Here is a subtle way of creating a looping video to be used as a backdrop for a DVD Menu.
The idea is to prevent any abrupt change when the video reaches the end and
then restarts at the beginning.
I will use Video Studio 9 in this tutorial but you can do the same with any video
editor such as Media Studio.
Step 1: Take a 21 second clip from your main video
Drag your video to the time line and select Multi Trim Video
Change the quick search interval to 21
Find a place in your main video you would like to form the start of the loop and
then press the start button
Now press the forward arrow on the quick search interval
Then press the End button
Now complete this part of the process with the OK button
You now have on the time line a section of video exactly 21 seconds long.
Now split the audio from the video
Press the delete key to remove the audio but leaving the video in place.
Click the time line somewhere in the middle of the video, (it does not matter where)
and then use the scissors cut the video into two parts.
Switch to Storyboard view then drag the right hand thumbnail over to the left.
Select Transition FX
Then drag the Cross fade Transition between the two clips
Set the transition length to 1 second
Select the Audio Tab
Then press the Home key
Now select the Auto Music tab
Choose something appropriate for your video and ensure the Auto Trim option is
selected then add to time line.
Now check how it looks so far ?ensure that you have selected project and also Repeat.
Let it play a few times. You will notice that the fade is in the middle of the music
somewhere so you have formed a natural looking loop.
If you use this as a DVD Menu backdrop it will be too overwhelming instead it needs to
be in the background. To achieve this select color from the drop down list
now drag a colour clip to the start of the overlay track
Alter the duration of the color clip to 20
Right click the colour object and select fit to screen.
Select Mask and Chroma Key
Alter the Transparency to something like 40
Now play the video and if necessary adjust the level of transparency.
All that remains now is to render your completed video.
Steve Jones
18 February 2006.