So you want to be an A/V nerd, but you say you don't know how?...

Here's a step by step guide to the most basic form of home video editing

What I'm about to show you is the most basic form of home video editing. It requires no special equipment. One thing to remember when using a system this crude (which, unless you have a lot of money, you're stuck with for a while) is that you can't be very accurate. Don't be frustrated if you try to time a point in the song to a point in your video and it doesn't work. It's not supposed to. Remember, this is a training ground. This is just to get you started. With that in mind, HAVE FUN!

Necessary Materials:

• 2 blank tapes (or tapes with enough workspace on them)
• Source tapes (What you're editing together. If you're editing through a camcorder, these tapes must have been recorded in SP (standard play). Home videos are naturally in SP.The only exception to this is a home video made in the pre-camcorder era when the camera was hooked to the VCR and the actual recording took place in the VCR. Those can be in SP or LP, so look first.)
• 1 or 2 patch cords (Patch cords are not usually called "patch cords" in the store. Often times they are called something to the effect of "Audio/Video cables". If you're in the store and you get confused, just tell the salesperson you need some cords for hooking up a VCR to another VCR, they should be able to figure out what you need by that (If not, you need to find a new electronics store). The number of cords that you need depends on your situation. If you're editing with a camcorder, you'll only need one set. If you're editing with a second VCR, you can either have one set, which will put your video in mono, or two sets, which will allow your video to be in stereo. It's probably a good idea to have two sets anyway, just to allow more flexibility in equipment placement.)
• (If editing with a camcorder)The adapter that came with your camcorder that allows it to be hooked up to the VCR (Without this, you cannot hook your camcorder to your VCR. If you're unsure what yours looks like (HINT: One of the ends will look like patch cords, refer to your camcorder's users manual. The users manual will also instruct you on how to put your adapter in your camera.)
• A VCR (Excuse me for a moment. DUH! There, I feel better.)
• A camcorder or second VCR

Necessary if putting music to your video in the form of a montage:

• A music player with audio output jacks (If you see two round holes in the back of your music player that look like your patch cords might fit into them, then your music player has output jacks. Some lower-range stereo models also have plug-in stereo jacks. These can be used also, provided that your patch cords will fit into them.)
• Your audio source tape (It's always good to know what music you're going to use and how long that particular song is before you start so that you know how long to make your montage.)

  ---

  Instructions:

  1. IF USING A CAMCORDER: Plug one end of your camcorder adapter into the back of your camera, put the other end in the back of your VCR. One part will go in the "video in" jack, the other part will go in the "audio in" jack.

     IF USING A SECOND VCR AND ONE SET OF PATCH CORDS: Take one end of your patch cords. Put the first part in the "audio out" section of your playback VCR (if you have a mono VCR, there will only be one "audio out" jack, if you have a stereo VCR, put it in the left [L] jack) and the other part in the "video out" jack. Take the other end. Put the first part in the "audio in" jack of your recording VCR and the other part in the "video in" jack.

     IF USING A SECOND VCR AND TWO SETS OF PATCH CORDS: Take one end of your first set of patch cords. Put it in the "audio out" section of your playback VCR. (There will be two jacks if the VCR is stereo. If the VCR is mono, then just forget using two patch cords and see the above instructions)Put the other end in the "audio in" jacks of your recording VCR. Take the other set of patch cords. Put one part of one end in the "video out" jack of your playback VCR and the other end in the "video in" jack of the recording VCR.

  2. Put your source tape in the playback VCR and record what you desire on the recording VCR. Continue like this until you've finished.

  3. IF MAKING A MONTAGE: Take your completed compilation of clips and take them from your recording VCR to your playback VCR. Put another tape in your recording VCR.

  4. Take your patch cords out of the "audio out" jacks of your playback VCR and put them in the back of your music player.

  5. Play your music in your music player and your compilation of clips in your playback VCR simultaneously as you record on your recording VCR. Then, you should have a completed montage.

  ---

  
  Once you have mastered this, you may get editing fever. All of a sudden, your basic camcorder/VCR editing isn't enough. If you get to the point where you feel the need to get some new equipment, I'd suggest you figure out exactly what you want and then price it. Also, make sure if you're going to get an edit controller that it is compatible with your camcorder (if you use that as opposed to a second VCR). Here are some sites that might help you out:

  Links to other sites on the Web

  Sima Corporation
  Videonics
  
  

  I hope this was able to give you some information on how to become a bonafide A/V nerd

  
  

  By the way, montages make great school projects.
  If you want to know something, I'm not guaranteeing I'll know the answer, but you can e-mail me anyway. Happy Editing!

  ---

  You are graduate number of the A/V Nerd's Training Ground since 11/25/97

  ---

  ---

  

  ---

  The homepage|Lori's friends|Cast your vote for the 1st annual Lolo Awards|80's TV|The Golden Days of E!|Brian, Bryan, and sometimes Brain|Lori's WebSheet|Sign Guestbook|View Guestbook

  ---

  This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page

  ---

  © 1997 Lori King