Please tell me how I clip with VirtualDub and/or TMPGenc

[joeAgain------]

I want to shorten a video file, and want to remove other portions and then splice the pieces together with as little distortion as possible.

How do I do that with VirtualDub and/or TMPGenc?

Or is there another free video editing program that will do those things?

thanks

[neomaine]

this is the thrid friggin post I've seen on this today, does anyone read or search previous posts!!!

here it is for your lazy ass.....sorry, just got in a bad mood.

you may have to change settings based on your particular needs, but the basics are right there.

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bob12345,

If you have TMPGenc you already have what you need. I literally use it everyday to cut out the commercials of my ATI captures.

Go to FILE-> MPGEG TOOLS-> CUT/MERGE. If your capturing as an VCD compliant MPEG (cbr/1150k/224audio), be sure to choose MPEG1-Video CD in the drop down box.

Then, ADD your mpg file, EDIT it by using '[' and ']' to choose your beginning and ending segment. Do the same thing for each segment around your commercials. When done, click on RUN and a couple of minutes later you have your VCD compliant capture sans commercials.
_________________
Have a good one,

neomaine

[joeAgain------]

Neomaine,

Sorry, but if I knew as much as you do, I wouldn't be asking the question.

I've tried a search and only found my posted questions, and some posts that don't answer my question. Give me some links to those answers, Ok?

And I tried your file/edit suggestions. But am a newbie, and don't know how to do it. What do you mean by '[' and ']' (???)

Please be slightly more detailed, please. Or link me to posts who are for a new-guy like me, Please

[TheInformer]

joeAgain:
Editing of the type you're looking for is fairly simple in VirtualDub.

1. Load up the video file in VDub.
2. Set all codecs, resolutions, etc need to be set.
3. Underneath the preview window, you will see a sliding bar. Click and drag it a little to 'activate' it. Now your directional keys will work properly.
4. Use the arrows + PageUp/PageDown keys to go to the start of where you want to delete a section of the video.
5. Press the HOME key. This marks the start of the segment.
6. Now use the directional keys to move to the end of where you want to delete.
7. Press the END key. This marks the end of the segment.
8. Press DELETE and the segement is gone. VDub automatically moves the section after this to where the deleted section started, so there are no gaps!
9. Make the other edits and then save.

[joeAgain------]

Informer,

Thank you for the detailed instructions, but what did you mean by arrows+page/up keys? I think I figured it out using the little symbols under the scroll bar.

Please tell me something that has bothered me for a good while. No matter what settings I use(even 0 quality), I always end up with a video file larger(sometimes Much!) than I started with.

How do I keep the edited file from being larger???

thanks

[TheInformer]

but what did you mean by arrows+page/up keys? I think I figured it out using the little symbols under the scroll bar.

I mean, use the arrow keys (up, down, left, right) and the Page Up or Page Down keys to move forward and backward in the video file. After you click on the scroll bar, try pressing the keys and watch what happens

As for the edited file's size, you'll have to choose a compression codec.

[joeAgain------]

of all the ones listed only 3 say they have "no known issues". I want one with "no issues", Right?

Which of all those choices("issues", or not) is the best to keep the quality good, but reduce the size of end product?

Could you explain those a little please?

[fonoop]

No problem, I do this all the time in Virtual Dub. Use the instuctions that TheInformer gave your for editing the video and then to save it as the original format without re-compressing it go to "Video" and then "Direct Stream Copy" in Virtual Dub. And then it should save it in the same format as you started out with. Hope this helps.

[joeAgain------]

Ok, but sometimes I want to email a clip to a friend and need to reduce it's "size" for the email to accept it.

Which of those codecs will reduce a file's size without losing too much image clarity?

thanks

[tomreedtoon]

Neomaine, earlier in this thread you said:
<this is the thrid friggin post I've seen on this today, does anyone read or search previous posts!!!>

The real problem lies in the fact that no one has written down these in the "how to's" in a clear, concise fashion. Part of the problem is that the programs TMPgenc and VirtualDub have no real documentation.

I'm not criticizing the program authors for not writing it; many program writers, especially hobbyists, can't write instructions well. (That's why companies hire tech writers.) But someone here who can write, and can jump temporarily into the shoes of a novice, ought to review all the "how to" guides and edit them for clarity.

(If I can ever get my own system to work halfway well, I may help out in this task. I know how hard it is to get someone to "bell the cat.")