MAGIX Video Pro X4 User guide

2 Copyright

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Copyright

This documentation is protected by law. All rights, especially the right of

duplication, circulation, and translation, are reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in the form of copies, microfilms

or other processes, or transmitted into a language used for machines,

especially data processing machines, without the express written consent of

the publisher.

All copyrights reserved.

All other product names are trademarks of the corresponding manufacturers.

Errors in and changes to the contents as well as program modifications

reserved.

MAGIX is a registered trademark of MAGIX AG.

Created under license from Dolby Laboratories

Dolby and the double D symbol are trademarks of the Dolby Laboratories.

Other mentioned product names may be registered trademarks of the

respective manufacturer.

This product uses MAGIX patent pending technology.

Preface 3

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Preface

Thank you for choosing MAGIX Video Pro X4! Your new software offers video

editing and postproduction on a professional level, comprehensive format

support, powerful performance, high-end audio editing and all options for DVD

authoring and export.

The fully developed MAGIX Video Pro X4 operating concept helps you get top

results after only a short familiarization period. This documentation offers you

an overview and a quick start at the beginning. The sections at the end provide

a detailed and systematic description of the numerous functions.

Have fun with your projects and MAGIX Video Pro X4 from

Your MAGIX Team

4 Table of Contents

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Table of Contents

Copyright 2

Preface 3

Support 10

Before You Start 12

Package Contents 12

Printed and PDF manuals 12

Installation 12

Serial number 13

System requirements 14

Introduction 15

What is MAGIX Video Pro X4? 15

Features 15

Notes for MAGIX Movie Edit Pro users 17

Quick Start 20

Program start 20

Select, load and play videos 21

Import video material from memory card 24

Video editing 27

Publish videos 33

Work screens 35

Activate main screen 35

"Edit" screen 36

The "Burn" screen 62

Basic mode 63

Switching between standard and basic modes 64

Storyboard mode 64

Export 66

Video recording 67

Select the recording method 67

AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra 68

HDV camera 71

DV camera 71

Video 79

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Audio 82

Single frame 85

Screen 88

Editing after recording 89

Objects 91

Insert object into the project 91

Select and group objects 94

Duplicate objects 95

Move Objects 95

Extract sound from videos 95

Object handles 96

Trim Objects 97

Transitions (fades) 101

Search for gaps 103

Simple cut 104

Two-point cut 104

3-point editing 106

Four-point editing 108

Zoom 109

Working in fullscreen mode 109

Markers 110

Playback marker 110

Project markers 111

Ranges (in and out points) 111

Chapter markers 112

Scene markers 114

Multicam editing 115

Preparation 115

Source tracks and preview images 116

Multicam edit functions 117

Synchronize video objects using the sound track 119

Title 120

Creating titles using a template 120

Create titles without a template 120

Edit titles retroactively 121

Position titles 121

Advanced settings 122

3D text 123

Fade in date as title 123

Effects 124

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Apply effects to objects 124

Preview rendering 126

Video effects in the Media Pool 129

Movement effects in the Media Pool 138

Stereo3D in the Media Pool 145

Audio effects in the Media Pool 145

Design elements in the Media Pool 146

My Presets in the Media Pool 147

Additional Effects 147

Animate objects, effect curves 150

Create effect masks 156

Create overlay graphic/animation 159

Attach to picture position in the video 161

Image stabilization 161

Image improvements for the entire movie 163

Image improvements for individual objects 165

Stereo3D 166

3D basics 166

Record 3D 167

Prepare 3D editing 168

Set playback mode for 3D 169

Align videos and pictures for 3D 170

Turn camera movements into 3D videos 172

Create titles for 3D videos 172

Export and burn 3D videos 172

Audio editing 174

Load and edit audio files 174

Audio effects 175

Audio CDs 191

Mixer 195

5.1 Surround 198

Set multiple sound tracks 204

Scrubbing 208

MAGIX Soundtrack Maker 209

Mixdown of audio objects 211

Edit disc menu 212

Preview and editing 212

Menu 213

Templates 214

Edit disc menu 215

Edit DVD menus with Xara Xtreme Pro or Photoshop 222

Create PC show 231

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Burn disc 231

Burning wizard 232

The burn dialog 233

Disk space 235

Encoder settings 237

Export movie 240

Video as AVI 240

Video as DV-AVI 240

Video as MPEG video 241

Video as MAGIX video 241

Video as QuickTime movie 241

Uncompressed movie 242

Video as MotionJPEG AVI 242

Movie as a series of individual frames 242

Windows Media Export 242

Video as MPEG-4 video 243

Audio as MP3 244

Audio as wave 245

Export as transition... 245

Single frame as BMP file 245

Single frame as JPG 245

Animated GIF 245

Export movie information as EDL 246

Upload to Internet 247

Upload to Internet (MAGIX Online Album) 248

Export to device 248

Export as Media Player 249

Settings for and management of video projectors 250

Movie and project settings 250

Program settings 260

Preview rendering 269

Backup copy 270

Load backup project... 271

Importing & exporting EDL files 271

Clean-up wizard 272

Special functions and wizards 274

Automatic scene detection 274

Musical cut adjustment 275

Travel route animation 283

Slideshow Maker 290

Produce panorama pictures 294

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Batch conversion 296

Blackmagic Design video cards 298

Menus 299

File Menu 299

Edit Menu 307

Menu effects 316

Windows menu 322

Help Menu 325

Context menu (right click) 328

Video objects 328

Image objects 332

Transitions 335

Audio objects 336

Text objects 339

MAGIX 3D Maker objects 342

Project folder 344

Track 345

Problems and solutions 346

File will not load 346

Choppy or uneven playback 346

Problems and Remedies regarding the Auto Remix Assistant 346

Activation problems 347

Online functions 348

Integrated browser 348

MAGIX News Center 350

Embed Flash videos into your own web page 350

Keyboard shortcuts 352

Playback functions 352

Monitors 353

Arranger view 353

Move view 354

Mouse modes 354

File menu 355

Edit menu 356

Effects menu 357

Windows menu 358

Help menu 359

Edit keyboard shortcut 359

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Activate codecs 361

Free activation of codecs 361

Fee-based DVCPRO and AVC-Intra activation 362

Annex: Digital Video and Data Storage 363

Video Editing on the PC 363

MPEG Compression 363

General notes on AVI videos 364

Overview of the different disc types 365

MPEG-4 encoder settings 371

MPEG-4 372

MPEG-4 H.264 377

AMR 383

AAC 384

Multiplexer 385

Appendix: MPEG Encoder Settings 387

General settings 387

Video settings 388

Advanced video settings 389

Audio settings 390

MPEG glossary 392

Motion estimation 392

Bit rate 392

Block 393

Chroma format 393

Field 394

Frame 394

GOP 394

I frames 395

Interlace 395

P frames and B frames 396

Prediction 397

Quantization scaling 398

Glossary 400

If you still have questions 417

Tips for program help 417

Index 418

10 Support

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Support

Dear MAGIX customer,

Our aim is to provide fast, convenient, solution-focused support at all times. To

this end, we offer a wide range of services:

 Unlimited web support:

As a registered MAGIX customer, you have unlimited access to web support

offered via the convenient MAGIX service portal on http://support.magix.net,

including an intelligent help assistant, high-quality FAQs, patches and user

reports that are constantly updated.

The only requirement for use is product registration at http://pro.magix.com

 The online community, on-the-spot support and a platform for exchange:

MAGIX customers have free and unlimited access to the online community at

www.magix.info, which includes approx. 120,000 members and offers the

opportunity to ask members questions concerning MAGIX products as well as

use the search function to search for specific topics or answers. In addition to

questions & answers, the knowledge pool includes a glossary, video tutorials

and a discussion forum. The multiple experts, found round-the-clock at

www.magix.info guarantee quick answers, which sometimes come within

minutes of a question being posted.

 Email support for MAGIX products:

For every new MAGIX product you will receive, as of date purchase, 12

months of email based customer service.

Premium email support:

For priority support, or if you want the MAGIX support team to help with non-

MAGIX related hardware problems you can purchase a Premium email support

ticket. Log in at http://support.magix.net and click on "Purchase access

code", the ticket is for a specific problem, and is valid until it is solved, it is not

restricted to an email.

Please note: To be able to use the Premium email support and free product

email support via the Internet, you have to register your MAGIX product using

the serial number provided. This can be found on the CD case of your

installation CD or on the inside of the DVD box.

 Additional telephone service:

Besides the large number of free customer service offers, we also offer a fee-

based telephone customer service.

Here you can find a summary of our technical support telephone numbers:

http://support.magix.net/

Support 11

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Mail (Europe): MAGIX Development Support, P.O. Box 20 09 14, 01194

Dresden, Germany

Mail (North America): MAGIX Customer Service, 1105 Terminal Way #302,

Reno, NV 89502, USA

Please make sure you have the following information at hand:

 Program version

 Configuration details (operating system, processor, memory, hard drive, etc.),

sound card configuration (type, driver)

 Information regarding other audio software installed

MAGIX Sales Department

You can reach the MAGIX Sales Department workdays for help with the

following questions and problems:

 Orders

 Product consulting (pre-purchase)

 Upgrade requests

 Returns

Europe

Monday - Friday, 09:00-16:00 GMT

U.K.: 0203 3189218

Denmark: 45 699 18763

Sweden: 46 852 500713

Finland: 35 89 42419023

Norway: 47 210 35843

North America

9 am to 4 pm EST Mon-Fri

Phone: 1-305-722-5810

12 Before You Start

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Before You Start

Package Contents

Installation & multimedia content DVD

The MAGIX Video Pro X4 installation manager is included on the installation

DVD.

Manual

The printed manual explains most of the basics of MAGIX Video Pro X4. In

addition to the printed manual, there is also more detailed documentation

which is copied to your hard drive during installation. This electronic PDF

manual describes all program functions. The electronic manual on your

computer is located under "Start -> Program -> MAGIX -> MAGIX Video Pro

X4 -> Documentation".

Printed and PDF manuals

The printed manual contains an overview of the most important functions of

MAGIX Video Pro X4.

If you have further questions, please read the complete documentation and a

shortcut pdf located in the program folder of MAGIX Video Pro X4. To read it,

you will require the free Foxit Reader program.

Installation

Step 1: Insert the program disc into the drive. The installation program starts

up automatically in Windows. If the disc doesn't run automatically,

 open the Windows Explorer and click the letter of the CD/DVD drive.

 Now double-click on "Start.exe" to start the installer.

Step 2: To begin the installation of MAGIX Video Pro X4, click on "MAGIX Video

Pro X4". The MAGIX Video Pro X4 installation program will appear.

Simply follow the instructions on screen to complete the installation process

and then click on "Continue". All files are copied onto the hard drive.

Before You Start 13

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Step 3: Once the installation is complete, confirm the message by pressing

"Finish". You will then be able to start the program at any time from the

Windows "Start" menu.

If you would like to uninstall MAGIX Video Pro X4, you can do so via the control

panel under "Software". Or go to "Programs > MAGIX > MAGIX Video Pro X4 >

Service and Support > Uninstall MAGIX Video Pro X4".

Serial number

A serial number is included in each product. This serial number is required for

the installation of the software and enables usage of additional bonus services.

Please store this number in a safe place.

What can a serial number do?

With a serial number your MAGIX Video Pro X4 is clearly assigned to you and

only you. This way improved and more targeted customer service is made

possible. Abuse of the software can be prevented with a serial number, which

ensures that optimum the price/performance ratio continues is guaranteed.

Where can the serial number be found?

The serial number can be found on the reverse side of your CD/DVD case. If

your product is packed in a DVD box, then you'll find the serial number on the

inside.

For the versions that have been especially optimized for the Internet (download

versions), you'll get your serial number for activating the software directly after

purchasing the product via email.

When will you need the serial number?

The serial number is required when you start or register MAGIX Video Pro X4

for the first time.

Note: We explicitly recommend registering your product (free), since only then

are you entitled to download updates and use MAGIX support (view page 9)

services.

Unlocking MAGIX Video Pro X4

After MAGIX Video Pro X4 has been installed and the serial number has been

entered, the software can be used for 30 days. After these 30 days have

expired, MAGIX Video Pro X4 must be activated.

14 Before You Start

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System requirements

For Microsoft® Windows® XP | Vista® | 7

Minimum configuration:

 Processor: Intel® Core™ Duo with 1.83 GHz, AMD® Dual-Core with 2.0 GHz

 RAM: 1GB

 Graphics card: Onboard graphics card with a screen resolution of at least

1024 x 768

 Sound card: Internal sound card

 Hard drive space: 1 GB (for minimum installation)

 Optical drive: DVD drive

Minimum requirements for HD/3D editing:

 Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Quad-core processor with 2.83 GHz (Intel®

Core™ i7 recommended), AMD® Quad-core processor with 2.8 GHz

 RAM: 4 GB

 Graphics card: Dedicated graphics card with 512 MB VRAM or more

 Sound card: Multi-channel sound card recommended for Surround sound

editing

 Hard drive space: 4 GB

 Optical drive: Blu-ray burner to create Blu-ray Discs

Introduction 15

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Introduction

What is MAGIX Video Pro X4?

MAGIX Video Pro X4 is a professional video editing program for Windows PC.

All common video formats can be imported directly without any conversion into

a proprietary format in an open timeline. The Hybrid Video Engine supports

GPU processing with OpenCL, CUDA and QuickSync. Editing options include

realtime effect editing, efficient three- and four-point cuts, intelligent mouse

modes for fast editing and a Multicam mode with auto synchronization on up

to nine tracks. Based on the high end audio engine from Samplitude, perfect

synchronization of audio and image is realized in realtime. Finished projects

can be exported using efficient batch rendering into broadcast formats to

DVDs, AVCHD- and Blu-ray discs or uploaded directly to common video

portals and mobile devices.

Features

Recording

MAGIX Video Pro X4 features the following recording options:

 AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra/Video-DSLRs/XDCAM/NXCAM (and other

drives)*

 HDV camera: HDV camcorder

 DV camera: Mini DV camcorder or DV video recorder

 Video: Analog TV, video input, VCR, webcam

 Audio: Microphone, cassette recorder, MiniDisc player, record player

 Screen: PC monitor.

 Single frame: Single and series images from webcams, video recorders, video

cameras, or TV cards

*Import of AVC-Intra and DVCPRO possible after fee-based activation (view

page 362)

Analog captu

re requires capture cards compatible with DirectShow. DV

capture can be performed through an OHCI-compatible IEEE 1394 host

adapter (FireWire or iLink). A TV card can be used to record programs from TV

or from your video recorder.

16 Introduction

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Import/Export formats

Supported import formats:

Video: AVI, DV-AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MXV, MXF, MKV, MJPEG,

QuickTime, WMV(HD)

Audio: WAV, MP3, OGG, WMA, Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1

Images: JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIF, PNG, PSD, TGA

Supported export formats:

Video: AVI, DV-AVI, MJPEG, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, QuickTime,

WMV(HD)

Audio: WAV, MP3, Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1

Photo: JPEG, BMP

Note: MPEG-4, MPEG-2 and Dolby Digital require a free activation for

copyright reasons. MP3 export requires Windows Media Player installation

version 10 or higher.

Multicam editing

MAGIX Video Pro X4 allows multicam editing on up to nine tracks. Various

camera recordings can be played back in synch and then edited together.

Editing

 Program and source monitors: To provide an optimal overview, these two

separate preview monitors are integrated for the source material and movie

arrangement respectively.

 The project folder is used for storing your material. It's useful for selecting the

necessary media for your current project. Use it to store video, audio, titling

files, and even edited versions or sections of films for use later in your projects.

 Picture optimization: This includes color improvement (RGB, saturation),

sharpness (focus, feathering), brightness regulator (brightness, contrast), and

the anti-flicker filter.

 Sound optimization: The equalizer allows you to manipulate the frequency

spectrum, which is useful for reducing peaks, for example. The compressor

limits the signal's dynamics. The StereoFX processor controls the position of

the sound within the stereo panorama. The De-noiser and De-hisser are

professional noise reduction tools for removing noise and hisses.

Introduction 17

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 Video effects: Such as creative filters, distortion, video mix (chroma key),

movement effects (e.g. camera/zoom or rotation), cropping, picture-in-picture

collages, video effect plug-in support, etc.

 Automatic scene recognition

 Slideshow Maker turns photo collages into spectacular multimedia shows

automatically.

 MAGIX Soundtrack Maker creates background music automatically.

Burnable disc formats

 DVD

 Blu-Ray disc

 AVCHD disc (on DVD and Blu-ray Discs)

 MultiDisc (DVD + WMV HD)

 Project backups, backup copies, and 1:1 copies of DVDs

Multimedia editable disc menus

Included are many disc menu templates which offer selection options for

movies and chapters on the screen. Many of these are also available in 16:9

format. They can be included during burning and give the disc a professional

appearance.

Every menu template may be customized with personal photos, thematic

animations, 3D captions, sound, intro videos, etc.

Notes for MAGIX Movie Edit Pro users

If you are used to working with MAGIX Movie Edit Pro, you can change the

window appearance to MAGIX Video deluxe "classic" view by going to

"Window"> "Window appearance" > "Minimal".

For all those who haven't used MAGIX Movie Edit Pro before, we recommend

the "Standard" window appearance. You have the most options available in

this mode.

Below you will find a rough overview of the differences between MAGIX Video

Pro X4 and MAGIX Movie Edit Pro.

Video monitors

 In the "Minimal" mode you will see only one preview monitor like in MAGIX

Movie Edit Pro, which is used as both a program and a source monitor. When

the project is stopped, you can select files in the Media Pool and play them

18 Introduction

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back using the transport controls. To play the arrangement again, you first

must click on the arranger.

 The "Standard" appearance offers two preview monitors: a program monitor

for project preview in the arranger and a source monitor for preview of Media

Pool files. Both preview monitors have separate transport controls, so that

Media Pool preview and project playback can be controlled separately. For

additional information about the preview monitors, please read the

corresponding section of the "Interface" (view page 58) chapter.

Keyboard layout

The preset keyboard shortcuts are different and can be displayed in both

modes via "File -> Settings -> Keyboard shortcuts". MAGIX Video Pro X4 also

allows familiar shortcuts from Movie Edit Pro to be loaded if they are easier to

work with. More information about keyboard shortcuts can be found in the

chapter "Keyboard shortcut" (view page 351) and in the shortcut pdf located in

the program

folder of MAGIX Video Pro X4.

Load files

 In MAGIX Video Pro X4, files are dragged (drag&drop) to the desired position

in the arranger or loaded via the commands from the insert menu. To learn

more about the paste menus, please read the "Paste Modes" (view page 43)

sec

tion in the "Interface" chapter.

 In Movie Edit Pro, files can also be loaded form the Media Pool by double

clicking them. Videos and images are placed in the first track at the position of

the playback marker. If another object is already located there, the new object

will be placed after the last object in the first track. Titles will appear on tracks

3 and 4, additional audio material on track 5.

You may also change this behavior under "File -> Settings -> Program" via the

tab "System" and under "Behavior on double click".

Space bar behavior

In either program, use the space bar on your keyboard to start and stop.

Pressing the space bar again produces different effects according to the

respective program:

 In Movie Edit Pro, the playback marker is placed at the last stop position.

 In MAGIX Video Pro X4, the playback marker is kept at the current position.

This corresponds with the functionality of a tape recorder when stopped.

Playback behavior may be switched via "File -> Settings -> Program" and then

the "Playback" tab.

Introduction 19

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Project folder

 In Movie Edit Pro, the project folder function is not available.

 MAGIX Video Pro X4 features the project folder as a separate folder on the

right side, which serves as an intermediate store or catch-all for all kinds of

project material. More information about this is available in the section "Project

folder (view page 57)" in the chapter "Workspaces".

Video objects with sound tracks

 In MAGIX Video Pro X4, there are combined objects. An object's audio and

video track are by default displayed on one track. They can be separated into

two tracks and therefore into two objects via the object's context menu.

 In Movie Edit Pro, video objects are always displayed as two grouped objects

in two tracks. These objects are grouped by default.

20 Quick Start

Quick Start

This chapter explains the basic functions of MAGIX Video Pro X4 with a step-

by-step introduction. A systematic description of the program functions can be

found in the chapters and in the extensive PDF manual.

Tip: Take advantage of the introductory video and tutorials, which can be

opened with the help of the Task Assistant.

Program start

When you start MAGIX Video Pro X4 for the first time, the start dialog will

appear.

This dialog allows you to either "Load an existing project" or "Create a new

project". You can also "Create a new project folder". All files belonging to this

movie will be saved there.

Additionally, you can also use movie templates. Movie templates offer a

structure for quickly developing certain standard projects with the help of

included placeholders.

If you are looking for a quick start into the basic functions of MAGIX Video Pro

X4, we recommend switching into the "Basic mode" (view page 62), which can

be found under "Editing mode".

We're still at the very beginning, so let's stick with keeping an overview of

everything. Click "OK" to end the dialog and continue.

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