Testing video software

This is the first step towards the Open Source Post Production Unit.

Mostafa Youssef, Seen Films

Maysara Abdulhaq, Arab Digital Expression Foundation

to join: Mohamed Ammar, Arab Digital Expression Foundation

Overall Goals:

Create multiple options for post production units on Linux-based operating systems and open source packages.

Suggested Workstation Goals:

i) Crow: a laptop based small unit for single independent filmmakers or media activist

ii) Donkey: a single-pc with medium specifications that could work for NGOs and other entities that need a media station without huge studio options.

iii) Elephant: a studio-sized computer with high capabilities and possibilities of connecting to a distributed hard disk and other devices for editing (the autodesk linux distribution (based on Red Hat Linux) is like that but it is not open sourced, we need something like that!)

For Each option provide:

1. Workstation Sheet Containing

2. Hardware Specifications and Requirements

3. Operating System

4. Packages

5. How-Tos (install, set up, organize media, and use softwares)

6. Issues and Solutions

7. Disk Image or Script Download-able of this Workstation OS and Packages.

Test Number 1: Basic Functioning Single Computer Editing Station.

Test Environment 1

Workstation Specs: Ubuntu 10.04 (lucid) x86_64 / Kernel Linux 2.6.32-21-generic / GNOME 2.30.2

Motherboard and Graphics: GigaByte GA-G41MT-S2P[1] (built in Graphics and Audio)

Processors: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz

Hard Disks: SATA 500 GB

Softwares and Packages:

a) Ubuntu Restricted Extras

b) Ubuntu Restricted Addons

c) OpenShot 1.2.2

d) Medibuntu

Testing Goals:

1 - Opening and Importing Media

2 - Basic Editing (Image or Sound / Cut / Dissolve / Fade In-Out)

3 - Exporting

1 - Opening Media

Formats to test:

1. Apple Quicktime Movie (.mov) (*)
2. MPEG2 (*)
3. MPEG4 (*)
4. AVI (*)
5. Ogg
6. 3gp
7. MTS
8. Flash Video (flv) (*)

Codecs to test:

1. DV PAL (Broadcast Standard) (*)
2. MPEG4 Codec (Web)
3. H.264 (Web)
4. Uncompressed 8 bit
5. Uncompressed 10 bit
6. Uncompressed 12 bit (Full High Definition)
7. Sorenson Video
8. Xvid

2 - Basic Editing

Transitions Work fine on single clips. (*)

Transition from clip to clip Must be made across two Video Tracks (As in Cinema Bande A & B)

Fast Forward and Backward shortcuts work like Final Cut Pro (J-K-L)

Issue: Playback is not able to show you cuts well - fixed in v. 1.4

Issue: No Timeline multi-clip select and move

Issue: No "True" clip selection on Timeline, i.e. you don't know if you are selecting a clip unless you're dragging it

Issue: Pause is not exact frame sensitive

Issue: Preview window unclear whether it plays Timeline or Source Media

Issue: No Moving Head Clip Cut shortcut, only shortcut for cutting all clips

Issue: No Shortcut for tool selection or Markers (Arrow-scissors-extender-etc..)

Issue: No Shortcut for Shifting Clip on Timeline

Issue: Snapping not working

Issue: Separating Sound from Image Workaround solution: Extract Empty Audio and Video outside Open Shot, Import them separately, then sync! Suggested Timeline Setting: Track 1: Click on the Sound Logo on the Left to mute Track 2: Click on the Eye Logo on the Left to blind Track 3: Click on the Eye Logo on the Left to blind

This way we have one Video Track and Two Audio tracks.

Main Issues with workaround:

a) The audio is not played in preview if the audio in the first track is muted

b)Another Video Track Must be added for Transitions.

NEXT WEEK:

Testing: PiTiVi, Kino, Kdenlive, Avidemux, VLMC, Lives - outline issues and solutions

Seeing Solutions to OpenShot Issues

WEEK LATER:

Testing Video Editing on Blender

Testing Cinelerra