Trimming home made video files.

[ErnieK]

I am in the process of making some instructional AVI videos for my sister who will be getting a new computer in a couple of weeks time. (WHAT! me jealous? never!?) Her knowledge of computers (like my own) would fill the point of a needle and leave space.

I have made up some trial AVI files for her, but I would like to trim parts off of them. The parts to be trimmed are TOP and BOTTOM. (By that I mean as you look at the desktop I want to trim of the top/bottom part of the video) (I know how to split and trim the ends) Does anyone know of a half decent (a decent one would be even better :p ) freeware/shareware program that will allow me to do this? Or if it can be done!

[malcore]

Download virtualdub (open source) : http://virtualdub.sourceforge.net/

Just unzip, no installer. Start, click on file, open desired avi. Then click on Video > Filters. Click ADD, choose Null Transform. Now click Cropping. Crop to desired size, then you'll have to recompile by going to Video again and choosing compression and codec and adjust as you like.

Sounds complicated but quite easy. Unfortunately, there is no way to crop a video without recompiling it.

If you have any troubles, post back.

Hope it helps. :)

[ErnieK]

Malcore
Thanks, I will download VDub later today.

[ErnieK]

Malcore
I have downloaded VD and opened up a test file (avi) Following your instructions I went to VIDEO/FILTERS and chose Null Transform.

This opened up another (2nd) page where I set the X/Y settings to what I was wanting, but I could go no further with it as the 2nd page is far to large for the desktop. I have tried resetting the desktop to see if it was possible to see the complete 2nd page but nothing lets me do this.

After resetting the X/Y I am stuck there and I have to drag the opened 2nd page about to reach the close buton (red cross). My desktop is set at 1024x768 (17" monitor) and I have tried coming down to 800x600 and going up the way as well to no availe. The captured AVI file is the size of my desktop (capture full screen)

Hope I have explained clearly what I mean :confused:

[malcore]

How big is the file being cropped, not in MB but in pixels? Is the page too wide or too tall, or both?


I think what may be happening is the video dimensions are quite large, say 800x600 and when you get to the page you describe it is showing two frames side by side, the original and the cropped. Therefore the page is too big, ie two frames with a width of 800 equals 1600.

Try going to Options and selecting Vertical Display, so that the images are displayed one above the other instead of side by side. If after selecting this option, part of a frame is missing, just refresh (F5).

Hope I have understood you correctly.