User's Guide NeroVision Express 3
Bringing the world of video closer to home - Creating your very own DVD, VCD, SVCD and miniDVD
Nero AG
Copyright and Trademark Information The NeroVision Express 3 User's Guide and the NeroVision Express 3 Software are copyrighted and the property of Nero AG, Im Stoeckmaedle 18, 76307 Karlsbad, Germany. All rights are reserved. This Quick Start Guide contains materials protected under International Copyright Laws. It is expressly forbidden to copy, reproduce, duplicate or transmit all or any part of the Guide or the software without the prior written consent of Nero AG. All brand names and trademarks are properties of their respective owners. THIS MANUAL IS PROVIDED 'AS IS,' AND NERO AG MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR TITLE; THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE MANUAL ARE SUITABLE FOR ANY PURPOSE; NOR THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH CONTENTS WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY THIRD PARTY PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, TRADEMARKS OR OTHER RIGHTS. NERO AG WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY USE OF THE MANUAL OR THE PERFORMANCE OR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONTENTS THEREOF. The name and trademarks of Nero AG may NOT be used in advertising or publicity pertaining to this manual or its contents without specific written prior permission. Title to copyright in this manual will at all times remain with Nero AG. Nero AG accepts no claims for the correctness of the contents of the manual. The contents of the enclosed software and the manual are subject to change. If you are neither in possession of the copyright nor have authorization from the owner of the copyright, unauthorized copying of CDs/DVDs violates national and international legislation and can result in severe penalties. Copyright © 2001-2005 by Nero AG REV. 3.1
Contents
1 Introduction...... 6 1.1 Welcome to NeroVision Express 3 ...... 6
2 Installing NeroVision Express 3 ...... 7 2.1 System Requirements...... 7 2.2 Installation / deinstallation ...... 8 2.2.1 Installing from CD...... 8 2.2.2 Installing from hard disk ...... 8 2.2.3 Deinstalling NeroVision Express 3 ...... 9
3 Getting Started...... 10 3.1 Opening NeroVision Express 3 for the first time...... 10 3.2 Getting to know the user interface ...... 11 3.3 Buttons...... 15 3.3.1 'Help' button...... 15 3.3.2 'Export' button...... 15 3.3.3 'Save' button...... 15 3.3.4 'Undo' button ...... 15 3.3.5 'Restore' button ...... 16 3.3.6 'Back' button ...... 16 3.3.7 'Next' button...... 16 3.3.8 'Burn' button ...... 16 3.4 Extended section...... 16 3.4.1 Normal and sticky mode...... 17 3.4.2 Use no black miniature images ...... 17 3.4.3 Create menu on disc ...... 17 3.4.4 Create chapters automatically...... 17 3.4.5 Elements on the timeline ...... 17 3.4.6 Time stamp of DV files ...... 18 3.4.7 Effects in the timeline ...... 18 3.4.8 'Configure button' ...... 18 3.4.9 'Default Video Options' button ...... 19 3.4.10 'Erase disc' button ...... 20 3.4.11 'Disc info' button ...... 20 3.4.12 'Make covers and labels' button ...... 21
NeroVision Express 3 Contents • 3 4 Capturing Video from DV cameras and other external video devices ...... 22 4.1 Capturing ...... 22 4.2 Digital video vs. Analog video ...... 22 4.3 Setting up your hardware ...... 22 4.3.1 Digital Video ...... 22 4.3.2 Analog Video ...... 23 4.4 Capturing your first video ...... 24
5 Making your first DVD-Video, VCD, SVCD or miniDVD ...... 28 5.1 Choosing the right format ...... 28 5.2 Information on the DVD-Video plug-in ...... 30 5.3 Starting a video project ...... 31
6 Open Existing Project ...... 43 6.1 Open Existing Project ...... 43
7 Editing Your Video...... 45 7.1 Editing Your Video ...... 45 7.2 Trimming video titles ...... 47 7.3 Adding Chapter Marks ...... 50 7.3.1 Creating chapter marks manually...... 50 7.3.2 Adding chapter marks automatically ...... 52 7.3.3 Working with chapters ...... 52
8 Create your first slide show...... 54 8.1 Create your first slide show ...... 54
9 Create your first movie...... 64 9.1 Create your first movie ...... 64 9.2 Exporting the movie...... 75
10 DVD-Video (VR)...... 79 10.1 DVD-Video (VR) ...... 79 10.2 Making DVD-Video (VR) disc from videos stored on the hard drive or on disc...... 80 10.3 Adding videos stored on the hard drive to a DVD-Video (VR) disk82 10.4 Making a DVD-Video (VR) disk directly from a capture source ..84
NeroVision Express 3 Contents • 4 11 Menu Layout ...... 87 11.1 Menu Layout ...... 87
12 Preview Settings...... 97 12.1 Preview Settings...... 97
13 Technical Support ...... 99 13.1 F.A.Q.’s...... 99 13.2 Contact Information ...... 101
14 Glossary ...... 102
15 Index ...... 106
NeroVision Express 3 Contents • 5
1 Introduction
1.1 Welcome to NeroVision Express 3
NeroVision Express 3 is the new video capturing, authoring and burning software with an incredibly user-friendly interface that allows you to 'capture' your videos from DV cameras and other external video devices, and record them to DVD- Video, Video CD (VCD), Super Video CD (SVCD) and miniDVD. With the many features offered in this powerful multimedia software, you will have numerous options for creating and collecting your memories. Even for those who are new to the world of video will find that NeroVision Express 3 is fun and easy with no worries!
With NeroVision Express 3 you can … Trim your videos in a fast and flexible way Create chapters using automatic scene detection and/or set chapter marks manually Create video discs with your own and customize menus using pre-defined layout templates and button frames Add your own background pictures and text design Use the preview mode and the handy remote control to view your video project
… and much much more!
Once you have your DV camcorder, 1394 Firewire card, and appropriate hardware, you are on your way to creating your own movies. If you have a DirectShow- compatible Video Card, you can use NeroVision Express 3 to capture video from the Video Card directly. If you don´t have any video hardware at all, you will still be able to work with video files that are on your system or that you downloaded from the internet.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the easy-to-use features of NeroVision Express 3!
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2 Installing NeroVision Express 3
2.1 System Requirements
Supported Operating Systems With your system should come a pre-installed operating system. Below you will find a list that NeroVision Express 3 supports. Please check to make sure that you have one of the following operating systems: Windows 98/SE Windows ME Windows 2000 Windows XP Windows 2003 Server In addition, DirectX 9.0a should be installed. To download the latest version of DirectX please visit www.microsoft.com/directx/default.asp.
Minimum Hardware Requirements Your PC must have a 500 MHz processor or higher. 800 MHz (for capturing to hard disk), 1.6 GHz (for capturing to DVD). A faster processor is recommended for best performance. You must have at least 128 MB RAM memory. Generally, more would be better. Hard disk space: 100 MB for the standard installation and up to 9 GB (for DVD projects, VCD/SVCD projects require up to 800MB) of HD space for temporary files. To burn a DVD-Video disc, you need to have a supported DVD recordable drive connected to your system. To burn VCD/SVCD/miniDVD discs, you need to have a supported CD and/or DVD recordable drive connected to your system. (Please visit www.nero.com or the list of currently supported drives). Even if you do not have a recorder capable of burning DVD and/or VCD/SVCD/miniDVD discs, you can still burn a disc image on your hard drive and save it for future use. Once you have the appropriate recordable drive connected to your system, you can open disc images using Nero and/or Nero Express at any time, and burn real video discs. Graphics card (800x600 display, 16-bit color) with 8 MB or higher Sound card Firewire (IEEE 1394) and/or USB port (optional) DirectShow compatible video capture card (optional)
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2.2 Installation / deinstallation
2.2.1 Installing from CD
Step 1: Insert the NeroVision Express 3 CD-ROM into your CD/DVD drive on your PC. If you have a feature called 'Autorun' activated, this will start your installation process automatically. If you do not have 'Autorun' activated, you can go to My Computer > Click on the drive letter of the CD/DVD drive > click setup.exe
Step 2: Follow prompts until you are finished installing the software.
NOTE: NeroVision Express 3 works with the same serial number as Nero Burning ROM and/or Nero Express. If Nero Burning ROM and/or Nero Express are already installed on your system, you do NOT need to enter a NeroVision Express 3 serial number. If you have no serial number, you can get one at www.nero.com Some versions of NeroVision Express 3 that are delivered together with the hardware (OEM versions) may have an integrated serial number, in which case you will also not be requested to enter a serial number. Simply enter your name and company to personalize your software. Then click OK.
Step 3: Restart your PC.
2.2.2 Installing from hard disk
Step 1: Download the NeroVision Express 3 installer from the www.nero.com Website onto your hard disk and double-click on the 'NVE3xxx.exe' file.
Step 2: Follow prompts until you are finished installing the software.
NOTE: NeroVision Express 3 works with the same serial number as Nero Burning ROM and/or Nero Express. If Nero Burning ROM and/or Nero Express are already installed on your system, you do NOT need to enter a NeroVision Express 3 serial number. If you have no serial number, you can get one at www.nero.com Some versions of NeroVision Express 3 that are delivered together with the hardware (OEM versions) may have an integrated serial number, in which case you will also not be requested to enter a serial number. Simply enter your name and company to personalize your software. Then click OK.
Step 3: Restart your PC.
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2.2.3 Deinstalling NeroVision Express 3
Step 1: Go to Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs. In some operating systems, you will find - Start > Settings > Control Panel.
Step 2: Highlight the installed program 'NeroVision Express 3' and click on the 'Add/delete' button.
Step 3: In some cases, you will find that when removing software, there will be one or two files that the operating system will ask if you want them removed since they may be shared by other programs. If you are unsure, always opt to keep these files.
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3 Getting Started
With the many features offered in this powerful multimedia software, you will have numerous options for creating and collecting your memories.
3.1 Opening NeroVision Express 3 for the first time
Now that we are ready to start recording your first disc, let us begin by opening the program NeroVision Express 3.
There are two ways to start the software program: (1) Go to the Start > All Programs > Nero > Nero Digital then > NeroVision Express. For some operating systems, you will find - Start > Programs > Nero > Nero Digital > NeroVision Express. (2) You can also create a shortcut for NeroVision Express 3 on your desktop by simply going to My Computer > Local Disk (C) > Program Files > Ahead > NeroVision > NeroVision.exe.
F.Y.I.! The path how to open NeroVision Express 3 described above can differ in some versions.
Click the right mouse button on this file and select Send To > Select Desktop (create shortcut). An icon for NeroVision Express 3 will now be placed on your desktop!
To start NeroVision Express 3, go to your desktop and click on the newly created icon:
NOTE: If you have a demo version, please click the 'Demo' button for your trial period. Please visit www.nero.com to purchase a serial number online so that you are able to register your software copy after the trial period is over.
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3.2 Getting to know the user interface
NeroVision Express 3 uses a user interface style that you will find very familiar and easy to use. It basically consists of choosing a task from the START screen, and then completing the task by navigating through various steps (each step consisting of a new screen) using the 'Next' button on the navigation bar. You can move back and forth throughout the various steps of the task by clicking on the 'Back' and 'Next' buttons in the navigation bar. On those screens where you can carry out a number of different actions, you can use the 'Undo' and 'Restore' buttons. These let you easily cancel out an action or restore the last actions undone. This lets you try out a large number of the NeroVision Express 3 features without having to cancel the entire project if you are not satisfied. Be adventurous and discover all the things that NeroVision Express 3 can do.
Step 1: Choose a task: Choose what you would like to do by moving your mouse over the items in the task selection menu. As you move your mouse pointer over a project entry, an explanatory text will pop up underneath. Once you have made your choice, simply click your left mouse button to start the task.
For each task, you will find a chapter in this manual that explains all the steps involved to complete it.
NeroVision Express 3 Getting Started • 11
Step 2: Complete a task: depending on the task, you will have to go through various steps until you reach the end. Each step consists of a new screen. To move to the next screen or to go back to the previous screen, simply use the 'Next' and 'Back' buttons on the navigation bar.
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To help you know where you are and what you need to do, each screen comes with a name and a brief description.
Some screens include a menu. As you move over each entry, an explanatory text will pop up underneath.
This is the navigation bar that lets you move through the various steps of a project.
NOTE: Each screen contains tooltips, detailed information regarding the buttons, icons or menus and what they are for. Simply hold your mouse pointer for a few seconds over such item, to learn more about them.
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Step 3: Burning. The conclusion of any project is always the burning process – whether to disc, as an image file or by writing the data in a file on the hard disk. Specify the burning parameters, insert a disc and click on 'Burn' – it's as simple as that.
Step 4: Following the burning process. Once burning is finished, you can decide on what you would like to do next. Launch Nero ShowTime and examine your project - or use Nero Cover Designer to create a cover and label for the disc. Of course, you can also save the project or start a new one.
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3.3 Buttons
3.3.1 'Help' button
When you open the NeroVision Express 3 help file, or enter a new serial number, or would like know the version number, then access the Nero homepage www.nero.com, click on the 'help' button and select the appropriate command.
3.3.2 'Export' button
If you have added at least one video to a project, you can export the contents of this project. In the window that now opens, you can specify the export settings and then export the project. More detailed information is contained the 'Exporting the movie' section.
3.3.3 'Save' button
If you would like to save your DVD-Video, VCD or SVCD project with all the changes and modifications that were made, click the 'Save' button and your project will be saved to a file with the extension of .NVC, which is the acronym for NeroVision Express 3 Compilation. This option is also great for times in which you are not able to finish your layout and would like to continue at a later time. See the 'Open Existing Project' section for more on how to open a saved project.
3.3.4 'Undo' button
If you have changed something in a project and find you do not like the changes, you can cancel them by clicking on the 'Undo' button. With NeroVision Express 3 you can undo many actions so that you can restore the desired condition even after having made a large number of changes.
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3.3.5 'Restore' button
If you have reversed a change that you made to a project but would prefer to keep it as it had been, then you can restore things to the way they were before by clicking on 'Restore'. With NeroVision Express 3 you can restore many actions that have been undone, so that you can get back to the original condition even after having made a large number of alterations.
3.3.6 'Back' button
You can navigate through a NeroVision Express 3 project by clicking on the 'Back' and 'Next' buttons. If you want to return to a previous page, then click on the 'Back' button. It is possible you will be prompted to save the project, as the changes you have made will otherwise be lost.
3.3.7 'Next' button
You can navigate through a NeroVision Express 3 project by clicking on the 'Back' and 'Next' buttons. If you have carried out al the actions and made all the settings that are possible on the current project page, then click on 'Next' to move on a page.
3.3.8 'Burn' button
After you have compiled the project and specified the settings for burning, start the burning process by clicking on the 'Burn' button.
3.4 Extended section
The NeroVision Express 3 interface contains only as many buttons and elements as are needed. As a result, the user interface is simple to use. An additional, extended section with further options appears when you click on the 'More' button. Depending upon which window you are currently in, it may be that not all the options and icons will be shown.
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3.4.1 Normal and sticky mode
If the extended section is displayed by clicking on the 'More' button, then it will be closed again as a default once you change to the next window. In the so-called 'sticky mode', the extended section will be displayed until it is closed once more by clicking again on the 'more' button. The pin in the extended section displays the mode in which NeroVision Express 3 is in. Clicking on the pin changes the mode. The extended section is in normal mode. The extended section is in sticky mode.
3.4.2 Use no black miniature images
If this checkbox is ticked, no black miniature images will be used in the menus. Instead, NeroVision Express 3 will search for an image and use it as the miniature.
3.4.3 Create menu on disc
If this checkbox is ticked, a menu will be created automatically, allowing you to easily call up the individual videos.
3.4.4 Create chapters automatically
If this checkbox is ticked, chapters will be created automatically, so that you can later jump easily from one chapter to another.
3.4.5 Elements on the timeline
If you tick this checkbox, the elements in the timeline will be held together as if by a magnet when you compile a film. This ensures that text, audio and effects, for instance all start at the same time.
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3.4.6 Time stamp of DV files
If this checkbox has been ticked, the automatic scene recognition feature will distinguish individual scenes in DV files thanks to the time stamps stored in the file and adopt them.
3.4.7 Effects in the timeline
When inserting effects into the timeline, two options are possible, though these will only become effective if one effect is inserted before an already existing one. If a new effect is inserted, this can shift the subsequent one so that it is used at a later stage, or the new effect will only fill the space available until the next effect starts.
3.4.8 'Configure button'
Clicking on this button opens the general NeroVision Express 3 application settings.
Here you can specify, among other things: The directory in which the temporary files created and Where the saved media files should be stored.
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