Linear Editing?

[reelthing03]

Now that we have a NLE forum, does anyone know what linear editing is (or was...) I have tried to figure it out before but just got confused. I assume it is what was done before the age of computers, but i just really am not sure.

B

[WyldeF1r3]

In non-linear editing you can make any changes to any part at any time without affect or processing of any of the previous work. In linear editing this is not the case. Linear editing require edits to be made in a linear fashion; i.e., in a 1-2-3 sequence. You'd have to go through all of the previous data until you found the scene/frames you wanted. As you can imagine this would take an incredible amount of time.

[midiguy]

despite that, linear editing is still used by many many people. many news networks STILL use linear editing, because it is a fast, easy solution, and gets the job done. linear editing isn't a thing of the past (atleast not yet), and there are pretty complex linear editing booths that can allow you to do pretty advanced shiz to your video.

[reelthing03]

so is linear editing tape based as opposed to digital? If it wasn't I don't see why anyone would make a computer program that would do what you are describing. I guess if it is based upon tape reels, then I can understand not being able to go back and edit...
B

[DDogg]

http://www.filmmaker.com/editing/nlexplan.html

[Belgabor]

You can do a linear edit with any NLE software, just render your project as an avi file and delete the project file :p

[midiguy]

Originally posted by Belgabor
You can do a linear edit with any NLE software, just render your project as an avi file and delete the project file :p
... :rolleyes:

yes, it is tape based with a wide variety of options (broadcast tapes, beta tapes, vhs tapes, svhs tapes).. I don't really know much about it, but I hace seen some pretty complex linear editing booths (my school has one, and also has 4 more really shitty LE booths)

[Foambullet]

OK, I'm an amateur editor on the cusp of being pro. I've only done Linear Editing once and it wasn't so bad, but NLE is a lot better for trying things out because you can move shots around with little effort and see how it plays.

Linear editing is basically you have 2 VCRs, source and copy. You find a sequence you want on your source, hit record on the copy vcr and play the source (in pro setups there is a computer that makes sure this goes down smoothly). Hit stop when you're done. Find the next scene you want, repeat. The problem with this is that if you want to add something to the middle, you're going to tape over whatever's after the scene you insert.

If his needs clarification or if I made a mistake I'm happy to answer any more Q's. :)

[Zarxrax]

It seems like some of the best examples of linear editing havent been mentioned yet: Virtualdub. This is probably the only linear editor on the PC that anyone is familiar with. Avisynth might be a liniar editor as well, I'm not certain though, but I believe it is.

[Foambullet]

I wouldn't really consider Virtualdub an editor, more like "cutter" because you can cut stuff out but (as far as I know) you can't piece footage together.

[hendrix]

I work at a TV Station and we have 3 linear editing booths (DVCAM format), 3 Non-linear and a Trinity System (hybrid linear and non)

The trinity lets you edit both tapes and digitized footage same time -it has a timeline featured in NLE software but can be used as a linear editor. very useful when you dont want to digitize your footage beforehand.

our cameras has a hard disk on it so we can just connect the hd into our computer via firewire and start editing without needing to waste time batch digitizing.

anyone remember U-Matics?

hendrix

[Foambullet]

hehe Umatic...

My friend is majoring in Radio/TV/Film at Cal State Fullerton, and they still use Umatic. I think some of the telecine houses around there also use Umatic.

[hendrix]

Umatic is an old format but since the tapes are 3/4" excellent picture quality - even for todays standards, and they have to be one of the biggest tapes in size - ever. I like DVCAM and DVCPro because their tapes size are small, have broadcast quality pics and the best of all they hold more than 30min of stuff..

I hated using betacams on remote shoots...every 30mins changing tapes - what a pain, i dont know how many times i lost "the money shot" due to changing of tapes.

[reelthing03]

I think I'm getting it now-- Linear editing takes out the middle process of format conversion. Makes sense for broadcast but not really for film production, etc.

I have been to a broadcast studio that shoots on beta, then captures to digital edit, and then converts back to beta for broadcast. I can see how linear editing would be desireable in this situation.

Thanks All
B

[FishB8]

Linear vs. NLE has nothing to do with the format (tape, film, or digital) It has nothing to do with computers - there were nonlinear editors before computers were even used in film industry.

Linear editing is destructive and the you must edit cuts in the order that they will take place in the final product. If you want to change something you (usually) have to start over from the point that you want to change.

Nonlinear editing is nondestructive and allows for editing cuts in any order you wish. If you want to change something you don't have to start over.

And yes, VirtualDub is a linear editor.

[smok3]

(yes i use to edit umatic->umatic years ago - preroll was so slow that you changed your mind about where to cut at the middle of the preroll usually :p ,) then there was betasp->betasp which is very fast and it is still used in todays (mostly news) production... (linear systems), on the other hand old fashion film positive cuting was allready nonlinear...