VideoStudio Pro X5 - library functions

[commit]

Admin note - posts split from 'Wishlist' for general information.

LIBRARY

Please excuse me if this is already offered, but I don't know how to do it...

I would like to be able to view my Library items in a list, rather than icons. I would like to be able to sort my Library items by name, or date taken. This would come in handy in many ways. For instance, if I have previously named my images properly (perhaps with a date format like IMG_2012_06_10), then I would be able to easily import series based on dates or names of files. If the library is smart enough, it might even be able to read the "date taken" property, then I could sort by that and insert into my timeline accordingly. Also, it would be nice to separate the samples that come with VS from my actual content. Perhaps these things are already possible, I don't know. I can't seem to figure it out, so maybe the GUI should offer more friendliness to laying out my libraries?

If there is already a list-view option with the sort feature in X5, please disregard, and send your pointers or links my way.

Respectfully,
Commit

[BrianCee]

Everything you want is already available in X5 Commit.

With your library open look to the very top right corner and you will see three icons - one with three lines - one with four squares and one with A-Z and an arrow. Click on the one with three lines to show a list instead of thumbnails - click on the one with four squares to return to thumbnails. Click on the A-Z one to get options for sorting by name, type or date.

With regard to separating the supplied samples and your work - just use the library manager to create additional libraries and put your content in new libraries - I always start a new library for each project so that items remain separated from other projects.

[commit]

This is wonderful news! Thank you Mr. Cee! I feel so silly not knowing about this sooner. This is going to make it much easier to manage my files, especially since I can create custom libraries to keep my stuff separate from the samples. I look forward to playing around with this and being able to sort by the various columns.

Thanks again!

[commit]

Can you help me set up my libraries? I am having trouble getting there. How do I access the Library Manager?

I feel silly because I can't figure out how to specify folders in my library in Video Studio (any version) even though I have been using the product since 2004 when it was Ulead. It only shows me the main folders. I don't know how to do it. I thought I had bought X4, but really I bought X2, but did try X4 a while back which is why I got confused. I have been experimenting with X5 and I decided that I like the New Blue filters in X5, and a few other things, but I am more into converting old movies for now, so X5 is not necessary. This new version (X5) seems like it takes up a lot more resources compared to X2, but I am not sure why. I know it has other features like HTML5, and better HD stuff, but I think I might stick with my X2. My X2 runs smooth on Vista and Windows 7 64-bit (with the patches), and since I change OS's once and a while, I like to have it more friendly. X5 does not work very well on my Vista where my Nvidia is which is a little frustrating. Once I start taking more footage with my new Panasonic HDC-8900 HD camera, I might invest in a new processor on my PC (I am waiting to hear about 3rd generation i7 Ivy), but for now, I just need to get my tapes on DVD in the best quality possible.

Long story long, do you have a link for a tutorial on how to make custom libraries?

It would really come in handy right about now because I am working on old 8mm reels (not the digital, but the reels) from the years 1949-1973ish. I have several songs I added back in the 1990's when I started, but I really need to figure out the library functions in VS, because it would help so much.

BTW, can I upload a sample of a few seconds of a song? I am trying to figure out what song it is, and I thought about playing "Name That Tune" on here. I have been able to download most of the songs and used Audacity to add the Low Filter effect to give the songs the "old" sound, but there is this one part, and I really don't want to cut it out. It is only a few seconds long.

ALSO, I am so glad I remembered to ask you this:

ASIDE: What is the recommendation for the length and/or size of video clips in a project? For example, I tend to render about 25-30 gigs (2.5 hours in length) per clip at a time. In other words, what I am asking is: Is it better to break up the project into smaller segments, then add them all together at the end?

Respectfully,
Commit

[BrianCee]

OK - note that if you stick with X2 then the library 'list' option is not available there - it has to be thumbnails.

this is the procedure for X2 - note that X4 and X5 are different - and very much easier.

In X2 - first click on 'Tools' and move down the drop down to select 'Library Manager' and slide right into the flyout and select 'Library Organiser' - now to make a new video library make sure 'Video' (there is also an option for "Project Video" if you prefer that main heading) is showing in the top drop down under "available custom folders" - now click on the 'New' button and a library naming panel will open where you can type the name for your new library - click OK then Close and you have a new library.

To access your new library in VideoStudio click on the word Video at the top of the library and a drop down will allow selection of your new library.

Unfortunately in X2 you have to repeat that for each type of library - like sounds and images - by making sure the correct type is showing in the drop down before you select new in the organiser.. You can repeat the procedure many times to make as many libraries as you need.

In X4 and X5 libraries can hold all of the different elements like sound,image video in a combined library - new libraries in X4 and X5 are created simply by clicking the large word "ADD" at the top left of the library panel.

Note that you can move thumbnails between same type libraries and have the same thumbnail in more than one library.

We do not have facilities here for uploading music clips - perhaps you could add the music to any old bit of video and upload it to Vimeo or Youtube and post a link here - I expect one of us old codgers might know it.

I do not know any recommendation about the length of a clip to render - I always render my whole project in one go - I have done 2 hours at one go without problems but I have never gone much over that.

OK - see how you get on with that - please feel free to keep asking if you do not get the result you expected.

[commit]

Thanks Mr. Cee!

I will give it a go once I finish rendering my AVI for this one particular project (atrocious reel-to-reel 8mm from the 1960's era). I copied your text into notepad to make it handy.

I finally found my zone again with X2. I had been spending a lot of time trying out X5, and here it was that everything I really needed was in X2 for now. In my opinion, X2 is actually better! It might be because it has had time to get the patches and updates. However, rendering a 2 hour project that had minimal tasks (a simple conversion) in in X5 took 6 hours, compared to about 5 minutes for a 15 minute, Uncompressed AVI project in X2 with TONS of FX, titles, transitions, etc.. Video Studio X2 wins hands down also because I suppose I am more comfortable with it. It felt really good to get into my zone where I know EXACTLY what I am doing and zooming through a project. I think my heart may have actually skipped a beat because of the excitement! There might be something wrong with the trial for X5 because it insists on re-rendering EVERYTHING every single time. And I am only dealing with AVI and MPEG, not HD.

After you mentioned it the other day, I did take a look to see how easy the Library is sorted in X5. Unfortunately, I had to uninstall the trial. I was very close to a purchase, but it was simply too heavy for my hardware I suppose. It might have been too webified because it always insisted on a pop up at shut down. After I uninstalled VS X5, my computer speed went back to normal. Somehow, VS X5 was using my memory even when I did not have the program open.

Anyway, I will get back to you with my questions. I know I will need your help once I get into figuring out the Library.