VIDEOTAPE EDITING PROCESS

Videotape editing is essentially a transfer process in which a playback VCR, containing the recorded segments, transfers its material onto an edit/record VCR that assembles the various segments into a finished form. The editing control unit (ECU) is equipped with highly sophisticated electronic circuitry and allows the operator to control exactly where the old material on the edit/record VCR will end and the new material playing in from the playback VCR will begin.

The precision of the edits depends largely on your reaction time and skill. You must precue both videocassette tapes accurately before the editing begins, since you will control exactly where and when the edit will occur while the two VCRs are rolling.

You will do your editing in what is called an editing cell. Most NBS detachments have two or more editing cells containing the following equipment:

l Playback VCR

l Edit/record VCR

l Television monitor for the playback VCR

l Television monitor for the edit/record VCR

l Audio mixer ECU A typical editing cell is shown in l figure 14-47.

EDITING MODES

On an editing cell, you may make either assemble edits or insert edits. Both are explained in the following text.

Assemble Edits

In the assemble editing mode, the ECU adds control track and program footage (both audio tracks and the video track) to the edit/record VCR at a predetermined in-edit point. The edit/record VCR continues recording the new information and the control track until it is stopped. When you are assemble editing, you are inserting a new control track at each in-edit point and

Figure 14-47. - Videotape editing cell.

ending a control track at each out-edit point.Your video may be unstable (picture tearing or breakup) at the edit points during playback Therefore, you should allow for extra video after your intended stop/out-edit point - otherwise, you will not be able to edit onto the last part of the video. Assemble edits are very convenient because you simply add segments to build the video story or program.

Insert Edits

Insert editing allows you to add or change video or audio separately or together without affecting the control track. As you insert the new material over the existing information, you use the control track already established on the edit/record videocassette to lock the signal into synchronization.

The main drawback of insert editing is that you must lay along enough control track on the tape before you start editing. A one-hour program tape requires you to lay one hour of black or color bars and tone before you start the editing process.

NOTE: After laying the control track in the assemble mode, be sure to switch to the insert mode on the ECU. If you remain in the assemble mode when you make your first video or audio edit, the end of the edit will look like a green flicker on the television monitor. This is caused by a break in the control track There is no way to correct this break without relaying the control track for the entire length of the tape. The best approach for you to take is to stay in either the assemble or insert