Anyone know how to...

[unison]

Hi!

I have a G4 733 and I'm working under OSX 10.2.6. I usually download a lot of mpg videos from the web (videoclips, live performances, etc...) and I'd like to convert them to vcd format. But before I do that I'd like to do one simple thing: make a fade-in intro and a fade-out outro on the videos I downloaded, I wont be burning them to vcd before I do this cause it's totally annoying to watch a vcd and have the videos start and end all bumpy. I know, I'm picky!

I'd like to know if there's a way I can do these fades easily. Cleaner does it quite easily but everytime I try to get a mpg into vcd format with cleaner the audio track and the video track go out of synch (after the first minute of playing). Cleaner could be a great tool cause it's very user-friendly, but it has so many problems and its so slow I cant deal with it.

I have Adobe Premiere 6.5 and I know how to do the fades in there but the software doesnt let me import any mpeg clips (do I need a plug-in for that?). Also, is there way I can export the video into mpg vcd format with Premiere?

Would anyone let me know if there's any way I can fade my videos and then convert them to vcd format please? Is it possible at all? Will it loose quality?

Please help!

[Tommyknocker]

I would do it on Video Studio. It makes fades, etc. quite easily, and can save to almost any format. And you can make chapters, menus, and of course, (S)VCDs and DVDs.

[unison]

Video studio? I never heard of it, I will look for it, is that the correct name or is it something like adobe video studio?

I'm more happy now!!!!!

[Tommyknocker]

Sorry, wrong forum!

[unison]

and now im sad again...

[unison]

ok quick update...

just got final cut pro 4 and i can easily fade with that, but i-d like someone to help me export the video has pal vcd mpg... but i dont know how to do it. Is there any tutorial or can anyone briefly explain me how to do it on final cut?

thanks in advance

[unison]

3 days and no one replied...

[WiseWeasel]

FCP can't edit MPEG format video. You'd have to convert it to another format, edit it, and then convert back to MPEG. You will lose quality, it will take forever, and it will be a huge pain in the ass. The effort would not be worth whatever the output will be, especially if it's just for some random videos gotten off the web. I say just make yourself a VCD with the various MPEGs and be happy you can play them on a VCD player, and forget about the transitions and editing, but that's just me. If you really must edit them, see if QT Pro will let you export to DV or MJPEG or somesuch codec, and then you can edit it with FCP or whatever, and then convert to MPG with the Toast VCD QT component if you have that, or preferably ffmpegX, which will give you much better quality. I repeat, though, it's not worth it!

[terryj]

I second wild weasel.
The amount of effort might not be worth it.

Mpeg to ffmpeg
ffmpeg to mpeg-4 (.AVI)(Mmencoder) setting
audio to mp3 192 kpbs, 48ooomhz

encode

resulting .avi file tag .avi if not already

.avi file to disc doctor II to create .mov file

.mov file to Quicktime Pro

export out of QT PRo as DV stream.

import dv stream to iMovie or FCP.

edit, do your fade, export to Toast ready VideoCD

burn in Toast.

best, t.