Q1. get rid of the timecode. Place video in pip track and resize the timecode out of the tv frame..

Or...place video in main track and place a colorboard in pip.
The colorboard can be resized, including aspect ratio. If you can make a better file than a colorboard in an image editor, then do that. HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
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Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
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Hi Bill -

Q2: Zooming - you should have a look at the PD8 Video Tutorials at http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=CyberLinkChannel#grid/uploads

The one on Power Tools will help.

If you're interested, I've made a little "how-to" video on this. You can download it at http://dc159.4shared.com/download/129779259/c121cd50/Zoom.wmv

That's 2 questions, anyway.

Cheers - Tony
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Hi Bill-ATL,

Here’s some brief answers. If you’d like a more detailed reply to any of them, just let me know.

1. One simple option, as I’m sure you’re aware, is to put an image, clip, frame, or color board in a PIP and size to “cover” (not necessarily mask) the time code display. Or crop out the time code. But using a PIP, in some creative way, is probably the only option.

2. In PD7, by placing the clip in a PIP and creating a zoom in motion path. See link for example.
http://seemyworldonvideo.com/view/433/example-for-chris-pip-zoom-in/
But now in PD8, it’s much easier to do, by using the Video Crop tool in Power Tools. Use the Key Frames to set the size, location, and durations. (Tip: use the “double diamond” key frame marker to duplicate a crop)

3. Transition Room > Blur > Modify > Key Frame > Mask (will open window where you can size and place your desired blur area) > Set Key frame Markers for desired duration of effect. Also a semi transparent color board in a PIP will work. And you can add a motion path to match the movement of the subject that requires blurring, if it isn’t static, but moves in your clip.

4. Not sure. Perhaps someone will chime in with an answer.

5. Not aware of a particular reason, but many PD users use the (free) Pazera Video to Flash convertor, to convert projects to Flash. It is available at SMWOV in Extra For Editors.

EDIT:
Hahaha. To slow on the trigger again. Sorry Tony and Barry. You beat me to the punch!




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I am using power director 12 ultra and I want to import video from a sony video camera video 8 I am using a phone jack on one end and a usb connedtor on the other end of the cable. I then open up the import on file section start the the camera but nothing shows up on the screen. Is there something else that has to be done to get a picture?

Why can't I upload a video 8 cassette into the import section of power director 12 ultra and it doesn't show up on the screen? The cable I am using has phone jacks on one end and USB plug on the other. Thanks for your help.

Quote: Why can't I upload a video 8 cassette into the import section of power director 12 ultra and it doesn't show up on the screen? The cable I am using has phone jacks on one end and USB plug on the other. Thanks for your help.

Hello Tobari2!

This might be a stupid question but it begs asking: Is it JUST a cable with USB plug on one end and phone(RCA) jacks on the other? or is there a device lurking somewhere between the two sets of connections, referred to as a "capture card"? Sorry to be facetious but it was the way you described the connection as if there was nothing in between them. When you've made all your connections(and for the moment I'll assume the camera delivers stereo audio, red and white audio, yellow video) to the device and plugged the USB connection to your computer, opening PD12, you'll see three options, Capture, Edit, Produce. You don't use import, that's for video files derived from digital cameras where they're stored on SD cards(more on that later). You're working with an analogue source here. Click on "Capture" you'll see an icon that looks like a TV(other Icons will be greyed out), hold your cursor to it, you'll see the words "capture from a TV signal" Just prior, you'll have see a brief window where it says, "Detecting device". It matters not, that PD will call the input from your device a "TV signal", the point is, when you press play on your camera(set to playback mode), the video will appear in the capture screen., back your tape up to the start and click on the red "record" icon to "capture" your content. Click on that icon(becomes a black square) again to end the capture. It's that easy. Just to check something out for myself, I looked at the capture function in both PD8 and PD14, they both use the same icon for the source to capture from, only variance is, in PD8, appears in white when active, in PD14 appears in Blue when active. When you've captured your video, you'll be prompted to give it a file name(default name is "Capture" Subsequent files will be "Capture0", "Capture1", etc. Naming the file is up to you, they're pre-edit captures anyway. Just before I finish, re: digital cameras. early digital cameras recorded to Mini DV tapes, we wont worry about them, more modern digital cameras record to SD cards, these cameras connect directly via USB connection to a computer and behave like an external hard-drive, a few clicks and you copy and paste the card's contents into a folder on your computer, and from there you "import" the files to PD12 for editing. That's where the "media import" icon comes into play.. Hope that's of help to you.

Cheers!

Neil.

Thanks Neil, the cable I was talking about was just a cable with RCA phone jacks on one end and USB connector on the other. There was nothing in between the video camera and the computer. Sorry if it was confusing.

Neil F. I did what you suggested about transferring a camcorder cassette to power director 12 ultra with a cable that has RCA phone jacks on one end and a USB connector at the other end with nothing in between. I clicked on Capture and the only icon that was highlighted was one that said capture from an external or optical device.

None of the other icons will light up they just stay gray I even clicked on the red icon to record and nothing this was done while the camcorder was running. Any suggestions?

Tobari2, the cable you are using will have a chip buried inside the USB connector to digitise the analog signals. This might need a specific device driver to work. Did you get a software CD with the cable? Regards,
Mike

Home-build system:
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Asus Nvidia GT440 1GB, 2 x Western Digital WD10EARS 1TB, 1 x Seagate ST1000DM010 1TB,
Windows 7 Prof 64-bit, PD 9 Ultra 64, PD 13 Ultimate 64

Hello, Tobari2!

This was what I was getting at! No device no capture! What is required here is a "capture card" device, like Pinnacle's "Dazzle" or K-World's capture device USB2861. This what I was asking about in my first reply to you: "Is it JUST a cable with USB plug on one end and phone(RCA) jacks on the other?" Clearly it is! And as it is, it's clearly not enough to do the job as there's no electronic "box" between those RCA connections and the USB plug that actually "processes" the signal from your video camera to feed it to your computer. These capture cards derive any power they may require through the USB connection, they then process the signal fed into them from a video camera or VCR(be it Beta or VHS) and feed it via the USB plug, into your computer. From there, the software, like Power Director does the rest of the work by converting the signal fed to it(in real-time, an hour-long video off the tape will take that long to feed into the computer to create the "capture", ready for editing). Where do you get such a device? any reputable electroncs retailer should carry stock of various brands of capture card. They are "plug-and-play", so as soon as you've hooked up your camera to the device's input, the instant you plug the USB end to your computer, you'll need to give it a minute or two to be "recognised" by your computer, you'll then get a message in words to the effect that the "USB device is now ready for use". Once you see this message, your Power Director will be ready to accept the signal fed to it from your camera. Hope I've managed to clarify things, not intending to lecture, just clear up a point or two.

Cheers!

Neil.

Ah, Fenman has just jumped in with a useful tip. Thanks Mike! I said these devices are "plug and play", generally they are, but depending on the amount of electronics involved, there may be need for a "device driver" to be installed on your computer(from a CD or DVD). Mike may have some further info here as well. Take it away, Mike! Cheers!.

Nothing much to add really, Neil. My reasoning goes thus:-

The most common USB - Universal Serial Bus - connector has four contacts. Two of these are for the differential data signals and the other two for the DC supply. See here.

It's obvious there's no way that the three analog signals on the phono plugs can connect directly to a USB connector so there must be a chip buried in the USB connector moulding. This is quite a common practice these days.

Since this is likely to be a specialised device it's unlikely there is a generic Windows device driver for it. If that is the case it should have been supplied with a CD with the driver on it. Alternatively, if Tobari2 knows the manufacturer he might be able to download one from their website. Regards,
Mike

Home-build system:
Intel Core i5 Quad Core 3.3GHz, 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333MHz,
Asus Nvidia GT440 1GB, 2 x Western Digital WD10EARS 1TB, 1 x Seagate ST1000DM010 1TB,
Windows 7 Prof 64-bit, PD 9 Ultra 64, PD 13 Ultimate 64

Quote: Tobari2, the cable you are using will have a chip buried inside the USB connector to digitise the analog signals. This might need a specific device driver to work. Did you get a software CD with the cable?

No, the cable was just 3 RCA phone jacks on one end and a USB plug on the other end. Cord only. Neil suggested getting a Pinnacle Dazzle or K-Worlds capture device USB2861. I checked out both. The reviews on the K-World's wasen't too good. Is there a certain model number that would work with windows 7 but why would I need a nother driver to make this thing work. I would think that Power Director 12 would already have this installed. If not where can I get the drivers need for this attachment? thanks for your help.

Hi, Tobari2!

Your remark, "The reviews on the K-World's wasen't too good" doesn't mesh with my experience of the product. I've had no problem with this product, it has done its job quite satisfactorally for me. You shouldn't put too much store by what some reviewers may say about a product like this(or any kind of product, for that matter), the reviewer may be unduly biased against the product for any reason or for no reason at all. What you had there, 3 RCA phone jacks on one end and a USB plug on the other end, cord only, isn't a device at all! It's just a "bodgeyed-up" cable made by a confidence trickster to scam people out of money with a "dud" product, and, sadly, you've fallen victim to the scam. Best thing to do is put that sad experience behind you and take yourself off to a reputable electronics store and see what's available there. You can ask the store owner's advice, but be wary if he/she tries to push one product in preference to another, such store owners really should be neutral in this regard, not favouring any specific product.

Cheers!

Neil.

Quote: why would I need a nother driver to make this thing work. I would think that Power Director 12 would already have this installed. If not where can I get the drivers need for this attachment? thanks for your help.

I think my last post answers this question. You might find that Windows can find and install a suitable driver but if not you may need one supplied by the manufacturer on a CD or via their website.

Neil may very well be right that the cable you have is a scam. As I pointed out there's no way the analog signals can go straight into a USB connector.

There has recently been one member of the forum who has had problems with the Pinnacle Dazzle so that might be one to avoid. Regards,
Mike

Home-build system:
Intel Core i5 Quad Core 3.3GHz, 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333MHz,
Asus Nvidia GT440 1GB, 2 x Western Digital WD10EARS 1TB, 1 x Seagate ST1000DM010 1TB,
Windows 7 Prof 64-bit, PD 9 Ultra 64, PD 13 Ultimate 64

Hi, Mike!

I had the Pinnacle "Dazzle" capture device and the only time I've had problems is while trying to copy some older VHS tapes, I copped the "Copyright Protected - Recording Is Prohibited" warning which was due to the condition of the tape(dirty, likely fouling the heads of the VHS deck), so it wasn't the device's fault. I've still got it, actually. The one that gave me problems was the first one I had. I forget the brand but I think it came with a package that included PD5. This one captured the video okay but the audio captured through it sounded attrocious! So much so that I had to feed the audio via the line-in on my computer to the computer's sound card, as it was, it wasn't the best fix as I had some audio drop-outs feeding the audio that way. The next device I bought was the Dazzle, it cured the audio problem and gave me good sound without the drop-outs. The K-World device is my third, thus far no problems with it.

Cheers!

Neil.