Need a video editing software

[wacki]

I have 4 videos that I want to join into one video. I do NOT want to join them end to end. I simply want to make a single video that displays all 4 at the same time. One video will be displayed in each corner. For instance say I have video

1
2
3
4

and you have a monitor here:

--------
|xxxxx|
|xxxxx| <-------------- nice shiny monitor
--------


I want them to look like this:

--------
| 1 2 |
| 3 4 |
--------

While you are watching it. Any recs? The cheaper the better as it's only going to be a one time thing.

 

[tw1164]

if you don't mind scripting, you could use avisynth.

 

[mechBgon]

I think Adobe Premiere Elements 2.0 can do that, I'll give it a quick test when I get to work today and see if I can figure it out.

 

[snidy1]

The new Vegas Movie studeo platinum has 4 video tracks. It's the best video editing software for the money. I've used Pinnacle, Uled, and Adobe.

 

[wacki]

Originally posted by: tw1164
if you don't mind scripting, you could use avisynth.

This looks like it has a ton of promise. It just sucks that the forum doesn't seem to work for me (can't view any of the posts) and the site admin isn't responding. They sure seem like control nazi's in there.

 

[wacki]

Ok, since I'm not allowed to post here:

http://forum.doom9.org/index.php

For 5 days, does anyone else know how to script this?

 

[gsellis]

OK, here is your keyword. You want Picture in Picture. Since that requires 4/8 tracks, you need an advanced editor. There might be free tools (if you use Linux, there is an editor for it that may do it), but expect to spend $300 or more (if you own Studio, you can get the Avid Liquid 7 upgrade for Studio for $299.) Vegas 6 and Premier Pro are around $500+ (Liquid is $500 without the upgrade - do the math on this one, Studio is <$100 at B&M IF the upgrade is still available...) All advanced editors have heavy system requirements (see my Rigs). Other names, Canopus Edius, Avid Xpress Pro, Final Cut Pro (Mac OS X only)... Try Videoguys for the best online prices.

With Liquid, I would import the 4 videos (Divx5, WM9, MPEG-2 with AC3 (stereo - not sure about 5.1), DV-AVI, MP@HL, almost whatever). I would drop each clip on a track (my editor is set to split audio and video on a seperate track). I would go into my effects rack and drag and drop the preconfigured PIP (left upper, left lower, right upper, and right lower) on each of the clips. Now, what to do with the sound? You have 4 different tracks playing. Mute all or some. Import new audio or create a track with SmartSound (I usually export a video segment and gen music in Sonic Fire Pro from SmartSound). Liquid only has a single-pass VBR MPEG encoder. If is a very good one, but I usually export a DV-AVI and encode it with Tsunami as AC3 stereo. That said, Liquid can do 5.1 export, but I have never tried 5.1 import - not sure on the support yet. Then use MediaChance DVD-Lab to create a DVD. It you were really fancy, you could create a submenu with all 4 originals in fullscreen.

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: snidy1
The new Vegas Movie studeo platinum has 4 video tracks. It's the best video editing software for the money. I've used Pinnacle, Uled, and Adobe.

Missed your post. If Vegas Movie does 4 tracks and I think it does PIP, it might cut it. You may need to tweak your import format with a converter, but maybe not. It does DVD export too in simple format. And, it is around $100.

 

[gsellis]

I could have edited, but I had new stuff. Gary at Videoguys posted this link. There now is a trial (you must register - no tech support for using it) of Liquid available from Avid.

Liquid Trial

BUT -

*Limitations of Avid Liquid Trial DVD: Watermark on all exported and rendered video; no SmartSound. There is no support for MP3, MPEG-2 encoding/decoding, Dolby 2-ch / 5-ch encoding and no DVD. ? Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.

Not extremely useful, but if you want to play.

BTW, Liquid uses the GPU to do many render effects. The faster and more memory, the better. Recommended requirement for 1080iHDV editing is a PCI-e 16x video card with 256MB of memory. ATI recommended. And a X1900 screams according to one of the guys who bought one so far.

 

[O Hammer O is my gamertag]

You can get like 30 day trials of most programs, I think.

 

[theLION]

Originally posted by: O Hammer O is my gamertag
You can get like 30 day trials of most programs, I think.

ya if you download sony vegas or sony vegas movie studio you get a 30-day trial period. I think you get all the functionality -- not too sure about that one. The other problem might be to learn how to use it quickly before the trial period is over. So just download it, learn fast, make your video, and then you're done. I would think that'd work but im not sure. I got lazy during the trial period and ended up buying sony vegas 6 and dvd architect to use it. Of course, the difference between you and i is that i'm totally using it more than once.

 

[Drakkon]

Flash
bring in video as movieclips
resize movieclips to fit
Export as avi
encode as you desire

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: Drakkon
Flash
bring in video as movieclips
resize movieclips to fit
Export as avi
encode as you desire

RivaVX might come into play