A New AMV Maker....

XiaoMovieMaker · Post by **XiaoMovieMaker** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 11:41 pm

Thanks a bunch for the replies guys!
I read up on those guides godix linked to and stuff, just basically skimmed over it, just to get a bit of an idea.

I also started using DGIndex and AVIsynth. I believe i was "indexing" my VOB files, or something of the sort. So i feel that i got a very very basic logic on how to start some AMVs.

So far i think i've got a general idea on how to do the following:
1. DVD Rip
2. Using DGIndex to create usable AVS file.
3. Inputing clips into WMM
4. Timing beats do clips
5. Practiced with very basic effects, such as Fade in, Fade out, Greyscale, PiP [which i believe is called picture in picture], and some stuff with Chroma Blue/Black/Green/etc.

6. I read some guides on lip synching and it seemed interesting so i tried my hand at that too, turned out to be difficult, but a fun effort...!

7. I also used AviSynth to create reverse scripts, for fun effects. I believe it kinda went like this

AviSource("Clip1.avi").Reverse()

I uploaded to Virtual Dub and everything was backwards! yay! it was fun replaying some old home videos in reverse, especially Christmas dinners and stuff like that...

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So that's my progress at the moment, here's my dilemmas =_=

I was studying some articles on compression and it seems an uncompressed AVI file is HUGE! I mean 3 minutes could end up to be 3 Gigabytes. So i tried a few compression codecs, like FFDshow, a few microsoft video codecs, and some that came with AMVapps.
Unfortunately, all codecs i used still resulted in a large file...

i'll do some more research on that.

I think my other dilemma is still related to filters. I've got smooth filters, temporal smooth filters [for those stand-still scenes], and sharpening filters covered. I still need to get programs that handle exotic filters and such. [at the moment i'm using VirtDub Filters]

I think that covers my problems at the moment, I'll touch base back here soon!
~~~~~~~

Once again thanks for helping, and I hope I don't sound too naggy and such

Thanks again~

CrackTheSky · Post by **CrackTheSky** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 11:54 pm

You are the best new person. Ever.

I for one am thankful that you are being so sensible about getting into this hobby. You're actually doing research and stuff before coming to us whining that you can't figure things out. I applaud you for being so thorough...you really have no idea how rare people like you are.

Anyway, to answer your compression question, the answer is in the guide godix linked you to...near the bottom. If you're computer can handle x264, compress to that. If not, your best bet is XviD. Either way you should get a much more manageable filesize.

CrackTheSky · Post by **CrackTheSky** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 11:55 pm

CrackTheSky wrote:If your computer

Fixed >_<

XiaoMovieMaker · Post by **XiaoMovieMaker** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 11:58 pm

Ah yes i noticed Xvid worked very well, the size was considerably, but not especially, smaller, thanks

CrackTheSky · Post by **CrackTheSky** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:00 am

Make sure you're compressing your audio to MP3 and muxing that in instead of compressing the video with the uncompressed .wav attached.

godix · Post by **godix** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:01 am

You may want to do more than skim the guides. Specifically pay attention to <a href="http://www.animemusicvideos.org/guides/ ... html">this part</a> of them. The entire point of using AVS is to do your filtering with it. You don't need other programs to do pre/post processing.

Just to note, it's generally far easier to do (and undo if needed) reversing footage in whatever editing program you eventually go with.

As for encoding, the guides cover that as well. Most people encode with <a href="http://www.animemusicvideos.org/guides/ ... l">H264</a> or <a href="http://www.animemusicvideos.org/guides/ ... l">xvid</a>. H264 provides smaller filesize and better quality. It requires a decent computer to process, older machines will choke on it and not everyone has software to play it, although it is becoming far more common than it used to be. Almost everyone can play back xvid these days and it doesn't require all that good a computer to playback, I remember watching xvid videos without a problem on an old 600 mhz machine. So your choice on if you want smaller files and better quality or if you prefer wider compatibility.

XiaoMovieMaker · Post by **XiaoMovieMaker** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:01 am

Okay, I'll check up on that now

Knowname · Post by **Knowname** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:15 am

lol your right, Crackers, if there was a rookie of the year he'd have a leg up on the competition already lol

But one thing you have to realize, xiao, there are input codecs and output codecs. FFDshow is mostly an output codec, it won't help you compress better. To compress better you have to tell VirtualDub to use the right settings. I can help you further with that, if you need it, through pms, I'd rather not fill the place with replies.

You seem to have an avid curiosity, and better yet, a willingness to learn. You should peruse our help forums (mostly software help). Don't worry if you don't understand alot of it. Even I don't understand alot of it after 6+ years! But what you do not understand will crop back up and probably help you in due time. Just try to tackle the questions pertaining to the programs you use. Also don't be afraid to ask even simple questions! Remember the answer does not only help yourself, but it can help other people in the same way. It WILL help other ppl in the same way -_-.

XiaoMovieMaker · Post by **XiaoMovieMaker** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:16 am

okay FIRST of all, i've been on other forums and double posting is prohibited, but since i've seen others do it here...i'll assume it's okay

I read up on that link you posted Godix, it was a GREAT help! I never thought my videos were so..."noisy" XD

The compression to H264 also works very well, a nice small file. Thanks again to that

lynit · Post by **lynit** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 2:32 am

I'm making a small contribution, but oh well. Although you get props for actually taking the time to learn this stuff, like CrackTheSky did.

I think my other dilemma is still related to filters. I've got smooth filters, temporal smooth filters [for those stand-still scenes], and sharpening filters covered. I still need to get programs that handle exotic filters and such. [at the moment i'm using VirtDub Filters]

I'm pretty sure you can find other filters to download on thar interweb. This site has a few nice ones and searching helps too.

Here's a hint if you're gonna peruse the help section of the forums. The Search button is a VERY useful tool there, as if you have a problem, odds are you're not the first, and it can save you a lot of time.

Good luck!