I have started videography as a hobby. How difficult is it to crop video frames? Any suggestions for suitable software?
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Almost any NLE software wi
Almost any NLE software will allow you to crop portions of your video. The only danger is that the image quality will begin to deteriorate if you crop too much.
Why do you want/need to crop?
Jack
VideOccasions
Jack
http://www.videoccasions-nw.com
Thanks for your reply, Jac
Thanks for your reply, Jack.
Main reason would be to remove unwanted portions (just as you would for a photograph). However, if as you indicate, image quality would deteriorate, there would not be much point (for me) in doing so. Sometimes, one cannot get close enough to an intended subject to avoid unwanted surrounding detail. I was therefore interested in 'cropping".
There is also other tricks
There is also other tricks without messing with the quality, such as masking areas and key-chrome scenery or other items in the masked area. Since you are masking, it doesn't reduce the quality of the original video.
SD video won't take much c
SD video won't take much cropping (blowing up) at all before degradation becomes apparent. For HD video, because there are so many pixels, you have more leeway to adjust before quality change becomes obvious.
Here's a tip - if working with HD source material, intended for SD delivery such as DVD, you can put the HD video into an SD project, and then you have a MUCH larger image than fits the "canvas", so you can crop a LOT and even do animated zooms and pans by using keyframes, simulating camera moves from a static video clip. To a point, you can do this with NO quality loss. Most NLEs should support this, we don't know what you use. Apps like Adobe Premiere, Sony Vegas, Edius, are going to handle this. Can't comment on consumer editing apps.
Thanks
Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers
Many thanks to SafeHarbor
Many thanks to SafeHarbor and Ed for your responses. My experience in video editing is relatively small. I have what I consider to be two reasonably decent consumer camcorders which I use educationally (improving school practice for teachers and students) as well as on social and ceremonial occasions. The end result is usually a DVD. I usually record in SD format (High Quality) with very satisfactory results. I have been using Cyberlink products for editing and I am thinking of trying Adobe premiere to see what it can do. Any useful suggestions would be welcome.
Gerry Rose
Before you commit to Adobe
Before you commit to Adobe Premiere, take a look at the trial version of Sony Movie Studio 11 Platinum. It handles HD as well as SD very well; it's fairly easy to learn to use and, combined with DVD Architect, will allow you to create DVDs quite easily once you've finished editing and polishing your projects.
Sony has an excellent support forum, too, so you'll have a way of asking and receiving answers to any question you might have.
I believe the trial version is good for 30 days, which will give you ample time to see whether you like the program. Test it along with other programs to find one that suits your needs and tastes.
Jack
VideOccasions
Jack
http://www.videoccasions-nw.com
I use the program Corel vi
I use the program Corel video Studio pro 5. And you can download the trial free. In effects there is an effect called Video Pan and Zoom. I believe this effect is what you are looking for.