Capturing Video

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Capturing Video
The first step in the editing process is to transfer your video footage to the computer's hard drive. At CTV, we have a digital video deck and VCR connected to our computers via a firewire cable. This process digitizes the video footage, enabling us to edit on our computers.

If you are capturing video at home on your own computer, you will need to hook your digital camcorder up to your computer with either a firewire cable or USB 2.0 cable (whichever is compatible with your camera). Refer to your camcorder's manual for directions on how to connect to your PC.

Once everything is connected, click on "File" in the top left-hand corner of the screen, and select "Capture Video" from the drop-down menu. This will bring up a new window, which is the the video capture screen, and looks like this:




The next step depends on whether you are capturing video from a digital source (DVCAM or MiniDV tape) or an analog source (1/2" VHS or S-VHS tape). While the process is basically the same for each, there are some subtle differences you need to pay attention to. Refer to the sections below for a complete guide on how to transfer your video footage to the computer's hard drive.


Note: Editing is a time-consuming process. Video capture is done in real time, so if you have thirty minutes of video footage on your tape, it will take 30 minutes to capture, followed by a minimum of 30 minutes to render your final, edited show. Be sure to set aside a couple of hours so you don't feel rushed, and most of all, be patient.


Capturing From a MiniDV or DVCAM Tape
If you are capturing from a digital source, such as a MiniDV cassette, you will be using the Sony DVCAM Deck (pictured) to play back your footage. Follow these steps to capture video.

1. Set the Input Select switch on the front of the DVCAM deck to “DV.”
   
   
2. Place your DV tape in the DVCAM deck (do not push on the center of the tape!)
   
   
3. On the Video Capture screen, select “Options” and then click on “Preferences.” On the “General” tab, make sure the first box, “Enable DV Device Control” IS checked.
   
   
4. On the “Disk Management” tab, select your project's folder on the Capture Storage (D:) Drive. All of your captured video clips will be stored in the folder that is checked on this screen. All of these unedited video clips are your RAW footage. If you do not already have a folder on the Storage drive, right-click in the field with the list of folders and select “Add Folder” to create a new capture folder and name it after your show's title. From now on, whenever you edit on CTV's computers, this is where all files relating to your project should be stored. Note: You only have to create your capture folder the first time you edit on our computers. Click “OK” when you are done.
   
   
5. Back on the video capture screen, click the "Play" button from the onscreen control underneath the blue visual display. Press the “Capture Video” button to begin recording what is playing on the screen in front of you. Vegas will capture footage until press the "Stop" button. Alternatively, you can click the “Capture Tape” button, which automatically rewinds and captures everything on your DV or DVCAM tape. When you are done capturing all the clips you need to edit your show, press the "Stop" button to stop video capture. All of the clips you just captured will appear below the preview screen. Click the red "X" in the top-right of the screen to close the video capture screen.

Capturing From a VHS or S-VHS Tape
If you are capturing from an analog source, such as a VHS tape,
follow these steps:

1. Set the Input Select switch on the front of the DVCAM deck to “S-Video.”
   
   
2. Place your VHS tape in the VCR next to the computer, but do not start playing the tape just yet.
   
   
3. On the Video Capture screen, select “Options” and then click on “Preferences.” On the “General” tab, make sure the first box, “Enable DV Device Control” IS NOT checked.
   
   
4. On the “Disk Management” tab, select your project's folder on the Capture Storage (D:) Drive. All of your captured video clips will be stored in the folder that is checked on this screen. All of these unedited video clips are your RAW footage. If you do not already have a folder on the Storage drive, right-click in the field with the list of folders and select “Add Folder” to create a new capture folder and name it after your show's title. From now on, whenever you edit on CTV's computers, this is where all files relating to your project should be stored. Note: You only have to create your capture folder the first time you edit on our computers. Click “OK” when you are done.
   
   
5. Back on the video capture screen, press the play button on the VCR. You should see and hear your video playing on the preview monitor in the capture screen. Click the “Capture Video” button to begin capturing video from your VHS or S-VHS tape. Press the stop button on the Video Capture Screen to stop video capture, and then press stop on the VCR to stop your tape. All captured clips will appear below the preview screen. When you are done capturing, exit out of the Sony Video Capture program by clicking the red "X" in the top right corner.

Now that we've got your footage in the computer, it's time to have some fun!

NEXT:
Basic Editing