Cinelerra for Grandma
Basic HOWTOs for very beginners
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Pre-requisites
 
Installation
Compilation
 
Cinelerra in 30'
 
Preparing media
Adjusting settings
 
Loading media
First editing
Second editing
Titles
Transitions
Effects
Compositing
Colour correction
Rendering
 
Making animations
Making a DVD
Subtitles
Anamorphic video
Proxy editing
Multicam
 
Troubleshooting
Glossary
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Table of Contents

Introduction

DVD structures

You’ll encounter mainly two kinds of DVD: DVD-Data and DVD-Video.
They use the same kind of optical disk but their content is quite different, especially in the organization of the files.

DVD-Data

it can store any file. No specific structure is required. It is readable by computers. Sometimes it is called DVD-ROM.

DVD-Video

it contains video stored with a specific standard structure, that appears as a set of two folders: AUDIO_TS and VIDEO_TS. It can be PAL or NTSC. A DVD-Video can be read by standalone DVD players or computers with a MPEG2 decoder installed.

DVD-Video/Data

it is a combination of the two. On the same phisical disk more files are stored outside the AUDIO_TS and VIDEO_TS, usually for extras content and documentation on the main video. The DVD-Video part is accessible from a standalone player or a computer with a MPEG2 decoder installed. The DVD-Data part is accessible only from a computer.

DVD file formats

DVD-video files are a special kind of MPEG2-PS format, called VOB (Video OBject). Unlike text or image files, multimedia formats are container formats. That means they are just like boxes containing several streams, encoded in various codecs.

Our VOB files usually contains:

  • a video stream encoded in MPEG2

  • a main audio stream encoded in AC3

  • ausiliary audio streams, with dialogs dubbed in other languages

  • several subtitle streams, with dialogs in many languages

During playback the player must manage the streams and playback the audio stream and/or the subtitle stream chosen by the user (using the remote control buttons or the DVD graphical menu). More than one subtitle stream can be played back at the same time (e.g. close captioning and translation of occasional foreign terms).

DVD wokflow

To make a DVD-Video you have to pay a lot of attention and follow a precise recipe. The process of making a DVD-Video can be divided into many steps:

  1. Adding hard coded subtitles to your video (optional)

  2. Rendering your Cinelerra project into VOB-like format

  3. Creating subtitle files (optional)

  4. Preparing the menu (optional)

  5. Authoring your DVD (building the DVD-Video structure)

  6. Creating an ISO image of your DVD-Video structure (optional)

  7. Checking the DVD-Video structure or the ISO image (optional but recommended)

  8. Burning the DVD-Video structure or the ISO image on a DVD disk.

Cinelerra can’t render your project directly into VOB-like format. See the Rendering section for that.
For making a DVD-Video out of VOB-like files (steps 2 to 6) you can use programs like ManDVD or dvdauthor

DVD disks

DVD disks come in many formats. The most common are DVD+R and DVD-R. Both are good. DVD+R are not playable on very old players but they get less writing errors.
You can also use rewritable DVDs (DVD-RW).

How to make a DVD-Video structure - multiple titles, single menu

I recommend you use the program DeVeDe. You can install it using Synaptic.
  1. Launch the program from the menu Applications → Sound & Video.

  2. Choose the Video DVD option from the ones listed in the opening dialog.

You can now buld your DVD structure, adding your titles and connecting each of them to one or several video files.

Titles

A title is the unit of video in your DVD structure. It has its own menu entry and can be split into chapters. The division into chapters doesn’t affect playback. It affects only the navigation with the remote control (or with the application menu if played back by a computer).

Titles properties (name and behaviour) can be adjusted with the Properties button under the Titles column. For every title you must add one or several video files. DeVeDe will accept various formats and will take care of transcoding to proper DVD-compliant MPEG files. Allow DeVeDe a lot of time for transcoding (depending on the size of the files, it can take an hour).

You can add more than one video file to the Files column. Files will be played one after the other, as chapters of the same title. Your little granddaughter won’t notice they are separate files untill she uses the navigation buttons to skip to the next chapter of the title.

Menu

The most common menu is a screen image that lists the titles as buttons so your little granddaughter can choose which title to playback.
A basic menu will be built automatically by DeVeDe, listing all your titles.

Click on the Preview menu button in the main window to enjoy the ugly default menu layout.
You can improve it adding your own background image (.png only), changing the positions of the title buttons or adding a non-button main title for the menu. To enter the dialog for the menu settings click on the Menu options button in the main window.

Structure

To create your DVD Structure:

  1. Expand the main window to the Advanced Options at the bottom.

  2. Select Create disk structure from the available actions.

  3. Press Forward

  4. Enter the name of the folder to be created. It will contain your DVD Stucture. Don’t use names of existing folders: they will be overwritten.

  5. Press OK to start the creation of the DVD structure. Expect a long time for file format conversion.

Note DeVeDe can also create an ISO for you. It is the default action set among the Advanced Options. To know more about ISO files, see section How to make an ISO image out of a DVD-Video structure in this page.
Note If you are not satisfied with the image quality of the video, try adding to your project only properly rendered DVD-compliant MPEG files so to skip the transcoding step performed by DeVeDe (see the Rendering section).
Remember to notify DeVeDe about that by checking the appropriate box for every singe file. You can find it in the File Properties dialog you use for adding files. Expand the dialog by clicking on the Advanced Options. Go to the Misc tab and select This file is already a DVD/xCD-suitable MPEG-PS file. Creating the DVD with no transcoding is a matter of a couple of minutes.
Note Don’t fill the DVD close to its limits. DeVeDe might complain with strange errors if you use more than 80% of the disk capacity.

How to make a DVD-Video structure - single title, no menu

This is the kind of DVD-Video you are supposed to send to Short Film Festivals. They have to be essential and reliable. The video file must be played as soon as the DVD is inserted in the player.

Using the Graphical User Interface - DeVeDe

Follow the instructions above for making your video structure with DeVeDe. To prevent the application from building a Menu, just disable the Create a menu with the titles option in the main panel.

If your target is a Film festival, you should try to get the best image quality possible following the tips of Note 2.

Using the Command Line - dvdauthor

I assume you have a DVD-compliant MPEG file ready. If not, see the Rendering section.

I recommend you use dvdauthor, a command line program.
Install dvdauthor with the following terminal command:

sudo apt-get install dvdauthor

dvdauthor uses text files to describe the DVD structure. Let’s start talking to the program!

In our example we have:
a folder called DVD, containing
a video file called video.mpg. (full path is /home/grandma/DVD/video.mpg)
Adapt this example to your case replacing filenames and paths with the ones right for your project.

Now open a new file in a text editor with the following terminal command:

gedit

Copy and paste the following description:

  <dvdauthor dest="/home/grandma/DVD">
    <vmgm />
    <titleset>
        <titles>
            <pgc>
                <vob
                file="/home/grandma/DVD/video.mpg" />
              </pgc>
        </titles>
    </titleset>
</dvdauthor>

This is a simple XML file with information about the location of the DVD structure that is going to be created and the location of the source file.

Save this text file in the DVD folder, with .xml extension. (e.g.: /home/grandma/DVD/video.xml)

Now we are ready for authoring.

Change the working directory to DVD with the following terminal command:

cd DVD

Tell dvdauthor to build the structure using the information stored in the just created XML file using the command:

dvdauthor -x video.xml

dvdauthor will create the DVD-Video structure, consisting in a set of two folders: AUDIO_TS and VIDEO_TS.

For variants of this structure, see the dvdauthor documentation

How to create a mixed DVD-Video/Data disk

It is possible to add some extra-content to your DVD-video disk, like images, text or hypertext documents. Your standalone DVD player will read only the DVD-Video but your computer will be able to access all the other documents (Data) on the disk.
This kind of disk is particularly useful if you are entering a a Film Festival and you are requested to send a lot of documentation along with your video.

To create the DVD-Video/Data disk first prepare your DVD-Video structure as usual. Do not create an ISO image.

You’ll end up with a folder containing AUDIO_TS and VIDEO_TS folders. Copy and paste your extra files inside the container folder. Your DVD folder will look like this:

HowtoImages/dvdVideoData.png

If your disk is going to be read by other computers you have to take extra care on compatibility with different operating systems. I recommend you burn your DVD-Video structure using the command line because you have the full control over the compatibility options.

How to preview your DVD-Video structure

Before burning it on a DVD disk I recommend you preview your DVD-Video structure, you check all the buttons and all the video.

Using the Graphical User Interface - VLC

Install VLC using Synaptic Package Manager.
Open VLC from Applications → Sound & Video.
Go to File - > Open Directory.
Browse your filesystem and select the VIDEO_TS folder of your DVD.
Click on Open.
Alternatively you can right-click on the VIDEO_TS folder, select Open with in the popup menu and click on VLC.
Use your mouse or the Navigation menu of VLC to control the playback.
Always stop the playback before closing the program.

Using the Command Line - xine

Install Xine with the following command:

sudo apt-get install xine-ui

Enter the directory that contains the DVD with (replace DVDdir with the path to the folder of your DVD-Video structure):

cd DVDdir

Preview the DVD with the command:

xine dvd:`pwd`

How to burn the DVD-Video structure on a DVD disk

Using the Graphical User Interface - K3b

  1. Install K3b using Synaptic Package Manager.

  2. Open K3b from Applications → Sound & Video.

  3. Insert a blank DVD-R or DVD+R disk in your driver.

  4. Click on the New Video DVD Project square blue button at the bottom of the welcome window. (Note: by default in KDE applications you select with a single mouse click)

  5. Use the dialog for browsing through your folders.

  6. Drag the AUDIO_TS and VIDEO_TS folders to burn and drop them on the right panel of the Current Projects window.

  7. Click on Burn at the top of the left panel of the Current Projects window to Open the burn dialog.

  8. Check that K3b sees your DVD disk in the Burn medium field. If it says "Please insert an empty DVD medium" very likey your DVD disk is faulty. Try with a new one.

  9. Select the lowest possible speed using the drop-down menu, for better quality.

  10. Click on the Filesystem tab and Enter the Volume Name. The volume name is the name you see on your Desktop below the DVD icon once the DVD is inserted in the player.

  11. Press Start to start burning. When the burning is complete the disk is automatically ejected.

Always test your DVD on the crappiest standalone DVD player available. The more players the better.

Using the Command Line - growisofs

Enter the directory containin the DVD-Video structure by typing the following command (replace DVDdir with the actual name of your directory):

cd DVDdir

Burn the DVD-Video Structure at speed 2x and automatically eject the disk at the end by typing the following command:

sudo nice -n -20 growisofs -dvd-compat -v -r -R -J -hfs -speed=2 -Z /dev/dvd -dvd-video -V VIDEO ./ && eject /dev/dvd

Look at the options of the command. You can modify them!

-speed=2

Sets the burning speed at 2x. Usually that’s the recommended speed. If your DVD burner complains about I/O errors, try with a different speed. My burner seems optimized for -speed=8.

-V VIDEO

Sets the volume name to VIDEO. The volume name is the name you see on your Desktop below the DVD icon once the DVD is inserted in the player. You may want to rename it.

-R -J -hfs

Make the files on the image readable also from Windows or Mac file systems.

Always test your DVD on the crappiest standalone DVD player available. The more players tested the better. If you want the disks readable also by other computers, test your master disc on GNU/Linux, Windows and Mac machines before burning several copies of it.

How to make an ISO image out of a DVD-Video structure

An ISO image is a single file with .iso extension that contains all the data files plus filesystem metadata. It is a compressed archive, useful to store all the information of a DVD-Video in a single file to ease the burning of multiple copies of the same DVD-Video structure.

Using the Graphical User Interface - K3b

  1. Install K3b using Synaptic Package Manager.

  2. Open K3b from Applications → Sound & Video.

  3. Click on the New Video DVD Project square blue button at the bottom of the welcome window. (Note: by default in KDE applications you select with a single mouse click)

  4. Drag the AUDIO_TS and VIDEO_TS folders of your DVD-Video structure and drop them on the right panel of the Current Projects window.

  5. Click on Burn at the top of the left panel of the Current Projects window to Open the burn dialog.

  6. In the Writing tab, in the Settings panel check "Only create image".

  7. In the Image tab you can enter the correct path and name of the ISO file you are creating.

  8. Click on the Filesystem tab and Enter the Volume Name. The volume name is the name you see on your Desktop below the DVD icon once the DVD is inserted in the player.

  9. Click on Start.

Using the Command Line - mkisofs

Enter the directory containin the DVD-Video structure by typing the following command (replace DVDdir with the actual name of your directory):

cd DVDdir

Then copy and paste the following command (final . included):

sudo nice -n -20 mkisofs -v -r -R -J -hfs -dvd-video -V VIDEO -o dvd.iso .

Now, look at the options of the command. You can modify them!

-V VIDEO

Sets the volume name to VIDEO. The volume name is the name you see on your Desktop below the DVD icon once the DVD is inserted in the player. You may want to rename it.

-o dvd.iso

Sets the output filename (dvd) and extension (.iso). You can change the filename.

-R -J -hfs

Make the files on the image readable also from Windows or Mac file systems.

How to preview your ISO image

Before burning it on a DVD disk I recommend you preview your ISO image, you check all the buttons and all the video.

Using the Graphical User Interface - VLC

You can use use VLC for that. Install it using Synaptic Package Manager.

  • Open VLC from Applications → Sound & Video.

  • Go to File - > Quick Open File.

  • Browse your filesystem and select your ISO image.

  • Click on Open.

Alternatively you can right-click on the ISO image, select Open with in the popup menu and click on VLC.

Use your mouse or the Navigation menu of VLC to control the playback.
Always stop the playback before closing the program (otherwise you could experience occasional problems in stopping the audio).

Using the Command Line - VLC

You can use use VLC for that. Install it with the following terminal command:

sudo apt-get install vlc

To preview your ISO image dvd.iso stored in your Home folder, use the following command (replace dvd.iso with the name of your image):

vlc dvd.iso

Use your mouse or the Navigation menu of VLC to control the playback.
Always stop the playback before closing the program (otherwise you could experience occasional problems in stopping the audio).

How to burn the ISO image on a DVD disk

Using the Graphical User Interface - Brasero

  1. Brasero disk burner comes pre-installed in your Ubuntu.

  2. Open it from Applications → Sound & Video.

  3. In the right panel of the Brasero main window you’ll see your recent project listed. Very likely it will list the .iso file you want to burn to disk. Click on it to open the Image burning setup dialog.

  4. Insert a blank DVD-R or DVD+R disk in your driver.

  5. In the Image burning setup dialog.

  6. (optional) Use the Properties button to set the burning speed or to leave the disc open to add other files later.

  7. Press Burn or Burn several copies to start burning to disk.

Always test your DVD on the crappiest standalone DVD player available. The more players the better. If you want the disks readable also by other computers, test your master disc on GNU/Linux, Windows and Mac machines before burning several copies of it.

Using the Command Line - growisofs

Enter the directory containin the ISO file (DVDdir) by typing the following command (replace DVDdir with the actual name of your directory):

cd DVDdir

Burn the ISO file (dvd.iso) at speed 2x and automatically eject the disk at the end by typing the following command (replace dvd.iso with the actual name of your file):

sudo nice -n -20 growisofs -dvd-compat -speed=2 -Z /dev/dvd=dvd.iso && eject /dev/cdrom

If your DVD burner complains about I/O errors, try with a different speed. My burner seems optimized for -speed=8.

Always test your DVD on the crappiest standalone DVD player available. The more players tested the better. If you want the disks readable by computers also, test your master disc on GNU/Linux, Windows and Mac machines too before burning several copies of it.

How to create the cover for your DVD case

I recommend you use KoverArtist, an easy application that lets you set title, subtitle, content, side text, text effects and images on covers for standard DVD cases, standard or silm CD cases. You can install it with Synaptic.

If what you want is just a very basic cover, then try the tool Brasero offers in its Tool → Cover editor menu.

How to convert your project from PAL to NTSC and viceversa

A DVD-Video can be PAL or NTSC, depending on the country’s standard.
If you live in a PAL country and want to send a DVD to your little grandchild that lives in an NTSC country you have to change the standard of your project.

Case 1: Projects that don’t use projector zoom

  1. Edit your EDL in PAL standard as usual.

  2. You can check your resources attributes by right clicking on them and selecting Info from the pop-up menu (PAL = framerate 25 - size 720x576).

  3. Before rendering it, change project attributes (Settings → Format). Change the Preset from PAL to NTSC. Select the Auto checkbox for Aspect ratio.

  4. Check the size of the video output in the Compositor. You may need to zoom out all your video tracks with the compositor projector.

  5. Render as usual.

  6. The rendered file is NTSC. You can verify its attributes by opening it with Cin and selecting Info from the pop-up menu (NTSC = framerate 29.97 - size 720x480).

Case 2: Project with very keyframed projector zoom curves

In case of a project with complex projector zoom keyframing, you may want to use ffmpeg, a command line application for converting your rendered file. Here is a command example of change of standard for a file meant for DVD:

From PAL to NTSC:

ffmpeg -i myfilePAL.mpg -target ntsc-dvd -sameq -r 29.97 -s 600x480 -padleft 60 -padright 60 myfileNTSC.mpg

From NTSC to PAL:

ffmpeg -i myfileNTSC.mpg -target pal-dvd -sameq -r 25 -s 720x480 -padtop 48 -padbottom 48 myfilePAL.mpg

where

-i myfilePAL.mpg           is the input file name
-target ntsc-dvd
-target pal-dvd             set automatically all the format options (bitrate, codecs, buffer sizes)
-s 600x480                    set frame size (1)
-s 720x480
-r 29.97                         set frame rate (frames per second)
-sameq                          use same video quality as input avoiding compression
-padleft 60                    set left pad band size (1) (in pixels, black as default color)
-padright 60                  set right pad band size (1)
-padbottom 48               set bottom pad band size
-padtop 48                     set top pad band size
myfileNTSC.mpg          is the output file name

(1) needed to fit a 1.25 aspect ratio video into a 720x480 frame. Output size: (60+600+60)x480

PAL: Canvas size 720x576 - Aspect ratio: 5:4 (1.25:1)
NTSC: Canvas size 720x480 - Aspect ratio: 3:2 (1.5:1)
To keep the original ratio in the new canvas, blank pad bands are needed.
NTSC video in a PAL canvas → 720x(48+480+48)  (the small numbers indicate the pad band size)
PAL video in a NTSC canvas → (60+600+60)x480