Editing Divx

[Yansky]

Hi, I was wondering if a DivX Hardware Playback card such as this one http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/5262
would allow me to edit DivX in NLE software such as Premiere 6, MainActor or Ulead Media Studio?

Cheers.

[BJ_M]

no -- you can edit it already without the card -- and having the card will make no diff. really ...certainly no help in editing ...

[Yansky]

no -- you can edit it already without the card -- and having the card will make no diff. really ...certainly no help in editing ...

I just thought it might be more responsive. At the moment, whenever I try to edit divx in any NLE software, it's playback is very jerky and uses 100 % of the CPU. Wouldn't dedicated hardware fix those two problems?

[yoda313]

What kind of editing are you doing? Have you tried freeware like virtualdub? It might be less taxing on your computer. Also video work is cpu intensive. Make sure you're not doing to much in the background while your editing video, that can take resources away from your video editing.

[Yansky]

What kind of editing are you doing?

I'm cutting together a highlight reel of some of my favourite videos.

Have you tried freeware like virtualdub? It might be less taxing on your computer.

I have tried Virtualdub, and it does cope with the the divx a lot better. But if it's possible, I'd like to do all the editing in NLE software such as Premiere or MainActor.

[BJ_M]

no -- you can edit it already without the card -- and having the card will make no diff. really ...certainly no help in editing ...

I just thought it might be more responsive. At the moment, whenever I try to edit divx in any NLE software, it's playback is very jerky and uses 100 % of the CPU. Wouldn't dedicated hardware fix those two problems?

not with that card and file format .... not much of change you would see .....

[edDV]

The processing is necessary because divx is highly compressed and lacks frame identity except for one frame per several seconds. All the frames need to be reconstructed to approximately what existed before compression. The reverse process is far from lossless.

It takes time to compress MPeg4 and it takes time to attempt decompression to the frame level. If you only want 30sec or so time resolution for your edits, it would be possible to cut at the rare full frame without full decompression.

[Yansky]

Thanks for the resonses so far guys. Just a few more questions.

Would getting a faster CPU help me that much? I was reading that Avid Liquid 7 supports multiple video formats in the timeline, including DivX. How is it able to do this? Is it just a matter of having a more powerful system?

If I did convert the DivX to DV and then back to DivX, how degraded would it look. Would it still be watchable?

[edDV]

I have tried Virtualdub, and it does cope with the the divx a lot better. But if it's possible, I'd like to do all the editing in NLE software such as Premiere or MainActor.

Those programs are intended for people making video from scratch, not "repurposing"* the most highly compressed versions of somebody elses work. Premiere or MainActor work best with clean first generation video (e.g. from camcorder or at least direct capture).

*those managing collections (is that PC enough?)

[edDV]

Thanks for the resonses so far guys. Just a few more questions.

Would getting a faster CPU help me that much? I was reading that Avid Liquid 7 supports multiple video formats in the timeline, including DivX. How is it able to do this? Is it just a matter of having a more powerful system?

If I did convert the DivX to DV and then back to DivX, how degraded would it look. Would it still be watchable?

It sounds like you don't manufacture your own video but are in that repurposing category but have a high budget. Avid Liquid (Pinnacle aquisition (before that a Pinnacle acquisition from FAST of Germany...)) is intended for creating original video. You get no value add for divx decompression. Some of the best experts for that live at Doom9 but you need to go through a geek initiation. If your budget is sufficient you could hire one of their geeks.

[Yansky]

Those programs are intended for people making video from scratch, not "repurposing"* the most highly compressed versions of somebody elses work. Premiere or MainActor work best with clean first generation video (e.g. from camcorder or at least direct capture).

*those managing collections (is that PC enough?)

Y'know I never really thought of it that way. I guess it makes sense then that DivX doesn't work so well in NLE software.

I guess I'll just use VirtualDub.

Some of the best experts for that live at Doom9 but you need to go through a geek initiation.

The Doom9 forums don't seem as active as videohelp. That's why I signed up here instead.

[edDV]

The NLE programs are gold for those acquiring video from today's affordable camcorders and audio equipment (Digital8, MiniDV, HDV and up). Combine those with a basic NLE (Premiere Elements, Vegas Movie Studio, ULead Video Studio, MainActor, or better...) and you can out perform million$ systems of the mid 90's.

That is what that it is all about. Make your own expression and compete with the big guys.

The big guys have responded by buying up the distribution channels and hiring both political parties (here in the USA) to help limit competition. You can join the fight or you can copy their work.