template editing are

missing.

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64 Basic mode

Switching between standard and basic modes

To switch MAGIX Video Pro X4 into basic mode, select "Window" > "Editing mode" > "Basic mode".

Note: If you switched into basic mode by accident and your MAGIX Video Pro X4 project contains cut and edited audio and video material on multiple tracks, this arrangement will not be changed. However, it is not recommended to work in basic mode because the effects on other tracks during editing in Storyboard aren't predictable. For this reason, in this case you should switch back into standard mode.

Tip: If you switch from basic mode back into standard mode, by going to "Window" > "Window arrangement" > "Resent window arrangement" you can restore the previous arrangement of MAGIX Video Pro X4.

Storyboard mode

In the "Edit" screen, the Arranger has been replaced with a Storyboard. Pictures and video footage (including the audio track) are displayed as scenes in the Storyboard. The scenes are all displayed the same way, irrespective of how long they really are in the movie.

Note: In this type of display, the playback marker moves at different rates through the length of the film. Correspondingly, it moves slower in longer scenes.

You can load a video or image file by dragging it from the Media Pool into the Storyboard using the mouse. To generate a preview of the video, drag the file into the program monitor. Monitor transport control will not work on the storyboard, but will play the video from the Media Pool.

A file you load is made up of a single long "scene", which can be split into several smaller scenes. This can take place manually or using the cut button

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Basic mode 65

(view page

42) functions on the lower tool bar or via automatic scene

recognition (view page 274) (shortcut: Shift +Z)

You can then

re-arrange the scenes via drag & drop and delete unwanted

scenes.

The following buttons are found on each scene:

Add text and titles: Click on the "T" button to add a title. Enter your text straight into the program monitor. You can also change the title's size. The title will be added at the beginning of the scene and displayed for 5 seconds. Set volume: The volume in the soundtrack of each scene can be set via the loudspeaker button.

Effects menu: This menu takes you to copy/paste functions, a few special functions ("scene recognition", "audio video offset" for videos, "automatic cropping to fill frame" and "change photo duration" for stills) and Object properties. Transitions/fades: Click on the large button between the scenes to select a scene transition ("Fade"). You can choose between a "Crossfade" and a "Thru black" that each last one second. Selecting "Cut (no fade)" removes the fade. Rotate image (only for stills): Click on this button if a photo or a still frame is flipped on its side or upside down. It will rotate the photo by 90 degrees. Display duration: Indicates the display duration of the scene in [minutes]:[seconds]:[frames]. With image files, you can click the time display and adjust the display duration in the dialog that appears. This duration can be applied to all photos in the movie.

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66 Basic mode

Export

The "Export" button opens a dialog containing the most important export functions. With it, the finished movie can be saved in various formats, exported to various devices and uploaded to Internet platforms.

Save on computer (view page 239) Place on MAGIX Online Album (view page 248)

Export to device Upload to Internet (view page 247) Export as Media Player (view page 249)

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Video recording

Select the recording method

To start recording, click on the red "Record" button below the preview monitor.

The following selections are possible:

Video recording 67

 AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra for AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra cameras, as well

as for digital cameras or video DSLR with memory cards or hard drives as well as P2 memory cards for XDCAM. This option may also be used to import media from removable storage devices, USB devices, or hard drives as a clearly laid-out alternative to the Media Pool.

 HDV camera: For HDV cameras  DV cameras: For mini DV cameras and DV video recorders  Video for analog video cameras, analog TV, VCR, webcams and others.  Audio for microphones, cassette recorders, MiniDisc players, record players

and others.

 Screenshot: Records directly from the computer monitor.

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68 Video recording

 Frame for snapshots or image series from analog video cameras, analog TV,

VCRs, webcams and others.

AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra

This option accesses a universal import dialog that is not only suitable for AVCHD, DVCPRO, or AVC-Intra cameras, but also for external hard drives, P2 memory cards, photo, and movie cameras that contain usable files equally. MAGIX Video Pro X4 automatically recognizes the file structures and shows only individual takes, making import convenient and easy.

Alternatively, these drives may also be controlled directly via the Media Pool. The import dialog also features its own display filters and additional options for convenience.

Note: DVCPRO and AVC-Intra import is optional and must be activated (view page 360) for a fee.

Connect camera

Suitable cameras are essentially available in three varieties:

 Cameras featuring removable data storage: These cameras have a slot for a

memory card. Your computer should have a card reader for the corresponding memory card, which you can then remove from the camera and insert into the card reader. Different camera models can also be connected via USB.

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

regular 120 mm): The DVD can simply be taken out of the camera and inserted into the 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.

 Cameras with built-in hard drives: The camera will respond as a drive as

soon as it is connected via a USB cable to the PC. This additional drive will appear in Media Pool.

Hint: The listed options and procedures reflect our experience with what works. Still, we recommend you read the camera's manual for the exact sequence of actions and contact the manufacturer in case of problems.

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Import

Video recording 69

The option such, but rather "only" the transfer of the already created video file and its integration into the existing project.

On older systems, it may be helpful to transfer AVCHD files into MPEG-2 format during import. A corresponding query appears automatically as these files are imported.

Note: Before AVCHD import it is necessary to activate (view page 360) the MPEG-4 codec and Dolby®Digital Stereo codec for copyright reasons. MAGIX Video Pro X4 offers this option as soon as the codec is required.

After you have selected a recording option, the following dialog opens.

"AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra" does not produce a recording as

Video source: Here you can select the drive that corresponds to your connected camera.

Save in folder: Here you can select the folder where the imported files are to be stored.

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70 Video recording

Advanced settings: Adjust various settings affecting the name and date of the

files to be created.

Preview monitor and transport control: Play and rewind the clips in the file list here.

Medium/general: An info area for the files is provided to the right next to the preview monitor.

File list: The contents of the selected drive are shown here. Use the display filters to reduce the types of files shown. You can select every file separately using the little check boxes in order to import them later. At the top right of the list you can find options for displaying the files.

Note: The files are color-coded. The colors indicate recording times, so that you can quickly recognize which recordings were made at the same time.

Select: This offers self-explanatory options for file display ("all", "only new", or "none").

Display filter: Here you can select whether you want to view "Movies" or "Photos". With the option "Show only selected", all non-selected elements will be hidden. You should only use this option if you've already selected elements.

Insert into movie: With this option active, media will be inserted directly into the MAGIX Video Pro X4 Arranger as objects. When inactive, they will be simply copied into the target folder and may be selected from the Media Pool at any time.

Delete all media after camera import: This option deletes the selected media after importing from the camera.

Import: Starts the import process of the selected files into the target directory.

Cancel: closes the dialog without import.

Tip: In theory, the AVCHD import dialog is a universal import dialog, which can

be used for external drives, photo and movie cameras, containing usable files. If you find the display filters useful for your camera a s well, nothing stands in the way of connecting the camera to the computer and then activating AVCHD recording in MAGIX Video Pro X4.

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Video recording 71

HDV camera

Use this option to open the HDV camcorder record dialog. To do this, you have to connect an HDV camcorder.

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

DV camera

DV devices

MAGIX Video Pro X4 supports continuous editing of DV (digital video) files. A DV recorder or camcorder and a computer with a FireWire interface are required.

To record digitally, the digital output of the Mini-DV camcorder or DV video recorder must be connected to the DV interface of the PC, yet switched off. You must also have Microsoft’s DirectX8a (or higher) installed on your PC. Now switch your camcorder to “video recorder” or “playback” mode (depending on your particular device) and open the DV capture dialog.

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72 Video recording

Conne

ct a DV or HDV camera

 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 recorder" or "Playback".

The camera is now ready to transfer video to the computer.

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.

Capturing DV recorders or cameras

To start recording, click the "Record" button below 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 more space-saving MPEG format, then you should first activate the "Record DV as MPEG" option.

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 Th

is opens the actual recording dialog. Check to see if a DV camera driver has

Video recording 73

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 lower third of the screen.

Tip: In the DV recording dialog, you can set clips from the DV video which then will be recorded one after the other (batch capturing). Read more on this in the chapter "Batch processing" (view page 74).

"DV capturing" dialog

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

capture requires approx. 220 MB per minute of video!

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74 Video recording

Select DV device driver: The device driver for your DV device should be listed here. If "Record audio" is deactivated, then video without sound is recorded only. "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 movie file as/save in 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 under menu item "File -> Program settings -> Path settings".

Edit after recording: This provides access to the automatic editing options.

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

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

Video 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 return to the dialog use the "Esc" key.

Recording list

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 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. Simply specify the recording time points and the computer takes care of the rest. To set precise start and end points, click "Enter start/end point (view page 76)

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Video recording 75

Record list: Press this button to view the available

list of already recorded videos and scheduled recordings. All entries from the list may be selected and deleted.

Every batch recording is automatically logged. Conversely, every "manual" DV and HDV recording is transferred into the recording list in order to restore lost recordings without much effort.

Batch recording: 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 the red 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 76)"

Record: Starts the recording process. Also contains the list of scheduled recordings. These are processed step-by-step (batch capturing).

Stop: Stops the recording process.

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

MAGIX Video Pro X4 also supports remote controls for most digital camcorders. This does not function with all digital cards/video devices. If your

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76 Video recording

hardware do

es not support the remote control function, the buttons will not be

usable.

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

Tape title: Enter a name for your tape here. MAGIX Video Pro X4 requires this name for the DV logging feature.

Recording information: Displays various information about your recordings.

Set recording 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.

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DV as

MPEG

Video recording 77

This recording selection dialog option allows you to transfer DV recordings directly into the space-saving MPEG format on the harddisk.

From the "DV as MPEG" dialog window you can find MPEG encoder settings options under "Advanced". You can also burn your DV material direct to disc without any intermediate steps.

Recording list

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78 Video recording

Record list: Press this button to view the available

list of already recorded videos and scheduled recordings. All entries from the list may be selected and deleted.

Every batch recording is automatically logged. Conversely, every "manual" DV and HDV recording is transferred into the recording list in order to restore lost recordings without much effort.

Logging

Logging means that MAGIX Video Pro X4 also saves the original save location, position and additional information (metadata, e.g. scene, take, rating, comments, etc.) about DV video and audio files.

Everything copied using DV recording, DV to MPEG recording and HDV recording appears in the recording lists of the corresponding recording dialog. Recordings for which the corresponding video material is no longer on the hard disk will appear as "planned recordings".

MAGIX Video Pro X4 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 for automatic scene import.

You no longer have to save DV AVI and audio files (which can be very large). If at a later time you would like to work on a film again, but do not have the space to keep the material for it on your hard disk, then you can simply delete the bulky DV AVI and audio files.

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Video recording 79

Video

This option allows a video recording to be made from analog sources.

Connect analog video source

Connect the video out of your video camera, DVD player or VCR to the video in (TV, video, or video-in graphics card) of your computer, and 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: Many VCRs have a SCART output and most DVD players have three RCA outputs (two for the stereo track, one for the image). In such cases, you will need a SCART to RCA adapter, a cable with 3 RCA plugs at each end.

SCART/RCA adapter Scart/RCA adapter with 3

RCA jacks

Most sound

card inputs are mini stereo jacks. To connect the audio out of your

Stereo RCA/mini phone jack adapter

VHS recorder to the sound card audio in, you will need a stereo RCA/ mini phone plug adapter.

You will have to purchase a cable with three RCA plugs and a stereo RCA/mini phone plug adapter.

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80 Video recording

cord dialog

Video/audio driver: Here you can make settings to you video or sound card

before recording. In practically every case the driver software supplied with the hardware must be installed.

Input/tuner settings: Supports your video recording card with multiple sources; in cases when a TV tuner or multiple inputs (SVHS, composite...) are available, you can select the source to be recorded and the correct TV channel.

Save vid

recorded. You can also select the folder where your video file should be saved. The standard recording folder is set as default. The location of this folder may be changed via "Path settings" under "File -> Program settings -> Folders".

Edit after recording: This provides access to the automatic editing options.

Recording quality: You can select among various recording qualities

depending on intended use of the material and computer performance. These are sorted according to picture quality. Use Configuration to fine-tune the quality for the preset. Presets you have created yourself appear in this list as long as you use the default folder provided as the save location.

 Presets displayed with MPEG record directly in MPEG format.

eo file as/save in following folder: Enter the name of the movie to be

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Video recording 81

 The preset "AVI: user-defined" enables AVI videos to be recorded via the

codecs included with MAGIX Video Pro X4. There are several codecs for various applications, e.g. "MSU Screencapture Lossless Codec", which is used for screen capturing. Please pay attention to the general advice for AVI videos (view page 364).

Tip: Use MPEG presets if you want to burn your recordings immediately after recording, because thanks to the so-called "Smart Encoding" additional lengthy encoding after recording won't be necessary.

Advanced...: Opens the video driver settings dialog.

Recording control: Here you will find the red record button and the stop

button. Using them, you can start and stop recording.

Timer recordings active/time limit: Specify the recording start time and length to turn your PC into a fully functioning VCR.

Snapshot!: With Snapshot! you can create a still frame directly from the preview monitor. The images are saved in the recordings folder as graphics files in the resolution you have set.

Recording information: Here you will find statistics about recording time, available disk space, recorded frames and "dropped frames". Dropped frames are frames that have been left out because the computer is too slow for the selected image format and recording quality and cannot accept all incoming frames.

Preview: With some graphics cards, system strain can be reduced by switching video preview off. If you hear an "echo", deactivate the audio preview.

Advanced configurations 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. These driver-specific performance properties may deviate depending on the cards. We also have a very limited influence on the behavior of these drivers. If you encounter any difficulties, please contact the video card manufacturer for the latest driver updates.

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82 Video recording

Source: Sets the crossbar of the video card.

The crossbar determines which video and audio input signal will be recorded. The crossbars are connected in series to the video recording chip itself. 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, 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 configurations until the right sound matches the right image.

Composite-in = the normal video input (typically a cinch jack) S-video = S-video input (mini-din jack) SVHS-in = SVHS input (special cable) Tuner-in = TV signal of the integrated tuner

Display

Video decoder: If the picture only appears in black & white or it flickers, the video standard may be set incorrectly. In mainland Europe, PAL_B is used.

VideoProcAmp: Fine-adjustment of colors, brightness, contrast etc. We

recommend against changing any of the manufacturer’s settings.

Format: Please do not change anything here. The capturing format is set in the "Recording quality" option in the video recording dialog.

Station selection

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

Audio

Songs, noises, or instruments can be easily recorded in MAGIX Video Pro X4 using the audio recording function. A hooked-up microphone or various audio devices (especially a stereo system) can be used as recording sources.

Connecting the source for recording

First of all, the source of the audio material must be connected to the sound card input. Again, there are several possibilities which primarily depend on the type of equipment you have.

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

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Video recording 83

If you want to record material from a stereo system, then you can use the lineout or AUX out jacks on the back of your amplifier or tape deck. This involves connecting them to the sound card input (usually red).

If your amplifier has no separate output (other than for the speakers), then you can use the connection intended for headphones for your recordings. In most cases, you will need a cable with two mini-stereo jacks. This type of connection has the advantage of being able to set the headphone input signal level with a separate volume. As headphone connections generally are not the best, it is advised that you use the line outputs if possible.

When recording cassettes from a tape deck, you can connect the tape 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 preamplified. A more suitable method would be to use the headphone connection or an external pre-amp.

Adjusting the Signal Level

Adjusting the signal level to the sound card is also recommended 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.

You can now adjust the recording level with the help of the LED display in the recording dialog. For this, you must first check off "Show Levels".

If the adjustment is set too high, distortion occurs and the incoming signal must be reduced. If you have connected the source through either an amplifier or tape deck output to the sound card, you can only reduce the signal level in your sound card’s software mixer interface. You can access the mixer directly from within the recording dialog via the “Recording Level” button.

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

The maximum setting for an optimal level is the loudest part of the material. The loudest part should be adjusted to be the maximum. The actual recording begins when you press the "Record" button. At the end of the the recording you will be asked if you want to use the recording. Upon confirmation, the

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84 Video recording

newly-record

ed material will be placed at the next free position of the start

maker in the arrangement.

Audio record dialog

Audio driver: Selects the sound card for the recording.

Save audio file as/ Save in 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. In the preset menu you can choose between medium wave radio ("AM tuner"), UKW ("FM Radio"), DAT (Digital Audio Tape) and CD quality.

Display Volume control: Using the peakmeter, you can monitor the level of the incoming signal. Please read more on this in the chapter "Adjusting levels" (view page 83)

ord: This button starts the actual recording.

Rec

Stop: Click this button to stop recording

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Video recording 85

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

raised to a proper level after recording is completed. In order to achieve good results, you should try to record the source as loud as possible without overmodulating it. To do so, refer to the peak meter reader in the recording dialog.

Play while recording: This option is particularly important for spoken commentary, 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 settings for audio recordings

 Mono recording: Activate to record in mono. This reduces the required

memory space in half. Mono recordings are recommended for voice recordings made using only one standard mono microphone.

 Real-time resample to project's current sample rate: Automatically matches

the sample rate of a new file to be recorded with the sample rate of the current movie's sound track (set in the video recording).

 Automatic volume reduction of other audio tracks ("ducking"): 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 automatically reduces the volume of audio objects in the arrangement during the recording session (”ducking”). This is achieved using an automatically configured volume curve: Before and after the recording, other tracks will be faded in or out, resulting in a homogeneous total volume level. (Lowering of volume level during spoken comments is also called "Ducking".)

Single frame

Single frame recording may be used to record snapshots from the connected video source. This requires a DirectShow compatible video recording or TV card or a corresponding USB device (e.g. a webcam).

The time control function allows you to automatically take snapshots. This is useful for the following applications:

 to create slideshows using videos  for animation films (stop-motion recording)  for video surveillance

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86 Video recording

 or in time-lapse

photography

The recorded images are added to the current arrangement.

Recording dialog

Video source: You may set the video card used to take pictures here.

Save picture as: Enter the title of the snapshot to be recorded here.

Snapshots are saved under this name and numbered consecutively. You may also select the file path for storage.

Recording quality: Set the solution for the recording here. This corresponds with the resolution options offered on the camera. Use the slider to set the image quality. Using higher resolutions results in larger file sizes for each recording. "Reset" resets the image quality to the preset value.

Advanced...:

Opens the video driver settings dialog.

Camera sound during recording: This causes the program to play a clicking sound each time a snapshot is taken.

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

Timer-controlled recording

Recording interval: When active, starting recording produces a sequence of

images. Snapshots are saved according to the selected time interval and

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Video recording 87

numbered sequentially. For example, if snapshots are taken every two seconds and then inserted every five frames into the slideshow, then a ten times accelerated time lapse recording will result.

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

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 contact the video card manufacturer for the latest driver updates.

Input: Sets the crossbar switch of the video card. This lets you define what video and audio signal is used in the recording. The crossbars are connected 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 select the signal source to be used for this input by the video card during recording.

Composite in = the normal video input (typically a cinch jack)

S-VHS in = S-VHS input (special cable)

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

Video decoder: If the picture only appears in black & white or it flickers, then the video standard may be set incorrectly. PAL_B is used in Germany 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 "Resolution" in the "Recording" dialog box.

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88 Video recording

Screen

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

Use this feature to record your screen content. 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.

Tip: Use the fullscreen preset under "Recording quality". MXV, a video codec especially well suited for screen capturing, will be used.

 Click on the record button in the record dialog. An additional dialog with a red

record button, a black stop button as well as a frame with dashed bordering appears.

 Activate the option "Record mouse pointer" to record the movements of the

mouse pointer.

 If you like, you can deactivate "Animate mouse click", if you don't want to

visually record it.

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Video recording 89

 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.

Note: If you previously selected "Fullscreen", the window will be hidden.

 To start recording, press the red record button. The recording starts; the

record symbol appears in the task bar (tray).

 If you are finished with everything, click on the record button or the stop

button to stop recording. Recording ends and the recording dialog is visible once again.

Editing after recording

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You can open the "HDV camera", "DV camera" and "Video" record dialogs from the "Edit after recording" dialog.

90 Video recording

The dialog offers the following options:

 Automatic scene recognition: This function separates material into individual

scenes. Please also read the section "Automatic scene recognition" (view page 274).

 Automa

tically set chapter markers: Please also read the section "Set chapter

marker automatically (view page 113)" in the chapter "Edit" in the PDF manual (press "F1").

Burn project

directly after recording: With this option, you can record and

burn in one go. Simply select the format you would like to burn, insert a suitable blank disc into the drive, and press record.

Note: Make sure that the preset corresponds to the disc type (e.g. for DVDs the "MPEG:DVD" preset).

If you use your own presets for MPEG encoding (e.g. half image resolution for long play DVDs), make sure that they are the same for recording and burning, so that no repeat encoding has to take place (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.

Tip: This function is suited to finish long projects in one go: For example, you can start recording in the evening and have the finished DVD the next morning.

Export for mobile device: Recorded footage will be directly converted into the format of the selected mobile device and transferred to the device. Preset in the list field is the device which has been selected in the Export video/audio dialog.

Settings: Opens the export settings (view page 239) dialog for the selected target de

vice.

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Objects 91

Objects

Objects are used while in MAGIX Video Pro X4's "Timeline" mode. The general term "object" includes all media types that are present on the arranger's tracks. The following object types exist in MAGIX Video Pro X4.

Video objects: You can quickly recognize video objects by their header. They have file extensions, typical for video files (e. g. *.mpg, *.avi, *.mxv). The longer a video object is, the more frames that show various positions of your video you will see. Picture objects: Picture objects are photos or other static images. They have file extensions typical for images (e. g. *.jpg, *.png, *.bmp). In contrast to video objects, you will always see only one frame. Audio objects: All objects that contain sounds are considered audio objects. They have file extensions typical for audio objects (e. g. *.ogg, *.mp3, *.wav). With a right-click, you can display audio objects in waveform. Title objects: Title objects are created using the title editor and include text displayed in your project. They have no file extension.

In the following chapter you can read about what you can do with these objects. The workflow for all object types is the same.

Insert object into the project

Select files in the Media Pool

The source monitor allows material to be viewed prior to exporting it. A preview function is also provided for all of the files in the Media Pool.

 First, double click the desired file in the Media Pool which you would like to

preview. Image files are displayed immediately; video files must be loaded first. A preview is also provided for special objects like titles or fades.

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92 Objects

 Use the playback button in the source monitor to start the preview. Audio files

may also be listened to beforehand via the play button, and a level display will activate in the source monitor.

Load files

Media 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 already present at this position, the file is inserted at the desired time position 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

"Insert modes" button. For more about this, read the section "Insert modes (view page 43)" in the chapter "Workspaces".

 Project folde

r: If you would like to combine your material separately, then

using the 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 saves repetitive, annoying navigation through folders in the Media Pool.

Files with multiple audio tracks

MAGIX Video Pro X4 also loads VOB files that contain multiple audio tracks. After the VOB file has been loaded, simply click the audio object created and select the desired audio track.

Note: To view and select audio objects in the arrangement, Timeline mode must be active.

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ene overview

Objects 93

"Overview" mode does not indicate start, playback, or end markers. The scene which is currently being played has a frame around it.

The zoom slider enables the view to be enlarged or reduced.

This controller also specifies how many scenes are displayed. The smaller the preview pictures, the more will fit onto the overview.

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

Importing parts of longer movie files

For longer videos, it is recommended to define the areas which should be loaded into the project before importing. An in and out point is set to define the area for this purpose. To do so, proceed as follows:

 Select a file from the Media Pool by double-clicking it. Play it back using the

play buttons on the source monitor to indicate the section which you want to use in the project.

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94 Objects

 Eit

her 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 image and drag it to the arranger. An object will

appear on the track and in the project folder simultaneously, corresponding with the selected area.

 You can also drag your selection 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 only the selected range.

 You can also drag a file from 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 may be moved the opposite direction from the arranger

into the project folder. In case the object should appear in the project folder and in the arranger, hold down "Ctrl". This adds all object-associated settings (fades, effects, animations) and enables different editing work to be done on an object which then can be saved in the project folder for later usage.

Note: For all operations involving insertion from the source monitor into the arrangement, MAGIX Video Pro X4 features a variety of insert (view page 43) modes.

Select and group objects

To edit or delete objects using menus, you must first select them. To do so, simply click on the object you wish to select. 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-click-dragging.

Any object can be combined with others to make up a group, to avoid the 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

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Objects 95

group or ungroup objects, use

the buttons in the tool bar or the corresponding

commands in the "Edit" menu.

Duplicate objects

Objects may be duplicated very easily. Click 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 or cut separately.

Move Objects

Hold down the mouse button to move selected objects to any tracks and positions via drag and drop. It is recommended to place objects that belong together on neighboring tracks and to create separate tracks for audio and video objects. For this reason, videos that should overlay each other should usually be placed on the same track.

If the Shift key is pressed, objects can be moved from one track to another, without the time position being changed.

Extract sound from videos

Videos with audio material appear in the arranger as combi objects (audio object and video object in one track).

In order to edit the audio and image material separately from each other, rightclick on the object and select in the context menu the "Audio and waveform display" > "Video/audio on separate tracks". Audio and video objects will then be shown separately, grouped with themselves on two tracks. Then, using the "Ungroup" (view page 311) function in the "Edit" menu, or with the corresponding button in

the arranger, the objects can be separated from one

another.

Now you can replace the audio or the video track, or process each file separately. Re-join/regroup the tracks with the "Group" function.

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96 Objects

Object handles

All objects can be re-sized with their lower edge “object handles”. Move the mouse over one of the lower corners of the object until the mouse pointer becomes a double arrow. Move the mouse over one of the lower corners of the object until the mouse pointer becomes a stretch symbol.

5 "handles": Length, fade, transparency (volume)

An object can be faded in or out with the handles to the left and right upper corners of the object. Cross-fades between different objects can be created by overlapped positioning of objects that are fading in and out. The length of the cross-fade can be adjusted with the handles.

Using the transparency/volume handle located centrally at the top of the object, adjusts the transparency of video and Bitmap objects, or the volume of audio and image objects.

you adjust the middle handle of a video object all the way down, the object

If will become transparent. If a second object is located on a track above it, a black color will appear from below it, so that brightness will be reduced.

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bject handles for combi objects

Objects 97

Combi objects have an additional, sixth handle.

 The four outer handles have the same function as with regular objects.  The lower middle handle regulates the object's track volume.  The top middle handle controls the transparency of the object's image track.

Trim Objects

Trimming provides exact placement of object borders or transitions. MAGIX Video Pro X4 has two different trimmers, and these can be opened using the context menu for a video or image object.

General advice for operating both trim editors

Play functions: The trim window contains its own play function

s that allow the

object to be played individually or in relation to the arrangement.

The right play button plays the arrangement normally. Replays can sometimes appear shaky because the processor may be over-worked. Those frames that the processor cannot calculate quickly enough are left out.

The middle play button plays the arrangement “frame by frame”, which means no frames are left out. Depending on the processor load, playback may thus be slower, but still smooth.

The left play button renders material before playing, i.e. the current settings are calculated first and then exported. This method ensures a smoother playback.

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98 Objects

With

the fast forward and rewind functions you can change the range start in the timeline. This allows for complete control of transitions between two videos.

Increments: A click on the arrow buttons in both trim editors moves the handle or the material within an object exactly by one frame. With the Ctrl key you can increase the frame rate gradually to 5 frames per mouse-click.

Object trimmer

A schematic display of the selected object and its handles can be found in the center of the 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 the object length.

Position (2): Moves

the object on the track.

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: Shift + N

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Objects 99

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. This 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.

Cro

ssfade (4): Changes the transition’s length between both objects. The

objects remain 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 point moves.

Transition (6): Displays the type of transition. A mouse click opens a popup window from which you can select a transition.

Right arrow buttons (7): Move the first frame of the second object. The first object and the transition remains. Only the length of the second object changes.

Start fade-out/Last frame (8): Switches the left monitor between the start of the transition and the last frame of the object.

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100 Objects

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.

Keyboard shortcut: N

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Xara Video Pro - X4 User Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Copyright

Preface

Introduction 15

Quick Start 20

Work screens 35

Basic mode 63

Video recording 67

Audio 82

Objects 91

Markers 110

Multicam editing 115

Title 120

Effects 124

Apply effects to objects 124

Stereo3D 166

3D basics 166 Record 3D 167 Prepare 3D editing 168 Set playback mode for 3D 169 Align videos and pictures for 3D 170 Turn camera movements into 3D videos 172 Create titles for 3D videos 172 Export and burn 3D videos 172

Audio editing 174

5.1 Surround 198 Set multiple sound tracks 204 Scrubbing 208 MAGIX Soundtrack Maker 209 Mixdown of audio objects 211

Edit disc menu 212

Burn disc 231

Export movie 240

Settings for and management of video projectors 250

Special functions and wizards 274

Batch conversion 296

Blackmagic Design video cards 298

Menus 299

Context menu (right click) 328

Problems and solutions 346

Online functions 348

Keyboard shortcuts 352

Activate codecs 361

Annex: Digital Video and Data Storage 363

MPEG-4 encoder settings 371

Appendix: MPEG Encoder Settings 387

MPEG glossary 392

Tips for program help 417

Index 418

Support

Before You Start

Package Contents

Printed and PDF manuals

Installation

Serial number

System requirements

Introduction

What is MAGIX Video Pro X4?

Features

Notes for MAGIX Movie Edit Pro users

Quick Start

Program start

Select, load and play videos

Import video material from memory card

Video editing

Publish videos

Work screens

Activate main screen

"Edit" screen

The "Burn" screen

Basic mode

Switching between standard and basic modes

Storyboard mode

Export

Video recording

Select the recording method

AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra

HDV camera

DV camera

Video

Audio

Single frame

Screen

Editing after recording

Objects

Insert object into the project

Select and group objects

Duplicate objects