UNIT V - WORKING WITH AVID XPRESS DV 4

Starting Projects and Working with Project Window - Using Basic Tools and Logging - Preparing
to Record and Recording - Importing Files - Organizing with Bins - Viewing and Making Footage
- Using Timeline and Working in Trim Mode - Working with Audio - Output Options.

AVID Xpress DV 4 is a non-linear editing (NLE) software released by Avid Technology,

primarily used by filmmakers, video editors, and media professionals for editing digital video. It
was particularly popular in the early 2000s, designed for video editing on personal computers, and
allowed editors to work with standard-definition (SD) video. Here are some key features of AVID
Xpress DV 4:

Key Features:

1. Real-Time Editing: Provided real-time effects and editing capabilities, which was a
significant feature at the time for smoother workflow and faster production.
2. Multi-Format Support: Supported a variety of SD video formats, allowing editors to
import and edit footage from multiple sources.
3. Advanced Editing Tools: Offered a range of editing tools, including timeline-based
editing, trim modes, and a variety of transition effects.
4. Audio Editing: Included tools for audio mixing, adjusting levels, and adding effects to
video tracks.
5. Media Management: Known for its powerful media management capabilities, which
helped users organize, locate, and manage video files efficiently.
6. Compatibility: Supported on both Windows and macOS platforms at the time, which
made it versatile for different editing environments.

Purposes of the Avid editing tool:

Avid is a popular video editing software known for its robust features and is widely used
in the film, television, and broadcast industries.

Avid editing tools are highly regarded for their ability to handle large projects efficiently
and with precision, making them ideal for the demands of professional video production.

1. Non-Linear Video Editing: Avid provides non-linear editing (NLE) capabilities,

allowing editors to access any part of a video clip directly rather than sequentially. This makes it
easy to edit, rearrange, and refine footage.

2. Media Management: Avid offers advanced media management tools that help editors
organize, sort, and manage large amounts of footage. This is especially useful for projects with
extensive media libraries, such as films or TV shows, where quick access to specific clips is
essential.

3. Collaboration and Workflow Integration: Avid facilitates collaborative editing,

allowing multiple editors, sound designers, and visual effects artists to work on the same project
simultaneously. It also integrates well with other post-production tools and workflows, such as
color grading and sound editing software.

4. Advanced Editing Features: The software includes a range of advanced editing tools,
such as multicam editing, motion tracking, and keyframe animation. It is built to handle complex
edits with precision, which is why it’s commonly used for professional-level work in broadcast
and film.

5. Audio Editing and Mixing: Avid has powerful audio editing and mixing tools, allowing
editors to work with sound directly within the editing software. This includes features like audio
effects, EQ, and dynamic control, making it easier to polish audio without needing separate
audio software.

6. High-Quality Output: Avid supports a variety of high-quality export formats, making it

easy to output projects in the specific formats needed for distribution. The software can handle
different resolutions, codecs, and frame rates, enabling editors to deliver content in HD, 4K, and
beyond.

7. Color Grading and Correction: Avid includes basic color correction and grading tools,
which allow editors to adjust the color and tone of their footage. It also integrates well with
specialized color grading software, like DaVinci Resolve, for more advanced color work.

8. Industry Standard for Professional Editing: Avid has been a standard in the industry
for many years. Its stability, depth of features, and ability to handle large-scale, high-quality
projects make it a go-to choice for professional editors working on films, TV shows, and
commercials.

Starting Projects and Working with Project Window:

Starting Projects:

The following are the steps to be followed to start project,

• Opening and Closing a Project
• Backing Up Your Project Information
• Ending an Edit Session
• Mounting and Ejecting Drives
• Connecting to the Avid Production Network

Each time you start the Avid Xpress DV application, the Select User and Project dialog box
appears.
 To establish your identity as a user with the system and to select or create a project to open, use
the following procedures:
• Identifying a User
• Selecting a Project
• Opening a Project
• Closing a Project

You can also create additional folders within which to store projects, or you can quit the
application from the Select User and Project dialog box.

CREATING AND IDENTIFYING A USER

Identifying a User :
To identify a user for the project, do one of the following:
Create and identify a new user.
Select a user from a list of existing users. This user name represents the user profile, which includes
the settings associated
with the user.
Creating a New User
To create a new user profile:
1. Click New User in the Select User and Project dialog box.
2. Type the name of the new user, and press Enter.
3. Click OK.
The Select User and Project dialog box reappears with your user name highlighted in the list of
users
Selecting an Existing User:
To select from the list of existing users:
 Click the user name to highlight it in the Users scroll list on the left side of the Select User and
Project dialog box.
Folders containing collections of users appear in the list with asterisks preceding them.
To select a user in a folder:
1. Double-click the folder to open it and display the user names.
2. Click a user name to select it.
Selecting a Project:
To select a project, do one of the following:
 Open an existing project.
 Create and open a new project.
You can also place projects in folders and nest the folders within other folders.
Selecting an Existing Project:
Existing projects appear in the Projects scroll list in the Select User and Project dialog box.

To select an existing project, do one of the following in the Select

User and Project dialog box:
 Click an existing project name to highlight it.
 Press the first letter of the project name on the keyboard to highlight it.
To open a project nested in a folder:
 Double-click the folder name to open it and display the contents in the Projects scroll list.
 Click the project name to highlight it.
To locate a project in another folder:
 Click the Projects pop-up menu, and choose a drive from the Volumes submenu.
 Double-click a folder name to open it. Continue opening folders until the Projects scroll list
displays the project
folder you want.
 Click the project name to highlight it.
CREATING A NEW PROJECT
To create a new project:
 Click New Project in the Select User and Project dialog box. The New Project dialog box appears.
Type the name of your new project in the highlighted text box.
 Choose either NTSC or PAL from the Format pop-up menu.
 Click OK.

The system creates the new project files and folder, and returns you to the Select User and
Project dialog box. The project name is Highlighted in the Projects scrolls list. You can create
folders in the Select User and Project dialog box for storing related products. Before you can nest
a folder, you must first create a folder.
To create a folder:
 Click New Folder in the Select User and Project dialog box. The New Folder dialog box appears.
 Type a name for the folder, and press Enter or click OK. The folder name appears in the Projects
scroll list with an
asterisk preceding it.
 Double-click the folder name to open the folder.

Any new projects you create now are displayed and stored in this folder. Any existing
projects you move into this folder from your desktop are displayed in this folder.

OPENING A PROJECT
To open a project, do one of the following:
 Click OK in the the Select User and Project dialog box.
 Double-click the highlighted project name in the Projects scroll list.
 Double-click the highlighted user name in the Users scroll list.

The Composer monitor and the bin open with the selected User settings loaded.
The title bar of the Project window contains the project name and user name you selected in the
Select User and Project dialog box
CLOSING A PROJECT
When you close the current project, you return to the Select User and Project dialog box.

To close the current project, do one of the following:

 With the Project window active, choose Close from the File menu.
 Click the Close button in the Project window.

SAVING YOUR PROJECT INFORMATION ON A DRIVE OR FLOPPY DISK

To save your work on a drive or floppy disk:
 Mount the drive or insert a floppy disk as appropriate.
 From the Windows 2000 desktop, double-click My Computer.
 Double-click the icon for the targeted storage drive or floppy disk to open it. Double-click any

 eject
copying
or
where
Whenthe
thethe
floppy
files,
system
unmount
diskfinishes
andthe
store
drive
it
additional folders to target the appropriate storage location.
 Double-click the internal hard drive to open it.
Drag a project folder, user folder, or settings file to the targeted storage location.
 When the system finishes copying the files, unmount the drive or eject the floppy disk and store
it where
appropriate.
TO END AN EDIT SESSION:
 Quit the application.
 Turn off your equipment in the order described in this section.

WORKING WITH THE PROJECT WINDOW

Opening and Closing the Project Window:
The Project window provides three different displays (Bins, Settings and Info) for
structuring and viewing information about your current project.
Use the Project window to
• Create and open bins.
• View and modify settings.
• View information about the format of the project and the use of system memory.

1. Create and open Bins

The importance of Bins displays in avid xpress dv 4

USING THE BINS DISPLAY

Bins contain the master clips that are created when you record source material. (The master
clips are linked to the media files.) Bins also contain the sequences, subclips, group clips, and
effect clips that you create during a project. From the Project window, you can view a list of bins
associated with the project, and open, close, and create bins. You can also open bins created for
another project.

VIEWING A LIST OF BINS

To view a list of bins associated with the project:
Click the Bins button in the Project window
The views for working with clips in a bin are
 Text view,
 Frame view, and
 Script view.
In Text view, clips are displayed in a database text format using columns and rows, with icons
representing the various objects. You can save various arrangements of columns, text, and objects
as customized views.
In Frame view, each clip is represented by a single picture frame, with the name of the clip. You
can play back the footage in each frame and change the size of frames. You can also rearrange the
frames in any order within the bin.

1. Changing Bin background colour

Bin color changes affect one bin at a time. Bin color changes can be applied to Frame view
or Script view only. Text view remains black and white.
2. Enlarging or Reducing Frame Size
You must enlarge or reduce all frames in the bin together. You cannot change the size of
an individual frame.
3. Rearranging Frames
Frame view allows you to rearrange the display of the frames in the bin by moving them.
4. Changing the Frame Identifying the Clip
 By default, Frame view displays the first frame of each clip in the bin.You can, however,
change the displayed frame.
5. Arranging Frames in a Bin

In Script view, the features of Text view are combined with those of Frame view, with an added
script box next to each frame. The frames are displayed vertically on the left side of your screen
with the script box next to each. Use the script boxes to hold text for notes or a script. Clip data
matching the column headings in Text view appears above each script box.

1. Entering Script View

2. Adding Text in Script View
3. Rearranging Clips in Script View

Custom Bin Views

To the right of the Text View button is the Bin View pop-up menu (Text view only) for
selecting different Bin views.
Customizing Bin Views in Text View
You can create and save customized bin views that you can easily access from the Bin
View pop-up menu. You can customize the bin view by adding, hiding, or rearranging Bin
columns. The only required column heading is the clip name, which is displayed by
default.
To customize views of the bin, you can add, hide, copy, or rearrange standard or
customized columns in any combination to create your own custom views. You can name and
save them to suit your needs.

Displaying Bins
 By default, your bins display all existing media objects except source clips and rendered
effects. You can display only those media objects that you need to organize your project.
To set the bin display:
1. Choose Set Bin Display from the Bin menu. The Set Bin Display dialog box appears.
2. Select the object types that you want to see: master clips, sub clips, sequences, sources,
effects, motion effects, or rendered effects.
3. The option “Show clips created by user” is selected by default. Deselect this option only if
you want to hide all objects except those created by the system.
4. Select the option “Show reference clips” to automatically display those objects that are
referenced by sequences in the bin, whether those clips were previously in the bin or not.
5. Click OK. The bin displays objects according to your specifications.

WORKING WITH BIN:

1. Creating a New Bin
To create a new bin from the Project window:
Do one of the following:
 Choose New Bin from the File menu.
 Click the New Bin button in the Project window.
Either one of these procedures opens a new (empty) bin that is given the name of the
project as displayed in the title bar of the Project window. The new bin appears in the Bins
list of the Project window. A corresponding file is placed in the project folder, and a backup
copy is placed in the Attic folder. The new bin appears in the Project window with a default
name highlighted.
Type the name of the new bin, and press Enter.

2. To place a bin in a folder:

Drag the bin to the folder icon.

3. Renaming a Bin
Each new bin that you create takes the name of the project that appears in the Project
window, numbered incrementally.

4. To change the name of a bin:

Click the bin name in the Project window, and type a new name
5. Opening and Closing a Bin
To open a bin directly:
1. Click the Bins button in the Project window.
2. Double-click the icon next to the bin name.
To open a bin from the File menu:
1. Choose Open Bin from the File menu.
2. The Open dialog box appear
3. Select a bin. Navigate to the correct folder, if necessary.
4. Click the Open button.

Opening a selected bin

To open several bins at once from the Project window:
 1. Click the name of one of the bins in the Bins list.
2. Ctrl + click each additional bin you want to open.
3. Choose Open Selected Bins from the File menu

close a bin,
Click the Close button.
Choose Close Bin from the File menu.
6. Deleting a Bin or Folder
To delete a bin or folder within a project:
1. Select the bin or the folder you want to delete in the Bins list.
2. Press the Delete key.
A Trash icon appears in the Bins list in the Project window. It contains the deleted
item. The deleted item is stored in the Trash until you empty it
Basic tools:
The Tools menu on the Avid Xpress DV menu bar provides quick access to a collection of
essential tools for use in your projects.
• Navigating in Dialog Boxes and Menus
• Using the Tools Menu
• Using the Command Palette
• Using the Avid Calculator
• Using the Console Window
• Using the Hardware Tool
Command Palette:
The Command palette provides a central location for all user-selectable buttons that you
can map to various locations for ease of use. User-selectable buttons allow you to perform a wide
range of commands with a single click of the mouse. The Command palette organizes buttons by
editing function. Tabs are displayed for each editing function and the buttons that perform those
functions are displayed within each tab.
The functions are: Move, Play, Edit, Trim, FX, Other, and More.

You can use the Command palette to:

• Map buttons to the Tool palette or the keyboard
• Map menu commands to various buttons and keys.
• Directly activate a command.
About Button Mapping
Mapping user-selectable buttons allows you to reconfigure Command palettes or the keyboard
in various combinations to suit different editing needs. The following are a few examples:
 1. Sub cataloging clips: You can map the Make Sub clip button and other clip management
buttons.
2. Complex layering and effects editing: You can map buttons such as Motion Effect, Remove
Effect, and Fade Effect.
Logging:
When you log with a deck or import shot log files, you provide the Avid Xpress DV system
with frame-accurate clip information used to record the source footage. The logs you create form
the foundation for organizing, tracking, storing, retrieving, and generating lists of edit information
throughout your project.
Avid Log Exchange (ALE)
You can use the Avid Log Exchange (ALE) utility included with your system to quickly
convert shot log files created by other sources.
The ALE utility allows you to:
• Modify the text in a log file.
• Convert log files to the ALE file.
• Convert an ALE file to either an ATN or FLX file.
Any options you set in the ALE utility are saved each time you exit the ALE utility.
When you are converting an ATN file that contains multiple sections to an ALE file, multiple
ALE files are created. The Avid Log Exchange window displays only the first ALE file created.
The succeeding ALE files are given the same file name with incremental numbering.
For example, the file Nations1.atn is converted to Nations1.ale, Nations1_2.ale,
Nations1_3.ale, and so on. The converted output file is stored in the folder containing the
original input file.
Converting a Log File to an ALE File

To convert a log file to an ALE file:

1. Click the Start button, and then point to Programs.
2. Point to Avid, point to Utilities, and then click Ale.
3. Choose Open from the File menu.
4. Double-click the file you want to convert.
5. Depending on the type of file you are opening, one of the following occurs:
• If the file type is recognized by the ALE utility, the file appears in the Avid Log Exchange
window.

Preparing to Record
Recording is the process of creating digital media from videotape or audio input. Before
you begin the recording process, you need to prepare for it as described in the following sections:
• Understanding Digital Video (DV)
• Selecting Settings
• Configuring Decks
• Setting Up the Record Tool
• Preparing for Audio Input
• Compression Resolutions and Storage Requirements
 Before recording, see the Avid Xpress DV Getting Started Guide to ensure you have
properly connected your recording equipment such as a camera or deck.

Setting Up the Record Tool

The Record tool provides controls for cueing, marking, and logging footage, and
specifies recording parameters such as source and target locations. The various steps involved in
setting up the record tools are,
1. Selecting a Deck
The Deck Selection pop-up menu in the Record tool contains a list of decks or cameras
that were connected to the system, powered up, and initialized when you entered Record mode.
The first deck or camera in the list is selected by default, unless all decks or cameras are offline.
2. Selecting Audio Input
To select audio input:
Choose one of the following from the Audio pop-up menu:
• Aux
• Video
• CD Player
• Line In
• Microphone
 Phone Line
 OHCI or 1394

3. Viewing Video Input

Video input is displayed in the Video pop-up menu. If you have an OHCI board, OHCI
appears in the menu. If you have a Canopus™ board, 1394 appears.

4. Selecting a Tape

To select a source tape:

1. Load a tape into your deck.
2. In an NTSC project, play the tape briefly so that the system candetect the timecode
format of the tape (drop-frame ornon-drop-frame). Otherwise, the system
maintains the timecode format set in the Deck Preferences dialog box, regardless
of the format on the tape, and you might receive a message indicating a wrong
tape.
3. Provide the system with a tape name in one of the following ways:
o Select the name of the tape from the list displayed in the Select Tape dialog box,
and click OK.
o Click New if the tape is not in the list. Type the new name in the dialog box,
and click OK.
5. Selecting Source Tracks
You can select the tracks to record from the source tape.
To select only those tracks that you want to record:
 Click the Channel Selection buttons in the Record tool.
 The TC (timecode) track is selected by default.
 To select or deselect all tracks at once:
Press and hold the Alt key, and click any Channel Selection button.
6. Choosing a Target Bin
You select a target bin as the destination for the master clips created when you record on-
the-fly. You can also select a target bin containing the logged clips you will use to batch record
your media.
7. Selecting the Target Drives
 Targeting a Single Drive
Trageting separate drive for audio and video
Targeting separate drives for video and audio tracks can improve performance
because the system is not required to address all the information in separate
locations on a single drive.
8. Recording to multiple media file
9. Using Record setting.
 General record setting
 Batch record setting
 Edit record setting
 Media file record setting

Preparing for Audio Input:

Targeting separate drives for video and audio tracks can improve performance because the
system is not required to address all the information in separate locations on a single drive. The
steps involved in the Audio Input preparations are,

1. Choosing the Audio File Format

AIFF-C and WAVE audio media files can be mixed within a project. The system default is
OMF® (WAVE) audio.
2. Adjusting Audio Project Settings
You can use the Audio Project Settings dialog box to save the track-to-channel output
mappings. Use the Audio tool to create the mapping between tracks in the Timeline and output
channels.
3. Using the Audio Tool
The Audio tool, along with your hardware’s audio parameters, allows you to do the
following in preparation for input:
• Check and manage your audio hardware setup.
• Check audio levels before recording.
4. Adjusting the Reference Level
The volume unit (VU) scale to the right of the meters is a sliding scale relative to the fixed digital
scale displayed on the left. You can adjust the volume unit scale up or down based upon the
headroom parameters of your playback devices.
5. Adjusting Audio Input Levels
You can use the Audio tool to check the audio input levels. If the input levels are too high or
too low, you need to adjust the output level of your source signal or the input level in the Audio
tool.
6. Creating Tone Media
You can create your own tone media and master clips for editing directly into sequences.
 7. Using the Console Window to Check Audio Levels
Once you have played back audio through the Audio tool, you can use the Console window
to view a list of precise information about the peak levels.

Script integration:

The lined script is traditionally used as a tool for managing scene and take information
during postproduction on a feature film or television production. With the Avid Xpress DV system,
script integration allows you to adapt the lined script to the digital realm for use in any type of
production, from drama to documentary to spot advertising. The following sections describe these
methods:
• Line Script Basics
• Script Window Basics
• Manipulating Script Text
• Searching Through Script
• Linking Clips to the Script
• Interpolating Position
• Manipulating Slates
• Manipulating Takes
• Using Script Marks
• Finding Clips and Script
• Editing with the Script Window

Script integration in the Avid Xpress DV application provides a number of enhancements

to this traditional system. These enhancements allow you to shorten dramatically the distance
between the concepts captured on the page and the source materials used to assemble a finished
program. Unlike the traditional lining of a script, digital script integration is usually performed
after the shoot — by the assistant editor, for example — using the notes of the continuity person.
The following is an example of the script shown in the previous section, prepared and lined using
script integration.

Script integration includes the following enhancement:

Slates: Takes are organized into slates that display a representative frame and clip name for the
take that is currently selected.
Takes:The takes tabs and lines extending from the bottom of each slate indicate the number of
takes for that scene. Click a takes tab to select the take.
Indicator: You can apply off-screen dialog indicators or colors to indicate such things as preferred
takes, takes used in the current active sequence, or line changes in dialog.
Script marks: The double arrows marking the takes at various points represent marked lines of
dialog in the script that have been synchronized to matching dialog in the source clip. Script marks
are especially effective during editing, allowing the editor to quickly locate dialog and piece
together parts of a scene.
The Script window provides additional controls for matching back to clips in the source bins, for
loading and playing back takes, and for searching for takes and script text.
Script Integration Workflow
The basic workflow for script integration is as follows:
1. The continuity person or an assistant creates the lined script in hardcopy form on the set
during shooting.
2. Source footage from the shoot is prepared and recorded by using methods .
3. The assistant editor uses the lined script from the shoot, a text file of the script itself, and
methods described throughout this chapter to import and line the script, to link clips to the script,
to place script marks, and to customize the display of takes prior to editing.
4. The editor uses the fully prepared script window to edit the program.

Using Script Integration in Video Projects

Scripting integration can be an effective tool for editing any type of production, not just
feature film and television drama. For example
• You can adapt many of the procedures described in this chapter for use in audiovisual
scripts for documentaries, corporate spots, news magazine segments, and spot advertisements.
• You can turn script integration into a quick storyboarding tool by positioning selected
slates in the Script window and by printing out storyboard bins that include your script.

The following is an example of an audiovisual script for a news magazine piece, imported
into the Script window, with most of the basic features of script integration applied.
Using the Timeline
The Avid Xpress DV system represents each edit and effect in a graphical Timeline
structure to help you track and manipulate the elements of your sequence. In addition, the Timeline
has its own set of editing tools that you can use to create and revise edits and transitions across
multiple tracks. The audio and video tracks in the Timeline play in the Composer monitor. You
can continually edit your sequence and review your changes in the Composer monitor until you
are pleased with the result. These features are described in the following sections:
• Customizing Timeline Views
• Navigating in the Timeline
• Editing in the Timeline
• Printing the Timeline

1. Customizing Timeline Views

You can customize your Timeline to display a variety of information about your sequence
as well as the clips and transitions it contains. You use the Timeline Fast menu and the Timeline
settings to change the display.
Examples of customizing your Timeline include:
• Visual detail: If you want to display more detailed information about clips with which you are
working, you can enlarge the video tracks to display clip names and durations, and source and
media names.
• Audio detail: If you are doing advanced audio work with multiple tracks or are fine-tuning
difficult audio edits, you can enlarge audio tracks to display waveform plots and audio levels.
• Mapping buttons: You can map buttons to the Timeline top toolbar.

Additional Procedures for Customizing the Timeline

The Avid Xpress DV system allows you to enlarge and reduce the sizes of the Timeline tracks,
and to change the colors of the tracks and background. These procedures include:
• Enlarging and Reducing Tracks
• Changing the Timeline Track Color
You can enlarge or reduce the height of one or more tracks to improve visibility and to
display more information within the tracks. Use this feature to:
• Enlarge all tracks to view waveform plots or other displays in multiple tracks.
• Reduce and view all the tracks in a multilayer sequence, and enlarge them when finished.
Saving a Custom Timeline View
After you customize the Timeline, you can save it and access the view as you switch
between projects and workspaces.
Replacing a Timeline View
If your saved views become extensive and there are views you no longer use, you can
replace them.
2. Navigating in the Timeline
The Timeline provides various controls in the Timeline bottom toolbar for quickly moving
through a sequence and adjusting your view of details displayed in the tracks while editing. You
can use the position indicator, the Timeline scale bar, or the Timeline scroll bar to navigate within
the Timeline. In addition, marked sections of the sequence are highlighted in the Timeline for
visual reference.
3. Editing in the Timeline
 In the Timeline you can:
• Perform segment mode edits.
• Bin edit into the Timeline.
• Set duration for filler at the start of a sequence.
• Perform cut, copy, and paste operations.
• Edit and nest effects.
4. Printing the Timeline
To print the Timeline:
1. Click the Timeline to make it active.
2. Choose Print Timeline from the File menu.
The Print dialog box appears.
3. Select the printing options.
4. Click OK.
The system prints the current view of the Timeline.

Viewing and Marking Footage

In Avid Xpress DV, viewing and marking footage is essential for organizing and refining
your edit. This software, while older, still offers many of the foundational tools found in more
recent Avid software, such as Media Composer. Here's how to view and mark footage in Avid
Xpress DV:

1. Importing and Viewing Footage:

 Capture or Import Footage: First, you’ll need to capture footage from a tape or import
digital files into the project. Footage will then appear as clips in the Bin window.
 Load Clips into the Source Monitor: Double-click on a clip in your bin to load it into the
Source Monitor. The Source Monitor allows you to play, pause, and scrub through the
footage.
 Playback Controls: Use the play, stop, and fast-forward buttons in the Source Monitor to
watch your footage. You can also use the spacebar or J, K, L keys to control playback:
o J = play backward
o K = pause
o L = play forward

2. Marking In and Out Points

 Set In Point (I): Scrub to the point where you want the clip to start and press I on the
keyboard, or click the Mark In button in the Source Monitor. This sets the In Point,
indicating the beginning of your desired segment.
 Set Out Point (O): Move to the end of the segment you want to use and press O on the
keyboard, or click the Mark Out button. This sets the Out Point, marking the end of the
segment.
 Clear In and Out Points: If you need to adjust your marks, you can clear them by right-
clicking in the Source Monitor and choosing Clear Mark In, Clear Mark Out, or Clear
Both Marks. Alternatively, you can use Alt + I and Alt + O to clear them individually.
3. Adding Markers (Locators)

 Use Locators for Specific Notes: While viewing your footage, you may want to add
specific markers (also known as locators) to highlight areas of interest, make notes, or
indicate changes. To do this, press *** (asterisk)** on the numeric keypad or click the
Locator button.
 Customizing Locators: After placing a locator, you can add notes to it by double-clicking
on the locator icon in the timeline. This is useful for communicating specific instructions
to other editors or keeping track of important moments within the clip.
 Viewing Locators: All locators will appear in both the Timeline and Source Monitor
windows. You can jump between them by clicking on each locator or by using the Next
Locator and Previous Locator buttons.

4. Using Subclips

 Creating Subclips: After marking In and Out points, you can create a subclip by dragging
the clip icon from the Source Monitor back into the bin. This will create a new clip based
on the marked segment, making it easier to organize and work with specific parts of your
footage.
 Naming Subclips: Give each subclip a meaningful name to streamline your workflow. For
example, you might name a subclip based on the scene, shot number, or description of the
action.

5. Viewing and Adjusting Marks in the Timeline

 Drag Clips to the Timeline: Once you’ve marked your clips, you can drag them from the
Source Monitor into the Timeline. Avid Xpress DV will automatically insert the marked
portion of the clip.
 Adjusting In and Out Points in the Timeline: After adding a clip to the timeline, you can
refine the In and Out points by dragging the edges of the clip. This is especially useful for
fine-tuning edits once they’re in sequence with other footage.
 Use Trim Mode: To make precise adjustments, you can enter Trim Mode by clicking on
the Trim button or using the U key. This allows you to adjust the In and Out points on the
timeline itself.

6. Basic Playback and Reviewing Footage

 Play Timeline Segments: Use the playback controls in the Timeline window to review
your edits. This is useful for checking continuity and flow after you’ve placed several clips.
 Loop Playback: If you want to review a section repeatedly, you can enable loop playback
by marking an In and Out point on the timeline and pressing the loop playback button.
Other Features:
1. The J-K-L keys:
The J-K-L keys on keyboard allow you to plat, step and shuttle through footage at varying
speeds. This feature, also referred to as three-button or variable-speed play, allows you to use three
fingers to manipulate the speed of playback for greater control.
Shuttling with J-K-L Keys
To shuttle through the footage by using the J-K-L keys on the keyboard:
1. Load a clip into the Source pop-up monitor or a sequence into the Composer monitor.
2. Use the J-K-L keys to shuttle at varying speeds:
Press the L key to move forward through the footage at normal speed. You can increase
the speed according to the following table:
1. Press the L Key To Play Footage at NTSC Rate PAL Rate
2 times 2x normal speed 60 fps 50 fps
3 times 3x normal speed 90 fps 75 fps
4 times 5x normal speed 150 fps 125 fps
5 times 8x normal speed 240 fps 200 fps

2. Press the J key to move backward at the same shuttle speed increments.
Press the K and L keys together for slow forward (8 fps for NTSC, 6 fps for PAL).
Press the K and J keys together for slow backward.
Press the K key and tap the L key or the J key to step through footage one frame at a time.
3. To pause the shuttling:
Press the K key.
4. To stop shuttling:
Press the space bar.

2. Trim Mode:
Basic editing in the Timeline initially produces a rough cut, which can be loosely defined
as a series of straight-cut edits with many rough edges and few effects. After creating a
rough cut, you can enter Trim mode and fine-tune the transitions between each clip or
between whole segments. You can also trim edits as you build a sequence, rather than
create a rough cut first. The following sections describe the
Trim mode procedures:
• Customizing Trim Mode
• Using Basic Trim Procedures
• Slipping or Sliding Clips or Segments
• Creating Overlap Edits
• Maintaining Sync While Trimming

Role of Slate in Video editing:

In video editing, a slate serves as a critical tool for organizing and synchronizing footage.
It's typically a small board or electronic device that displays key information about the shot, and
it plays a crucial role in the post-production process. Here’s a breakdown of the role of a slate in
video editing:
1. Identification and Organization

 Scene, Shot, and Take Information: A slate displays important information such as the
scene number, shot number, and take number. This helps editors and other crew members
quickly identify footage and organize it according to the shooting script.
 Production Information: The slate often includes the name of the production, director,
and director of photography. This is helpful in keeping track of footage, especially when
working on multiple projects.

2. Syncing Audio and Video

 Clapper Sound: In traditional clapper boards, the slate has a clapstick at the top that is
snapped shut at the beginning of each take. This produces a distinct sound that’s captured
by the audio recorder and creates a visual cue in the video. In post-production, the editor
can align the audio spike with the frame where the clapstick closes, ensuring precise
audio-video synchronization.
 Digital Slates and Timecode: Some modern slates include timecode displays, which
provide a digital timestamp. These timecodes can be matched between the audio recorder
and camera footage, further simplifying the syncing process.

3. Logging Metadata

 Notes and Technical Details: Slates can sometimes carry additional information, such as
frame rate, lens type, or special notes from the director or camera operator. This
information is often logged by editors and used for reference, especially when color
grading or applying visual effects.
 Multi-camera Shoots: When shooting with multiple cameras, slates help editors
distinguish footage from different camera angles or viewpoints. Each camera may use a
different slate, color, or marking system, making it easier to organize and edit multi-angle
shots.

4. Facilitating Reshoots and Edits

 Quick Reference for Reshoots: If a scene needs to be reshot, editors can quickly
reference the slate information to ensure consistency with the original shots. This is
particularly useful in cases where the director needs continuity in terms of lighting,
camera angles, or dialogue delivery.
 Streamlining Editing Workflow: In the editing suite, slates provide visual and textual
cues that allow editors to quickly locate specific scenes or takes. This reduces time spent
searching for footage and allows editors to work more efficiently.

5. Improving Communication Between Teams

 Clear Communication Tool: Slates act as a bridge between the production and post-
production teams, ensuring that both are on the same page. By having the essential
 information displayed on the slate, crew members can clearly communicate details about
each shot and pass that on to the editor without confusion.

Backing Up Media Files

The OMFI (Open Media Framework Interchange) Media Files folders on your external
media drives contain the individual media files created when you recorded source
material. Unlike the smaller Avid Projects and Avid User folders, these folders are too
large to back up to floppy disks.
The options for backing up media files include:
 Consolidating or making copies of media files for transfer to another
system
 Archiving larger media files and folders to a dedicated mass-storage system

Short Question:
 What is the purpose of Avid Xpress Pro editing tool?
 Define button mapping.
 Differentiate resolution and video quality.
 Describe the role of slate in video editing.
 Show the working of JKL Keys with respect to playback.
 Mention the displays available in project window of Avid Xpress Pro editing tool.
 Identify the options for backing up media files.
 Find the advantages of Trim mode over rough cut.
 Describe the purpose of Broadband Noise Reduction (BNR).
 What is an .ALE file?

Long Question:
 Discuss in detail about viewing and marking footage in avid xpress dv 4.
 Analyze the importance of Bins display in avid xpress dv 4 and explain working with Bin
in detail.
 Explain about script integration in detail in avid xpress dv 4?
 illustrate the use of timeline in avid xpress dv 4.
 Discuss the following terms with respect to avid xpress dv 4 i) Text view ii)Frame view
iii)Script view iv)Custom bin view.
 Analyze the steps involved to create a new project in Avid Xpress DV 4 video editing tool.
 Compare avid xpress dv 4 video editing software with adobe premiere Pro.
 Demonstrate i) Setting up the record tool ii) Preparing for audio tool.
 Write a detail note on the features and uses of Avid Xpress DV 4 video editing software.
 Analyze the steps involved in avid xpress dv 4 software to edit the video content file.