Even in these glamorous digital days, a solid majority of video editors still work in traditional linear mode: assembling programs from original footage, shot-by-shot from start to finish. If that’s how you edit video, then here are ten key procedures that you can use to smooth the process and

Groovy Ruvi Sony recently introduced the Ruvi, a pocket-sized camcorder. The Ruvi stores 30 minutes of Hi8 quality video with AFM hi-fi audio, by using an internal Hi8XR cartridge. The Ruvi will operate for one hour on two AA batteries, or 90 minutes on the supplied rechargeable Infolithium battery

Editing video is getting better, easier and cheaper all the time. In the twelve years that we’ve been publishing Videomaker, it is unbelievable how much better editing has become. In the past, there were so many obstacles that made editing more technical than it should have been. As a consequ

Did you know that spicing up your video’s soundtrack is as easy as pressing "play" on your CD player? That’s right–by using music and sound effects libraries in your videos, you can create powerful soundtracks with minimal effort and financial outlay. With the broad rang

I recently edited a video for someone who said he wanted his tape to have a raw, artsy, "Fox TV" look. I knew exactly what he was talking about. As anyone who watches TV may have noticed, the Fox Network uses a variety of non-traditional video shooting and editing techniques to convey a di

Last July, the Sacramento Amiga Computer Club (SACC) hosted the AmiWest ’98 show and Videomaker was on-hand amidst rumors and anticipation that the next generation of Amiga computers would be unveiled in a surprise announcement. In a pattern that’s all too familiar to Amiga fans and foll

Combining and manipulating multiple pictures, titles or special effects into a single, composite image is one of the oldest editing tricks in the book, and it’s still one of the best. In simpler times, we referred to individual compositing processes such as matting, titling, superimposing and

Grammar, which knows how to control even kings. – -Jean Baptiste Moliere In verbal communication, the same words can yield different statements because their meanings depend on the punctuation used in each sentence. The rules governing punctuation and sentence structure are of course called gr

Q: Why do they call it a camcorder? The word is takes its "cam" from "camera" and its "corder from "videotape recorder" just as the camcorder itself combines both a camera and a recording mechanism. Q: Is it a good idea to use head-cleaning cassettes on my VCR or c

This handy glossary of video-related terms is guaranteed to help the video hobbyist understand the lingo tossed about by fellow shooters. You may even choose to cut it out, staple it together and keep it in your camcorder bag for ready-reference. A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q,

When it’s time for a video’s plot to change location, many editors pull out their trusty switcher. A switcher performs the fades, wipes and dissolves that are used to suggest to your viewers that the location of the story has changed. Effects done in a switcher or a Digital Video Effects

Most of us know that chromakey is the electronic wizardry that combines two video images into a single picture so that, say, a child can appear to be dwarfed by a colossal hound. What some people don’t realize is that chromakey has endless practical uses beyond special effects. Also, the tech

Dreamy Want your audio to sound as if it were coming from a dream? It’s easy. Just make a copy of your original sound track on another tape. Then, play the original and the copy through an audio mixer slightly out of sync. It will take some practice to start them at the right intervals, but wi

Cool Accessory A new accessory to help hold your compact camcorder is being produced by Cool-Lux. Called the Stablecam, this new product attaches to the bottom of your camcorder using the tripod screw mount and the padded handgrip runs upward along the left side of the camcorder. On top of the grip

Editing at home on your PC can save you time and money, but there are limitations. Professional editors distinguish between "offline" and "online" video editing and now you can too. Before you mutter "Whoopee," and flip to the mail order pages, consider what offline e

You don’t have to go far into the realm of the high-quality consumer video formats before you run across the terms Y/C or S-video. Manufacturers love to tout the benefits of this special video connector, and well-meaning salespeople will give you an earful on the topic if they learn you’

This month: JVC GR-AXM25 VHS-C Camcorder DataVideo Technologies SE-300 Digital Video Illustrator Mitsubishi HS-U780 S-VHS Editing VCR Data Translation Broadway 2.5 MPEG-1 Video Digitizer FutureVideo Media Commander 100 Batch Digitizer by Joe McCleskey An LCD from JVC GR-AXM2

Top 10 Secrets for Fair-to-Middlin’ Hi-8! (An update to "Ten Rules for Great Hi8" in the October 1997 issue.) Remove lens cap. Don’t use VHS tape in your Handycam. Don’t stick cassettes in editing decks that have a history of eating tape. Do not microwave the tape.

On Balance Loren Alldrin’s Sound Track column, "The Balancing Act" (February 1998) was excellent. I want to add to it one caution to videographers. Most consumer camcorders do not accept balanced input signals. I have seen videographers run a long balanced cable from a piece of pro a

This month: Sharp VL-DX10U DV Camcorder/Still Video Camera Elite Video Bryce 3D Software Mitsubishi HS-U680 VHS VCR Video Sphinx Pro MPEG-1 Video Digitizer SD-3 Duplication Station Jack of Two Trades Sharp VL-DX10U DV Camcorder/Still Video Camera ($33