FOR DIGITAL VIDEO CREATOR II SOFTWARE USER’S GUIDE Published August 2000 P/N 78-001-0042 Dazzle Incorporated 47211 Bayside Parkway Fremont, California 94538
License Agreement © 2000 Dazzle Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of this documentation may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to make any derivative work (such as translation, transformation, or adaptation) without permission from Dazzle Incorporated. Dazzle Incorporated reserves the right to revise this documentation and to make changes in content from time to time without obligation on the part of Dazzle Incorporated to provide notification of such revision or change.
License Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO MOVIESTAR™ Welcome. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 At Home For Business 2 3 About This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Assumption Installation Conventions & Concepts 3 4 4 CHAPTER 2: MOVIESTAR™ USER INTERFACE Main Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHAPTER 3: MOVIESTAR™ INTRODUCTION TO BASIC FUNCTIONS Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Recording Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Editing Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Trimming a Video Clip Joining Two or More Video Clips Splitting & Inserting Video Clips 3 6 7 Outputting Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jump Back Jump Forward Step Back Step Forward Record Magnify/Still Image Capture Loop Clear/Reset 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 9 CHAPTER 5: MOVIESTAR™ MEDIA MANAGER Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Media Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Detach/Reattach Button Album Groups Import Button Convert Button Webcast Button e-mail Button Slide Show Button DVDit! Button Changing Thumbnail Images Properties...
CHAPTER 7: MOVIESTAR™ VIDEO EDITOR Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Video Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHAPTER 9: MOVIESTAR™ STILL IMAGE EDITOR Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Still Image Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Edge Enhancement Rotate/Flip Resize Crop Save Restore Undo/Redo 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 CHAPTER 10: MOVIESTAR™ CUSTOMER SUPPORT Contacting Dazzle Incorporated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1 Welcome INTRODUCTION TO MOVIESTAR™ Congratulations! You have just purchased Dazzle Digital Video Creator II (DVC II) with MovieStar™, one of the best and easiest-to-use digital video editing and publishing software programs. Dazzle MovieStar™ software is used for capturing, editing, and outputting high-quality, digitally-compressed video with CD-quality sound from any analog video source. You can also capture high-quality video stills.
1-2 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO MOVIESTAR™ With Dazzle MovieStar you can: Capture Still Digital Images from Your Favorite Videos Now you can capture the moment like never before and send it to friends and family. You can even enhance and manipulate the image in a matter of moments. Create and Edit Your Own Videos Shoot lots of fun stuff. Edit unwanted footage. Add effects and titles. Add an audio track of your favorite tunes or a “creative” narration.
About This Guide 1-3 for portability and safety. You can also output your digital movies back to video tape to preserve and share them. You can send video clips via e-mail or by posting streaming video to a personal web site with the click of a button. The Dazzle MovieStar solution is the ideal way for distant relatives and friends to stay in touch and up-to-date. For Business Present your products and services with video for a professional look.
1-4 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO MOVIESTAR™ Installation For installation instructions, please refer to the Quickstart Installation Guide included in your Dazzle Digital Video Creator II box. Conventions & Concepts Conventions used in this manual have been established to help you learn to use MovieStar quickly and easily. As much as possible, the conventions correspond to those found in other Windows documentation.
About This Guide 1-5 Outputting Converting digital video or audio files back to analog format, saving digital files to CD-ROMs or DVDs, or publishing digital files to the Internet.
1-6 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO MOVIESTAR™
2 Main Interface MOVIESTAR™ USER INTERFACE This chapter examines the MovieStar™ user interface. It is a high-level view designed to give you a basic orientation to the software. In later chapters, the interface is explained in detail, with a chapter devoted to each function area. MovieStar uses an intuitive environment designed to give you logical control over all parts of your project so that you can quickly create and output high-quality digital movies and still images.
2-2 CHAPTER 2: MOVIESTAR™ USER INTERFACE Video Window The large rectangular window in the center of the Main Interface is the Video Window. It's where you will see the image from your video source (camcorder, VCR, etc.) or the image when you playback a video clip. The Video Window also displays still images. Video Window Control Buttons The Control Buttons are located just below the Video Window.
Main Interface 2-3 There are four Mode buttons: Video Mode, Still Image Mode, Audio Mode, and TV/VCR Output Mode. Video Mode Button Still Image Mode Button Audio Mode Button TV/VCR Output Mode Button Video Mode Video mode lets you capture and save video clips from external sources, such as a camcorder, TV, or VCR, which is connected to the DVC-II hardware.
2-4 CHAPTER 2: MOVIESTAR™ USER INTERFACE Media Manager The lower tab on the left-side of the Main Interface opens and closes the Media Manager panel. The Media Manager is a convenient organization space for all of your multimedia files. You can see your files in thumbnail format and you can organize them into groups. Dragging and dropping one of these thumbnails into the Video Window lets you view it; dragging one to the Video Editor or Still Image Editor lets you apply specialized options.
Media Manager 2-5 Shortcut Buttons Main Groups Media Manager Open/Close Tab Import/Publish Buttons Options Panel On the left side of the Main Interface, the upper tab gives you access to the Options panel. Within the Options panel are four sub-panels: Configuration, Adjust, Picture, and Recording: Configuration Configuration sub-panel lets you determine the settings for Video, Audio, Preference (Language), and Background.
2-6 CHAPTER 2: MOVIESTAR™ USER INTERFACE Recording Recording is where you choose the type of clip that you will work on; you can choose from a series of templates or create your own; you can see the current disk space and the corresponding Duration Options; and you can select the Working Directory. Open/Close Tab Configuration Panel Video Editor The Video Editor panel is used for integrating the parts of your project into a finished production. It is accessed by clicking on the bottom left-side tab.
Media Manager 2-7 Time Indicator Drop Video clips or Still Images here. Zoom In/Out Drop Titles here Undo Drop Music clips here. Redo Drop or Record Voice-over clips here. Open/Close Tab Title Editor Delete Control Buttons The Title Editor is the panel at the bottom-right of the Main Interface below the Video Window. It is accessed by clicking on the right-side tab. Existing titles can be edited or new ones can be created and saved. You can choose different fonts and alignment.
2-8 CHAPTER 2: MOVIESTAR™ USER INTERFACE Still Image Editor The Still Image Editor is the panel in the center of the Main Interface below the Video Window. It is accessed by clicking on the middle tab when a still image is loaded into the Video Window. A wide variety of graphic file types can be edited in the editor. Still Image Editing functions include image enhancement, rotation, resizing, and cropping.
3 Introduction MOVIESTAR™ INTRODUCTION TO BASIC FUNCTIONS Your MovieStar software is modularly designed and very easy to use. In this chapter, we will show you how to accomplish three primary tasks: ■ Recording Video - from a camcorder or other video source to your PC. ■ Editing Video - using Dazzle MovieStar. ■ Outputting Video - from your PC to a TV/VCR, CD, or the Internet.
3-2 CHAPTER 3: MOVIESTAR™ INTRODUCTION TO BASIC FUNCTIONS Start Menu 2 Select the video settings for capturing. ■ Click on the Options tab on the upper-left of the main interface to open the Options panel. Under Configuration > Video Configuration, make sure Video Input is set as Camcorder (or other appropriate source) and that Video Source is selected as either Composite or S-Video to match the input jacks you have used to connect the video source to the DVC-II hardware.
Editing Video 3-3 4 Preview video in the MovieStar video window. ■ ■ Click the Video Mode Button on MovieStar. After a brief initialization, you should see the video from your camcorder playing in the video window on your PC monitor. 5 Capture video into the MovieStar Album. ■ ■ Start capturing by clicking the red Record button in the Control Buttons. The video will start recording and a "Recording…" message box will appear. Stop capturing by clicking the Stop button in the "Recording…" message box.
3-4 CHAPTER 3: MOVIESTAR™ INTRODUCTION TO BASIC FUNCTIONS 1 Open the Video Editor panel. ■ Click the Video Editor tab. 2 Place and select a Video clip in the Video Editor. ■ ■ Drag and drop a video clip from the Media Manager in the top track of the Time Line Editor. The video file will appear as a bar in the video track. Click the video in the Editor Panel to select it. The video clip will get a highlighted border to indicate that it has been selected.
Editing Video 3-5 4 Mark the ending point of the video. Select and Mark Out Ending Point ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Click the video in the Editor Panel to select it. The video clip will get a highlighted border to indicate that it has been selected. Using the buttons in the Control Panel located in the main interface, play the video and pause it at the rough point you want it to stop. Move to the exact frame you want by using the Step Forward and Step Back controls.
3-6 CHAPTER 3: MOVIESTAR™ INTRODUCTION TO BASIC FUNCTIONS Joining Two or More Video Clips Often as part of editing you may want to join two or more video clips to produce a single long clip. 1 Open the Video Editor panel. ■ Click the Video Editor tab. 2 Place the first Video clip in the Video Editor. Drag and drop a video First Clip clip from the Media Manager in the top track of the Time Line Editor. The video file will appear as a bar in the video track.
Editing Video 3-7 4 Join or Combine the two videos into a single video. ■ ■ Click the Produce button located at the bottom of the Editor Panel. The Produce options panel will appear. Click the Produce button in the Produce Options Panel. The "Producing…" message will appear until the new longer video is rendered and appears as a new video clip in the Album in the Media Manager. (Video rendering is a complex process and may take some time to complete; please be patient.
3-8 CHAPTER 3: MOVIESTAR™ INTRODUCTION TO BASIC FUNCTIONS ■ ■ Move to the exact frame you want by using the Step Forward and Step Back controls. Click the Split button located at the bottom of the Editor Panel to mark the point where you want the clip to split. Notice the video clip will get split into two clips. 4 Insert a new video between the two split videos. ■ Drag and drop the second video clip from the Media Manager between the two halves of the first clip.
Outputting Video 3-9 6 Viewing the final video in the MovieStar video window. Outputting Video Outputting Digital Video to TV/VCR ■ Double-click the new video in the album. ■ Your new video clip will start playing immediately. Your edited digital movies can be output to TV/VCR, CD-R, DVD-R or published on the Internet. Follow these steps to record your edited digital movies back to video tape, or to view them on a TV.
3-10 CHAPTER 3: MOVIESTAR™ INTRODUCTION TO BASIC FUNCTIONS Storing Digital Video on CD-R/CD-RW Follow these steps to record your edited digital movies to CD-R or CD-RW. 1 Locate the file or files you want to store either in the Media Manager or on your hard drive with Windows Explorer. 2 Burn the files to a CD-R or CD-RW disk with your CD recording software (not included with DVC-II) according to your manufacturer’s instructions.
Recording Tips Recording Tips 3-11 Many factors influence the quality of a digital video recording. Good-quality video requires capturing as much digital information as quickly as possible. Video rendering is also a complex process and may take some time to complete, even on the fastest systems. Here are some suggestions for readying your system for digital video capture and rendering: ■ Source Format: VHS tape is acceptable for home use, but S-VHS and HI-8 tape is better.
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MOVIESTAR™ MAIN INTERFACE 4 Key Features Video Window Video Window Key Features Your Dazzle MovieStar Main Interface is intuitively designed to make creation of custom projects fun and easy. This chapter examines in detail the key features of the interface, including the: ■ Video Window ■ Mode Buttons ■ Fullscreen, Minimize, & Close ■ Volume Control ■ Control Buttons The large rectangular window in the center of the Main Interface is the Video Window.
4-2 CHAPTER 4: MOVIESTAR™ MAIN INTERFACE Mode Buttons The four Mode Buttons are on the right-side of the Main Interface, and are, top to bottom, Video Mode, Still Image Mode, Audio Mode, and TV/VCR Output Mode.
Mode Buttons Still Image Mode Button 4-3 Clicking on the Still Image Mode button puts MovieStar into the Still Image Mode, which is used for capturing still images from your video source. Still images are single-frame graphic files captured from your video source that can be saved in a variety of formats. Clicking the Still Image Mode button opens the Video Window to display the image from your video source (a warning will appear if MovieStar fails to detect any video signal).
4-4 CHAPTER 4: MOVIESTAR™ MAIN INTERFACE Clicking on the TV/VCR Output Mode button brings up a message that says MovieStar is ready to play to an external device. Load a clip by double-clicking its thumbnail in the Media Manager. Click the Play button to start playback. Fullscreen, Minimize, & Close The Fullscreen, Minimize, and Close buttons are located in the top-right corner of the Main Interface.
Volume Control Minimize As in any standard Windows program, clicking Minimize minimize MovieStar. 4-5 will Close As in any standard Windows program, clicking Close will close (exit) MovieStar. When in Native Size Playback mode, the close button will return MovieStar to Normal Playback mode. Volume Control In the bottom-right corner of the Main Interface is the Volume Control. The Volume Control has a small Speaker Icon button and a Thumbwheel. Volume Control Clicking on the Speaker Icon button (a.k.
4-6 CHAPTER 4: MOVIESTAR™ MAIN INTERFACE Start Time The Start Time indicator displays different pieces of information, depending on the mode you are in. When playing a recorded video file in the Video Window, Start Time will display the time (hh:mm:ss:ms) of the current location of the Play Indicator (the Play Indicator is the Control Slider handle). When playing a series of stills or a slide show, Start Time displays the number of the current image.
Control Buttons Play/Pause 4-7 The Play/Pause button works like a standard VCR play button, except that it is a toggle (the two functions are on one button). Clicking Play begins playing the currently loaded video clip. The Play button is also used when playing a slide show or series of multiple still images. Play is disabled when its function is not available. Clicking Pause pauses the playback of a video, slide show, or series of images at the current point.
4-8 CHAPTER 4: MOVIESTAR™ MAIN INTERFACE Step Forward The Step Forward button is used to go forward one frame in a paused video file, or to go to the next image in multiple image playback. Step Forward is disabled when its function is not available. Record Clicking Record begins the recording of audio or video, depending on which Mode you are in (still images are captured with the Still Image Capture button).
Control Buttons Clear/Reset 4-9 To unload a file from the Video Window, use the Clear button. Clicking Clear clears the player of whatever file is currently loaded (video, audio, or a still image). Also, clicking Clear/Reset will cancel any active mode in MovieStar.
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5 Key Features Media Manager Key Features MOVIESTAR™ MEDIA MANAGER This chapter examines in detail the key features of the Media Manager, including: ■ File Management ■ Albums ■ Projects ■ Effects ■ The Convert Button ■ The Webcast Button ■ Slide Shows ■ E-mail ■ DVDit! The Media Manager is used for creating and manipulating customizable albums of your multimedia files. These albums help you organize your work so those files can be stored and accessed in an efficient manner.
5-2 CHAPTER 5: MOVIESTAR™ MEDIA MANAGER Media Manager Detach/Reattach Button For your convenience, the small button on the upper-left of the Media Manager Panel lets you detach the Media Manager Panel from the Main Interface so that you can position it where you want. To reattach the panel, just click the Detach/Reattach button again. Detach Album Groups Reattach Files are organized into three main Album Groups in the Media Manager: Media, Projects, and Effects. Each of these groups has its own tab.
Media Manager 5-3 Actually, Albums do not contain files. Rather, they contain references (or "links") to files. The Media Manager is a catalog (database) of your files. When you place a file in an album, a thumbnail image with a link to the actual file is created. This system means that you can reference a file in several different Albums while storing only one copy of it on disk. It also means that, once referenced, files should not be moved from their referenced locations.
5-4 CHAPTER 5: MOVIESTAR™ MEDIA MANAGER Samples The Samples album is included to give you professional media clips to experiment with. We suggest you look at these before making your own albums. If desired, the Samples album can be deleted. Projects Projects includes Project Space plus any other albums you create, and is the place to store your MovieStar editing projects. Project Space The Project Space holds links to all of your Editing Projects. Editing Projects are created in the Video Editor.
Media Manager 5-5 4 In the dialog box, navigate to and select the files you want to import. 5 Click Import. Files can also be imported by dragging them directly to the album of your choice or by using the standard Windows Copy and Paste functions. NOTE: When files are captured or opened in the Video Window, they are automatically added to the Work Space album. Likewise, when Projects are saved in the Video Editor, thumbnails are automatically added to the Project Space album.
5-6 CHAPTER 5: MOVIESTAR™ MEDIA MANAGER To convert files with File Converter: 1 Select the file or files you wish to convert by clicking (or CTRL-clicking) on their thumbnail images in the Media Manager. You can also add files by clicking the Add Files button and browsing through Windows. 2 Choose the type of file you are converting to in the pull-down menu. Choose either Real Media or Microsoft Windows Media 3 MovieStar will default to the most common setting in the settings tab.
Media Manager 5-7 The various options and settings available for conversion are: File Size (KB), Total Size (KB), Free Space (KB) These windows display the resulting File Size after conversion of the selected source file, the Total Size (after conversion) of all checked files, and the current amount of Free Space on your working directory drive, respectively. Multiple or Single Bitrate This allows you to choose between Multiple or Single Bitrate.
5-8 CHAPTER 5: MOVIESTAR™ MEDIA MANAGER 1. Dial-up Modems - ISDN Multiple Bitrate Video Creates one ASF stream or file for multiple target audiences. Use this setting to encode multiple bandwidths that support client connections over dial-up modems and single channel ISDN using speeds between 28.8 Kbps and 56Kbps and has a total live distribution bandwidth requirement of 150 Kbps. 2. Intranet - High Speed LAN Multiple Bitrate Video Creates one ASF stream or file for multiple target audiences.
Media Manager 5-9 Creates audio ASF content that supports client connections over modems operating at 28.8 Kbps or greater. Good for music content. Note that the 28.8 mono template is a good alternative setting for some types of content such as radio or mixed audio. 8. 56 Dial-up High Quality Stereo Creates audio ASF content that supports client connections over dial-up modems operating at 56-Kbps or greater. Good for radio, music, and general purpose audio content. 9.
5-10 CHAPTER 5: MOVIESTAR™ MEDIA MANAGER 14. 28.8 Video For Web Server Creates video 28.8 Kbps ASF content appropriate for streaming from a Web server. This setting uses a single bitrate which is necessary when hosting ASF files for HTTP streaming on a server not using Windows Media Services. 15. 56 Dial-up Modem Video Creates video ASF content for clients connecting with 56 Kbps dial-up modems.
Media Manager 5-11 Creates 3 Mbps high-quality video and near-CD-quality audio ASF content for clients with high-speed internet and LAN connections. The following settings apply to Real Media conversion only. These options are available in the settings tab. Video Quality Like Audio Quality, this allows you to change the file size by adjusting the quality of the file. Player Compatibility Here you can select the compatibility of your file type.
5-12 CHAPTER 5: MOVIESTAR™ MEDIA MANAGER Target Album This allows you to select which Album your converted file is saved in. Target Folder Here you can select the folder in which your converted file is saved. Name Conflict Resolution If the name of the output file already exists on disk, this option instructs MovieStar how to handle the conflict. Rename will append the text of your choice to the file name. When Ask is selected, you will be prompted for instructions.
Media Manager 5-13 streaming video over the internet, and share it with friends and family by sending them invitations to view your videos online. You can also send e-mail videos and create links to your videos in other websites. To Upload to Dazzle Webcast Theater: 1 Select the file or files you wish to upload by clicking the thumbnail images in the Media Manager. You can also add files by clicking the Add Files button and browsing through Windows.
5-14 CHAPTER 5: MOVIESTAR™ MEDIA MANAGER NOTE: Conversion only applies to files that have not been converted to a streaming format. To access your posted files, simply click on the Manage button . This takes you directly to the Dazzle Webcast Theater Web site. e-mail Button The e-mail button is a shortcut for sending files in the Media Manager to someone as an e-mail attachment. Here's how it works.
Media Manager 5-15 keep images small, use a compressed format, such as JPEG. For video, use the Video E-mail Template (see Customize under Recording Options). Or use a streaming format like Real Media or Windows Media formats. Slide Show Button Slide Show plays any number of clips selected in the Media Manager as a slide show in the Video Window. Slide shows can also be play in fullscreen resolution. Slide Show works with still images and/or movies.
5-16 CHAPTER 5: MOVIESTAR™ MEDIA MANAGER 2 Right-click on the item's current thumbnail and choose Change Thumbnail (Change Thumbnail cannot be undone). Properties... To get information on an item, such as its file type or location, right-click on its Thumbnail icon and choose Properties… Properties… is also used to title an item or add notes. The Right-click Menu There are a number of actions that can be performed for any file in the Media Manager by right-clicking on a file’s thumbnail.
Media Manager The Shortcut Buttons 5-17 You can also use the Shortcut Buttons at the top of the Media Manager to perform Delete, Cut, Copy, Paste, and Sort. These functions work the same as in the Right-click Menu. Delete Paste Cut Sort Copy Album Options In addition, the sixth Shortcut Button, Album Options, lets you change the Movies Directory and Pictures Directory. To change directories, click Album Options and browse to the new location.
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6 Key Features Options MOVIESTAR™ OPTIONS PANEL This chapter examines in detail the key features of the Options panel, including the: ■ Configuration ■ Adjust ■ Picture ■ Recording There are many preference settings, or Options, that can be set in MovieStar for your audio, video, and still image recordings. To access Options, click the Options tab on the upper-left side of the Main Interface. The Options panel will open on the left side of the Main Interface.
6-2 CHAPTER 6: MOVIESTAR™ OPTIONS PANEL Configuration Options Panel Video Configuration There are three Video Configuration options that can be set: Video Input, Video Source, and Video Standard.
Options 1 6-3 Video Input There are four choices: PC Camera, Camcorder, TV or DVD or LD, and VCR. Select the setting which most closely matches your video source's output (for example, if you are using a VHS video tape deck, select VCR; if you have a Hi-8 video camera, choose Camcorder). 2 Video Source Select the source (Composite or S-Video) that matches the type of input jack you are using with DVC-II. If you are using both input jacks, the Video Input button allows you to switch between them.
6-4 CHAPTER 6: MOVIESTAR™ OPTIONS PANEL Audio Configuration There are three settings in the Audio Configuration: Source, Volume, and Input Gain. Audio Control Panel 1 Source Device Line is currently the only audio source option. 2 Volume The Volume slider shows, in percent, the output sound level. Moving this slider is the same as adjusting the volume with the Thumbwheel. If you prefer, you can type a percentage value (0-100) directly instead of using the slider.
Options 6-5 These buttons are grayed-out when their function is not available (as are other buttons). Preference International versions of MovieStar allow the user to choose an onscreen operating language. Click the Preference Configuration button and select the language you prefer. Background The Background option allows you to toggle MovieStar’s desktop background On or Off. Adjust Tab Usually, video images in MovieStar look very good as soon as you start the program.
6-6 CHAPTER 6: MOVIESTAR™ OPTIONS PANEL Adjust Options Panel NOTE: You cannot enter a number that is outside of the adjustment's range. To set all of the values back to their default value, click on the Default Video Options button just below the sliders. NOTE: You can also adjust an image's appearance after you have captured and saved it by using MovieStar’s Still Image editor or any other graphics editor.
Options 6-7 Here's more detailed information on the various adjustments: Brightness This control sets the brightness level of the video input source. The default setting is 128. The Brightness value can be set between 0 and +255. Contrast This control sets the contrast level of the video input source. The default setting is 71. The Contrast value can be set between 0 and +127. Saturation This control sets the color saturation level of the video input source. The default setting is 64.
6-8 CHAPTER 6: MOVIESTAR™ OPTIONS PANEL Picture Tab The Picture options panel is used to set the Capture Options and the Save Options for your still images. Picture Options Panel Capture Options There are three Capture Options: Frame, Size, and Quality. 1 Frame The Frame option allows you to choose between Single, Multiple, and Periodic frame capture. Playback Delay (in seconds) for Slide Show can also be set. Single captures a single frame from the video source.
Options 6-9 the monitor) and it is abbreviated 800x600. MovieStar has seven preset sizes, ranging from 160x120 to 1600x1200, all with a standard aspect ratio of 4:3 (the same as your computer monitor and your TV picture at home). This means that for every four pixels across, the image is three pixels high. This 4:3 ratio is the standard for normal video images. Custom Size allows you to choose other sizes. Deselect the Keep Correct Aspect option if you want a size not in the 4:3 ratio.
6-10 CHAPTER 6: MOVIESTAR™ OPTIONS PANEL NOTE: Not all color depths are available for all image formats. 2 Format The Format option determines the format in which still images will be saved. MovieStar supports the following still image file formats Bitmap (*.bmp), Bitmap RLE (*.bmp), EPS (*.eps), JPEG (*.jpg), JPEG-TIF (*.jpg), Kodak FlashPix JPEG (*.jpg), TIFF (*.tif), TIF LZW Compression (*.tif), TIFF with Packbits (*.tif), PCX (*.pcx), Targa (*.tga), Windows Metafile (*.wmf), PSD (*.psd).
Options 6-11 Audio/Video Clip Button The Video Clip button sets the type of recording you will make. There are two choices: Video Clip or Audio Clip. Video Clip records either the audio and video signals of your source or the video signal only and is used for making MPEG movies. Audio Clip records only the audio signal, which can be saved as either a Wave (*.wav) or MPEG audio (*.mpa) file.
6-12 CHAPTER 6: MOVIESTAR™ OPTIONS PANEL . Video Template Options Audio Template Options 2 Customize Button Clicking on the Customize button brings up a window with many configurable options. NOTE: Configurable windows, such as this one, can be repositioned onscreen by dragging on their frames. Template Name The Template Name combo box has a pull-down listing of all available templates and is also where you enter the name of a new template. Clicking the Save button will save the displayed template.
Options MPEG-1 (NTSC) 160 x 112 160 x 240 176 x 112 176 x 240 320 x 112 320 x 240 352 x 112 352 x 240 * MPEG-1 (PAL) 160 x 144 160 x 288 176 x 144 176 x 288 320 x 144 320 x 288 352 x 144 352 x 288 * MPEG-2 (NTSC) 320 x 480 352 x 480 368 x 480 384 x 480 480 x 480 544 x 480 640 x 480 704 x 480 720 x 480 * MPEG-2 (PAL) 320 x 576 352 x 576 368 x 576 384 x 576 480 x 576 544 x 576 640 x 576 704 x 576 720 x 576 * 6-13 Video Bitrate The Video Bitrate is how much information (in bits/second) you will allow the
6-14 CHAPTER 6: MOVIESTAR™ OPTIONS PANEL formats. Use the rates that work best for you and always keep in mind the ultimate destination of your productions. For example, movies you plan to send over the Internet should be kept as small as possible to speed their transmission. Disable Preview While Recording When this option is not selected, you will be able to see the video input in the Video Window during recording. Normally, leave this option unchecked.
Options 6-15 Data Rate The Data Rate is the amount of data throughput, in kilobytes/second, that your movie will take on a hard drive, and is for your information only. You cannot type a new Data Rate. The Data Rate is affected by all of your other settings, and will change automatically.
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7 Key Features Video Editor MOVIESTAR™ VIDEO EDITOR This chapter examines in detail the key features of the Video Editor, including: ■ Editing Video Clips ■ Editing Audio Clips ■ Adding Transitions ■ Adding Titles ■ Adding Voice-overs ■ Final Production The Video Editor is used for splitting, trimming, and combining video movie files. To open the Video Editor, simply click the Video Editor tab on the bottom-left of the Main Interface.
7-2 CHAPTER 7: MOVIESTAR™ VIDEO EDITOR Video Editor Panel Drop Video Clips or Still Images here. Zoom In\Out Drop Titles here. Undo Drop Music clips here. Redo Drop or record Voice-over clips here. Delete To place files into the Video Editor, drag and drop a file from the Media Manager to the Video Editor. Adding Clips Deleting Clips Video and audio clips, as well as still images, can be added to a project simply by dragging them from the Media Manager to the appropriate track.
Video Editor 7-3 each one-second interval the Timeline Indicator will count 30 frames. To expand or contract the Timeline, use the Zoom In/Zoom Out buttons. The Editing Tracks The Editing Tracks are where you will place the audio/video files you want to use in your editing project. There are four editing tracks in the Video Editor: Video Track, Titles Track, Music Track, and Voice-over Track.
7-4 CHAPTER 7: MOVIESTAR™ VIDEO EDITOR The Music Track is a second audio track for your video project (the first audio track is the audio track connected to your video files, if any). It is often used for inserting background music for your videos, hence the name. Any MPEG (.mpa, .mp3) or WAVE (.wav) files, including MP3, can be used in the Music Track. To insert an audio clip, just drag one in from the Media Manager. Audio clips can be placed anywhere in the Music Track.
Video Editor ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 7-5 Adjust clip track offset of single clip on the master track: Select in the middle of the clip then move the mouse while holding both buttons. Adjust clip track offset of a single clip on the master track, without sliding any other clips (on any track) Must be used with an existing gap or at the end of a segment. Mimics the normal behavior of non-master tracks.
7-6 CHAPTER 7: MOVIESTAR™ VIDEO EDITOR Mark In Button The Mark In button is used for trimming any type of clip in the Video Editor, and it sets the new point at which the trimmed clip will start. Mark In is only available when there is at least one clip selected in the Video Editor. NOTE: When no Mark In point is selected, the beginning of a clip is used by default.
Video Editor 7-7 NOTE: When no Mark Out point is selected, the end of a clip is used by default. To set a video Mark Out point: 1 Select the clip in which you wish to set a Mark Out point by single-clicking it (it will become outlined in green). 2 Pause the video at the frame at which you want to set the Mark Out point (or drag the Timeline Indicator to the point at which you want to mark an out point). 3 Click the Mark Out button.
7-8 CHAPTER 7: MOVIESTAR™ VIDEO EDITOR project uses pointers to the original file rather than changing the file itself. This means that you can always return to the original clip if you want. Just drag it in from the Media Manager again. Record Button The Record button is used for recording a new audio track to use in your project. With Record, you can record audio from your DVC-II hardware or from your computer’s soundcard from a microphone, audio CD, or other source.
Video Editor 7-9 To Save a project: 1 Click Save. Save As Button The Save As button is used for saving a previously unsaved project, or for saving a previously saved project under a different name. To Save As a project: 1 Click Save As. 2 Type the new name of the project. 3 Click OK. Produce Button The Produce button is used for compiling your finished project into a new, single movie with the settings of your choice. To Produce a project: 1 Click Produce.
7-10 CHAPTER 7: MOVIESTAR™ VIDEO EDITOR the same format as the selected clip (i.e., the clip’s format becomes the template). NOTE: Choosing a format of a higher quality than the source clips will not improve the quality of the original clips. In other words, a produced movie can never look better than the quality of the original clips. Generate There are four choices: Audio-Video Multiplexed is used to produce a movie in which the audio and video tracks are combined into a single file.
Video Editor 7-11 Audio allows you to set the Channels (Mono or Stereo), Sampling Rate, and Bitrate of the final movie’s audio track. File allows you to change the Album in which the movie will be saved in the Media Manager, the File Name, the Title, and Notes for the final movie. Zoom In/Zoom Out Buttons The Zoom In and Zoom Out buttons are used for expanding and contracting the project Timeline.
7-12 CHAPTER 7: MOVIESTAR™ VIDEO EDITOR Adding Transitions A Transition can be used between any two adjacent video clips. Transitions are stored in the Media Manager under Effects.Transitions are divided into three types: Transitions (Fast Rendering), Transitions (Longer Rendering), and Transitions (User Installed). Transitions Menu Transitions (Fast Rendering) are transitions that render quickly when you Produce your movie.
Video Editor 7-13 4 Click once on the Transition to select it (it will become outlined in green). 5 Set the duration by dragging either edge of the Transition to the left or right (the default duration is two seconds). 6 Preview the Transition in your production by either playing your movie or by dragging the Timeline Indicator over the Transition. Adding Titles Titles are text overlays that appear superimposed on your video clips. Titles can use any font in your system and be multicolored.
7-14 CHAPTER 7: MOVIESTAR™ VIDEO EDITOR 4 Click once on the Title to select it (it will become outlined in green). 5 Set the duration by dragging either edge of the Title to the left or right (the default duration is two seconds). 6 Preview the Title in your production by either playing your movie or by dragging the Timeline Indicator over the Title.
Video Editor 7-15 By controlling the volume on a video clip or several clips, you can mix in music or a voice-over. This allows any combination of sound tracks, narration, or custom sound effects to be added in. If you Mute the sound on the original clip, you can completely replace the original sound with music, narration, or sound effects. View Audio Waveform This selection toggles between displaying the name of the clip and displaying the waveform of the clip.
7-16 CHAPTER 7: MOVIESTAR™ VIDEO EDITOR Delete Mode Delete allows you to delete points created in the Insert Mode on the volume level indicator. Reset Reset removes all inserted points and returns the volume level indicator to 100%. Volume Window The Volume Window shows the relative volume of a clip at the position of the cursor as a percentage (1 to 100%).
8 Key Features Title Editor MOVIESTAR™ TITLE EDITOR This chapter examines in detail the key features of the Title Editor, including the: ■ Creating Titles ■ Saving Titles ■ Using Titles The Title Editor is used for creating and editing Titles for your video editing projects. Titles are text overlays that are superimposed on your video clips to add information. Titles can use any font in your system. You can also choose the color, font size, alignment, and scrolling options.
8-2 CHAPTER 8: MOVIESTAR™ TITLE EDITOR Title Editor The following is a detailed description of each of the Title Editor’s functions. Font Button Click the Font... button to bring up the Font dialog box. In it you can choose the font, font size, font style, effects, and color of the text in your title. You can use as many different fonts and styles as are available in your Windows System menu.
Title Editor Create Bitmap 8-3 Create Bitmap allows you to make a bitmap (.bmp) graphic file from your title. To create a bitmap of your title, the title must be open in the Title Editor and saved. Click Create Bitmap. If prompted to do so, you must save the title. A bitmap image of the title will be placed in Media Manager > Media > Work Space. New Button Save/Save As Buttons Click the New button to start a New Title. If you have not yet saved the current Title, you will be prompted to do so.
8-4 CHAPTER 8: MOVIESTAR™ TITLE EDITOR
9 Key Features Still Image Editor MOVIESTAR™ STILL IMAGE EDITOR This chapter examines in detail the key features of the Still Image Editor, including the: ■ Opening Files ■ Image Enhancement ■ Rotating and Flipping ■ Cropping ■ File Formats The Still Image Editor is available any time a still image (graphic) file is loaded in the Video Window. The Still Image Editor is used for cropping, resizing, rotating, flipping, and enhancing image files.
9-2 CHAPTER 9: MOVIESTAR™ STILL IMAGE EDITOR Note: The Still Image Editor panel can only be opened when a graphic file of an editable format is loaded in the Video Window. To place files into the Still Image Editor, drag and drop a graphic file from the Media Manager or from somewhere on your computer (such as in Windows Explorer) to the Video Window, and then open the Still Image Editor. The image can then be adjusted using any of the six adjustment sliders.
Still Image Editor 9-3 as a "box" (sometimes called a "marquee"). If you are not happy with your selection, just make another one. 2 Click Crop. Every part of the image outside of the selection will be deleted. Save The Save button allows you to save the currently loaded image. To Save a Still Image: 1 Click the Save button. 2 From the dialog box, choose Save, Save As, or Cancel. Save will overwrite the existing file. Save As allows you to save as a new file. Cancel cancels the save operation.
9-4 CHAPTER 9: MOVIESTAR™ STILL IMAGE EDITOR
MOVIESTAR™ CUSTOMER SUPPORT 10 Contacting Dazzle Incorporated Address Technical Support World Wide Web Dazzle Incorporated 47211 Bayside Parkway Fremont, CA 94538 U.S.A. Dazzle works hard to provide you with intuitive products. We also try to supply with print and online documentation to help you learn quickly how to become productive with Dazzle tools. However, if you discover a question whose answer cannot be found in the provided documentation, please contact our Technical Support Department.
10-2 CHAPTER 10: MOVIESTAR™ CUSTOMER SUPPORT By Fax By Phone Fax your questions to 1-510-360-0211 anytime for customer service. Call 1-510-360-2300 between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding national holidays, for customer service.