Split By Scene Does'nt Split

[rckowal]

In VideoStudio 11.5, I am trying to use the "DV Recording Time Scan" option on a 98 minute AVI video that was previously captured onto HDD. In V.S., I begin by loading the video from HDD into the "Edit" step. Then I click "Split by Scene" in options - then select "DV Recording Time Scan"

As I understand it, this is supposed to detect scenes, then automatically break them down into individual clips by their shooting date & time - but this isn't working. All that's happening is the scanner runs for the duration of the video but only one scene appears. There are no split scene clips what so ever.

However, if I use the "Frame Content" option - it works as intended but presents an astounding number of 10 - 30 second clips. Far too many to deal with for my needs. I would prefer to work with 5 to minute clips.

What's wrong here? Am I missing some thing?

[Ken Berry]

A first, basic question: can you confirm that the AVI you refer to is in fact DV/AVI captured from a mini DV camera via Firewire? If it is some other format of AVI, then DV Recording Time Scan of course won't work with as it is not DV.

Next, if *is* DV/AVI, there could be a slight misconception over what 'DV Recording Time Scan' means. Someone may correct me, but my assumption has always been that it depends on the Recording Time code on the mini DV tape. So if you have filmed your video over one particular time frame, you will only get one captured scene using the Time Scan option.

I also seem to recall that DV Recording Time Scan only works when actually capturing the video from the camera. In this case, the video is already captured and on your hard drive. At that stage, I thought the only option was Split-by-Scene... But again, I'm happy to be corrected...

I have to add that I have never used Time Scan. I personally much prefer to have oodles of short individual clips produced by Split-by-Scene!

[rckowal]

A first, basic question: can you confirm that the AVI you refer to is in fact DV/AVI captured from a mini DV camera via Firewire? If it is some other format of AVI, then DV Recording Time Scan of course won't work with as it is not DV.

Next, if *is* DV/AVI, there could be a slight misconception over what 'DV Recording Time Scan' means. Someone may correct me, but my assumption has always been that it depends on the Recording Time code on the mini DV tape. So if you have filmed your video over one particular time frame, you will only get one captured scene using the Time Scan option.

I also seem to recall that DV Recording Time Scan only works when actually capturing the video from the camera. In this case, the video is already captured and on your hard drive. At that stage, I thought the only option was Split-by-Scene... But again, I'm happy to be corrected...

I have to add that I have never used Time Scan. I personally much prefer to have oodles of short individual clips produced by Split-by-Scene!

Thanks for replying Ken,

First of all, yes I am sure that the video file is DV/AVI captured from a mini DV camcorder via Firewire.

This comment just triggered a thought in my mind. "So if you have filmed your video over one particular time frame, you will only get one captured scene using the Time Scan option." This video was originally shot using a High 8, then passed through non-stop from start to end onto the mini DV camcorders tape. Then from the mini DV tape, I captured to V.S.

So, if I'm thinking correctly, this may mean that V.S. thinks the video was shot over one time frame on one date.

In this case, I wonder if Split-By-Scene will work if I use the DV Quick Scan & Capture Wizard? I think I'll try that to see what happens.

[Ken Berry]

Yes, I am sure VS would have thought exactly that... But let us know what happens...

[rckowal]

Yes, I am sure VS would have thought exactly that... But let us know what happens...

The problem with DV-To-DVD Wizard is that although it scans scenes, the scans are sent to Burn.

Maybe some one can suggest a work flow that will allow me to capture from camcorder (or load from HDD) & split the video file into 5 to 10 minute clips. Then I want to be able to extract small (less than one minte) segments from those larger clips. My objective is to create a 5 to 10 minute movie by putting together a number of small bits from the 90 minute master.

[Ron P.]

Since you're transferring using firewire to DV, try using WinDV. On that webpage scroll down to the Screenshot, which is interactive, and mouse-over it for descriptions.

Ken and I both have used it.

[Ken Berry]

... Moreover, who suggested 'DV-To-DVD Wizard '??? It is, as its name implies, designed to go from DV to ... DVD...

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

You can perform split by scene after capture.
This will split the clip into virtual clips, as though you have used the scissors.
The main captured file on the hard drive remaining intact.

How
Right click the video in the timeline and select Split by Scene

Choose Frame Content as the scan method.

Although I have used this method I have not had the problem of the continuous time code,
so the normal time scan always worked.

[rckowal]

... Moreover, who suggested 'DV-To-DVD Wizard '??? It is, as its name implies, designed to go from DV to ... DVD...

I realize that Ken but here is a copy/paste right from VideoStudios User Guide dated March 2007 (PDF).

DV Quick Scan
Use this option to scan a DV device for scenes to import. To use DV Quick Scan,
refer to the first step in the DV-to-DVD Wizard section.
In DV Quick Scan, you can add the date and time of your video. After scanning
your DV tape, click Next. This will then display the Capture to Timeline Settings
dialog box. Select Insert to Timeline and choose Add video date information
as title. If you want the shooting date to appear in the entire duration of the
video, select Entire video or only during a specified time.

If I follow this process, VS starts to do what's expected but then hangs during the loading of the quick scan to the Timeline.

[rckowal]

Since you're transferring using firewire to DV, try using WinDV. On that webpage scroll down to the Screenshot, which is interactive, and mouse-over it for descriptions.

Ken and I both have used it.

Ron, Maybe I'm missing some thing but I fail to see how WinDV can do anything different than VS. Ken, what do you think?

[Ron P.]

Did I say it could do something different? You seem to be having problems with VS' split by scene during capture. I was merely suggesting an alternative.

As was stated previously, if you captured your video in one step, to your digital camcorder, then used that to transfer it to your PC, VS will only have 1-time stamp, thus only one scene if using time as the basis to split. VS should be able to split your clip by Frame Content. This is different than the date & time. This however has to be done after the video has been captured/transferred to your PC.

[rckowal]

Ron,

Now we're on the same page. I already knew "Frame Content" split works OK but I was trying to get much larger clips.

Regardless, I found a way to get custom segments of capture by using "Scene Detection" manually from a single time stamp. You just start the scan> let it capture the amount of time you want> click "Stop scanning". To get more segments, just re-start the scan from "Current position", capture, etc. as above. Doing so, I was able to chop up 90 minutes of video into five - 10 minute segments. Of course, you could use a different time increment to get smaller or larger segments as well.

I'm all set to move on to editing steps now.