Newbie: Video clip start time

[Killer133]

Hi

How can I get a video clip to start after two seconds, rather than straight away? I suppose what I'm asking is does the first video clip on a video track have to start at 00:00:00 ? Or can I move it along to start at, for example, 00:02:00?

TIA

Steve

[BrianCee]

Hi and Welcome

Yes by default all clips in the top video track slide left and fill any gaps so that the first video clip will butt up to 0:00 - - - BUT - you do not have to allow that in your project - one very easy way is to only use the overlay tracks - do not use the top track at all you can have gaps in the overlays - - but again - that may cause problems with other editing procedures which require your videos in the top track to function correctly

SO - - - best option that I use is to just put a small color block (usually black) in the top track ahead of your videos and set it to 2 secs (or whatever) duration - you can find color blocks by first clicking on the flower icon down the right side of the preview window - then when the panel opens click on the little drop down at the top to change it from 'color pattern' to 'color' then drag the black one down into the timeline - if you already have videos in the timeline they will automatically move right as you reach the start of your video to make room - then Right click on the block - choose "change color duration" and set your required duration - note that the figures in the clock are Hours:minutes:seconds:frames

[Killer133]

Hi Brian

thank you for the quick and full reply. And for treating my question respectfully . . . I kinda wondered if it was a bit of a dumb idea and couldn't come up with a really good reason for wanting to have a clip start at anywhere other than "the start" but I knew I'd be frustrated unless I knew whether it was possible or not )

Thanks again!

Steve

[BrianCee]

It is used quite often - especially on commercial DVD's when I find some of them annoyingly long - give your audience time to settle down after pressing 'play' before your masterpiece launches

[RobertOZ]

Sony Movie Studio does allow you to place your video at any position on the timeline, without snapping to the left, can see some possibilities with that ability in situations where you want an overlay track to take precedence without the need to place a colour board in the main track
But as Brian has stated above that is easily overcome by using overlay tracks only