Avid Media Composer - PC

Re: How to generate a black video?

grayboy — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:34:07 GMT

I use any title, drop it onto the timeline, then in the effect editor I drop the foreground level down to zero - instant black. Then I might ctrl alt and c to copy it into the source monitor and then I can drop that wherever I want. You can do it with any clip that has an effect where the level can be turned down.

Re: How to generate a black video?

jwrl — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:52:27 GMT

Avid filler in audio won't create problems for QTref, since it isn't referenced. Audio is mixed down and exported as a separate aif or wav file linked to the QTref video. You don't need silent media.

Re: How to generate a black video?

Luxgap — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:05:15 GMT

Depending on your workflow and content. As stated before, Avid filler sometimes creates problems when creating QT references used to make DVD's. I also like to color this black clip in my timeline to easily recognize it (see breaks/segments) . Perhaps, coming from an online background, I like to have finite assets, filler is like vapor.

Re: How to generate a black video?

raspago — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:50:54 GMT

This method (marquee tool/title tool black) is very good if you want video. However, in my experience, I also need audio with my black.

.- What for, if I may ask?

Re: How to generate a black video?

Luxgap — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:32:48 GMT

This method (marquee tool/title tool black) is very good if you want video. However, in my experience, I also need audio with my black. Easiest thing to do is to capture a clip of black from your camera after you shoot with your lens cover on and your audio levels muted. Save this clip as BLACK_FILLER and archive it to a local drive that you can easily retrieve.

Re: How to generate a black video?

drbgaijin — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 01:51:25 GMT

Good point, Andrew.

I ran into that problem at first. It was something like "Cannot find Black x x x x x x" or something, when I tried to open a QT reference file in a 3rd party programme.

I am working with HDV source material... so I had to do a video mixdown before exporting as a QT reference.... that, of course, solved the problem.
But your way is much more useful.

I am glad to see that not only has the original question in this thread been answered, but now we are getting additional tips that are related to it..... and cover a lot of interesting ways of creating black!

Regards,

Douglas

Re: How to generate a black video?

AndrewAction — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 01:34:08 GMT

Larry Rubin:
Another quick easy way to make a black clip is launch the title tool, de-select the "V" in the tool and save as black.

Black created like this or using filler both create problems if you encode your final sequence via a QT reference video.

To avoid this make the black via Larry's method. Edit the black nto a new timeline and export the timeline as a video only QT. Import this QT to your project at your projects resolution. Now you have a valid Avid clip of black that you can use instead of filler.

Re: How to generate a black video?

Larry Rubin — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:54:23 GMT

Greetings, Doug!

Another quick easy way to make a black clip is launch the title tool, de-select the "V" in the tool and save as black.

Re: How to generate a black video?

drbgaijin — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:42:34 GMT

Thank you Kenton and Larry for that clear explanation.

Newcomers, like myself, usually don't have the background in the industry that you have.
I appreciate your patience with us.

Regards,
Douglas

Re: How to generate a black video?

raspago — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:42:34 GMT

.- When I need a black clip (not filler) I make (or duplicate) a Title, "step in" (using the step in command or selecting the title clip in the timeline and double clicking) and delete the "Graphic Fill".

I get a real black cilp I can move and put anywhere I want.

Re: How to generate a black video?

Larry Rubin — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:01:48 GMT

Kenton.VanNatten:

This is because logically if you were to have a strip of film and you wanted to do the same thing (advance exactly 30 frames forward) your Playhead is actually sitting at the beginning of each Frame. You can not cut in the middle of a Film Frame.

And that's exactly how it works on a traditional Steenbeck table. The timeline is in many ways a virtual version of a Steenbeck, right down to the snubbing rollers.

Re: How to generate a black video?

Kenton.VanNatten — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:42:19 GMT

drbgaijin:
when I try to mark an in and out point with 30 frames between... and get 31 instead.

If you zoom all the way in on the timeline you will the CTI/Playhead turn into two lines, the main dark blue and a "ghost" that is exactly one frame offset.

when you mark an In, the In is set on the Playhead position. When you mark an Out it is set to the "ghost" position. But the frames are counted based on the playhead, although total duration is based on the In to Out.

So, if you want to add 30 frames of Filler, Mark an In and punch +29 on the keypad and Mark your Out. When you do... zoom in to see the frame and you will see your Out is set at the ghost mark. Check your duration... you should see the desired 30.

This is because logically if you were to have a strip of film and you wanted to do the same thing (advance exactly 30 frames forward) your Playhead is actually sitting at the beginning of each Frame. You can not cut in the middle of a Film Frame.

Take a roll of paper towels and roll out 30 sheets. Now count the number of perforations between the sheets that would represent the head frames. (Don't count the perf past the 30th "frame" as that would be the head of frame 31)

Re: How to generate a black video?

drbgaijin — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:06:50 GMT

BLKDOG's reply was concise and to the point!

I have just made a "quickie tutorial" to explain a little more about fillers, as they can be a little confusing for newcomers - especially newcomers from "Liquid", as I am.

In the tutorial I mention a strange (to me) behaviour in MC when I try to mark an in and out point with 30 frames between... and get 31 instead. I wonder if anyone could clarify that behaviour as it is important when you need to specify an exact length for the filler.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Regards,

Douglas

Re: How to generate a black video?

BLKDOG — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:09:11 GMT

CLIP>Add filler at start,

How to generate a black video?

cristolin — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:05:09 GMT

I need to add couple seconds' of black at the start of the sequence, how to generate such a black clip?