VIDEO EDITING ON COMPUTER
ON-LINE EDITING
Sometimes called a ‘Live-Mix’, on-line editing employs a mixer which is linked to two or more cameras. The cameras need to be kept synchronised so that the output picture can cut from one camera to another without any picture jumps. A popular method of synchronisation is known as genlock, where the mixing unit provides a special sync signal to each camera. However, our mixer stores each incoming picture in its digital memory, so that synchronisation can be controlled internally.
Mixing units, like the one shown here, can cut, dissolve, or mix with a variety of effects. All this is done live – in real time.
OFF-LINE EDITING
Virtually all films (including those made in Hollywood) are post-editing on a computer system. Computer based systems allow an almost unlimited array of effects and offer the sort of control only available in Hollywood studios a few years ago.
A number of software packages are available; our system is based on a card made by BlackMagic, and Adobe Premiere Pro.
All our work is PC based, because in extensive tests we have found PC based systems faster than Mac on equipment of equal cost.
The video output can be sent to digital or analogue tape, or converted to MPEG for DVD authoring.