Workflow Guide

for Avid® Xpress Studio and Avid® Studio Toolkit

™ make manage move | media Avid ®

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Footage Arri — Courtesy of Arri/Fauer — John Fauer, Inc. Bell South “Anticipation” — Courtesy of Two Headed Monster — Tucker/Wayne Atlanta/GMS. Canyonlands — Courtesy of the National Park Service/Department of the Interior. Eco Challenge British Columbia — Courtesy of Eco Challenge Lifestyles, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Eco Challenge Morocco — Courtesy of Discovery Communications, Inc. It’s Shuttletime — Courtesy of BCP & Canadian Airlines. Nestlé Coffee Crisp — Courtesy of MacLaren McCann Canada. Saturn “Calvin Egg” — Courtesy of Cossette Communications. “Tigers: Tracking a Legend” — Courtesy of www.wildlifeworlds.com, Carol Amore, Executive Producer. "The Big Swell" — Courtesy of Swell Pictures, Inc. Windhorse — Courtesy of Paul Wagner Productions.

Arizona Images — KNTV Production — Courtesy of Granite Broadcasting, Inc., Editor/Producer Bryan Foote. Canyonlands — Courtesy of the National Park Service/Department of the Interior. News material provided by WFTV Television Inc. Tornados + Belle Isle footage — Courtesy of KWTV News 9. WCAU Fire Story — Courtesy of NBC-10, Philadelphia, PA. Women in Sports – Paragliding — Courtesy of Legendary Entertainment, Inc.

4 GOT FOOTAGE?

Editors — Filmmakers — Special Effects Artists — Game Developers — Animators — Educators — Broadcasters — Content creators of every genre — Just finished an incredible project and want to share it with the world?

Send us your reels and we may use your footage in our show reel or demo!*

For a copy of our release and Avid’s mailing address, go to www.avid.com/footage.

*Note: Avid cannot guarantee the use of materials submitted.

Workflow Guide for Xpress Studio and Avid Studio Toolkit • Part 0130-07846-01 • February 2007

6 Contents

Using This Guide ...... 11 Symbols and Conventions ...... 11 If You Need Help...... 12 Accessing the Online Library ...... 13 How to Order Documentation ...... 13 Avid Training Services ...... 13 Chapter 1 General Workflow...... 15 Planning Your Workflow ...... 16 Project Formats...... 18 30i NTSC versus 25 PAL Media...... 18 Working with 24p Media ...... 18 Working with 25p Media ...... 19 Planning a 23.976p NTSC Project ...... 20 HDTV ...... 21 Before you Begin...... 22 General Conventions ...... 22 Preparing Graphics for Import ...... 23 Exchanging Files between the Avid Applications ...... 24 File Formats and Media Handling ...... 25 Using the Send To Feature ...... 27 Creating and Developing a Project ...... 27 Creating a Project...... 27 Adding an Effect ...... 28 Adding 3D Titling and other 3D Effects ...... 30 Editing Audio Effects ...... 35 Creating a DVD ...... 35 Chapter 2 Using Avid FX...... 37 Using Avid FX as a Plugin...... 38 Dragging the Avid FX Effect on to the Timeline ...... 39 Entering Effect Mode ...... 39

7 Creating an Effect ...... 41 Rendering the Effect ...... 47 Creating Text Effects ...... 48 Adding an Effect to Filler ...... 48 Creating Text in a Title ...... 49 Animating Text on a Path ...... 52 Using the Avid FX Engine ...... 55 Format Compatibilities...... 55 Saving and Sharing Your Work ...... 55 Chapter 3 Using Avid 3D ...... 57 Exporting Media from Your Avid Editor ...... 58 Converting OMF Media ...... 58 Exporting to Avid 3D ...... 59 Creating 3D Content...... 66 Applying Video Clips as Background Textures ...... 66 Exporting Media from Avid 3D ...... 76 Chapter 4 Using Avid Pro Tools LE ...... 79 Before You Begin ...... 80 Digi 002 versus Mbox...... 81 Using Digi 002 in Avid Xpress Studio...... 82 Using Digi002 as the Primary Audio Device ...... 82 Using Digi 002 as a Control Surface ...... 83 Using Mbox as the Primary Audio Device ...... 84 Accurate Audio and Video Editing ...... 85 Exporting a Sequence from Avid Xpress Pro...... 86 Changing the Export Settings ...... 86 Determining the Audio Settings...... 87 Exporting Audio and Video from Avid Xpress Pro to Avid Pro Tools LE ...... 88 Creating QuickTime Movies ...... 89 Exporting an HD Sequence from Avid Xpress Pro ...... 90 Importing the AAF file into Avid Pro Tools LE ...... 92 Importing the Quicktime Movie ...... 95 Editing Audio Files in Avid Pro Tools LE ...... 96

8 Export Finished Tracks to Avid Xpress Pro...... 97 Exporting Tracks from Avid Pro Tools LE ...... 97 Exporting Tracks Using the Bounce to Disk Feature ...... 101 Importing the File into Avid Xpress Pro...... 106 Importing an OMF File into Avid Xpress Pro ...... 106 Import the Files Using the Media Tool ...... 108 Importing the File into a Bin ...... 110 Chapter 5 Using Avid DVD by Sonic ...... 113 DVD Authoring Workflow ...... 114 Blu-ray Projects ...... 114 Preparing the Sequence ...... 115 Exporting a Sequence ...... 116 Encoding a Sequence with Sorenson Squeeze ...... 116 Producing the DVD ...... 118 Setting Up the Avid DVD by Sonic Project ...... 118 Creating a Movie ...... 133 Adding Audio ...... 133 Creating and Editing Chapter Points ...... 134 Creating and Editing Playlists ...... 138 Previewing Movies ...... 145 Outputting the Project ...... 147 Writing DVD Volumes...... 147 Writing Disc Images ...... 148 Appendix A Using Avid Pro Tools LE with Progressive Projects ...... 151 Exporting Files to Avid Pro Tools LE from a Progressive Project ...... 152 Use the Media Creation Tool to Create OMF Media ...... 152 MXF File Format Issues ...... 152 Creating a New OMF Template for the Send To Command ...... 153 Using Audio Pulldown with Progressive Projects ...... 157 23.976p NTSC Projects ...... 157 24p NTSC Projects...... 158 24p PAL Projects ...... 161 Index ...... 167

9 10 Using This Guide

This guide outlines the workflow between the component applications of Avid Xpress Studio and Avid Studio Toolkit. Most screen shots and references of the Avid editing system use Avid Xpress Pro as an example. The options would apply to Avid Xpress Pro, Avid Media Composer, and Avid NewsCutter.

This guide is intended for all users, from beginning to advanced. n The documentation describes the features and hardware of all models. Therefore, your system might not contain certain features and hardware that are covered in the documentation.

Symbols and Conventions

Avid documentation uses the following symbols and conventions:

Symbol or Convention Meaning or Action n A note provides important related information, reminders, recommendations, and strong suggestions. c A caution means that a specific action you take could cause harm to your computer or cause you to lose data. w A warning describes an action that could cause you physical harm. Follow the guidelines in this document or on the unit itself when handling electrical equipment.

> This symbol indicates menu commands (and subcommands) in the order you select them. For example, File > Import means to open the File menu and then select the Import command.

t This symbol indicates a single-step procedure. Multiple arrows in a list indicate that you perform one of the actions listed.

k This symbol represents the Apple or Command key. Press and hold the Command key and another key to perform a keyboard shortcut. Using This Guide

Symbol or Convention Meaning or Action

(Windows), (Windows only), This text indicates that the information applies only to the specified (Macintosh), or (Macintosh operating system, either Windows XP or Macintosh OS X. only)

Italic font Italic font is used to emphasize certain words and to indicate variables.

Courier Bold font Courier Bold font identifies text that you type.

Ctrl+key or mouse action Press and hold the first key while you press the last key or perform the k+key or mouse action mouse action. For example, k+Option+C or Ctrl+drag.

If You Need Help

If you are having trouble using Avid Studio: 1. Retry the action, carefully following the instructions given for that task in this guide. It is especially important to check each step of your workflow. 2. Check for the latest information that might have become available after the documentation was published: - If the latest information for your Avid product is provided as printed release notes, they ship with your application and are also available online. - If the latest information for your Avid product is provided as a ReadMe file, it is supplied on your Avid installation CD or DVD as a PDF document and is also available online. You should always check online for the most up-to-date release notes or ReadMe because the online version is updated whenever new information becomes available. To view these online versions, select ReadMe from the Help menu. or visit the Knowledge Base at www.avid.com/readme. 3. Check the documentation that came with your Avid application or your hardware for maintenance or hardware-related issues. 4. Visit the online Knowledge Base at www.avid.com/onlinesupport. Online services are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Search this online Knowledge Base to find answers, to view error messages, to access troubleshooting tips, to download updates, and to read or join online message-board discussions.

12 Accessing the Online Library Accessing the Online Library

The Online Library for your Avid editing application contains all the product documentation in PDF format, including a Master Glossary of all specialized terminology used in the documentation for Avid products.

Most Avid online libraries also include multimedia content such as tutorials and feature presentations. This multimedia content is an excellent first resource for learning how to use your application or for helping you understand a particular feature or workflow.

The Online Library for your Avid editing application is installed along with the application itself. n You will need Adobe® Reader® to view the PDF documentation online. You can download the latest version from the Adobe web site.

To access the Online Library, do one of the following: t From your Avid editing application, select Help > Online Library. t From the Windows desktop, select Start > Programs > Avid > Avid editing system Online Library.

How to Order Documentation

To order additional copies of this documentation from within the United States, call Avid Sales at 800-949-AVID (800-949-2843). If you are placing an order from outside the United States, contact your local Avid representative.

Avid Training Services

Avid makes lifelong learning, career advancement, and personal development easy and convenient. Avid understands that the knowledge you need to differentiate yourself is always changing, and Avid continually updates course content and offers new training delivery methods that accommodate your pressured and competitive work environment.

To learn about Avid's new online learning environment, Avid Learning Excellerator™ (ALEX), visit http://learn.avid.com.

For information on courses/schedules, training centers, certifications, courseware, and books, please visit www.avid.com/training or call Avid Sales at 800-949-AVID (800-949-2843).

13 Using This Guide

14 Chapter 1 General Workflow

The Avid Studio packages give you the following tools to cover all aspects of the post production process. • Avid FX - for advanced titling, compositing, motion tracking, vector paint, rotoscoping, and effects • Avid 3D - for 3D titling, DVE, Deform, and 3D Models • Avid Pro Tools LE - for audio editing and mixing, sound effects editing and design, music composition, dialog conforming, voice-over recording, foley recording, and mixing and signal processing • Avid DVD by Sonic™ - for production of interactive DVDs and BDs (Blu-ray Discs) with advanced menus and navigation n The documentation describes the features of all the various Studio packages. Therefore, your system might not contain certain features and hardware that are covered in the documentation.

Each of these tools is a fully-functional application, so you can use each one independently or in workflows that start with another Avid editing application such as: • Avid Xpress Pro • Avid Media Composer • Avid NewsCutter Adrenaline • Avid NewsCutter XP

The collaboration between these Avid applications means that you have the right tool for each specific task to enhance your project. In your editing application, you capture or import footage, and assemble and edit video and audio clips into a sequence. You can then use the studio applications to add high-quality titling, effects, 3D elements, and audio. Once you are satisfied with the results, you can encode it for DVD production. Chapter 1 General Workflow Planning Your Workflow

Before you begin to capture video into your Avid editor, take some time to plan out your project. Decisions that you take at the beginning will determine your choices for final output. Your workflow plan should not only determine what needs to be done, who will do it, and using which tools, but also the final distribution method (which will determine the video format used for the entire project).

An Edit Decision List (EDL) can help you to map out the work and track the sequences, effects and transitions. For more information, refer to your Avid editor Help.

The following workflow illustrates the collaborative possibilities between Avid Studio and your Avid editor. This particular illustration uses Avid Xpress Pro, but the workflow can be followed with any supported Avid editor.

16 Planning Your Workflow

1 2 Avid Xpress Pro, or other Avid editor Avid FX Plan your project, see “Planning Your Workflow” (Plugin or standalone) - Capture material - Apply effects, filters and transitions - Digitize source material from file or tape - Perform color correction, dust & scratch removal - Create rough cut - Compositing, motion tracking, vector painting, - Export sequences to Avid tools rotoscoping - Re-import sequences - Create final cut - Export to Avid DVD by Sonic, or output to tape or file

3 Avid 3D (Standalone) - Create 3D titling - Apply video to DVE scenes - Apply deforms to Titling or Video - Load 3D Models and scenes from the 3D library

4 Avid PT LE (Standalone) - Mix and sweeten audio - Import/Export with or without video tracks

6 5 Output to media Avid DVD by Sonic (Standalone) Output to tape or file, such as for - Create menus, chapters, view lists, etc. CD-ROM and Web distribution - Output to DVD or Blu-ray Disc

17 Chapter 1 General Workflow Project Formats

The format that you choose in the New Project dialog box determines how material is imported. At first, the possibilities may seem overwhelming; however, the most important delivery requirements are the formats and frame rates. A broadcast network might require a range of formats: NTSC, PAL, and HD, with aspect ratios of 4:3 and 16:9. Avid provides you with the ability to output multiple versions from the same source file; however, make sure that all editing is done at the same, or a compatible, frame rate. If you are unsure about the requirements for a broadcast project, contact your broadcaster for their exact specifications before you start to save you any headaches later. n The information here is intended to provide an overview only. For more information on a particular topic, consult the online help.

30i NTSC versus 25 PAL Media

30i NTSC is the generally accepted standard for North America and some other countries. 25i PAL (or the compatible SECAM) are used elsewhere. For more information, see TV Standards and DVD regions by country/territory in the Avid DVD by Sonic User Guide.

Working with 24p Media

With DTV (digital television) formats expanding the options for content distribution, there is renewed interest in the oldest format in the industry: 24-fps film. In addition to its worldwide format, film provides the highest resolution master for archiving purposes. Because 24p provides a common production format for multiversion, multiformat delivery, it promises to become more widely accepted for all film and video content.

Through a telecine transfer and the capturing process, the Avid system captures and stores film frames as 24-fps progressive media, or 24p. Progressive media is composed of single frames, each of which is vertically scanned as one pass. The Avid system creates 24p media by combining (de-interlacing) two video fields into a single full, reconstructed frame. For NTSC film-to-tape transfers, the system creates 24p media by removing the extra fields inserted by the 2:3 pulldown process and by creating progressive frames.

Working in 24p simplifies digital editing of film or other 24-fps-originated content, such as HDTV video that has been downconverted to ITU-R 601 digital video. In addition, 24p media requires less storage and processing power than 30-fps media. The 24p SD format also exists for video capture.

18 Project Formats

Audio Transfer Options for 24p PAL Projects

When you create a 24p PAL project, you must specify the appropriate audio transfer rate for the project. (This is not necessary for a 25p PAL project because there is no film speedup during the transfer.) The New Project dialog box provides Audio Transfer options that allow you to select either Film Rate or Video Rate. This value is project specific and should not be changed after you create the project unless you have a specific element that you need to transfer at a different rate. n The Audio Transfer options are also located in the Film and 24p Settings dialog box and can be changed after the project is created.

The Audio Transfer options are: • Film Rate (100%): Select this option when your 24-fps film footage has been transferred MOS (roughly translated as “without sound”) to 25 fps by speeding up the film, and the audio comes in separately at 100 percent of the actual speed (PAL Method 2). • Video Rate (100%+): Select this option when your 24-fps film footage has been transferred to 25 fps by speeding up the film, and the audio is synchronized to the video picture. This means that the audio speed is increased by 4.1 percent (PAL Method 1). n The Edit Play Rate and Audio Source Tape TC Rate options do not appear in the Film and 24p Settings dialog box. Edit Play Rate is automatically set at 23.976 fps. The Audio Source Tape TC Rate does not apply to 23.976p projects because you cannot capture 30 fps audio in a 23.976p project.

Working with 25p Media

The 25p format is primarily for use in countries where PAL video is standard. When you transfer 25-fps film footage to 25-fps PAL video, no modifications are necessary due to matching frame rates. The source for 25p is typically 25-fps film or 25-fps HDTV format. The methods for creating and storing 25p media are the same as for 24p.

The 25-fps feature provides the following advantages: • Simultaneous input of video and audio in sync • Frame-accurate ink number tracking • Digital cut recording directly to videotape • Frame-accurate cut lists and change lists • Frame-accurate audio EDLs for online editing of audio tracks • Frame-accurate EDLs for assembling footage from the transfer or for preparing an online show master.

19 Chapter 1 General Workflow

Planning a 23.976p NTSC Project

Avid editing systems that include 24p support include a 23.976p NTSC project type. This project type is especially designed for capture and output of digital audio that has been transferred or recorded at 48 kHz, in sync with picture at 23.976 fps. A 23.976p project lets you maintain digital standards for all NTSC input and output at 23.976 fps.

Select this project type for one of the following reasons: • Your film and audio sources have been synced in the telecine process and transferred to digital videotape formats. • Your audio and video sources have been shot at a camera rate of 23.976 fps. This rate is used for film (film-based television) or 24p HD video (television or feature film). These sources can be downconverted to standard NTSC without further audio slowdown. Audio recorded at 48 kHz can remain at 48 kHz throughout the project. n The 23.976 fps frame rate is sometimes referred to as 23.97 fps or 23.98 fps. The 23.976 fps frame rate is in direct proportion to the NTSC broadcast frame rate of 29.97fps, which is used for film-to-tape transfer to the Avid editing system.

Limitations for 23.976p Projects

You should be aware of the following limitations when you are planning a 23.976p project: • For film projects shot at 24 fps, audio must be “pulled down” or “slowed down” before it can be captured into a 23.976p project. The user does not have the choice of capturing non-pulled-down audio. Unlike 24p NTSC projects, where the audio pulldown switch can be set to 1.0 or 0.99 to support either 24 fps or 23.976 fps, 23.976p projects do not use the audio pulldown switch. These 23.976p projects can only support 48 kHz audio that is in sync with 23.976-fps picture on a 29.97-fps transfer tape. • Media created in 24p projects and media created in 23.976p projects are not compatible. If you start working in one type of project and then decide to switch to the other, you need to recapture all video and audio media. You cannot relink video media or audio media across the two project types. • OMF and AAF files that are output from a 23.976p project look slightly different from those from a 24p project. The edit rates will show up as 23.976 fps in these files.

20 Project Formats

HDTV

High-definition television (HDTV) is a digital broadcasting technology that delivers a larger, clearer, more detailed picture than standard definition television (SDTV). HDTV refers to specific digital television (DTV) formats that have been standardized by the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) and adopted by the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC). HDTV for PAL has been standardized by the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) consortium.

HDTV uses a 16:9 aspect ratio in place of the standard definition 4:3 ratio. The following illustration compares the pixel size of the most common HD formats — 720p and 1080i — to that of the digital version of standard definition NTSC media (ITU-R 601). Both 1080i and 720p formats fill the 16x9 screen on HD television sets. For more information about HD technology, see the Avid HD Handbook: An A to Z Guide, which is available on the Avid web site, www.avid.com.

HDTV output is commonly used for: • Creation of film-based television programs that originate on film footage and that are planned for NTSC HDTV broadcast. This workflow lets you change the project and sequence format, eliminating the need to create a new project and sequence. Modifying the format of the sequence lets you keep both offline SD material and online HD material available in the same project. For PAL broadcast, transfer film at 1080p/25, edit offline in a 25p PAL project, and edit online in a 1080p/25 project. For more information, see “Changing the Project Format” in the Avid editor Help.

21 Chapter 1 General Workflow

• Creation of video-based television programs that originate on video footage and are planned for HDTV broadcast. The workflow for creating such programs uses a single system for offline and online editing, but you can adapt it to use one system for offline editing and another for online editing. This workflow lets you change the project and sequence format, eliminating the need to create a new project and sequence. Modifying the format of the sequence lets you keep both offline SD material and online HD material available in the same project. You can use this workflow for video footage shot at 720p/23.976, 720p/59.94 or 1080p/29.97. In these cases, however, you cannot simply change the project format. Instead, you need to create a new project that matches the source footage, open the bin or bins from the NTSC 30i project, change the sequence format, decompose, and batch capture. For a more information, see “ Using Decompose When Recapturing” in the Help. • Creation of video graphics, such as bumpers and promos, for HDTV broadcast.

Before you Begin

Before you begin your project, read the following sections to ensure that you are able to successfully transfer files between your Avid applications.

General Conventions

File naming To make sure that files transfer correctly, consider the following: • Do not use the following characters in project, bin, or other file names: / \ : * ? ” < > | • Do not add spaces at the beginning or end of a file name. • Do not use a period at the end of a file name. • The Use Windows Compatible File Names setting in the General Settings dialog box is selected by default. With this setting selected, the file name extension .avp is added to project files and .avb is added to bin files when they are saved. These file name extensions are also attached to existing files.

Title Fonts

If the project includes titles and you are moving between systems, make sure you have the same font with exactly the same name (preferably from the same supplier) on all systems. For best results, use OpenType® fonts, which reduce problems when transferring.

22 Before you Begin

Preparing Graphics for Import

The most critical step when preparing graphics is to make sure that the elements you are going to import into your Avid application are created correctly. The following table summarizes various requirements.

Aspect Requirements Notes Frame size Square pixels: These are the preferred sizes. 720 x 540 can (4:3) 648 x 486 (NTSC) also be used, in some situations, for both NTSC 640 x480 (NTSC DV) and PAL. These are stored by the application as 768 x 576 (PAL) non-square pixels. Frame size Square pixels: Preferred sizes. SD media is stored by the (16:9) 864 x 486 (NTSC anamorphic) application as non-square pixels. 1024 x 576 (PAL anamorphic) 1280 x 720 (HD) 1920 x 1080 (HD)

Alpha channel White foreground (transparent), This is the standard used by graphics, black background (opaque) animation, and compositing packages. The graphics need to have the alpha channel inverted on import. Color mode RGB Other formats, including CMYK, can cause ITU-R 601 import errors. ITU-R 709 ITU-R 601 is used for SD and ITU-R 709 is used for HD. In HD projects, the Avid application automatically converts the media. File format Various The Avid application accepts many file input formats, with TIFF (.tif) and PICT (.pct) as the most commonly used. File field order Odd (Upper field first) For interlaced media, the Avid application uses Even (Lower field first) the following order: • NTSC (601 and DV): lower field first • PAL 601: upper field first • PAL DV: lower field first • HD Interlaced: upper field first If the field order of the graphic is not correct, select the field order of the graphic during import. The application will reverse the fields appropriately. Field order does not apply to progressive media.

23 Chapter 1 General Workflow Exchanging Files between the Avid Applications

You can easily move media and their metadata between the Avid applications, but you have to be aware of the media and metadata format requirements of each of the applications. The following table provides the guidelines for importing and exporting media and metadata.

Refer to the corresponding chapters in this book for details on specific import/export functions.

File Format Export as From To (Media) (Metadata) Bin Media Storage

Avid Avid FX plugin N/A N/A drive:\OMFI MediaFiles Xpress Pro Avid FX Engine Default Default (standalone) project project settings settings Avid 3D MXF** AAF* (In c:\ProgramFiles\Avid\Avid Avid 3D) 3D_x\Data\AVID3DMEDI InComing A\AvidMedia From Avid Editors Avid Pro Tools OMF AAF N/A If OMF LE MXF OMF* for drive:\OMFI MediaFiles perf-slip If MXF editing \Avid MediaFiles

Avid DVD by Default QT Reference Sonic project and XML for settings metasync info *** Encode with Sorenson Squeeze Avid FX Avid Xpress Pro Same Same settings Engine settings as as Project Project

24 Exchanging Files between the Avid Applications

File Format Export as From To (Media) (Metadata) Bin Media Storage

Avid 3D Avid Xpress Pro Avid 3D AAF (In Avid drive:\AvidMediaFiles\Vid scene Xpress eoStorage\Avid3D Pro) Avid3D InComing Avid Pro Avid XPress Pro OMF AAF N/A Basic disk drive Tools LE MXF OMF for perf- drive:\OMFI MediaFiles slip editing If MXF \Avid MediaFiles

* OMF: Open Media Framework, MXF: Material Exchange Format, AAF: Advanced Authoring Format, AFE: Avid File Exchange. ** If the clip or sequence that you want to export is in OMF format, you must transcode it to the MXF file format. *** Metasync info must be created, which is then exported as XML. Audio and video files are exported as QT Reference files, and Sorenson Squeeze is then used to encode the files to MPEG2.

File Formats and Media Handling

The following table shows how each application handles various file formats and media. In many cases, such as Aspect Ratio and resolutions, the same format applies across the board. In other cases, a certain format may not be supported. For example, Avid 3D does not support OMF. n For a complete listing of the latest supported codecs, formats, resolutions and constraints, see the Readme files that are a part of your Avid installation.

Avid DVD Avid Pro File Format Avid editor Avid FX Avid 3D by Sonic Tools LE

Standard NTSC/PAL/HD Same Same Same NTSC/PAL

Aspect Ratio 4:3, 16:9 Same Same Same N/A

Resolutions 720x486, 720x480, Same Same Same N/A 720x576, 1920x1080,1280x7 20

25 Chapter 1 General Workflow

Avid DVD Avid Pro File Format Avid editor Avid FX Avid 3D by Sonic Tools LE

Alpha Yes Yes Yes N/A N/A Channel Support

Media File QuickTime, AVI, QuickTime, AVI, AAF/MXF, MPEG2 files, Quicktime, Import Sequential Image Sequential Image QuickTime, AVI, QuickTime, OMF, AAF Formats files, MXF, OMF, files, MXF, OMF, Sequential Image AVI, Still Image AAF, Still image Still image files files, Still image files files Files

Media File QuickTime, AVI, QuickTime, AVI, AAF/MXF, DVD Image, Quicktime, Export Sequential Image Sequential Image QuickTime, AVI, DVD disc, Blu- OMF, AAF, Formats files, MXF, OMF, files, MXF, AAF, Sequential Image ray Disc WAV, AIFF AAF, Still image Still image files files, Still image files Files

Metadata File AAF N/A AAF XML AAF, OMF Format for Import

Metadata File AAF N/A AAF N/A AAF, OMF Format for Export

Color Levels 601, RGB, N/A RGB N/A N/A RGB Dithered

Codecs DVCPro HD 1:1 Same as your SD: 1:1 10b MXF, Same as your DV25, (Adrenaline or Avid editing 1:1 MXF, Avid editing Uncompressed, Mojo only), DV25, project DV25, DV50, application JFIF, 15:1s, DV25 24p, MPEG 30, MPEG 28:1p Input and Output Input only Uncompressed, 40, MPEG 50, 2:1, JFIF, 15:1s, 28:1p 3:1, 10:1, 20:1, 2:p, 3:1p, 14:1p, 28:1p, Playback Only: 35:1p DNxHD, 35.1p, 14:1p, 1:1 10bit HD: 1:1 10b MXF, (Adrenaline or 1:1 MXF, Mojo only) DNxHD 60, 75, 90, 90X, 110, 110X, 115, 120,145, 175, 175X, 185, 185X, 220, 220X DNxHD TR 120, 145, DVCProHD

26 Creating and Developing a Project

Avid DVD Avid Pro File Format Avid editor Avid FX Avid 3D by Sonic Tools LE

Interlaced/ Interlaced or Same as your Interlaced or N/A Interlaced or De-interlaced Progressive Avid editing Progressive Progressive and project Progressive format

Using the Send To Feature

The Send To feature enables you to send sequences or master clips from your Avid editor to other applications, automating your workflow. The Send To feature provides you with a choice of several pre-defined templates to streamline your workflow. These templates are set to default parameters customized for specific workflows.

Avid recommends you use the pre-defined template default settings, which have been qualified by Avid; however, you can also define your own templates if your situation requires it.

For more information, see “Exporting and Exchanging Material” in the Avid Xpress Pro Help. n The menu choices in your actual Avid editor may vary from those listed here, depending on your license.

Creating and Developing a Project

This workflow describes how you can develop a project in your Avid editor, and then use each of the tools in turn to enhance your result.

For resolutions and formats supportd by Avid Studio applications, see “Exchanging Files between the Avid Applications” on page 24 and “File Formats and Media Handling” on page 25.

Creating a Project

The first step is to start or create a new project in your Avid editor.

To create a project: 1. From your Avid editor, select New Project and select the video output format. 2. Review the settings to make sure that they match your project needs.

27 Chapter 1 General Workflow

3. If you will be exporting to Avid 3D: - In the Project window, select Settings > Media Creation > Media Type. - From the Video File Format menu, select MXF. 4. Capture DV footage over FireWire and/or import the footage files. The footage will be digitized into clips. 5. Organize the clips into bins. You can drag-and-drop footage between bins. 6. Drag the clips onto the timeline and assemble them into a sequence.

7. Rearrange and trim the clips in the Timeline.

Adding an Effect

Once you have arranged and trimmed your clips, you are ready to add effects using Avid FX. Effects can be applied to an entire clip, or to the transition between clips.

To add an effect: 1. Open the Effect Palette by clicking on the effect tab in the Project window. 2. Drag the effect from the Effect Palette onto the Timeline. 3. Click the Effects Mode button to open the Effect Editor and adjust the parameters. 4. For an Avid FX effect, in the Effect Editor, click the Launch User Interface button.

Launch User Interface

Promote Effect button

28 Creating and Developing a Project

Alternatively, to promote the effect from AVX 1.5 to AVX 2.0, select the Promote Effect button and select Launch User Interface. The Avid FX windows display.

Controls window Composite window

Project window Timeline window

5. Create your effect. 6. Click the Apply button at the bottom right of the Timeline window to apply your effect and return to the Avid editing application Timeline. 7. Render your effect.

To open Avid FX in standalone mode (Avid FX Engine): t Select Start > All Programs > Avid Studio > Avid FX Engine. For more information, see “Using Avid FX” on page 37. n When using Avid FX Engine, make sure that your FX export settings match those of your Avid editor project.

29 Chapter 1 General Workflow

Adding 3D Titling and other 3D Effects

Avid 3D lets you add 3D titling, DVEs, Deforms, and 3D Models. You can either export a sequence from your Avid editor and use it in a 3D project, or you can create a 3D project from scratch and then import it into you Avid editor project. Either way, make sure that the format settings in each project match.

To work with the sequence in Avid 3D: 1. In your Avid editing application, create a bin called Avid3D InComing and keep it open. 2. In the project window, verify Settings > Media Creation > Media Types > Video File Format > MXF. 3. Right-click on a sequence or clip in the project bin and select Send To > Avid Studio > Avid 3D. The Send To window opens.

4. Select AutoLaunch. 5. Accept the default Export Setting 1. 6. Click Options. The Export Settings window opens.

30 Creating and Developing a Project

7. From the Export Method menu, select one of the following: t Link To (Don’t Export) Media, (the default) to avoid duplicating media files. t Copy All Media, if conserving disk space is not a problem. Embedded AAFs are not supported by Avid 3D. t Consolidate Media, if your sequence contains media from different locations and you want to regroup it. 8. If MXF was not specified as the original Video File Format before capturing or importing the video, select Transcode Video To: > MXF. 9. Click Save and OK. Avid 3D opens with a new blank scene. n To open Avid 3D directly, select Studio > Launch Avid 3D. Avid 3D opens with a new blank scene.

31 Chapter 1 General Workflow

Style Palette button

Viewport

Output Format Preferences

10. Click the Output Format Preferences button. The Output Format Preferences window opens.

Output Format Preset

11. Choose the Output Format Preset corresponding to your Avid editor project.

32 Creating and Developing a Project n The list of AAF Master Clip Compression Settings is a combined list of compressions supported by Media Composer, Xpress Pro Mojo and Xpress Pro. When choosing the MXF compression you should verify that it is supported by the Avid editor and system you are using. For example, you must have a Mojo connected to your Avid editing system to import uncompressed video.

12. Click the Style Palette button. The Style Palette opens. 13. Select Video Bin > InComing from Avid Editors. Thumbnails of the files in the InComing from Avid Editors folder are shown below.

14. Drag your sequence into a viewport. The Clip on Background window opens. 15. Select either Framed clip (Using a camera rig), Floating Image Plate (Shaded) or Floating Image Plate (Constant). 16. Add Titling, create a DVE, apply Deforms, or add a 3D model. 17. When your scene is complete, select the Render Options button.

33 Chapter 1 General Workflow

The Render Options window opens.

18. Click Render Scene. The scene is exported to the Avid3D InComing bin in your Avid editor. n If your scene has an alpha channel, the scene is imported into the Avid editor as a title matte effect.

19. In your Avid editing application, find the file in the Avid3D InComing bin and drag it to the timeline. For more information, see “Using Avid 3D” on page 57.

34 Creating and Developing a Project

Editing Audio Effects

Avid Pro Tools LE is an audio production tool that allows you to perform a broad range of tasks including: adding, editing, and designing sound effects, music composition, dialog conforming, voice-over and ADR recording, foley recording, and mixing and signal processing. For more information, see “Using Avid Pro Tools LE” on page 79.

To edit audio effects in Avid Pro Tools LE: 1. Export your sequence from your Avid editing application. 2. From the menu, go to Go to Studio > Launch Pro Tools LE. Avid Xpress Pro will close and Avid Pro Tools LE will be launched. n You cannot run Avid Pro Tools LE at the same time as your Avid editing application. 3. Create a new Avid Pro Tools session with appropriate settings in the areas of audio file format, sample rate, and bit depth. (The settings depend on your hardware—either Digidesign 002 or Mbox). 4. Import the AAF file into the session. 5. Edit your audio. 6. Export the finished audio to your Avid editing application. 7. Export selected tracks as OMF/AAF. 8. Export selected regions as OMF. 9. Integrate the new audio elements as clips or mixed tracks in your Avid editing application. - For exported tracks, import the OMF file into a bin. - For individual clips, drag the clips from the Media tool into a bin.

Creating a DVD

Once you are satisfied with the results of the project in your Avid editor, you are ready to output the results to a DVD or Blu-ray Disc. For more information, see “Using Avid DVD by Sonic” on page 113.

To create a DVD 1. (Optional) Create MetaSync information. For more information, see “Preparing the Sequence” on page 115. 2. Select File > Send To > Avid Studio > Encoding for Avid DVD by Sonic, and then encode the file with Sorenson Squeeze. For information on encoding with Sorenson Squeeze, see “Encoding a Sequence with Sorenson Squeeze” on page 116.

35 Chapter 1 General Workflow

3. Launch Avid DVD by Sonic. Avid DVD by Sonic opens.

Palette area

Project area Preview area

Attributes area Timeline area

4. Select both the .mpv and the .mpa files (created by Sorenson Squeeze) for import. The files are added to the Palette Media area. 5. (Optional) To import the metadata, right-click on the title in the project window, and then select Import Metadata. 6. Import any other assets you want to use, and create the DVD or Blu-ray Disc layout, including a playlist, menu items and background. 7. Output the project to a disc image, DVD, or Blu-ray Disc. 8. Save your project and exit the application.

36 Chapter 2 Using Avid FX

You can use Avid FX to add a wide range of high-quality titling, compositing, and effects to your Avid editing application sequences. You can create your own effects, or choose from Avid FX’s library of over 1,500 customizable titles, effects, and transition templates. Avid FX works as an AVX 1.5 or 2.0 plug-in, so you can apply it just like you apply other Avid effects in your Avid editor. You can also work with the standalone version of Avid FX, called the Avid FX Engine.

In this chapter, you will find the following topics: • Using Avid FX as a Plugin • Creating Text Effects • Using the Avid FX Engine

For a complete description of how to use Avid FX, see the Avid FX User Guide or the online help. For a complete description of all filters, see the Avid FX online help. Chapter 2 Using Avid FX Using Avid FX as a Plugin

This sections shows you how to work with Avid FX as a plugin from your Avid editor.

To open the Effect palette: 1. In your Avid editor, determine where in your sequence you want to apply the transition. 2. Click the Effects tab in the Project window or press Ctrl+8. The Effect palette opens and Avid FX appears at the top of the list.

Effects tab

You can choose from the following six effects: • Avid FX 1 Input: Apply this effect if you want to use one Avid track in creating your effect. Avid FX uses the track on which you apply the effect as source media. • Avid FX 2 Input: Apply this effect if you want to use two Avid tracks as source media. Avid FX uses the track on which you apply the effect and the one below it. • Avid FX 4 Input: Apply this effect if you want to use three or four Avid tracks as source media. • Avid FX 6 Input: Apply this effect if you want to use five or six Avid tracks as source media. It’s a good idea to use only the number of inputs you really need. If you have empty tracks, your Avid editing application takes time and computer power to render the empty tracks. • Avid FX Title-Matte Effect: Apply this effect only to edit titles that you have first created with the Title Tool. • Avid FX Transition: Apply this effect to create any kind of transition.

38 Using Avid FX as a Plugin

Dragging the Avid FX Effect on to the Timeline

You can add an effect by dragging it to sequence on the timeline.

To add an Avid FX effect to a sequence: t Drag the effect to a clip in the Timeline. For a transition effect, drag the effect to the point between two clips on the timeline. The effect icon is displayed on the clip or at the transition point.

Clip 1 Effect icon Clip 2

Entering Effect Mode

When you enter effect mode, you can adjust the parameters of native effects, or you can open the interface for plugin effects.

To enter Effect mode: 1. Place the position indicator over the effect icon, and then click the Effects Mode button.

Effects Mode button

39 Chapter 2 Using Avid FX

You are now in Effects mode and the Effect Editor opens.

Launch FX

Split Screen Loop Play

2. Click the Launch User Interface button to open the FX user interface. Four Avid FX windows open by default: - Controls window - Composite window - Timeline window - Project window

40 Using Avid FX as a Plugin

Composite window

Controls window

Timeline window Project window

Creating an Effect

The Timeline window displays two video tracks: Video 1 represents the outgoing clip and Video 2 represents the incoming clip. The position indicator in the Timeline window is placed on the first frame of both clips; the first frame of the outgoing clip is displayed in the Composite window.

41 Chapter 2 Using Avid FX

Track names Track Visibility buttons Position Keyframes (toggle on/off) indicator

The following procedures show you how to create a transition effect that spins as it scales and exchanges two video clips.

To change the video track that is displayed: t Click the Toggle Track Visibility button. If you want to view the first frame of the incoming clip (Video 2), hide Video 1 by clicking the Toggle Track Visibility button. Click the Toggle Track Visibility button again to show Video 1.

Creating a Transition Effect

A transition effect controls the change from one scene into another. There are a number of standard transitions, such as fades, wipes, etc. And, as you can see from the following procedures, it is also very easy to design your own.

To create a transition effect: 1. In the Timeline window, adjust the length of each of the clips by dragging the keyframes: a. Drag the last keyframe of Video Track 1 to the midway point of the duration (frame 00;15). b. Drag the first keyframe of Video Track 2 to the same point.

42 Using Avid FX as a Plugin

Keyframes at the midpoint of the transition

2. Ctrl + click each of the keyframes to select both of them. The selected keyframes turn red. 3. In the Controls window, adjust the scale for the keyframes to 0.00. You can type the value or drag a slider. Notice that the Scale X and Scale Y controls are locked.

Locked

Scale controls

The video for the middle keyframes is now invisible. The video at the beginning and end of the clips is still visible, because the keyframes are set to 100. 4. In the Timeline window, add a container track by selecting both tracks (Ctrl + click each track), and then selecting Track > New 3D Container.

43 Chapter 2 Using Avid FX

You’ve just created a container track to hold the two video tracks. The video tracks (and a new track, Transformations) are indented slightly. Container tracks make it easier to work with multilayer effects. Notice that a container track has its own keyframes. 5. Click the first keyframe in the container track, and then, in the Controls Window, adjust the Spin Y to 1 rotation. You can type 1 or use the mouse pointer to spin the dial one complete rotation.

The video moves as you spin the dial.

44 Using Avid FX as a Plugin

6. Press the space bar to preview the effect. By default, the effect loops until you press the space bar again. You can also drag the Timeline position indicator to scrub through the effect. If you want, try changing the number of rotations or the degree of rotation.

Adding a Generated Texture to an Effect

The background of the previous transition is black, because it was created as a transparency. You can add a more interesting background by adding media or a generated texture on a new track. The following procedure add the effect of a starry night as a background.

To add a generated texture to an effect: 1. In the Timeline window, collapse the 3D Container track by clicking the triangular opener, and then deselect the track by clicking in an empty space. 2. Select Track > New Media > Color. A track labeled Solid Color is added above the 3D Container track. 3. Drag the new track below the 3D Container track.

Expand / Collapse Container track

4. Click to highlight the new track, and then select Filters > Generators > BCC Stars. 5. To view the new background media, click the Track Visibility button for the 3D Container track.

45 Chapter 2 Using Avid FX

Avid FX includes hundreds of filters and textures and ways to adjust them. In this example, you can use the controls to vary the number of stars, add galaxies, and make other customizations. 6. In the Timeline, toggle the Track Visibility on the 3D Container track off so that you can see the background. Because the Stars track is new media, it takes longer to preview. 7. To display your transition, select Preview > Preview to RAM. Avid FX uses the computer’s random-access memory (RAM) to preview the effect. The first time preview cycle is slow, as the transition is loaded in memory, but subsequent previews are real time. Press the space bar to stop the preview.

Applying the Effect

When you’re satisfied with your effect, apply it to the sequence.

To apply the effect: t Click the Apply button in the Timeline window. The Avid FX interface closes.

To close the Avid FX interface without applying the effect: t Click the Cancel button in the Timeline window.

46 Using Avid FX as a Plugin

Rendering the Effect

Render the effect in the same way that you render other effects in your Avid editor.

To render the effect: 1. Place the position indicator on the effect icon. 2. Click the Render Effect button.

Render Effect button

The Render Effect dialog box opens.

3. Click OK. In a few seconds, depending on the complexity of the effect, your effect is ready to play.

47 Chapter 2 Using Avid FX Creating Text Effects

Avid FX includes features that let you easily create and animate titles and other text effects. This section describes how to create a simple title, and then animate it around a circle.

Adding an Effect to Filler

You can add a title over video in the same way you add a transition effect. If you want to create a title (or any effect) without video, insert filler into a sequence and apply the effect to the filler.

To add an effect to filler: 1. In your Avid editor, from an open sequence, select Clip > Load Filler. The system loads a 2-minute clip of filler into the Source monitor. 2. Mark IN and OUT points to create the length of filler you want. The length of the filler determines the speed of the animation. For this example, you can use four seconds. 3. Click the Splice-in button to edit the filler into the sequence. 4. Click the Effects tab in the Avid editing application Project window. 5. Drag the Avid FX 1 Input effect onto the filler clip in the sequence. 6. Enter Effect mode by parking the position indicator over the effect icon and clicking the Effects Mode button. 7. In the Effect Editor, click the Launch User Interface button.

Launch User Interface

The Avid FX interface opens.

48 Creating Text Effects

Creating Text in a Title

You can create a text and then add animation and effects to the newly created text.

To create text: 1. In the Avid FX Timeline, click the Media icon, and then select Text from the menu.

Media icon

The Text window opens.

Style tab

Page tab

Style Palette button

The Text window contains five panels of controls, which let you adjust the font, size, color, and spacing and other text attributes. By default, the Style tab is displayed. 2. Click in the top part of the Text window, and then type the text that you want to animate in a circle. “Avid FX Goes round and Round.” Use Arial Black 48 point or another large font.

49 Chapter 2 Using Avid FX

3. For this example, on the Page tab of the Text window, make sure that Text Wrap is set to No Wrap.

Page tab

4. Click the Style tab again. 5. To view and select one of the hundreds of text styles, click the Style Palette button at the bottom of the Text window. The Style Palette opens. 6. Open different sets from the drop-down menu. A wide range of font choices is displayed, from Basic Black and White to Glows and Fuzzy Colors.

7. Double-click your choice.

50 Creating Text Effects

The newly styled text is displayed in the Text window. In this example we’ve used Fuzzy Earth.

8. To see what the text look likes in a monitor, click the Update button on the Text window. The text appears in the Composite window.

The checkerboard pattern indicates that the text is created on a transparent background. 9. Close the Style Palette by clicking the close button.

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10. Save your work: - Select File > Save Project As. - Name your project. -Click Save.

At this point, you could apply the title to the sequence. But, let’s animate the text first.

Animating Text on a Path

It’s easy to place text on a path and animate it. The following example uses a simple circle, but you can use any path that you can create in Avid FX.

To animate text on a path: 1. In the Timeline window, click the triangular opener to display all tracks in the effect.

2. Select the first keyframe in the Face track. 3. Click the Path tab in the Controls window, and then select Make Path Track.

52 Creating Text Effects

The Text Path track is displayed below the Face track in the timeline.

4. Select the Text Path track in the timeline. The Tool window opens.

Oval tool

5. With the Text Path track selected, click the Oval tool in the Tool window and draw a circle in the Composite window. Press the Shift key while you drag to constrain the tool to draw a circle instead of an oval.

53 Chapter 2 Using Avid FX

The Composite window updates, showing the text wrapped around the object in the Text Path track.

6. Click the Face track, and on the Path tab of the Controls window, set the rotation dial to 1.

Rotation dial

7. Select Preview > Preview to RAM to preview the animation. 8. Click Apply, and then render the effect in the Avid editor Timeline.

54 Using the Avid FX Engine Using the Avid FX Engine

In addition to using Avid FX as a plugin to your Avid editor, you can run Avid FX independently. This standalone version of Avid FX is called the Avid FX Engine.

The Avid FX Engine works essentially the same as the plugin. You can create titles, effects, or composites using whatever combination of imported files and generated effects you choose, and then export them for use in other applications. For example, you might use the Avid FX engine to create an animated menu for a DVD project assembled with Avid DVD by Sonic.

The only difference is that in the Avid FX Engine, the Apply button does not appear. To render your work, you add it to the Render Queue, render it, and then save it for re-use elsewhere. For more information, see “Saving and Sharing Your Work” on page 55.

Format Compatibilities

When you Avid FX as a plugin, Avid FX automatically uses the settings from your Avid editor project; however, when you use the Avid FX Engine, you have to make sure that your project settings and formats match those of whatever project of which they will ultimately become a part.

Before you begin to work in the Avid FX Engine verify your settings: 1. Select Edit > Project Settings for resolution, aspect ratio, time codes, safe levels, alpha channel, and color depth. 2. Select Edit > Preferences for Import and Export parameters.

Saving and Sharing Your Work

There are several ways to save your work in Avid FX.

To save one or more compositions in a single project: t Select Composition > Save Composition.

To save a project, select one of the following: - File > Save. - File > Save Project As. - File > Save Project Copy As. - File > Save Project Copy to Library.

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Saving to the Library lets you save your effects in the Keyframe Library, a storehouse of hundreds of preset effects. Using the Keyframe Library makes it easy to reuse your titles and graphics. Create a folder for your projects in the following location: C:\Program Files\Avid\Avid FX\Keyframe Libraries

To open the Keyframe Library: t Select Window > Library Browser. The folder you created appears at the bottom of the scroll list.

You can also export your titles and effects in several different formats.

To export an effect: 1. Select File > Export. 2. Select one of the following: - Movie File (for QuickTime, Targa Sequence, or AVI) -Targa File - Flash File 3. For Movie files, select the file type, and then click OK. 4. Navigate to the folder where you want to store the file, and then click Save.

56 Chapter 3 Using Avid 3D

Avid 3D provides editors with a wide range of 3D tools. With Avid 3D, you can import clips and sequences from your Avid editing application, and then add 3D elements or 3D effects. Shared media and metadata formats between your Avid editing application and Avid 3D allow you to move media easily between the applications. Avid 3D includes an extensive Library which you can use to add models to 3D scenes or load existing scenes and insert your own videos.

There are two basic workflows when using Avid 3D with Avid Studio: • Export a clip or sequence from your Avid editing application to Avid 3D, add 3D elements or effects, and then export the media from Avid 3D back to your Avid editing application. • Creating media from an Avid3D scene, export it directly to your Avid editing application as a clip, and then edit it into a sequence.

The information provided in this chapter is designed to provide an overview of an Avid 3D workflow. You will find the following topics: • Exporting Media from Your Avid Editor • Creating 3D Content • Exporting Media from Avid 3D

For detailed information, see the Avid 3D Users Guide. Chapter 3 Using Avid 3D Exporting Media from Your Avid Editor

Use the Send To feature to export clips and sequences as Advanced Authoring Format (AAF) files from your Avid editor to Avid 3D. AAF is a cross-platform, multimedia file format that allows interchange of media and composition information between AAF- compliant applications.

AAF files can facilitate the transfer of data from the Avid editing application to Avid 3D by creating pointers to the original media so that the media files themselves are not duplicated. This eliminates duplicating the source files, saves space, and speeds up the transfer of information between applications.

There are two general types of data in an AAF file: • Media such as video and audio • Composition information, or metadata, that provides the instructions needed to combine and modify the media portions of the AAF file to produce a complete multimedia program n Avid 3D does not import audio information from the AAF file. For more information, see “Exporting Sound Files” on page 63.

Converting OMF Media

You can export only MXF media from your Avid editor to Avid 3D. Normally, you would set the media type to MXF (by selecting Settings > Media Creation > Media Types > Video File Format > MXF) before you import any media into your Avid editor.

If your source media is in the OMF media file format, you need to convert (transcode) the media from OMF format to MXF format before exporting to Avid 3D. You can use the Send To feature to automate this conversion; however, first you must set the media type to MXF in the Media Creation dialog box.

To set transcode options: 1. Double-click Media Creation in the Settings scroll list. 2. Click the Media Type tab. The Media Type tab of the Media Creation dialog box opens.

58 Exporting Media from Your Avid Editor

3. Select MXF as the Video File Format. 4. Click OK to save your settings.

Exporting to Avid 3D

Once your media is in the correct format, you can export it to Avid 3D. Your Avid editor Send To feature provides you with several pre-defined templates to streamline your workflow. These templates are set to default parameters and are customized for specific workflows. n Avid recommends you use the pre-defined template default settings, which have been qualified by Avid.

To export a clip or sequence from your Avid editing application: 1. Select an MXF clip or sequence in a bin. You can select multiple clips or sequences. 2. Do one of the following: - Select File > Send To > AVID Studio > Avid 3D. - Right-click the clip or sequence, and select Send To > AVID Studio > Avid 3D.

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The Send To Avid 3D dialog box opens.

For exported media to appear in the appropriate section of the Avid 3D Video Library, your Avid editing application must store the media files at the default location. The default destination for Avid 3D v5.6 installed with the Avid Studio installer is C:\Program Files\Avid\Avid3D_5.6\Data\AVID3DMEDIA\AvidMedia. The default location to store exported media files from Avid Xpress Pro when you install Avid 3D v2.1a standalone is C:\Softimage\Avid3D_v2.1a\Data\AVID3DMEDIA\AvidMedia. The default location to store exported media files from Avid Xpress Pro when you install Avid 3D v2.1a with the Avid Xpress Studio installer is C:\Program Files\Avid\Avid3D_v2.1a\Data\AVID3DMEDIA\AvidMedia.

60 Exporting Media from Your Avid Editor

3. Select options as described in the following table:

Option Suboption Description

Filename Type the name you want for the exported file. The default is the title of the clip or sequence you selected to export.

Destination You must use the default Use the Set button to verify the default location if location. necessary.

Auto Launch Select if you want to have Avid 3D open automatically once the Send To function is complete.

Auto Load Exported Select if you want the exported AAF file to load File(s) automatically in Avid 3D.

Reveal Exported File(s) Select if you want the system to display the destination of exported media files in an Explorer window.

Export Setting 1 Is Avid 3D default. Export settings are listed in the Export Setting 1 Summary section.

Export Setting 2 This option is used to export a separate audio wave file to Avid 3D. For more information, see “Exporting Sound Files” on page 63. n The default Send To and Export Settings templates have been qualified by Avid to work with Avid 3D and the other Send To options. It is strongly recommended that you accept the defaults.

4. Click Options.

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The Export Settings - Avid 3D dialog box opens.

5. If your sequence contains marks, check Use Marks to constrain the export to the area between the marks. 6. If your sequence contains multiple tracks, and only some of them have been enabled, check Use Enabled Tracks to constrain the export to only the enabled tracks. 7. In the Video Details tab, make sure Render Video Effects is selected. n All effects must be rendered before exporting media to Avid 3D. 8. If your media is in the OMF format, select Transcode Video To Format MXF. 9. Click Save to accept the settings and close the Export Settings dialog box. 10. Click OK. The Avid editing application exports the clip or sequence, and sends the AAF file to Avid 3D.

62 Exporting Media from Your Avid Editor

Exporting Sound Files

Avid 3D ignores any audio tracks in the AAF, which is why in the Export Settings - Avid 3D window, Include all Audio Tracks in Sequence is deselected.

To send an audio file to Avid 3D: 1. Select Send To: > Avid 3D > Export Setting 2. 2. Select Export Setting 2 > Options. The Export Setting - Avid 3D Audio window opens.

3. Select Save to accept the defaults. n Alternatively, you can drag and drop audio files (WAV and AIFF) directly into a 3D view. For more information, see the Importing and Exporting Audio Files section in the Avid 3D Online Help.

Viewing AAF Media in Avid 3D

Provided that the Destination was correct in the Send To feature, your AAF media will be placed in Avid 3D in the Style Palette > Video Bin > InComing from Avid Editors folder, from where you can use it as an image texture in a 3D scene.

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To view the AAF media in Avid 3D: 1. Open Avid 3D if the application did not automatically launch when you exported the clip using the Send To feature.

Style Palette button

2. Click the Style Palette button.

64 Exporting Media from Your Avid Editor

The Style Palette displays.

3. Select Video Bin > InComing from Avid Editors. Thumbnails of the files in the Avid3D InComing folder are listed below.

4. Drag your scene into a viewport. The Clip on Background window opens. 5. Select either Framed clip (Using a camera rig), Floating Image Plate (Shaded) or Floating Image Plate (Constant).

65 Chapter 3 Using Avid 3D Creating 3D Content

This section focuses on two separate workflows: • Use video clips exported from your Avid editing application in your 3D scenes by applying them as background textures. • Create a scene in Avid 3D that can be exported to your Avid editing application as a clip, title, or matte key effect.

Applying Video Clips as Background Textures

Clips and sequences that you send to Avid 3D appear in the Video Library. You can use these clips or sequences as texture images on grids for backgrounds or you can use them to replace existing image textures on 3D models.

To add a video background to a scene: 1. Create a new scene or open an existing scene in Avid 3D. 2. Navigate to the clip or sequence, as described in “Viewing AAF Media in Avid 3D” on page 63. 3. Use the Deselect All button on the Control Bar to make sure no objects are selected in your scene. 4. Click the video clip you want to use, and drag it to the viewport.

66 Creating 3D Content

The Clip on Background dialog box opens.

5. In the Clip on Background dialog box, select one of the following options: - Framed Clip (Using a camera rig) if you want to use the clip on a fixed background. - Floating Image Plate (Shaded) or Floating Image Plate (Constant) if you want to use the clip on a floating 3D grid that you can reposition in the scene. 6. Click OK.

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If the clip contains more than one video track, the Select Clip Track dialog box opens.

7. Do one of the following: - In the Composite area, select your sequence if you want to apply all tracks to your scene. - In the Tracks area, select one of the tracks to apply to your scene.

68 Creating 3D Content

The video appears in the viewport either on a fixed background or as a texture applied to a floating image plate.

View port Scale, Rotate, Translate

Expand icon

8. If your video is not a fixed background, do one of the following to position the image plate in the viewport: - Use the Scale, Rotate, and Translate tools on the Main toolbar. - Click the Expand icon to adjust the Transform parameters.

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Display Type

On-Screen Transform param eters

To add video to a textured object: 1. Create a new scene or open an existing scene in Avid 3D. 2. Click the Object Library tab > Primitives. The Object Library displays primitive objects of all available Models and Scenes as thumbnails, arranged by Group.

3D Library tab Jump to menu

70 Creating 3D Content

3. Click one of the textured objects, and drag it to the viewport. For this example, we selected the bottle shape from the group Basic Models with Profiles.

4. Using the Transform parameters, resize and reposition the object to suit your taste. 5. Select the object using the Select tool. 6. Click the Style Palette button and select Video Bin > InComing from Avid Editors. 7. Drag a video clip onto the textured object.

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If the object has more than one area to which the texture can be applied, the Select Texture(s) dialog box opens.

8. Select the side(s) or cluster(s) on which you want your video to appear, and then click OK. In this example, we selected the Label area only, as the Cap and Polygons not Contained in Clusters are inappropriate for textures.

72 Creating 3D Content

If the clip contains more than one video track, the Select Clip Track dialog box opens.

9. Do one of the following: - In the Composite area, select your sequence if you want to apply all tracks to your scene. - In the Tracks area, select one of the tracks to apply to your scene. 10. Click OK.

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Thumbnails of the available text samples display.

11. Drag-and-drop the text model block material into a viewport. 12. In the viewport, select the text object, and in the Selection area, select Text.

13. Type your text in the text box. You can use the Format buttons to format your text.

74 Creating 3D Content

14. Click the Create tab.

15. With the text block selected, press the Convert to Offset Rig tool. 16. You can use the On-Screen Character Offset parameters to position, rotate, and scale elements of the text object. 17. Select the first letter of the text object. 18. Do one of the following to position the text where you want your animation to begin: - Use the Scale, Rotate, and Translate tools on the Control bar, or - Click the Expand icon on the On-Screen Transform parameters and adjust the parameters. 19. Use the Keyframe tool to set the first keyframe. 20. Do one of the following to reposition the first letter: - Use the Scale, Rotate, and Translate tools on the Control bar, or - Click the Expand icon on the On-Screen Transform parameters, and then adjust the parameters. 21. Add another keyframe. 22. Repeat steps 11 and 12 to complete your animation. 23. Optionally, to preview the scene, select Action > Record Camera Playback. 24. Save the scene.

You can now render and export the scene to your Avid editing application as a clip with an alpha channel that allows you to edit it into your sequence as a title. For more information on exporting clips from Avid 3D, see “Exporting Media from Avid 3D” on page 76.

75 Chapter 3 Using Avid 3D Exporting Media from Avid 3D

Once you have created your content in Avid 3D, you are ready to export your material to your Avid editor.

By default, Avid 3D will create the .aaf in the folder \Avid3D OutGoing. If there is a bin in the Avid editor project called Avid3D InComing, the editor will scan the Avid3D OutGoing folder for new .aaf files and automatically import them into the Avid3D InComing bin. The target bin’s name is case-sensitive and must be exactly as cited here, including capitalization and spacing.

Avid 3D provides a number of render options that allow you to customize the scenes you export. You set these options using the Output Format Preferences and Render Options dialog boxes. It is important that you verify that these options are compatible with your Avid editor before rendering your scene.

To export a scene to the Avid editing application: 1. Create a bin called Avid3D InComing in your Avid editing project. 2. Open a scene in Avid 3D. 3. Click the Output Format Preferences button to open the dialog box.

76 Exporting Media from Avid 3D

4. Choose an Output Format preset that corresponds to the project type you are working with in the editor. Verify that the MXF compression settings are supported by your Avid editor. 5. Click the Render Options button to open the dialog box. The Render Options dialog box opens.

6. Optionally, enter a start frame and an end frame range for your movie. 7. Check Create and select AAF. 8. Optionally, check Write Alpha Channel. If selected, the scene is exported to your Avid editor as a title matte effect. If not selected, the scene is exported as a sequence. 9. Click Render Scene. When the scene has been rendered, the AAF file is placed in the Avid3D InComing bin of your Avid editor. 10. You can now edit the clip as you would any other clip or sequence in your project. n If the AAF file does not appear in the Avid3D InComing bin, click out of your Avid editing application and then click back into your Avid editing application. This should force a rescan of the media drive and the AAF file should appear in the bin.

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78 Chapter 4 Using Avid Pro Tools LE

Avid Pro Tools LE is a powerful audio production tool that allows you to perform a broad range of tasks including adding, editing, and designing sound effects, music composition, dialog conforming, voice-over and ADR recording, foley recording, and mixing and signal processing. Avid Pro Tools LE is compatible with the Digi 002 and Mbox audio devices.

This chapter describes how you can work with Avid Xpress Pro and Avid Pro Tools LE to edit audio tracks in your project. It explains how to import your project from Avid Xpress Pro, edit and finish audio in Avid Pro Tools LE, and finally, import the file back to Avid Xpress Pro.

Avid Pro Tools LE is only available if you are using the Avid Xpress Studio package.

If you are working with progressive projects in the Avid editing system, see “Using Avid Pro Tools LE with Progressive Projects” on page 151.

In this chapter, you will find the following topics: • Before You Begin • Digi 002 versus Mbox • Accurate Audio and Video Editing • Exporting a Sequence from Avid Xpress Pro • Importing the AAF file into Avid Pro Tools LE • Editing Audio Files in Avid Pro Tools LE • Export Finished Tracks to Avid Xpress Pro • Importing the File into Avid Xpress Pro Chapter 4 Using Avid Pro Tools LE Before You Begin

Before you begin to work with Avid Pro Tools LE and Avid Xpress Pro.; • Refer to the DigiDesign documentation for details on editing your audio, all relevant documentation is installed with the software application. Go to Start > DigiDesign > Documentation: • Make sure that all relevant software and hardware are properly installed: - The audio device (Digi 002 or Mbox) must be properly connected to your Avid Xpress Studio system—see Avid Xpress Studio HD Hardware Setup Instructions. - Avid Pro Tools LE must be installed and licensed. - The DigiDesign DV Toolkit must be installed and an authorized iLok USB Smart Key (iLok) must be attached to the system. This application lets you import AAF files from Avid Xpress Pro to Avid Pro Tools LE. For more information see ILok Usage Guide, DigiTranslator, Option Guide DV Toolkit™ fro Avid Pro Tools LE™. - The latest version of Quicktime must be installed. Go to www.quicktime.com. • You cannot run Avid Xpress Pro at the same time as Avid Pro Tools LE. You must quit the Avid Xpress Pro before launching Avid Pro Tools LE. • Avid Pro Tools LE requires Basic disk drives for audio. You cannot use Avid Pro Tools LE to edit audio on Dynamic disk drives (striped drives are Dynamic disk drives). When capturing material, you can instruct Avid Xpress Pro to capture video to striped drives and capture audio to a separate Basic disk drive. Use the Media Creation tool in Avid Xpress Pro to specify the drive that is used to capture, import, and create audio files—see “Media Creation Settings: Capture, Titles, Import, and Mixdown & Transcode Tabs” in the Avid Xpress Pro Help. You must specify your Basic drive for the audio files in the Capture, Import, and Mixdown and Transcode tabs. n The Media Creation tool does not identify a drive as a Basic drive. You must determine whether a drive is Basic before using the tool.

• Avid Pro Tools LE does not support 9-pin serial deck control. To perform a frame- accurate digital cut, export the audio to Avid Xpress Pro and perform the digital cut from Avid Xpress Pro. For more information on frame accuracy, see “Accurate Audio and Video Editing” on page 85. • Avid Pro Tools LE does not play HD video.

80 Digi 002 versus Mbox Digi 002 versus Mbox

Avid Pro Tools LE works with either one of two audio configurations—Digi 002 or Mbox. Although both audio devices are used for audio input, audio output and playback, there are some differences as shown in the table below:

Digi 002 Mbox

Offers up to 18 simultaneous channels of Offers 2 channels of professional audio professional audio I/O. connections with basic controls.

Works with both Avid Pro Tools LE and Avid Works with both Avid Pro Tools LE and Avid Xpress Pro. Xpress Pro

Integrated with Avid Mojo hardware to provide Not integrated with Avid Mojo hardware. full audio mix to picture capabilities. Works directly with Avid Pro Tools LE.

Video is streamed out from the Avid Mojo’s To edit the audio “to picture”, the video plays in a video outputs and can be viewed on a client floating Quicktime window within Avid Pro monitor. You can edit the audio “to picture” with Tools LE with real-time video playback. real-time video playback in a floating Quicktime window or on an external monitor. n Digi 002 can be used to control aspects of your Avid Xpress Pro user interface, see “Using External Fader Controllers” in the Avid Xpress Pro Help.

To learn more about the Digi 002 family and the Mbox family, go to www.digidesign.com.

81 Chapter 4 Using Avid Pro Tools LE Using Digi 002 in Avid Xpress Studio

In this configuration, the following components are installed and connected: • Avid Xpress Pro • Avid Pro Tools LE • Digi 002 • Avid Mojo DNA hardware

External Stereo Monitor Out Audio Sources

Video I/O

64-bit 1394 Black Burst Card (optional) S/PDIF (sync)

Avid Xpress 1394 Digi 002 cable Studio workstation

Using Digi002 as the Primary Audio Device

You can use the Digi 002 as your primary audio I/O device for Avid Xpress Pro as well as for editing audio with Avid Pro Tools LE. You can also use the Digi 002 as a control surface for many aspects of the Avid Xpress Pro user interface.

If the Digi 002 is properly connected to your computer and turned on before you start Avid Xpress Pro, it will be automatically recognized and used as the primary audio device. If Digi 002 is not connected or is in standalone mode, the Avid Mojo DNA hardware will be recognized as primary audio device.

82 Using Digi 002 in Avid Xpress Studio

Although you can use the Digi 002 as a standalone mixer, you cannot use it as a mixer while you are using it as the audio I/O device for Avid Xpress Pro.

To use the Digi 002 as your primary audio device while you work in Avid Xpress Pro: 1. (Optional) Connect a black burst generator to the Ref connector on the Avid Mojo DNA. n Avid recommends using a black burst generator when performing an audio only capture. 2. Connect one end of an RCA cable to the analog audio output connectors labeled CLK on the Avid Mojo DNA (white audio output) and connect the other end to the S/PDIF In on the Digi 002. This allows the Digi 002 to receive audio sync from the Avid Mojo DNA and the optional black burst generator. 3. Connect the video output (composite or S-video) on the Avid Mojo DNA to a client monitor.

Using Digi 002 as a Control Surface

You can also make use of Digi 002’s control surface capabilities and use it as a controller for live mix mode and for automated gain and/or pan recording.

To use the Digi 002 as a control surface for Avid Xpress Pro: 1. Turn on the Digi 002 before starting Avid Xpress Pro. 2. Start Avid Xpress Pro, and then click the Settings tab in the Project window. 3. Double-click Controller Settings. 4. Select the Digi 002 options from the Controller, Port, and Gain Controller Port pop-up menus. 5. (Option) Click Edit Settings, view or change the button settings, and then click OK. 6. Click OK in the Controller Settings dialog box to save your changes.

For information on using external fader controllers or mixers as control surfaces, see “Using an External Fader or Mixer” in the Avid Xpress Pro Help.

83 Chapter 4 Using Avid Pro Tools LE Using Mbox as the Primary Audio Device

In this audio configuration, the following components are installed and connected: • Avid Xpress Pro • Avid Pro Tools LE • Mbox

You can use the Mbox as your primary audio for Avid Xpress Pro as well as for editing audio with Avid Pro Tools LE.

Stereo External Monitor Audio Out Sources

Avid Xpress Studio Workstation

USB cable Mbox

84 Accurate Audio and Video Editing Accurate Audio and Video Editing

Avid Xpress Pro edits with frame accuracy. This means that in a 30-fps project, you can edit at 30 different locations for every one second of video. Avid Pro Tools LE edits with sample rate accuracy. In a 48-kHz session, there are potentially 48000 locations to edit for every second of audio.

When Avid Pro Tools LE exports an AAF or OMF composition, it must ensure that the audio media files line up on frame boundaries. To do this, it might have to split an existing audio clip into three clips. For example, the following illustration shows a 5-frame video clip and a corresponding audio clip. In Avid Pro Tools LE, the audio clips might not line up on video frame boundaries.

One Avid Pro Tools LE Audio clip 5 frame video clip The original audio clip does not line up on video frame boundaries

In order to export frame accurate audio clips, Avid Pro Tools LE splits the audio media on frame boundaries and fills any gaps with silence. The following illustration shows the resulting audio clips that are exported to Avid Xpress Pro.

New audio clip with New audio clip with padded silence padded silence

Three exported Audio clips 5 frame video clip Exported audio clips line up on video frame boundaries

When you use Export Selected Tracks as OMF/AFF option to export tracks from Avid Pro Tools LE, a number of additional media files appear in the bin. Some are named Sample accurate edit. These are the additional media files that Avid Pro Tools LE creates to make sure that Avid Xpress Pro receives frame-accurate audio. You also see the sample-accurate media files if you zoom in on portions of the imported audio in the Timeline.

85 Chapter 4 Using Avid Pro Tools LE Exporting a Sequence from Avid Xpress Pro

After you have finished editing your sequence in Avid Xpress Pro and want to add or edit the audio in Avid Pro Tools LE, you must export it the sequence from Avid Xpress Pro. Here is a typical sequence showing two audio tracks and two unrendered video effects.

Exporting a sequence utilizes the Send To feature—see “Exchanging Files between the Avid Applications” on page 24. An AAF file that references the audio file will be created. The video files are handled differently depending on the method used to export the sequence.

If you are working with progressive projects in the Avid editing system, see “Using Avid Pro Tools LE with Progressive Projects” on page 151.

Changing the Export Settings

If you do not accept the default export settings, you can change them in the AAF Export Settings window. There are several options available in the “Link to Current Media” tab that make it possible to perform render and conversion operations on a sequence without first consolidating the sequence.

For a description of the options, see “Export Settings” in the Avid Xpress Pro Help.

The following illustration shows the Link to Current Media options for the audio portion of the Avid Pro Tools LE (002) Export Settings dialog box.

86 Exporting a Sequence from Avid Xpress Pro

Link to current media options

Determining the Audio Settings

Avid Pro Tools LE only supports playback of a single sample rate, while Avid Xpress Pro works with multiple sample rates. If you have audio in your sequence with different sample rates or bit depth, they will be converted to a single sample rate in Avid Pro Tools LE.

The default Send To Avid Pro Tools LE templates uses the current audio project settings for the above values. If you changed the values, take note of those values before exporting the sequence to Avid Pro Tools LE.

To determine the audio settings for your Avid Xpress Pro project: 1. Select the Project window and click the Settings tab. 2. Double-click Audio Project. 3. In the Audio Project Settings window, take note of the following settings. - Sample Rate - Audio File Format - Sample Bit Depth

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Exporting Audio and Video from Avid Xpress Pro to Avid Pro Tools LE

When you are ready to export the sequence to Avid Pro Tools LE, follow this procedure. This workflow assumes that you are using the default values. For example, you are exporting using the same Project sample rate, audio file format, and sample bit depth.

To export the sequence from Avid Xpress Pro: 1. In Avid Xpress Pro, right-click the sequence and select Send To > Avid Xpress Studio and one of the following options. Your choice depends on the device present in your audio configuration. - Avid Pro Tools LE (002): Digi 002 and Avid Mojo are present. Creates an AAF file that references the audio and video media files used in the sequence. The video is viewed on an external client monitor. - Avid Pro Tools LE (Mbox_Ref): Mbox or Digi 002 without Avid Mojo are present. Creates an AAF file that references the audio files in the sequence and creates a QuickTime Reference movie for video display in Avid Pro Tools LE. A QuickTime Reference movie references the original video files in the OMFI MediaFiles folder. This is a relatively fast export process. See “Creating QuickTime Movies” on page 89. - Avid Pro Tools LE (Mbox_Mov): Mbox, or Digi 002 without Avid Mojo are present. The video is viewed on a Quicktime window. Creates an AAF file that references the audio files in the sequence, and creates a QuickTime movie for video display in Avid Pro Tools LE. See “Creating QuickTime Movies” on page 89. 2. In the corresponding Send To window, click Set and navigate to a location to store the exported files.

88 Exporting a Sequence from Avid Xpress Pro

3. Click an Options button to view the export settings, and then make changes if necessary. If you make any changes, use the Save As Template button to create a new template. 4. Click OK. Avid Xpress Pro performs the requested operations and exports the files to the destination folder. If Avid Xpress Pro has to render effects or perform audio file conversions, a new sequence appears in the bin with the name filename.Export.01, and a new audio master clip appears in the bin with the name filename.new.01. Your original sequence remains completely unaffected by the export process. 5. Close Avid Xpress Pro.

Creating QuickTime Movies

You can create Quicktime movies if you are using Mbox device in your audio configuration or the Digi 002 if it is not connected to the Avid Mojo. Use one of the following methods to create a Quicktime movie: • Create a Quicktime reference movie: A QuickTime movie that references the existing video media. It contains composition information but no movie data. Instead, the movie contains pointers to the original media in the OMFI MediaFiles directory. Exporting a sequence as a QuickTime reference movie is faster and takes up less disk space than

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exporting a sequence as a QuickTime movie. Since the QuickTime reference movie does not contain media, the file is much smaller than a QuickTime movie, usually only a few kilobytes per file. The drawback to using a QuickTime Reference movie is that the height and width of the movie are directly related to the resolution of the original media files. For example, if you are using 2:1 or uncompressed media, the movie can be large when you display it in Avid Pro Tools LE. You cannot modify the size of the movie in Avid Pro Tools LE. • QuickTime movie: A self-contained Quicktime movie file. Although it takes longer to encode and takes up more disk space, the height and width are adjustable when you export them from Avid Xpress Pro. The “Avid Pro Tools LE (Mbox_Mov)” template uses a size that is useful on most screen resolutions. You can also create a new template with a custom size.

Exporting an HD Sequence from Avid Xpress Pro

Avid Pro Tools LE does not play HD video. If you are working with HD material in Avid Xpress Pro, then you must convert it to a format that can be read by Avid Pro Tools LE. There are three different methods: • Use the Mbox_Mov Export Template • Transcode the Media Before Exporting • Perform a Digital Cut

Experiment with each method to see which one works best for you.

Use the Mbox_Mov Export Template

You can create a self contained Quicktime movie by using the Mbox_Mov export template. See “Exporting Audio and Video from Avid Xpress Pro to Avid Pro Tools LE” on page 88 and select the Mbox_Mov.

Transcode the Media Before Exporting

If you find that converting HD Media to a Quicktime movie using the Send To command is taking a long time, you may find it faster to make a copy of the sequence and transcode the copy to an SD resolution. Use the Send To command to export the sequence using the appropriate template for your audio configuration.

See “Using the Transcode Command” in the Avid Xpress Pro Help.

90 Exporting a Sequence from Avid Xpress Pro

Perform a Digital Cut

Follow this procedure if your media is DVCPRO HD and you have a deck that supports 1394 input, and SD analog output, such as the Panasonic 1200 deck. It allows you to capture DVCPRO HD material and then downconvert it to SD analog output. See the Avid Xpress Pro Help for more information on each step.

To perform a digital cut: 1. Perform a digital cut through the native 1394 port on your computer to the deck. 2. Connect the composite or component outputs on the deck to the Avid Mojo. 3. Capture the sequence into an SD project. Once the material is in SD format, use the appropriate Send To export template.

91 Chapter 4 Using Avid Pro Tools LE Importing the AAF file into Avid Pro Tools LE

You must import the audio and video sequence in the AAF format into Avid Pro Tools LE. Audio values such as the file format, the sample rate, and bit depth remain intact in the AAF file.

If you are using the Digi 002 configuration, the AAF references both the audio and video from the Avid Xpress Pro sequence that you exported. For the Mbox_Ref and Mbox_Mov templates, this file references the audio files used in the sequence. You import the QuickTime Reference movie or QuickTime movie separately.

To import the files into Avid Pro Tools LE: 1. In Avid Xpress Pro, select Studio > Launch Pro Tools LE. Avid Xpress Pro will close and Avid Pro Tools LE will be launched. 2. In Avid Pro Tools LE, select File > Open Session. 3. Navigate to the AAF file that you want to import. This illustration shows files created by the Mbox_Ref or Mbox_Mov template. The QuickTime movie is a separate file.

4. Select the AAF file and click Open. The Name the session dialog box opens.

92 Importing the AAF file into Avid Pro Tools LE

5. In the Save in area, navigate to the location where you want to create a new folder for the Session. This location must be on a Basic disk drive. If the source audio files are on a Dynamic disk drive when you import an AAF file into Avid Pro Tools LE, you can copy the files to a Basic disk drive here. 6. In the File name text box, type a name for the session. Avid Pro Tools LE uses this name to create a new folder and a new session. 7. Click Save.

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The Import Session Data window opens.

Audio and video project information from file

8. Select the following: - Audio Media Options - Link to source media (where possible) - Video Media Options - Link to source media 9. Click OK. 10. If the source media has a different frame rate than the session, Avid Pro Tools LE asks if you want to change the session frame rate. Click OK. 11. If your audio source media is on a Dynamic disk drive, Avid Pro Tools LE displays a dialog box that allows you to copy the media to a Basic disk drive. Click Yes and follow the prompts to navigate to a Basic drive. Avid Pro Tools LE imports the session data and creates tracks for the audio. If you used the 002 template, the import is now complete. If you used either one of the Mbox templates, see “Importing the Quicktime Movie” on page 95.

94 Importing the AAF file into Avid Pro Tools LE

Importing the Quicktime Movie

If you used either one of the Mbox templates, a video track does not automatically appear in the timeline. You will need to import the movie so you can also view it in a floating Quicktime window.

To import a Quicktime movie: 1. Select File > Import > Video. The Select Video File to Import dialog box opens.

2. Navigate to the QuickTime Reference movie or QuickTime movie that you created and select it. 3. Click Open. Avid Pro Tools LE creates a track for the movie in the Timeline and displays the movie in a QuickTime movie window. The following illustration shows the Avid Pro Tools LE session and the QuickTime movie.

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Video Tra ck

Audio Tracks

Now you are ready to edit the audio files in Avid Pro Tools LE. You can view the video in a floating QuickTime window or on a external video monitor.

Editing Audio Files in Avid Pro Tools LE

For information on editing files, see the Avid Pro Tools LE Reference Guide. You can also learn about some basic audio editing work by viewing the Avid Xpress Studio HD Tutorial Movie—go to http://learn.avid.com/content/tutorials/.

Even though the audio files that you import point to the original audio files in the Avid Xpress Pro sequence, your editing session does not change the files. By default, Avid Pro Tools LE does not perform destructive edits on the audio files that you import. When you export the finished audio files, Avid Pro Tools LE creates new audio files. You import these new audio files into Avid Xpress Pro.

96 Export Finished Tracks to Avid Xpress Pro Export Finished Tracks to Avid Xpress Pro

There are two basic methods for exporting audio tracks from Avid Pro Tools LE for use with Avid Xpress Pro. • Exporting Tracks from Avid Pro Tools LE • Exporting Tracks Using the Bounce to Disk Feature

For other export methods, see the Avid Pro Tools LE Reference Guide. Whichever method you choose, you must create a folder on your system where exported Pro Tools composition will be stored. All associated media files are stored in the OMFI MediaFiles folder. n Avid Pro Tools LE does not export video tracks. Exporting Tracks from Avid Pro Tools LE

This is the most basic way to export tracks from Avid Pro Tools LE to Avid Xpress Pro. This method exports the tracks as an OMF file. You can select either mixed or unmixed tracks.

To export tracks from Avid Pro Tools LE: 1. Select the tracks in the Avid Pro Tools LE session. 2. Select File > Export Selected Tracks as OMF/AAF.

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The Export to OMF/AAF dialog box opens.

3. In the OMF/AAF Options area, select Export As > OMF. 4. Select Enforce Avid compatibility. n The Enforce Avid compatibility option limits the sample rate options to 44.1 or 48 kHz. Dithering without noise shaping is applied to files being exported from 24-bit to 16-bit.

5. Use the following table to make sure that the Target project timecode format selection is correct for the Avid Xpress Pro project.

Avid Xpress Pro Project Avid Pro Tools LE Target Project Frame Rate Timecode Format

720p/23.976 23.976

720p/59.54 29.97

1080p/23.976 23.976

1080p/24 24

1080p/25 25

98 Export Finished Tracks to Avid Xpress Pro

Avid Xpress Pro Project Avid Pro Tools LE Target Project Frame Rate Timecode Format

1080i/50 25

1080i/59.94 29.97

It will probably be correct because Avid Pro Tools LE automatically detected the value when you imported the AAF file. 6. In the Audio Media Options area, make sure that the Audio format and Audio bit depth match your Avid Xpress Pro audio settings. 7. Select Consolidate from source media from the pop-up menu. 8. Click OK. The Publishing Options dialog box opens.

9. Type a comment in the Pro Tools Comment text box, and then type a name in the Sequence Name text box. 10. Click OK. Avid Pro Tools LE creates a sequence with the name you supply. The Pro Tools comment appears in the Avid Xpress Pro bin in a Pro Tools Comment column. The Name the OMFI file to export dialog box opens.

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11. Navigate to a folder where you can easily locate the Pro Tools composition when it is time to import it into Avid Xpress Pro. In this example, we select the Audio From Pro Tools folder that we created earlier. 12. Click Save.

13. In the dialog that opens, navigate to the OMFI MediaFiles folder. 14. Click Use Current Folder. Avid Pro Tools LE exports the composition to the Audio From Pro Tools folder and exports the related media files to the OMFI MediaFiles folder. 15. Quit Avid Pro Tools LE.

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Exporting Tracks Using the Bounce to Disk Feature

Bounce to Disk writes new audio files to disk as Avid Pro Tools LE plays back all selected audio in real time. Any real-time effects assigned to audio tracks are also applied during this process. This section describes how to use the Bounce to Disk command to export files to Avid Xpress Pro. It also describes how to use the Bounce to Disk to export stereo- interweaved audio files.

The method you use to import files into Avid Xpress Pro depends on whether you use the Publish as OMFI option when you perform the Bounce to Disk operation in Avid Pro Tools LE.

Exporting as OMFI With the Bounce to Disk Command

Avid Pro Tools LE mixes down the selected tracks to multiple mono audio files and stores the files in the OMFI MediaFiles folder.

To use the Bounce to Disk command with the Publish as OMFI option: 1. Start Avid Pro Tools LE, and then open the session that contains the tracks you want to export. 2. Select the tracks. 3. Select File > Bounce to Disk. The Bounce dialog box opens.

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4. Select the following options: - Publish as OMFI - Enforce Avid compatibility - File Type > BWF (WAV) or File Type > AIFF - Format > Multiple mono - Resolution (bit depth) (from your Avid Xpress Pro project) - Sample Rate (from your Avid Xpress Pro project) 5. Click Bounce. The Publishing Options dialog box opens.

102 Export Finished Tracks to Avid Xpress Pro

6. Type a comment in the Pro Tools Comment text box, and then type a name in the Sequence Name text box. 7. Click OK. Avid Pro Tools LE creates a master clip with the name you supply. The Pro Tools comment appears in the Avid Xpress Pro bin in a Pro Tools Comment column. The Save Bounce As dialog box opens. 8. Name the file, and then navigate to the OMFI MediaFiles folder. 9. Click Save. Avid Pro Tools LE mixes down the selected tracks to multiple mono audio files and stores the files in the OMFI MediaFiles folder. 10. Quit Avid Pro Tools LE.

Exporting a Stereo-Interleaved File

When you create a stereo-interleaved file, you can export the resulting file to any folder on your system.

To use the Bounce to Disk command to create a stereo-interleaved file: 1. Start Avid Pro Tools LE, and then open the session that contains the tracks you want to export. 2. Select the tracks. 3. Choose File > Bounce to Disk.

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The Bounce dialog box opens.

4. Select the following options: - File Type > BWF (WAV) or File Type > AIFF - Format > Stereo Interleaved - Resolution (bit depth) (from your Avid Xpress Pro project) - Sample Rate (from your Avid Xpress Pro project) - Convert after Bounce 5. Deselect Publish as OMFI. 6. Click Bounce.

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The Save Bounce As dialog box opens.

7. Name the file and navigate to a folder on your system. 8. Click Save. Avid Pro Tools LE mixes down the tracks you selected to a stereo-interleaved file and stores the files in the folder you selected.

105 Chapter 4 Using Avid Pro Tools LE Importing the File into Avid Xpress Pro

There are different methods for importing the file back into Avid Xpress Pro. Each will depend on the method you used to export it and the type of media you used.

Export Method or Audio type See

Exporting Tracks from Avid Pro Tools LE “Importing an OMF File into Avid Xpress Pro”

Exporting as OMFI With the Bounce to “Import the Files Using the Media Tool” Disk Command

Exporting a Stereo-Interleaved File “Importing the File into a Bin”

Importing an OMF File into Avid Xpress Pro

If you exported audio tracks from Avid Pro Tools LE in the OMF file format, you should import them in Avid Xpress Pro using the same format.

To import a sequence into Avid Xpress Pro: 1. Start Avid Xpress Pro. 2. Select a bin where you would like to import the sequence. 3. Select File > Import. The Select Files to Import dialog box opens.

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4. Navigate to the folder that contains the exported Pro Tools composition, and then select Files of Type > OMFI Files. 5. Select the OMF file. 6. Select the target drive for the audio media files. 7. Click Open. The new sequence appears in the selected bin, along with a number of related audio clips. You might find it useful to designate a bin for imports and then copy the sequence to the bin you are working in. This can help reduce the number of files in your working bin. You can close the bin containing the additional media files, but don’t delete the files because they are needed for the sequence. 8. Drag the sequence to the Source monitor, and then play the sequence to listen to the audio. 9. Drag the original video sequence into the Record Monitor. 10. Select Clip > New Audio Track to add enough tracks for the imported sequence. n You might find it useful to leave the original audio tracks in place so you can verify synchronization with the imported sequence.

11. Edit the imported tracks into the sequence.

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Import the Files Using the Media Tool

Use this procedure if you selected the Publish as OMFI option with the Bounce to Disk command and then exported the files to the OMFI MediaFiles folder.

To use the Media Tool to import the files: 1. Start Avid Xpress Pro. 2. Select the bin that you want to hold the imported master clip.

3. Select File > Refresh Media Directories. n This command updates the media database. If you don’t use this command, the clip does not appear in the Media Tool.

4. Select Tools > Media Tool. The Media Tool opens.

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5. Select the drive that you used to export the files from Avid Pro Tools LE. 6. Select All Projects, and make sure that Master Clips is selected. 7. Click OK. The Media Tool displays all the master clips on the selected drive.

Master Clip from Avid Pro Tools LE

8. Locate the master clip with the same name as the files you exported from Avid Pro Tools LE. 9. Drag the master clip to your bin.

10. Edit the master clip into your sequence.

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Importing the File into a Bin

When you export a stereo-interleaved file to a folder on your system, you can import the files into Avid Xpress Pro as a master clip.

To import the files into a bin: 1. Start Avid Xpress Pro. 2. Select the bin that you want to hold the imported master clip. 3. Select File > Import. The Select Files to Import dialog box opens.

4. Select Files of Type > Audio Files, and then navigate to the folder that contains the audio file.

110 Importing the File into Avid Xpress Pro

5. Select the file that was created by the Bounce to Disk command and click Open. If the Audio Start-Time Options dialog box opens, select the timecode options used by your project.

6. Click OK. Avid Xpress Pro creates a new master clip from the files and places it in the bin.

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7. Drag the master clip into the Source monitor and click the Play button to listen to the audio. 8. Edit the master clip into your sequence.

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Many projects are delivered on DVD because they can be played on any computer with a DVD drive or on any DVD player. The following workflow allows you to send your finished sequence from your Avid editor to Avid DVD by Sonic for output to a DVD or Blu-ray Disc.

This workflow describes how to export a completed sequence, including chapter marks and chapter reference frame indicators, from your Avid editor and send it to Sorenson Squeeze where it can be encoded. Then you can import the encoded sequence into Avid DVD by Sonic for DVD authoring and creation.

You will find the following topics: • DVD Authoring Workflow • Preparing the Sequence • Producing the DVD • Creating a Movie • Outputting the Project

For more detailed information on a particular topic, consult the Avid DVD by Sonic User Guide or the Online Help. Chapter 5 Using Avid DVD by Sonic DVD Authoring Workflow

Avid DVD by Sonic makes it easy to create professional DVDs with complex menu navigation, chapter points, subtitles, and other special features such as playlists and DVD- ROM content.

Authoring a DVD with Avid DVD by Sonic involves the following basic steps (although you don’t have to perform the steps in this order):

! Step " Using your Avid editor and common graphics applications, prepare the assets (video, audio, and images) that will go into the DVD presentation " Start Avid DVD by Sonic and create a new project " Import your assets into the project " Use the imported assets to create titles (movies and slideshows) and menus " Link the titles and menus together using button links and End Actions " Test how the project will play back to make sure that everything works as desired " Burn your discs

Blu-ray Projects

Blu-ray Disc (BD) is a 25 GB optical disc format (50 Gb for dual layers) that offers high- definition video resolutions (up to 1920 x 1080), high-definition surround audio, and expanded interactivity, beyond standard-definition DVD titles.

Avid DVD by Sonic lets you create and burn Blu-ray projects with high-definition video and audio assets that are compliant with the format. However, in authoring the interactivity of the project in Avid DVD by Sonic, the same constraints of the DVD-Video format (number of titles, number of menu buttons, available link destinations, etc.) apply.

114 Preparing the Sequence Preparing the Sequence

This workflow assumes that the MetaSync Manager and Publisher have been installed on your system. If they are not installed, launch installer, select Install Individual Products, and select Install Avid MetaSync Manager and Publisher.

To prepare a sequence: 1. Select your finished sequence in your Avid editor. 2. Choose Clip > New Meta Track. A new MetaSync track is added to the sequence. 3. Choose File > Import. 4. Make sure Files of Type is set to MetaSync Files, and then navigate to the folder where the DVD Producer .aeo file is located. For example, in the Avid Xpress Pro application, the file is located in: \Program Files\Avid\AvidXpress Pro\Avid AEOs\Avid DVD Producer.aeo 5. Select the DVD Producer .aeo file. 6. The Chapter Button Reference Frame and the Chapter Mark files appear in the bin. 7. Double-click the Chapter Mark file. 8. Edit the enhancement into the Timeline by doing the following: - Mark IN and OUT points for your entire sequence in the Timeline, mark an IN point in the Chapter Mark in the Source monitor, and then either drag the Chapter Mark clip to the Meta track or click an edit button (Splice or Overwrite). Position the timeline position indicator on the frame where you want the second chapter to begin, and click the Add Edit button. Repeat, using the Add Edit button, for each chapter that you want to establish. The default (maximum) duration of a clip is 4 hours. Dragging a clip without IN or OUT points creates a 4-hour clip in the Timeline. This length allows a Chapter Mark enhancement to be active for a long-form production. 9. (Optional) Add Reference frames by scrubbing the Timeline indicator to the desired frame and Alt+double-clicking the Chapter Button Reference Frame enhancement clip in the bin. A marker is added to the chapter span indicating that it will use this frame as the Chapter button in Avid DVD by Sonic. n If you elect to set reference frames for your chapters, make sure you set a reference frame for each chapter you create.

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Exporting a Sequence

The Send to menu uses a number of predefined templates for exporting sequences. Avid strongly recommends using these default templates as they have been qualified by Avid. The basic workflows available for going from your Avid editor to Avid DVD by Sonic are: • Send To > Avid editor product name > Encoding for Avid DVD by Sonic produces the best results. The sequence is sent to Sorenson Squeeze, which provides higher quality encoding. Choose this option for output to Blu-ray Disc. The resulting files can then be imported into Avid DVD by Sonic. • Send to > DVD > DVD Authoring, to include the metasync data. The sequence is sent directly to Avid DVD by Sonic as a QT Reference file, along with the metasync data. Avid DVD by Sonic can then perform the MPEG encoding. • Send to > DVD > DVD One Step. The sequence is sent directly to Avid DVD by Sonic as a QT Reference file, without the metasync data. Avid DVD by Sonic can then perform the MPEG encoding. n If you are working in HDV and plan to burn to a Blu-ray Disc, you can export the sequence as an Elementary Stream using the HDV export setting. The resulting HDV mpeg file is 1440x1080, which is not the same as the 1920x1080 Blu-ray standard. Use Sorenson Squeeze to re-encode to the larger frame size.

Encoding a Sequence with Sorenson Squeeze 1. In your Avid editor Project bin, select your sequence. 2. Choose File > Send To > Avid Studio > Encoding for Avid DVD by Sonic.

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The Send To dialog box opens.

3. Click Set and then browse to the destination folder where you want the exported files located. 4. Check that Auto Launch Application > Squeeze.exe is selected. 5. Check that Auto Load Exported File(s) is selected. 6. Make sure Export MetaSync Track(s) is set to XML. 7. Click OK. The selected sequence is exported, the .XML is placed in the specified location, and the sequence is automatically loaded in Sorenson Squeeze. 8. For output to Blu-ray Disc, in the Sorenson Squeeze Format & Compression Settings pane, select MPEG-1/2 > Blu-ray and click Apply. 9. Click on the SQUEEZE IT! button in the bottom right corner to begin the encoding process. The resulting .mpa and .mpv files will be placed in the specified location. 10. You can now add the files to your Avid DVD by Sonic project.

117 Chapter 5 Using Avid DVD by Sonic Producing the DVD

Avid DVD by Sonic comes with sample backgrounds, buttons, and menu templates for you to experiment with. By default, these sample files are loaded into every new project.

Use the procedures in this section to create a final DVD.

Setting Up the Avid DVD by Sonic Project

To set up the project: 1. Start Avid DVD by Sonic. The Avid DVD by Sonic interface displays a new project, using the default settings. n To change the default project settings, select File > Preferences and File > Project Settings and specify the changes.

2. From the Status area popup menu, set the project disk type.

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As you work, the remaining disk space is also displayed. 3. Optionally, select the OpenDVD setting. An OpenDVD disc contains the DVD-Video content plus extra information that lets OpenDVD-compliant applications edit the disc just like a normal project. This feature allows multiple authors to collaborate on a single disc. However, it also disables any security features. 4. Select the Palette > Media tab and import your assets by clicking on the Browse icon, or right-clicking in the window and selecting Import Media. 5. Select both the .mpv and the .mpa files for import. The files are added to the Palette Media area. 6. To import the metadata, right-click on the title in the project window, and then select Import Metadata. 7. Add any other assets you want to use in your project, for example, Photoshop or other image files, by doing one of the following: - Select the Images tab and browse to and select the files to include. - Drag and drop the items from Windows Explorer into the appropriate tab in the Palette window. The media files are added to the project and appear in the Palette window. If you switch to Details view, information about each file is displayed in the Palette window’s columns for Name, Type, Duration, Size, Date Modified, Dimensions, and Location. See “Photoshop File Restrictions” on page 131 for information on adding Photoshop files to your project. 8. Select File > Save to save the project.

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Setting the DVD Jacket Picture

A DVD Jacket Picture is an image that is stored in a special location on the disc. Some DVD players will display this image when disc playback is stopped. You can use any image you have imported into the Palette window’s Images tab.

To set the Jacket Picture: 1. Click the Images tab in the Palette window. 2. Locate the image you want to use. 3. Right-click the image and choose Set as Jacket Picture from the shortcut menu. The image’s name in the Palette window turns blue and a special icon appears over the image (seen only in Thumbnails view). When previewing the project, the Jacket Picture is displayed if you stop playback.

The Image column in the Palette window displays a thumbnail for each file. Thumbnails for Photoshop files are displayed with a Plus symbol that can be clicked to show or hide the layers contained in the file.

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Notes on Importing Files

This section describes some of the major considerations when importing files into an Avid DVD by Sonic project. • Make sure that you select the appropriate tab in the Palette window tab for the kind of assets you are importing: - Images: For large images. - Media: For video and audio. - Buttons: For button images. Choose a button category from the pop-up menu, depending on the kind of files you are importing:

Button Images For single-layer images. Files you import onto the Images tab also appear here automatically.

Button Objects For general buttons, including two-layer Photoshop files.

Button Video You don’t need to import files into this category. Video files you import onto the Media tab appear here automatically.

Navigation Buttons For buttons used to link menus, including two- layer Photoshop files.

Blu-ray projects (16:9) 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720

- Frames: For three-layer files created in Photoshop. • For performance reasons, all files must be stored on a local hard drive. Avid DVD by Sonic does not support files located on network drives or streamed over a network. • You can mix NTSC and PAL/SECAM video files in the same project. However, you will get better results if the video is the same format as the project. • If you attempt to import video or audio files that are not DVD-compliant (for example, AVI video, or MPEG video that does not meet the DVD-Video requirements), Avid DVD by Sonic gives you the choice of either importing the files and transcoding when you burn a disc, or not importing the files. You can set Avid DVD by Sonic to always import or always reject such files in the General preferences. • Importing a video file does not automatically create a movie. This is done by dragging the imported video from the Palette window into the Titles group in the Project window. To import a video file and create a movie in a single step, choose File > Add Movie. • You can get information about any imported asset by Right-clicking the asset in the Palette window and choosing Properties from the shortcut menu.

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Supported Video Files

Avid DVD by Sonic supports the following video file formats:

Filename File format extension Notes

MPEG-1 m1p, .m1v, .mp1, .mpe, 352 x 240 (NTSC) and 352 x 288 (PAL) .mpeg, .mpg, .mpv, supported for DVD projects. .mv1

MPEG-2 .m2p, .m2v, .mp2, 720 x 480 (NTSC) and 720 x 576 (PAL) .mp2v, .mp3, .mpe, supported for DVD projects. .mpeg, .mpg, .mpv, 1920 x 1080, 1440 x 1080, and 1280 x 720 .mpv2, .mv2 supported for Blu-ray projects.

AVI .avi Type 1 and Type 2 DV-AVI files and DivX files are supported, as are most files that use DirectShow-compliant codes.

QuickTime .mov, .qt Requires QuickTime. (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/)

MPEG-4 .mp4 Requires QuickTime. Some files may cause a QuickTime Warning message to appear stating that the file uses an unsupported MPEG-4 profile; this message appears when you import the file, preview, and burn a disc. However, you should be able to create discs using these files.

Media Center TV Show .dvr-ms

Windows Media Video .wmv Only WMV files that are not copy-protected are supported. Generally, it is better to use AVI or other file types. WMV is intended for creating relatively small files for downloading. The video displays well on a computer monitor, but does not look so good when converted to MPEG format.

n Always try to use the highest-quality source material. MPEG compression relies on similarities between frames to reduce the file size. If the video source contains a lot of noise, there will be fewer similarities between frames, and so lots of disc space will be wasted just to reproduce this noise.

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Avid DVD by Sonic “passes through” DVD-compliant MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video without transcoding when you burn a disc, which greatly reduces the burn time. See “Compliant Video and Audio Requirements” on page 126 for help with creating MPEG files. Media Center TV Show files contain DVD-compliant MPEG video.

Other file types (and MPEG files that are not compliant) are transcoded using the transcoder settings in the Project Settings dialog. You can also force Avid DVD by Sonic to re-encode compliant video.

Supported Audio Files

Avid DVD by Sonic supports the following audio file formats:

File format Filename extension Notes

AIFF .aif, .aiff Requires QuickTime. http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/ Uncompressed files only.

Dolby Digital .ac3 Stereo audio only. Files must be created using a consumer encoder. Due to Dolby licensing requirements, Avid DVD by Sonic rejects professionally-encoded files.

Dolby Digital .ac3 Multi-channel audio files are supported.

MPEG-1 Layer 2 .mp1, .mp2, .mp3, .abs, .mpa

MPEG-1 Layer 3 .mp3

WAVE audio .wav

Windows Media Audio .wma Only WMA files that are not copy-protected are supported.

n For best results, use 48 kHz, 16-bit audio. Files can contain a single stream of mono or stereo audio (except Dolby Digital audio, which must be stereo or multi-channel). When you burn a disc, Avid DVD by Sonic transcodes non-compliant audio to PCM or Dolby Digital, depending on the transcoder settings.

Avid DVD by Sonic does not need to transcode DVD-compliant audio, which reduces the time it takes to burn discs. See “Compliant Video and Audio Requirements” on page 126 for details.

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Supported Image Files

Avid DVD by Sonic supports the following image file formats:

File format Filename extension Notes

Adobe Photoshop .psd Transparent layers are supported. Files with one alpha-channel mask are supported for button images. Multi-layered Photoshop files can be used to create individual buttons or complete menus. Flattened, single-layer Photoshop files require QuickTime. (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/)

Windows bitmap .bmp

GIF .gif Files with transparency are supported for button images. Animations are not supported. You can import animated GIFs, but Avid DVD by Sonic uses only the first frame of the animation.

JPEG .jpg, .jpeg

PICT .pct, .pict Requires QuickTime.

Portable network .png Files with transparency are supported for graphic button images.

TIFF .tif, .tiff Files with one alpha-channel mask are supported for button images.

TARGA .tga Requires QuickTime.

n Images should not be too sharp. Sharp, high-contrast edges and fine horizontal lines may flicker when viewed on a TV. Apply a blur filter in your image-editing application to remove hard edges.

For more information about images, see: • “Recommended Image Sizes” on page 125 • “Image Colors in NTSC Projects” on page 126

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Recommended Image Sizes

Menu Backgrounds

Recommended image sizes for menu backgrounds are:

DVD projects (4:3) NTSC 720 x 540

PAL 768 x 576

Blu-ray projects (16:9) 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720

Images at these sizes fill the menu area without distortion or scaling artifacts. You can use other sizes; Avid DVD by Sonic has several options for scaling menu background images.

For 4:3 menu back grounds, you can create images at the above sizes, then resize them in a graphics application to the NTSC or PAL screen resolutions (720 x 480 for NTSC, 720 x 576 for PAL). Although the image appears distorted in the graphics application, it displays correctly in Avid DVD by Sonic and on the finished DVD. n Most TVs do not display the entire image. The edges are cropped to hide distortion, and only about 90% of the image is visible.

Buttons

Button images should be created at the size that you want them to be on the finished menu. You can resize buttons in Avid DVD by Sonic, but you get better results (and menu creation is quicker) if you make your buttons the right size. n Buttons generated in Avid DVD by Sonic, when dragging large images, titles, and menus onto a menu background in the Preview window, are sized according to the Default Button Size setting in the Preferences dialog box.

Slideshow Images

Avid DVD by Sonic supports images larger than 50 x 50 pixels. The image size and aspect ratio do not matter. However, if you create an OpenDVD disc containing slideshows, the original image files are archived on the disc; you can also choose to archive these images even if you don’t create an OpenDVD disc. These files can consume large amounts of disc space if you use many high-resolution or uncompressed images. We recommend using compressed file formats such as JPEG or PNG.

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Image Colors in NTSC Projects

NTSC TVs cannot display certain colors, such as bright reds. Most image-editing applications can make your artwork “NTSC-safe” by adjusting the colors automatically; see your application’s user guide for instructions. This problem does not occur on PC monitors or PAL TVs.

Compliant Video and Audio Requirements

When burning a disc, or writing a volume, disc image, or DLT, Avid DVD by Sonic transcodes video and audio files to DVD- or Blu-ray-compliant formats if necessary. This section can help you to create compliant files in third-party applications. Avid DVD by Sonic does not re-encode compliant files (unless you force it to), which saves time when burning discs.

DVD-Video is based on the MPEG compression standards. The MPEG standards permit a wide range of image sizes, aspect ratios, bit rates, and video frame rates. DVD-Video uses a strictly limited subset of the MPEG standards, permitting only some image resolutions, frame rates, aspect ratios, and certain other parameters. The following sections describe the required settings: • “DVD-compliant Video” on page 127 • “DVD-compliant Audio” on page 127 • “Blu-ray-compliant Video” on page 128 • “Blu-ray-compliant Audio” on page 128

To fit a specific length of video onto a disc, see “Choosing bit rates for video and audio” in the online help.

Other settings depend on the kind of video that you are encoding. Check your encoder’s documentation for advice. The effect of some settings (such as field order) may not be noticeable until you view the finished disc on a TV.

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DVD-compliant Video

Avid DVD by Sonic supports video with the following DVD-compliant settings:

Frame Frame Aspect Bit rate Video format size rate (fps) ratio (Mbps) GOP size

MPEG-1 NTSC 352 x 240 29.97 4:3 1.856 max. 18 frames (525/60) max.

PAL 352 x 288 25 4:3 1.856 max. 15 frames (625/50) max.

MPEG-2 NTSC 720 x 480 29.97 4:3,16:9 9.80 max. 36 fields/ (525/60) 18 frames (MP@ML) max.

PAL 720 x 576 25 4:3,16:9 9.80 max. 30 fields/ (625/50) 15 frames max.

DVD-compliant Audio

Avid DVD by Sonic supports audio with the following DVD-compliant settings:

Sample Sample Bit rate Audio format rate (kHz) size (bits) Audio Channels (Mbps)

PCM 48 16 Mono Mono: 0.8 Stereo Stereo: 1.6 (AIFF, WAVE)

Dolby Digital 48 16 2/0 (stereo) 0.064–0.448 (AC-3) 2/1 (2 front, 1 rear) (0.192 Mbps 2/2 (2 front, 2 rear) recommended) 3/0 (3 front) 3/1 (3 front, 1 rear) 3/2 (3 front, 2 rear) 5.1 (3 front, 2 rear, 1 LFE)

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Blu-ray-compliant Video

Avid DVD by Sonic supports video with the following Blu-ray-compliant settings:

29.97fp 59.94fp Video Size 23.976fps 24fps 25fps s50fpss

1920x1080p Compliant Compliant No No No No

1920x1080i No No Compliant Compliant No No 1280x720p Compliant Compliant No No Compliant Compliant

Blu-ray-compliant Audio

Avid DVD by Sonic supports audio with the following Blu-ray-compliant settings:

Sample Sample Bit rate Audio format rate (kHz) size (bits) Audio Channels (Mbps)

PCM (AIFF, 96 16 Mono Mono: 0.8 WAVE) Stereo Stereo: 1.6

Dolby Digital 48 16 2/0 (stereo) 0.064–0.640 (AC-3) 2/1 (2 front, 1 rear) 2/2 (2 front, 2 rear) 3/0 (3 front) 3/1 (3 front, 1 rear) 3/2 (3 front, 2 rear) 5.1 (3 front, 2 rear, 1 LFE)

Choosing Bit Rates for Video and Audio

The video bit rate affects both the video quality and the amount of video you can fit on a disc. High bit-rate video produces a higher-quality image and requires more disc space than lower bit-rate video.

There are several factors to consider when choosing a bit rate: • Disc size: Larger disc capacities let you fit more video onto the disc or let you use higher bit rates. •Type of video: If the video has fast action sequences, or scenes with random motion such as ripples on water, a low bit rate may result in poor-quality video during those scenes.

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• Source video quality: MPEG compression works best with a high-quality source. If the original video is of low quality (if it has video noise, scratches, and so on) you should either clean it up in a video editing application or choose a high bit rate to prevent the quality from getting worse. • Slideshow and ROM data requirements: Slideshow source files and ROM data leave less space available for video—see “Effect of ROM Data and Slideshows on the Bit Rate Calculation” on page 131.

The maximum bit rate allowed by the DVD-Video format is 9.8 Mbps, which must be divided among the video, audio, and subtitle streams. Although DVD players play only one audio stream and one subtitle stream at a time, they read all streams off the disc simultaneously, so you must take the bit rates for all streams into account when calculating the bit rate.

The following can help you to select the best bit rate for a given video duration: • “CBR or VBR?” on page 129 • “Bit Rate Calculation” on page 129

CBR or VBR?

CBR (constant bit rate) and VBR (variable bit rate) are two ways of encoding video.

CBR encoding uses the same bit rate for every second of video regardless of the video’s complexity, so quality worsens as the video becomes more complex, and bits are wasted when there is not much action.

In a VBR encode, the encoder uses higher bit rates for complex sections and lower rates for “easy” sections, constantly adjusting to keep the overall bit rate to a target value. VBR encoding can provide the same quality as a CBR encode but at a lower overall bit rate (so you can fit more video on the disc), or better quality than a CBR encode at the same overall bit rate.

VBR encoding is best for long video durations (100 minutes or more on a 4.7 GB disc). For shorter durations the difference in quality between CBR and VBR is usually not detectable.

Bit Rate Calculation

The following calculation helps you to pick a video bit rate based on total video duration. Enter the values produced by this calculation into the SD Transcoding tab fields in the Project Settings dialog box.

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n Avid DVD by Sonic’s transcoder bit rates are displayed in kilobits per second (kbps). To make the numbers manageable, the calculation below uses megabits per second (Mbps). When entering the results of this calculation in the transcoder settings, multiply by 1,000 to get the value in kbps. n Although the following bit rate calculation is for DVD-Video, you can also use it to calculate video bit rates for Blu-ray by substituting the 40.0 for 9.8 as the maximum bit rate.

1. Calculate the average bit rate for all streams by dividing the disc size (in megabits) by the total video duration (in seconds). See the online help for disc sizes: Disc size: _____ Mbits ³ Duration: ______seconds = ______Mbps For example, to fit 100 minutes (6,000 seconds) of video on a 4.7 GB DVD (which actually holds 36,096 Mbits of usable disc space): 36,096 Mbits ÷ 6,000 seconds = 6.0 Mbps If the project includes motion menus (menus with a video background or animated button images), add the durations for the motion menus to the total video duration. 2. Calculate the target video bit rate by subtracting the audio and subtitle bit rate requirements from the result of step 1. Enter this value in the Target Bit Rate field in the Project Settings dialog box: Avg. bit rate: ____ Mbps – (Audio + Sub): _____ Mbps = _____ Mbps The bit rate for each subtitle track is 0.04 Mbps. See “Compliant Video and Audio Requirements” on page 126 for audio bit rates. In this example, using a single stereo PCM audio track (with a bit rate of 1.6 Mbps) and no subtitles: 6.0 Mbps – 1.6 Mbps = 4.4 Mbps 3. For VBR encodes only: Calculate the maximum video bit rate by subtracting the audio and subtitle bit rate requirements from the maximum allowed by the DVD-Video format (9.8 Mbps). Enter this value in the Max Bit Rate field in the Project Settings dialog box: 9.8 Mbps – (Audio + Sub): _____ Mbps = _____ Mbps In this example, it would be: 9.8 Mbps – 1.6 Mbps = 8.2 Mbps n Because spikes in the video bit rate can occur even in CBR encodes, we recommend using video bit rates below 8.0 Mbps with PCM audio, and below 9.4 Mbps with Dolby Digital audio. This leaves some headroom so that a spike does not push the total bit rate over 9.8 Mbps.

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Calculating the Minimum Bit Rate

The Min Bit Rate in a VBR encode should be about half the Target Bit Rate from step 2 or 2.0 Mbps, whichever is larger.

Effect of ROM Data and Slideshows on the Bit Rate Calculation

If you add ROM data to your DVD, you must reduce the disc size in the bit rate calculation to account for the ROM content. For example, if the ROM content is 500 MB, the disc size available for DVD-Video is: 36,096 Mbits – 4,194 Mbits = 31,902 Mbits

(500 MB = 500 x 220 x 8 bits = 4,194 Mbits)

Slideshows generally use very little disc space. However, if you create an OpenDVD disc or you choose to archive the slideshow images, the original image files are archived in the same location as ROM data. If you use uncompressed high-resolution images in your slideshows, the original files could require a significant amount of space.

To account for slideshow image files, add up the sizes of all the files and subtract from the disc space as shown above.

Photoshop File Restrictions

If you are adding Photoshop files to your project, the Photoshop dimensions for NTSC should be 720 x 480 pixels. The Photoshop file dimensions for PAL should be 720 x 576 pixels. See the Avid DVD by Sonic User Guide for more information.

The Photoshop files should contain only two layers, named Background and Overlay. If the file contains any extra layers, Avid DVD by Sonic cannot use the file to create a menu. See the Avid DVD by Sonic User Guide for more information on creating Photoshop files for menus. 1. Click the Images tab in the Palette window. 2. Locate the image you want to use. 3. Right-click the image and choose Set as Jacket Picture from the shortcut menu. The image’s name in the Palette window turns blue and a special icon appears over the image (seen only in Thumbnails view).

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Field Dominance

Each video frame comprises two sets of scan lines called fields. One field contains all the odd-numbered scan lines (the top field or field A); the other contains all the even-numbered scan lines (the bottom field or field B). Standard TVs display interlaced video, where one field is displayed followed by the other. Computer monitors and high-definition TVs display non-interlaced (progressive) video, where both fields are displayed at the same time.

A video asset’s Field Dominance (also known as Field Order) determines which field is displayed first. If the Field Dominance setting is incorrect, the video appears fine when viewed on a computer monitor, but displays badly on a standard TV.

Different video formats use different Field Dominance settings, and some video editors can create files with unusual or incorrect settings. The only way to detect an incorrect Field Dominance setting is to burn a disc and watch the video on a TV. If you see motion artifacts that are not apparent when you play the same disc on a computer, you can change the problem asset’s Field Dominance setting in Avid DVD by Sonic and burn the disc again.

To change a video asset’s field dominance: 1. Locate the asset on the Palette window’s Media tab. 2. Right-click the asset and choose Properties from the shortcut menu. The Properties dialog box opens. 3. Select the Field Dominance property. 4. Select a different setting from the Value pop-up menu. For example, if the asset’s current setting is Top Field, try changing it to Bottom Field. 5. Click OK.

After changing the Field Dominance, burn a new disc and play it on a TV to see if the problem has been corrected.

132 Creating a Movie Creating a Movie

Creating a movie can be as simple a task as dragging a video asset from the Palette window’s Media tab onto the Drag Media Here icon in the Project window’s Titles group.

This creates a new movie icon in the Titles group. The first frame of the movie appears on the Title tab of the Preview window, and the video appears in the Timeline window’s video track.

The following sections provide an overview of the major enhancements that you can add to your movie. • “Adding Audio” on page 133 • “Creating and Editing Chapter Points” on page 134 • “Creating and Editing Playlists” on page 138

For detailed information on a particular topic such as adding menu options and buttons, consult the Avid DVD by Sonic User Guide or the online help.

Adding Audio

When you create a movie using a program stream, the audio appears in the first audio track (labeled A1) in the Timeline window automatically. If you use elementary streams, you must add the audio assets separately.

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To add audio tracks to the movie: t Drag audio assets from the Palette window’s Media tab onto the empty audio tracks (labeled A1 through A8) in the Timeline window: n Video and audio tracks can each contain only one asset. To replace a video or audio track’s content: t Drag a different video or audio asset onto the track in the Timeline window. Avid DVD by Sonic asks if you are sure that you want to replace the track contents; click Yes to continue. If you drag a program stream onto the video track, Avid DVD by Sonic adds the audio to the next empty audio track. If there are no empty audio tracks, you must clear the contents of an audio track first.

To clear the contents of a video or audio track: t Right-click in the track and choose Delete from the shortcut menu. n The movie still exists in the bin even if you delete the content from every track. 6. Proof the project in Simulation mode by selecting File > Simulation. 7. Use the Remote Control window to test playback order, remote control interaction, button navigation, and link destinations. 8. Select File > Save.

Creating and Editing Chapter Points

Chapter points let viewers navigate to specific locations or scenes in a movie and are one of the most important navigation tools available to DVD authors. You create and edit chapter points in the Timeline window.

Each movie can contain up to 99 chapter points. This is the maximum allowed by the DVD-Video format.

Importing Chapter Point Metadata from an Avid Application

Avid DVD by Sonic supports XML chapter point and reference frame metadata created by approved Avid editors. See “Preparing the Sequence” on page 115 for instructions on generating chapter and reference frame metadata.

To import the metadata into a movie: 1. Select the movie in the Project window. 2. Choose Timeline > Import Metadata. The Browse to XML dialog box opens.

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3. Select the XML file containing the desired data and click Open. 4. Avid DVD by Sonic checks the file. If there are any problems, Avid DVD by Sonic notifies you. If the file is imported successfully, the Timeline window updates with the chapter markers.

Adding Chapter Points Manually

To add a chapter point to a movie: 1. Double-click the movie in the Project window. 2. In the Timeline window, do one of the following: - Drag the Playhead to the location where you want to create the chapter point.

Playhead field Playhead

- Enter the timecode where you want to add the chapter point in the Playhead field above the Timeline ruler. The Playhead moves to this timecode location. 3. Press the Insert key. A new chapter point is added at the Playhead location.

Alternatively, Right-click anywhere on the Timeline ruler and choose Add Chapter from the shortcut menu. A new chapter point is added at the point where you clicked the Timeline ruler. n If the movie has an MPEG video track, Avid DVD by Sonic places chapter points at the closest GOP boundary to the Playhead location. This could be up to nine frames from the Playhead in an NTSC project or six frames in a PAL project, depending on the GOP size.

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Moving Chapter Points

Chapter 1 is always positioned at the zero point on the Timeline. It cannot be moved except by trimming the movie — see “Trimming Movies” on page 146.

To move other chapter points: 1. Double-click the movie in the Project window. 2. In the Timeline window, click the chapter point or its label to select it. 3. Do one of the following: - Drag the selected chapter point along the Timeline. - Press the Left or Right Arrow keys to move the selected chapter point in one-frame or one-GOP increments. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing an Arrow key to move the chapter point in one-second increments.

To move a chapter point to a specific timecode: 1. Double-click the chapter point in the Timeline window. The Edit Chapter dialog box opens. 2. Type the desired timecode in the Position field. 3. Click OK. n If the movie has an MPEG video track, Avid DVD by Sonic moves the chapter point to the nearest GOP boundary. This could be up to nine frames from the specified frame in an NTSC project or six frames in a PAL project, depending on the GOP size.

Naming Chapter Points

Avid DVD by Sonic labels chapter points “Chapter 1,” “Chapter 2,” and so on automatically. Avid DVD by Sonic updates the numbering as you add, move, or delete chapter points so that they are still numbered sequentially. You can rename chapter points to make them easier to identify.

There are several ways to rename chapter points. Here are two:

To rename chapter points in the Project window: 1. In the Project window, right-click the window background and choose View > Details from the shortcut menu. 2. Double-click the movie to display a list of all the chapters in the movie. 3. Right-click the chapter you want to rename and choose Rename from the shortcut menu. The name becomes editable. 4. Type the new name and press the Enter key.

136 Creating a Movie

To rename chapter points in the Timeline window: 1. Select the movie in the Project window. 2. In the Timeline window, double-click the chapter point you want to rename. The Edit Chapter dialog box opens. 3. Type the new name in the Name field. 4. Click OK.

For more information, see “Naming Titles, Playlists, and Menus” on page 139.

Hiding Chapter Labels

Chapter labels are a useful visual tool but can clutter the Timeline window.You can choose to hide all chapter point labels in the Preferences dialog box.

To hide chapter point labels: 1. Choose File > Preferences. The Preferences dialog box opens. 2. Click the Edit tab. 3. Deselect the Show Chapter Labels in Timeline option. 4. Click OK.

Deleting Chapter Points

To delete a chapter point: 1. Select the movie in the Project window. 2. In the Timeline window, Right-click the chapter point and choose Delete Chapter from the shortcut menu.

To delete all the chapter points in a movie: 1. Select the movie in the Project window. 2. Choose Timeline > Delete All Chapters.

Effect of Trimming on Chapter Points

When you trim a movie, Avid DVD by Sonic deletes any chapter points that fall outside the remaining part of the movie and, if those chapter points are linked to menu buttons, Avid DVD by Sonic deletes the links (but not the buttons).

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If you accidentally trim a movie so that chapter points are deleted, choose Edit > Undo immediately to restore the trimmed section and its chapter points.

Creating and Editing Playlists

Playlists provide an excellent way to link a project’s titles together in different sequences. A playlist instructs the DVD player to play a selection of titles in a particular order. The instructions can specify which chapter or slide to start from in each title, and which audio or subtitle tracks to play. Because playlists are simply sets of rules, they take up almost no disc space.

Playlists provide an excellent way to link a project’s titles together in different sequences. A playlist instructs the DVD player to play a selection of titles in a particular order. The instructions can specify which chapter or slide to start from in each title. Because playlists are simply sets of rules, they take up almost no disc space.

A common use for playlists is for discs that contain several episodes of a TV series. The disc’s author creates a “play all” menu button that links to a playlist containing all the episodes. The author also creates button links to each title, with different instructions controlling what happens after the title finishes. Another use might be to provide several different combinations of routines on an exercise DVD.

To create a playlist: 1. Choose File > Add Playlist. The Edit Playlist window opens. The Sources column lists all the titles in the project. 2. Double-click a title in the Sources column to add it to the Playlist column. 3. To begin playing the title from a particular chapter point or slideshow image, select the chapter or image from the Start Chapter/Picture pop-up menu. 4. Change the title’s Item Properties if desired: - Start Chapter/Picture: To begin playing the title from a particular chapter point or image, select the chapter or image from this pop-up menu. - Set Audio Stream: To force a particular audio track to be heard, select from this list. This setting overrides the viewer’s language preference. - Set Subtitle Stream: To force a particular subtitle track to be displayed, or to force subtitles to be off, select from this list. This setting overrides the viewer’s preferences. 5. Continue adding titles to the list and order them as desired: - To change the playlist order, select a title in the Playlist column, then click the Up or Down Arrow buttons.

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- To remove a title from the playlist, select it and click the “X” button. 6. When you are finished, click OK. The new playlist appears in the Project window’s Playlists group.

To edit a playlist: 1. Double-click the playlist in the Project window. The Edit Playlist window appears. 2. Add, remove, and rearrange the titles in the Playlist column as desired. 3. Set the Start Chapter/Image for individual titles as desired. 4. Set the Item Properties for individual titles as desired. 5. Click OK.

Naming Titles, Playlists, and Menus

As you create titles, playlists, and menus, Avid DVD by Sonic gives each new item a sequentially-numbered name. For example, movie titles are labeled “Movie 1,” “Movie 2,” and so on.

If you give these items more descriptive names, you can quickly identify them when creating links. This is especially useful in large, complex projects. You rename titles, playlists, and menus in the Project window.

To name a title, playlist, or menu: 1. Right-click the title, playlist, or menu in the Project window and choose Rename from the shortcut menu. The name becomes editable. 2. Type a new name and press the Enter key.

It’s also a good idea to name the chapter points in movies if you plan to create links to them. See “Naming Chapter Points” on page 136 for more information.

Setting the First Play Title, Playlist, or Menu

The First Play (also known as an overture) is the title, playlist, or menu that begins playing automatically when the disc is inserted in a DVD player. In Avid DVD by Sonic projects, the first title or menu you create is automatically designated the First Play, but you can change this to any other item in the project.

In the Project window, the First Play item is indicated by a green triangle on its icon and by the words “(First Play)” in its name.

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To set the First Play: t In the Project window, Right-click a title, playlist, or menu and choose Set as First Play from the shortcut menu. The green triangle appears on item’s icon and “(First Play)” is appended to its name. If the First Play item is a title or playlist, you also need to set its End Action. This tells the DVD player what to do when the title or playlist finishes playing. See “Setting Title, Playlist, and Menu End Actions” on page 143.

Linking Content to Menu Buttons

Avid DVD by Sonic provides many ways to create menu button links. Usually you’ll want to create all the button links on all the menus in the project, then tweak individual link attributes where needed. For links to other menus, you can force a specific button on the linked menu to be selected.

Creating and Replacing Button Links

To create or replace a button link: 1. Double-click the menu in the Project window. The menu appears in the Preview window. 2. In the preview window, select the object you want to link to other content. The Attributes window displays the button’s attributes. 3. On the General tab of the Attributes window, in the Link section, select the link destination from the Link To pop-up menu. This menu contains every menu, title, playlist, chapter point, and slide image in the project.

Notes on Button Links • The DVD-Video format does not support overlapping buttons. If you are not sure whether two buttons overlap, select both buttons and look at their selection rectangles; if the rectangles overlap or touch one another, you must move the buttons apart. • Avid DVD by Sonic prevents you from creating more than 36 button links on a menu. This is the maximum allowed by the DVD-Video format. • Each time you create a button link, Avid DVD by Sonic assigns a sequential button number to the new button. The number appears in the top left corner of the button in Avid DVD by Sonic but is invisible on the finished DVD. If you delete a link, Avid DVD by Sonic reassigns the button numbers. • Viewers can select and immediately activate a button by entering its number using the remote control’s numeric keypad. If you label buttons with their button numbers, it helps the viewer to navigate the presentation.

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Choosing Button Subpictures

Buttons created from layered Photoshop files usually include a subpicture design in their overlay layer. The subpicture is displayed and changes color when the button is selected and activated on the finished disc. Buttons created from single-layer images or text blocks do not have a subpicture, so you must choose one for them.

To choose a button object’s subpicture: 1. Double-click the menu in the Project window. The menu appears in the Preview window. 2. Select DVD Menus > View Selected Subpictures or View Activated Subpictures. The Preview window then displays any existing button subpicture images. 3. In the Preview window, select the button whose subpicture you want to change. The Attributes window displays the button’s attributes. 4. On the General tab of the Attributes window, select an option from the Subpicture Style pop-up menu: - None: No subpicture is displayed when the button is selected or activated. The viewer will have no way of knowing that the button exists. This is one way to create “Easter egg” buttons. - Fill Button Shape: Creates a subpicture that covers the visible portion of the button. - Outline Button Shape: Creates an outline subpicture around the visible portion of the button. - Fill Highlight Rectangle: Creates a rectangular subpicture that covers the entire button. - Outline Highlight Rectangle: Creates a rectangular outline subpicture around the entire button.

Menu Button Numbers

Every linked menu button (and every highlight area from menus created from layered Photoshop files) has a button number. After you have created all the button links on a menu, you might want to reassign the button numbers to make a more logical arrangement. You do this by changing the numbers of individual buttons.

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To change a button’s number: 1. Double-click the menu in the Project window. The menu appears in the Preview window. 2. In the Preview window, select the button you want to edit. The Attributes window displays the button’s attributes. 3. Click the Button tab in the Attributes window. 4. Select a different number from the Number pop-up menu. Avid DVD by Sonic swaps the numbers of the buttons. For example, if you select button number 1 and change it to 3, Avid DVD by Sonic changes button number 3 to 1.

Showing and Hiding Button Numbers

If you do not want to display button numbers in the Preview window, you can hide them.

To hide button numbers, or display them again: t Select View > View Button Numbers.

Button Routing

A menu’s Button Routing determines how the button selection subpicture appears to move around a menu as the viewer presses the navigation keys on the remote control. For example, in a menu with three buttons arranged horizontally across the screen and the leftmost button selected, pressing the right arrow key on the remote control typically moves the selection to the center button. Pressing the right arrow key again moves the selection to the rightmost button, and pressing the left arrow key moves the selection to the left.

Avid DVD by Sonic defines each menu’s Button Routing automatically as you create links and move buttons around. If Avid DVD by Sonic does not create the desired Button Routing, you can define the routing for individual buttons manually. For more information, see the Avid DVD by Sonic User Guide or the online help.

Setting Menu Button Images

Frame buttons created using three-layer Photoshop files display a thumbnail image of the linked title, playlist, or menu. You can change the image on any frame button that links to a title, playlist, or chapter point. You can also change the image on buttons created by dragging video assets, titles, or playlists directly onto a menu background.

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To change a button’s image: 1. Double-click the menu in the Project window. The menu appears in the Preview window. 2. In the Preview window, Right-click the button you want to change and choose Set Button Image from the shortcut menu. The Set Button Image dialog box opens. 3. Select the frame or slide you want to appear on the button: - For buttons linked to movies, use the controls at the bottom of the dialog box to locate the frame you want. Drag the slider, click the nudge buttons or press the Right or Left Arrow keys, or enter a timecode location. - For buttons linked to slideshows, select the image that you want. - For buttons linked to playlists, select a title, chapter point, or slide from the Title list. If you select a title or chapter point, locate the exact frame you want using the controls at the bottom of the dialog box. 4. Click Set to apply the change.

Setting Title, Playlist, and Menu End Actions

An End Action tells the DVD player what to do when a title, playlist, or menu finishes playing. The End Action might be to loop, display a different item, or stop playback. Titles, playlists, and menus with finite durations have End Actions. Still menus that display indefinitely do not have End Actions.

Avid DVD by Sonic assigns a default End Action to each title, playlist, and menu you create in a project. For example, the default End Action for a motion menu is to loop. You can change the End Actions or override them in different ways.

To change an item’s End Action: 1. Select the item in the Project window. The Attributes window displays the item’s attributes. 2. Click the second tab on the Attributes window. This tab is named after the item; for example, if you selected a movie, the tab is named “Movie.” The tab displays the item’s End Action settings. 3. Select the desired action from the End Action pop-up menu. 4. If you link the End Action to a menu, you can force a specific button on that menu to be selected by choosing from the Set Highlight pop-up menu. This setting will be overridden if the linked menu has a Forced Selection button.

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The remaining settings depend on which End Action you chose: - If you link the End Action to a menu, you can force a specific button on that menu to be selected by choosing from the Set Highlight pop-up menu. This setting will be overridden if the linked menu has a Forced Selection button. - If you link the End Action to a movie, you can force playback of a particular audio or subtitle track by selecting the track from the Set Audio Stream or Set Subtitle Stream list pop-up menu.

Overriding Title End Actions

A project might have several links to a title. For example, there could be a button link from the main menu to the start of a movie title, button links from other menus to the movie’s chapter points, and a link from a different movie. You will probably want different things to happen when the movie finishes, depending on how the viewer began playing the movie.

To create different end behaviors, you must override the title’s End Action. You do this with playlists and with button Link End Actions. The following describes how to use Link End Actions; for information about playlists, see “Creating and Editing Playlists” on page 138.

A Link End Action simply causes the last menu to be displayed when the title finishes. It is commonly used where several different menus contain button links to the same title, such as a series of chapter selection menus.

When you link a title to a button, the Link End Action override is turned on by default. If this is not the desired behavior, you must turn it off.

To turn off the Link End Action for a particular menu button: 1. Double-click the menu in the Project window. The menu appears in the Preview window. 2. In the Preview window, select the button. The Attributes window displays the button’s attributes. 3. On the General tab of the Attributes window, deselect the Link End Action option.

Changing the Title and Menu Button Actions

All DVD player remote controls include a Title button and Menu button. In discs created by Avid DVD by Sonic, pressing the Title button normally causes the First Play title, menu, or playlist to play, and pressing the Menu button normally causes the menu at the top of the Project window’s Menus group (Details view) to play. For more information on the First Play, see “Setting the First Play Title, Playlist, or Menu” on page 139.

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For individual titles and playlists, you can change the default behavior for Title and Menu buttons. For example, you can disable these buttons so they have no effect, forcing the viewer to watch the entire title (or fast-forward through it), or specify that a particular menu or movie should be displayed when the Title button is pressed.

To set the Title or Menu button actions for a title or playlist: 1. Select the title or playlist in the Project window. The Attributes window displays the item’s attributes. 2. On the General tab of the Attributes window, in the DVR Remote section, select the desired actions from the Menu Button and Title Button pop-up menus. For example, to disable the Menu button while this title or playlist is playing, select None from the Menu Button pop-up menu.

To change the project’s default menu: t Drag a different menu to the top of the Project window’s Menus group (Details view).

Previewing Movies

To preview a movie: 1. Click on the Title tab of the Preview Window. The currently loaded video clip will display in the Preview window. 2. Use the Preview window controls to play the movie.

Previewing Movies with Multiple Audio and Subtitle Tracks

When playing a movie with multiple audio or subtitle tracks on a DVD, the viewer hears only one audio track and can display one subtitle track, but can switch tracks almost instantly. When previewing movies in Avid DVD by Sonic, you also hear one audio track and can display one subtitle track. You switch tracks while previewing by using the Solo buttons.

The Solo button is displayed at the start of the track in the Timeline window. It indicates which track is currently playing:

Solo button

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To switch to a different track: t Click a different Solo button in the Timeline window. Avid DVD by Sonic switches to the selected track while the movie continues playing.

Saving a Video Frame as an Image File

While previewing a movie, you can export any frame from the video as an image file that you can then edit in a graphics application or import into Avid DVD by Sonic.

To save the frame currently displayed in the preview window: 1. Click the Grab Frame (camera) button at the end of the preview controls. 2. In the Save Picture As dialog box, type a name for the image, choose a file type, and click Save. By default, Avid DVD by Sonic saves images in your My Pictures folder. n Avid DVD by Sonic does not import saved image files automatically. Trimming Movies

Unwanted material can be trimmed easily from the beginning and end of a movie with no effect on the imported source files. You trim movies in the Preview window, and you can also see the effect of trimming in the Timeline window. Trimming affects all tracks simultaneously; tracks are trimmed even if they are locked or empty.

To trim a movie: 1. Double-click the movie in the Project window. The movie appears in the Preview window. 2. To trim the beginning of the movie, do one of the following: - Drag the green Start Trim Point marker to the desired position on the Preview window’s timeline, or - Enter a timecode in the In Point box. The Start Trim Point marker jumps to the frame at that timecode. 3. To trim the end of the movie, do one of the following: - Drag the red End Trim Point marker to the desired position on the Preview window’s timeline, or - Enter a timecode in the Out Point box. The End Trim Point marker jumps to the frame at that timecode.

146 Outputting the Project Outputting the Project

When you are satisfied with your project, you are ready to burn it to disc, or write it to a DLT to send to a replicator.

Avid DVD by Sonic also lets you create a DVD Volume or disc image to test that the project will burn correctly. If Avid DVD by Sonic can create a DVD Volume or disc image successfully, you can then burn discs/write DLTs from the DVD Volume or disc image. It’s also a good idea to create a DVD Volume or disc image if you plan to create more copies in the future; burning/writing from a volume or disc image is quicker than from a project, especially if the project contains non-compliant video or motion menus.

After you create a disc or DVD Volume, you might want to update it by adding, removing, or changing content. If you created an OpenDVD disc/volume, you can open and edit it just like the original project.

Writing DVD Volumes

A DVD Volume contains the same files that go on a DVD-Video disc, but they are written to a folder on your hard drive instead of to a recordable disc.

It’s a good idea to create a DVD Volume before you burn a disc; if there are any problems with the project, you can catch them without wasting discs. Some software DVD players (including Sonic CinePlayer) can play DVD Volumes, giving you another way to test playback. You can burn discs or write DLTs from DVD Volumes in Avid DVD by Sonic. Sonic’s RecordNow can also burn discs from DVD Volumes.

To write a DVD volume: 1. Chose File > Save to save the project. 2. Choose Burn > Write DVD Volume. The Write Volume dialog box opens.

147 Chapter 5 Using Avid DVD by Sonic

3. Set the Volume Type pop-up menu to one of the following options: - DVD: Outputs a single- or dual-layer DVD-Video project to the volume. - Blu-ray: Outputs a single-layer Blu-ray project to the volume. 4. If you are working with a dual-layer project that won’t fit on a single-layer disc, set the Layer pop-up menu to Dual (otherwise leave it set to Single). 5. Click Browse. In the Browse For Folder dialog box, select the folder where the volume will be written and click OK. 6. Click OK write the volume to the destination folder.

Writing Disc Images

Avid DVD by Sonic can take all the information in a DVD project and write it to an ISO- standard file called a disc image. Disc images offer a convenient way to store completed projects. You can burn discs or write DLTs from disc images in Avid DVD by Sonic. Sonic’s RecordNow can also burn discs from disc images.

Avid DVD by Sonic supports dual-layer for DVD+R only. DVD-R disks are not supported, as the discs are formatted differently.

To write a disc image: 1. Chose File > Save to save the project. 2. Choose Burn > Write Image. The Write Image dialog box opens.

3. Set the Image Type pop-up menu to one of the following options: - DVD: Writes a single- or dual-layer DVD-Video project to the image. - Blu-ray: Writes a single-layer Blu-ray project to the image. 4. If you are working with a dual-layer project that won’t fit on a single-layer disc, set the Layer pop-up menu to Dual (otherwise leave it set to Single).

148 Outputting the Project

5. Click Browse. In the Write Disc Image to File dialog box, select the destination folder where the image will be written and click OK. 6. Click OK to write the disc image to the destination folder.

To burn a disc: 1. If you have a project open in Avid DVD by Sonic, choose File > Save to save the project. 2. Insert a disc in the DVD recorder. 3. Choose Burn > Burn Disc. The Burn to Disc dialog box opens.

4. Set the Disc Type pop-up menu to one of the following options: - DVD: Outputs a single- or dual-layer DVD-Video project to disc. - Blu-ray: Outputs a single-layer Blu-ray project to disc. 5. If you are working with a dual-layer project that won’t fit on a single-layer disc, set the Layer pop-up menu to Dual (otherwise leave it set to Single). 6. Set the Burn From pop-up menu to one of the following options: - Current Project: Writes the current project to disc. - DVD Volume: Writes a previously written DVD Volume to disc. After selecting this option you are prompted with the Browse For Folder dialog box. Select the folder containing the DVD Volume and click OK.

149 Chapter 5 Using Avid DVD by Sonic

- Disc Image File: Writes a previously written disc image file to disc. After selecting this option you are prompted with a Select Disc Image File dialog box. Select the image (iso) file you want to burn and click OK. 7. If necessary, change the disc recording options: - Device: Choose the correct DVD recorder (if you have more than one). - Copies: Enter the number of copies you want to burn (up to 99). Avid DVD by Sonic will prompt you to insert a new disc after it creates each copy. - Write Speed: By default, this option is set to the fastest speed that the recorder and disc support. If you experience problems with discs burned at this speed, choose a lower speed. 8. Click OK. Avid DVD by Sonic processes the video, image, and audio files in the project and burns the disc.

150 Appendix A Using Avid Pro Tools LE with Progressive Projects

This appendix summarizes the following information relating to progressive project interchange between Avid Xpress Pro and Avid Pro Tools LE: • Exporting Files to Avid Pro Tools LE from a Progressive Project • Using Audio Pulldown with Progressive Projects Appendix A Using Avid Pro Tools LE with Progressive Projects Exporting Files to Avid Pro Tools LE from a Progressive Project

If you work in a progressive project in Avid Xpress Pro and plan to perform perf-slip editing before you export your audio files to Avid Pro Tools LE, you should modify your workflow so that you export OMF files to Avid Pro Tools LE. The default Send To templates perform an AAF export and you need to modify the template. n If you are not going to perform perf-slip editing, you can use the default Send To templates and ignore this section.

This section describes how to create a new template and describes other issues related to modifying your workflow.

Use the Media Creation Tool to Create OMF Media

If you plan to perform perf-slip edits in Avid Xpress Pro, you need to set up the Media Creation tool so that you create OMF media before you begin capturing media into your project.

To use the Media Creation tool to create OMF media: 1. Select Tools > Media Creation. 2. Click the Mixdown & Transcode tab. 3. Click the OMF button and select a resolution from the Video Resolution pop-up menu. 4. Click the Apply to All button under the OMF button. This applies the same settings to the following tabs: - Titles -Import -Capture -Render 5. Click OK.

MXF File Format Issues

If you already have MXF media in a sequence that you are exporting to Avid Pro Tools LE via OMF, you must transcode the MXF media to OMF before you perform the Send To export. Before you perform the transcode, operation you must open the Media Creation tool and change the Mixdown and Transcode tab to OMF as described in the previous section. For more information on using the Transcode command, see the Avid Xpress Pro Help.

152 Exporting Files to Avid Pro Tools LE from a Progressive Project

n You only need to transcode media to OMF if you perform perf-slip editing Avid Xpress Pro and then export to Avid Pro Tools LE.

If you are plan to export to Avid 3D, you must transcode the master clip to MXF before exporting to Avid 3D.

Creating a New OMF Template for the Send To Command

This section describes how to modify an existing Send To template to export OMF 2.0 media.

To create a new default OMF template from an existing template: 1. In Avid Xpress Pro, select a sequence with audio tracks in a bin. 2. Select File > Send To > Avid Studio, and then select the template you want to use as a base. In this example we select Avid Pro Tools LE (Mbox_Mov). The corresponding Send To Avid Pro Tools LE dialog box opens. The following illustration shows the Avid Pro Tools LE (Mbox_Mov) dialog box.

Default AAF Setting

3. Click the Options button for the Export Setting that specifies AAF.

153 Appendix A Using Avid Pro Tools LE with Progressive Projects

The Export Settings dialog box opens.

Select OMF 2.0

4. Select Export As > OMF 2.0. 5. Click Save As to create a new Export Setting. The Save Export Setting dialog box opens.

6. Name the new setting. For example, the preceding illustration shows the text changed from AAF to OMF. 7. Click OK. 8. Click Save.

154 Exporting Files to Avid Pro Tools LE from a Progressive Project

The new setting appears in the Export Settings list of the Send To dialog box.

New Export Setting

9. Click Save As Template to create a new template. The Save As dialog box opens.

155 Appendix A Using Avid Pro Tools LE with Progressive Projects

10. Type a name for the template in the File Name text box, and then click Save. For example, the preceding illustration adds OMF to the name. n Keep the .stt extension on the template name. 11. Click Save. The new template opens.

New Tem plate Name

12. Click Cancel to close the dialog box, or click OK to export the file. The next time you choose Select File > Send To > Avid Studio, the new template appears in the list.

156 Using Audio Pulldown with Progressive Projects Using Audio Pulldown with Progressive Projects

The term pulldown describes the process of slowing down an audio file to match the video. This is sometimes necessary when you capture audio at 30 fps or 24 fps (film speed) and need to match it to 29.97 fps (video speed). The term pullup is the opposite, where audio captured at video speed is sped up to match film speed.

Avid Xpress Pro supports six project types as shown in the following illustration:

Three of the project types (30i NTSC, 25i PAL, and 25p PAL) deal with audio and video program material that does not typically change speed during the post production process.

The remainder of this appendix focuses on the other three project types (23.976p NTSC, 24p NTSC, and 24p PAL), summarizing the recommended workflows and requirements surrounding audio pullup and audio pulldown.

23.976p NTSC Projects

Video Sources

Video sources for 23.976p NTSC projects contain images that are shot or transferred at 23.976 fps, but are mapped onto 29.97 fps video tape in a process similar to the way a telecine system operates. That is, two fields are created from each progressive image and then three fields for every other image. The fields are stored on video tape using industry standard 2:3:2:3 or 2:3:3:2 cadencing. During capture, Avid Xpress Pro reconstitutes the original 24 fps progressive images. Avid Xpress Pro then plays back the images at 23.976 fps, adding in the standard 2:3:2:3 or 2:3:3:2 cadencing automatically during playback. n Avid Xpress Pro supports playback of 23.976p projects at 24 fps if Avid Mojo DNA hardware is connected.

157 Appendix A Using Avid Pro Tools LE with Progressive Projects

Audio Sources

Audio sources for 23.976p NTSC projects typically contain project material that is at “video speed” when played back at standard sample rates (44.1 kHz or 48 kHz).

Export to Avid Pro Tools LE

Avid Pro Tools LE can play back 24p video media at 23.976 fps while playing back 48 kHz audio. This means that exporting an Avid Xpress Pro sequence from a 23.976p project is straight forward; that is, no conversion is necessary during export or import. For example, an AAF sequence exported from a 23.976p NTSC project contains a composition whose edit rate is 23.976, linking to 23.976p video media and “video speed” 48 kHz audio files.

Once you import this AAF file into Avid Pro Tools LE, make sure the Session Setup window is set for 23.976 timecode rate (with Auto Match Pull Factors deselected), as shown in the following illustration.

Export from Avid Pro Tools LE to Avid Xpress Pro

After completing the audio session, you might want to integrate the finished audio with the finished picture, and then output it to tape or to encoded files. Because Avid Pro Tools LE does not support 9-pin serial deck control, Avid recommends that you export the finished audio as AAF or OMF, and then import it into Avid Xpress Pro for integration with the finished picture and delivery.

24p NTSC Projects

Video Sources

Video sources for 24p NTSC projects contain images that are shot at 24 fps but are encoded onto 29.97 fps video tape in a process similar to the way a telecine system operates. That is, two fields are created from each progressive image and then three fields for every other

158 Using Audio Pulldown with Progressive Projects

image. The fields are then stored on video tape using industry standard 2:3:2:3. During capture, Avid Xpress Pro reconstitutes the original 24 fps progressive images. Avid Xpress Pro then plays back the images at 24 fps. n Avid Xpress Pro supports capture of normal or advanced pulldown in 23.976 or 24 fps if Avid Mojo DNA hardware is connected.

Avid Xpress Pro can play back 24p NTSC projects at either 23.976 or true 24 fps display rates. This setting does not affect the sync relationship between audio and video; rather, it affects absolute playback of audio and video.

To change the playback speed: 1. Click the Settings tab in the Project window. 2. Double-click Film and 24p Settings. The Film and 24P Setting dialog box opens.

3. Change the Edit Play Rate, and then click OK. n The Edit Play Rate setting does not affect AAF/OMF export. Regardless of the value of this setting, Avid Xpress Pro exports a 24-fps sequence.

159 Appendix A Using Avid Pro Tools LE with Progressive Projects

Audio Sources

Audio sources for 24p NTSC projects contain project material that is at “film speed” when played back at standard sample rates (44.1 kHz or 48 kHz).

When you perform a video-plus-audio capture into a 24p NTSC project, Avid Xpress Pro automatically enables pulldown so that the captured audio material is sped up to film speed on playback. For audio-only captures, you must manually set the pulldown switch. In other words, you must manually enable pulldown during the capture of “video speed” audio sources and manually disable pulldown during the capture of “film speed” audio sources. n Avid Xpress Pro supports capture of audio in 24p NTSC projects if Avid Mojo DNA hardware is connected.

Export to Avid Pro Tools LE

Avid Pro Tools LE can play back 24P video media at 24 fps while playing back 48 kHz audio. This means that exporting an Avid Xpress Pro sequence from a 24p NTSC project is straightforward. That is, no conversion is necessary during export or import. For example, an AAF sequence exported from a 24p NTSC project contains a composition whose edit rate is 24, linking to 24p video media and “film speed” 48 kHz audio files.

Once this AAF file is imported into Avid Pro Tools LE, make sure that the Session Setup window is set to 24-fps timecode rate (with Auto Match Pull Factors deselected) as shown in the following illustration.

Export from Avid Pro Tools LE to Avid Xpress Pro

After completing the audio session, you might want to integrate the finished audio with the finished picture and output it to tape or to encoded files. Because Avid Pro Tools LE does not support 9-pin serial deck control, Avid recommends that you export the finished audio as AAF or OMF and import it into Avid Xpress Pro for integration with the finished picture and delivery (by way of Digital Cut, encoding, and so on).

160 Using Audio Pulldown with Progressive Projects

Avid Xpress Pro provides the option of playing back 24p NTSC projects at 23.976 fps for digital cut to video tape as described above. In this case, the video and audio are both pulled down by Avid Xpress Pro in real time. However, in this case the audio sample rate is now 47.952kHz. Some digital video VTRs do not allow sync or can cause artifacts in the high frequencies. Analog VTRs do not have these problems.

24p PAL Projects

Video Sources

Video sources for 24p PAL projects contain images that are shot at 24 fps, but are encoded onto 25 fps video tape in a “frame-for-frame” transfer. That is, the 24 fps source material is played back at 25 fps (4.1percent speedup) so that each video frame represents a single source frame. During capture, Avid Xpress Pro reconstitutes the original progressive images by de-interlacing the frames. Avid Xpress Pro then plays back the images at 24 fps. n Avid Xpress Pro can capture audio or video in a 24p PAL project if Avid Mojo DNA hardware is connected.

Avid Xpress Pro can play back 24p PAL projects at either 24 fps or 25 fps display rates. This setting does not affect the sync relationship between audio and video, rather it affects absolute playback of audio and video.

To change the playback speed: 1. Click the Settings tab in the Project window. 2. Double-click Film and 24p Settings. The Film and 24P Setting dialog box opens.

161 Appendix A Using Avid Pro Tools LE with Progressive Projects

3. Change the Edit Play Rate, and then click OK. n The Edit Play Rate setting does not affect AAF/OMF export. Regardless of the value of this setting, Avid Xpress Pro exports a 24 fps sequence.

Audio Sources n Avid Xpress Pro can capture audio in a 24p PAL project if Avid Mojo DNA hardware is connected.

There are two methods for capturing audio into a 24p PAL project using Avid Xpress Pro: 1. Method 1 – audio is captured from 25 fps sources. The audio on these sources is sped up by 4.1percent, so Avid Xpress Pro stamps these sound files at PAL pulldown (non- standard) sample rates: 46080 instead of 48000, 42336 instead of 44100. 2. Method 2 – audio is captured from 24 fps sources. The audio on these sources is film speed, so Avid Xpress Pro stamps these sound files at standard sample rates of 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz.

162 Using Audio Pulldown with Progressive Projects n For highest audio quality, Method 2 is best because it does not require speed changes or sample rate conversion. Avid recommends that you use Method 2 whenever possible. This is a double system workflow and always requires a two-pass capture operation – one for picture and one for sound. If you use the BWF file import feature, you can save time during the audio capture stage.

Whether you are in Method 1 or Method 2 modality depends on a project setting called Audio Transfer Rate, available in the Film and 24P Setting dialog box. Audio Transfer Rate is a setting that can be changed at any time while working in a 24p PAL project. However, Avid recommends that you do not switch rates once a project has started. You establish the Method 1 or Method 2 setting when you first create a 24p PAL project, as shown in the following illustration.

Method 2

Method 1

To change the transfer rate within a project: 1. Click the Settings tab in the Project window. 2. Double-click Film and 24p Settings. The Film and 24P Setting dialog box opens.

163 Appendix A Using Avid Pro Tools LE with Progressive Projects

C hanging to Method 1 within a project

3. Change the Audio Transfer Rate and click OK.

The preceding illustration shows the audio transfer rate for Method 1. The following illustration shows the audio transfer rate for Method 2.

164 Using Audio Pulldown with Progressive Projects

C hanging to Method 2w ithin a project

Method 1 produces sound files that are at non-standard nominal sample rates (42336 or 46080). Avid Xpress Pro uses real-time sample rate conversion to play back 42336 or 46080 files so the audio is appropriately slowed down and pitched down during playback. Avid Xpress Pro can work with sequences that intermix 46080 and 48000 files.

Export to Avid Pro Tools LE

An AAF sequence exported from a 24p PAL project contains a composition whose edit rate is 24, linking to 24p video media. The AAF file might also link to film speed 48 kHz audio files or Method 1 46080 sample rate files.

Avid Pro Tools LE does not support import of an AAF file that links to audio files with intermixed sample rates. To solve this problem, the Send To templates automatically convert the audio to a uniform, standard sample rate. n In order for the Send To template to properly convert to standard sample rates during export from a 24p PAL project, the Audio Transfer Rate must be set to Film Rate (Method 2). This is necessary for the 24p PAL sequence interchange to work properly.

165 Appendix A Using Avid Pro Tools LE with Progressive Projects

Once the AAF file is imported into Avid Pro Tools LE, make sure the session setup window is set for 24 FPS timecode rate (with Auto Match Pull Factors deselected), as shown in the following illustration.

These settings should be automatically set after importing a 24p PAL sequence.

Export from Avid Pro Tools LE to Avid Xpress Pro

Avid Xpress Pro provides the option of playing back 24p PAL projects at either 24 fps or 25 fps as described above. n The Audio Transfer Rate setting can affect the sample rate of audio files imported into Avid Xpress Pro. If you want to import a 48 kHz interleaved WAV file into Avid Xpress Pro, make sure the Audio Transfer Rate setting has the desired value. If it is set for Method 1, the imported file is converted to a 46080 sound file. If it is set for Method 2, the imported file is converted to a 48000 sound file. This dependency on the Audio Transfer Rate setting applies to importing raw sound files, but does not affect AAF imports.

166 Index

Symbols titles to playlists 138 Adobe Photoshop 124 .aeo file 115 AFE 25 .pct 23 AIFF audio 123 .tif 23 alpha channel 23 toggle write in Avid 3D 77 Numerics alpha channel support 25 apply button 23.976 NTSC projects 151, 157 Avid FX 46 23.976p NTSC projects 20 aspect ratio 21, 25 24p NTSC projects 158 assets 24p PAL audio options audio 123 film rate 19 DVD requirements 126 video rate 19 images 124 24p PAL projects 19, 161 video 122 24p projects 18 audio 25p PAL projects 19 Digi 002 device 82 30i NTSC projects 18 DVD requirements 126 3D animation exporting from Avid Pro Tools LE 97 textures 71 sample rate 126 3D Container 43 settings 87 supported file formats 123 A transfer 19 transfer rate methods 163 AAF 25, 35, 58 trimming 146 exporting to Avid 3D 58 audio options importing to Avid Pro Tools LE 92 24p PAL 19 AC-3 audio 123 audio playback speed DVD requirements 126 changing in Avid Xpress Pro 159, 161 accuracy authoring frame rate 85 workflow 114 sample rate 85 AVI video 122 adding Avid 3D button links 140 adding video background 66 chapter points 134 adding video textures 70 DVD jacket picture 120 Character Offset controls 75 effect 28 export settings 61 Index

exporting scenes 76 editing audio files 96 InComing from Avid Editors 65 exporting audio files 97 media files 60 exporting tracks as OMF/AAF 97 on-screen parameters 69 film projects 151 overview 57 progressive projects 151 Rotate tool 69, 75 using the Send To templates 153 Scale tool 69, 75 workflow 35 Send To options 61 Avid Xpress Studio sending media 58 described 82 text 74 Avid3D InComing bin textured objects 71 Avid editor 30 Translate tool 69, 75 AVX 2.0 29 video bin 65 viewing media 63 B workflow overview 66 Avid DVD by Sonic background adding tracks and objects in 133 adding video in Avid 3D 66 creating movies in 133 Basic disk drive setting up a project 118 Avid Pro Tools LE 80 Avid FX bit rates apply button 46 calculating 128 exporting from 56 Blackburst generator inputs 38 and Digi 002 83 Keyframe Library 56 Blu-ray launch 28 disc format 114 project settings 55 projects 114 Project window 40 Blu-ray-compliant video 128 saving work 55 BMP images 124 text effects 48 Bounce to Disk command 101 text on a path 52 button images Timeline window 41 choosing 142 Title-Matte Effect 38 creating 125 transition 38 Button Routing feature 142 transition effect, creating 42 buttons using 37 changing numbers 141 Avid FX Engine 29, 37, 55 choosing subpicture 141 verify settings 55 creating links 140 Avid Media Composer 33 Link End Action 144 Avid Pro Tools LE 23.976 NTSC projects 151 157 C 24p NTSC projects 158 CBR 129 24p PAL projects 161 changing Basic disk drive 80 button numbers 141 Bounce to Disk command 101 End Actions 143 digital cut 80 video Field Dominance 132 Dynamic disk drive 80 Chapter Button Reference Frame 115

168 Index chapter mark 115 digital post-production chapter points outputting media 17 adding manually 135 disc images deleting 137 creating 148 importing from Avid applications 134 DivX video 122 linking to menu buttons 140 Dolby Digital audio 123 moving 136 DVD requirements 126 naming 136 DVD Character Offset controls 75 creating volumes 147 checkerboard pattern 51 jacket picture 120 circle producer.aeo file 115 draw 53 DVD-compliant video 127 clips DVD-ROM data exporting from Avid 3D 76 effect on the bit rate calculation 131 CMYK 23 DVR-MS video 122 codecs 26 Dynamic disk drive color levels 26 Avid Pro Tools LE 80 color mode 23 compatible file formats 24 E compliant video and audio requirements 126 Composite window Edit Decision List 16 Avid FX 40 edit play rate consolidate media 31 changing in Avid Xpress Pro 159, 161 container track 43 Edit Playlist window 138 Controls window editing Avid FX 40 audio files 96 Copy All Media 31 chapter points 136 creating playlists 138 button links 140 EDL 16 chapter points 134 Effect Editor 28 disc images 148 effects DVD volumes 147 adding 28 playlists 138 creating with Avid FX 37 Effects Mode button 28, 39 D enabled tracks use 62 data files encoding video and audio effect on the bit rate calculation 131 bit rate calculation 128 default menu 144 with Sorenson Squeeze 116 de-interlaced 27 End Actions 143 deleting overriding 144 chapter points 137 Export settings playlist items 138 Avid 3D 61 Digi 002 export templates 27 as control surface 83 exporting configuration for playing video 83 3D scenes 76 using 82 AAF files from Avid editor 58

169 Index

from Avid FX 56 H from Avid Pro Tools LE 97 movie frames 146 HDTV 21 stereo-interleaved file 103 exporting tracks as OMF/AAF I Avid Pro Tools LE 97 Image colors in NTSC projects 126 images F exporting movie frames as 146 face track 52 recommended sizes 125 Field Dominance setting 132 supported file formats 124 field order 23 importing file formats 25 Avid chapter point metadata 134 Standard 25 files 121 files OMF into Avid Xpress Pro 106 DVD requirements 126 stereo-interleaved file as master clip 110 exchanging between applications 24 using Media Tool 108 importing 121 IN and OUT points 48 naming 22 InComing from Avid Editors 33 supported audio formats 123 Avid 3D 65 supported image formats 124 interlaced media 23 supported video formats 122 interlaced/de-interlaced format 27 filler 48 ITU-R film projects 601 23 Avid Pro Tools LE 151 709 23 FireWire 28 First Play 139 J fonts 22 format jacket picture, DVD 120 interlaced/de-interlaced 27 JPEG images 124 progressive 27 format compatibilities K Avid FX 55 formats Keyframe Library 56 project 18 frame-rate accuracy 85 frames, exporting from movies 146 L Link End Action 144 G link to current media options 86 Link To Media 31 GIF images 124 linking menu buttons 140 GOP sequence header 126 graphics preparing 23 M recommended sizes 125 marks supported file formats 124 use 62 Media Center files 122

170 Index media file formats audio 123 for export 26 DVD requirements 126 for import 26 video 122 input 25 MXF 25 output 25 compression 33 media files default location for Avid 3D 60 N media handling 25 Media Tool naming using to import files 108 chapter points 136 Menu button mapping 144 menus, titles, and playlists 139 menus Button Routing 142 changing button numbers 141 O choosing button subpicture 141 OMF 25 creating button links 140 converting to MXF 58 First Play 139 importing into Avid Xpress Pro 106 naming 139 OMF/AAF setting End Action 143 exporting from Avid Pro Tools LE 98 metadata file format on-screen parameters for export 26 Character Offset controls 75 for import 26 transform controls 69 MetaSync output format preferences information, create 35 Avid 3D 32 track 115 Output Format Preferences button 76 methods, audio transfer 163 Oval tool 53 minimum bit rate 131 overture 139 Mojo 33 movies adding chapter points 134 P adding to playlists 138 Palette Window changing video Field Dominance 132 displaying media files 119 creating in Avid DVD by Sonic 133 path track 52 deleting chapter points 137 PCM audio 123 First Play 139 DVD requirements 126 linking to menu buttons 140 perf-slip editing 24, 152 moving chapter points 136 Photoshop 124 naming 139 Photoshop File restrictions 131 previewing 145 PICT images 124 remote control button mapping 144 playlists saving frames as images 146 creating and editing 138 setting End Action 143 linking to menu buttons 140 trimming 146 naming 139 moving setting End Action 143 chapter points 136 PNG images 124 MP3 audio 123 post-production MPEG outputting media 17

171 Index preferences menu button numbers 141 Avid 3D 32 playlist items 138 previewing resolutions 23, 25 movies 145 RGB 23 Preview to RAM 46, 145 ROM data 131 progressive format 27 Rotate tool 69, 75 progressive media 23 project S creating 27 project formats 18, 19 sample rate 126 23.976p NTSC 20 sample-rate accuracy 85 24p 18 saving 24p PAL 19 movie frames as images 146 30i NTSC 18 Scale tool 69, 75 project settings Send To 27 Avid FX 55 Avid 3D 30, 58, 59 Project window Avid DVD by Sonic 116, 116 Avid FX 40 options for Avid 3D 61 projects predefined templates, using 59 Blu-ray 114 sequence header 126 creating disc images 148 settings creating DVD volumes 147 media creation 30 default menu 144 Slideshows First Play 139 images 125 setting up in Avid DVD by Sonic 118 slideshows workflow 114 adding to playlists 138 PSD images 124 First Play 139 linking to menu buttons 140 Q naming 139 setting End Action 143 QuickTime video 122 sound files Avid 3D 63 R standalone mode 82 Standard file format 25 remote control stereo-interleaved file button mapping 144 exporting 103 removing importing as master clip 110 chapter points 137 Style Palette button 33, 50, 64 playlist items 138 subpictures renaming choosing 141 chapter points 136 subtitles menus, titles, and playlists 139 previewing 145 Render Options button 33, 77 trimming 146 render video effects 62 supported file formats rendering audio 123 Avid 3D scenes 76 image 124 reordering video 122

172 Index

T bit rate calculation 128 changing Field Dominance 132 TARGA images 124 DVD requirements 126 Telecine 20 exporting 76 templates supported file formats 122 export 27 transcode 62 text trimming 146 Character Offset controls 75 video background formatting in Avid 3D 74 adding to 3D scenes 66 text window 49 video bin textured objects 71 Avid 3D 65 textures video effects adding video in Avid 3D 70 render 62 thumbnails video textures changing on buttons 142 adding to 3D scenes 70 TIFF images 124 visibility Timeline window toggle 42 Avid FX 41 Title button mapping 144 title fonts 22 W Title-Matte effect 38 WAVE audio 123 titles WMA audio 123 adding to playlists 138 WMV video 122 Character Offset controls 75 workflow creating with Avid FX 48 Avid Pro Tools LE 35 First Play 139 DVD authoring 114 formatting in Avid 3D 74 planning 16 linking to menu buttons 140 naming 139 setting End Action 143 transcode video 62 transition 38 transition effect creating with Avid FX 42 Translate tool 69, 75 trimming movies 146

U use enabled tracks 62 use marks 62

V VBR 129 video

173 Index

174