Cutting out parts of AVI

[NotSoEasy]

Im looking for a proper way of cutting out parts of a video clip.Basically getting a movie trailer as the end result.I assume it is just cutting with Vdub but never did it before.Is there a guide? What is the proper way to have a smooth transformation between scenes.
Does there happen to be a program made just for this to select areas in a video and remove them keeping the scenes you want?
Doing the same for DVD files would also be nice if possible.

[jagabo]

If you can live with cutting only on keyframes put VirtualDub into Direct Stream Copy mode for both video and audio.

If you only want to keep one section use the Mark-in tool to mark the start and the Mark-out tool to mark the end. Then save as AVI.

If you want to cut out several segments use Mark-in and Mark-out tools to mark what you want to cut, then press the Delete key, or select Edit -> Delete Selection. When you've cut out everything you want, save as avi.

In Direct Stream Copy mode, any section want to keep must start on a keyframe. That's no problem if your AVI is DV, every frame is a keyframe. If it's Divx or some other highly compressed format there may be keyframes only every 300 frames or so. If you need frame accurate editing you have to use Fast Recompress or Full Processing mode on the video, and recompress.

You don't get smooth transitions with VirutaulDub. If you want transition effects you need to use a full featured editing program like Sony Vegas, Ulead Video Studio, etc.

For MPEG files there are frame accurate editors that are smart enough to only reencode the cut GOPs. The rest of the video is simply copied from input to output. Womble MPEG Video Wizard for example.

[nightcat]

As you say, you want to edit the video clip and add some smooth transitions between scenes. I think the Wombel MPEG Video Wizard is suit for you.

I have used MPEG Video Wizard for a long time. It's so useful for me. I think you should try to use it and you will like it.