VANITY: Digital Video Help Needed: Freeze Frame Technique

self ^ | Feb. 19, 2007 | NotJustAnotherPrettyFace

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I know there are some FReepers out there who know how to capture "stills" or freeze frame from digital video footage.

I need to put together a series of photos for a 25 year anniversary "retrospective" musical performance.

The goal is to try to capture some "action shots" of these musical performances from 25 yr. history of video footage and work them up into a Powerpoint presentation which we can project onto the auditorium theater wall for the upcoming 25th anniversary shows (3 shows in one weekend).

Do I need to have any special software to do this video capture and editing? If so, what would you recommend? (I have probably a $100 budget to get this job done.)

Any techniques you can share using software with which you are familiar or point me towards sites with instructions to do this would be GREATLY appreciated.

My deadline to get this done is one week from tonight. I thank you!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I know I can count on the vast intelligence pool here at FR - looking forward to seeing what tips you offer!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I would GREATLY appreciate it if you could PING the tech list on my behalf. I'm a quick study in general when it comes to A/V stuff but would value ANY instruction or tips that come from FReepers. Thank you!

[Americanchild]

Just about any video editor can capture a still. Pinnacle Studio is one of the most user friendly, but unfortunately tends to freeze on my pc. ( more RAM might fix that issue). I believe Windows movie maker can also do it if you want to play around with it before buying something.

[HAL9000]

This won't fit your $100 budget, but a Mac mini with iMovie and iDVD software does a great job on this type of project.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I might be able to borrow or at least have access to a Mac Mini, so thanks for that suggestion!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I see that those 2 apps. you mentioned are part of the iLife package which will run me $79. OK.... so I'd be within budget here ;-).

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I see these two suggestions for refurbished Mac Minis (if I decide to go down that route...).

* 1.66 GHz Core Duo/SD, $649, Apple
* 1.83 GHz Core Duo, $699, Apple

Which one would you suggest might work better for my project?

[idkfa]

Try VLC player, it's free!
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

Have you already captured the video to a computer? Just play it with this software and take a snapshot when you want. You can also capture it from your camera with this program or Windows Movie Maker which comes with Windows.

[HAL9000]

Here are some descriptions of the hardware and software -

Mac mini - has Firewire port on the back to import digital video, and includes relevant software listed below -

iMovie - to import and edit video and digital stills

iDVD - can create a slideshow with good effects like crossfades

iPhoto - can import digital photos to iMovie and iDVD

iTunes - can import music to your presentation

Good luck on your project. If you do borrow a Mac and need some info on how to do something, ping me on this thread and I'll try to help find a quick solution.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Wow - great! Thanks for your suggestion. I have not yet captured all the video. Another guy has already done some of the capturing so I can utilize what he has done, for sure. Other footage - I will have to do myself.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Excellent - thanks for the linking and your time to do so, on my behalf. I will take you up on your offer if I get stuck along the way :-).

[HAL9000]

If you plan to do a lot of video editing, I'd go with the faster one. Video processing is very CPU-intensive.

In order to burn a DVD, make sure the Mac includes a "SuperDrive" - otherwise, it can only read DVDs. The 1.83 MHz model includes a SuperDrive, the 1.66 does not.

Full specifications and configurations are here.

A Mac mini should work with your existing VGA monitor, keyboard and mouse. You can just plug them in as needed.

[HAL9000]

All of that software is powerful and flexible enough for semi-professional use - but since you want to get it done in a week, the easiest thing to use would be the iDVD Slideshow feature. You can set a theme, arrange your photos and video stills, and let the software automatically create a good, professional-looking presentation.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

The other thing I'm going to need to be able to do is to control the rate at which the pictures come up on the display - that is to say, I'm going to be sitting in the control booth timing the pictures to go along with the music performance.

[HAL9000]

iDVD does have the ability to set the duration times for each slide in automatic playback mode, if the timings can be synchronized to the other elements of your presentation.

There are a few ways to do an interactive slideshow.

The iDVD webpage says it can create a DVD slideshow in "kiosk" mode with forward and back buttons. But it would better to not have those buttons on the screen.

If your video projector has VGA, DVI or HDMI connector, the Mac mini could connect directly to the projector and display an iPhoto slideshow with music from iTunes. I believe you could use the arrow keys on the keyboard to advance to the next slide, but I'll have to check that.

Another direct-connection option is the built-in FrontRow photo presentation.

Yet another direct-connection option - Apple sells a $80 software package called iWork, which includes Keynote. Steve Jobs uses for his live presentations. This would be the ideal way to go if you need an interactive slide presentation - and it exchange files with PowerPoint. (iWork also includes a word processor called Pages - so it's a good value.)

The latest Mac minis include a handheld remote control - and I believe it works with some of the software like FrontRow and Keynote, but I haven't tried it myself.

The Mac mini includes a 30-trial for both Keynote and Microsoft Office (including PowerPoint), so you could possibly use them for your project before they expire.

[rawcatslyentist]

VirtualDub and Paint ... both at Free.

Capture the frame with VitrualDub.... Paste into Paint ...

Priced right too...

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Part of the challenge of timing everything has to do with the flexibility of the music - my husband is the conductor and, in the heat of the moment, he may stretch or tighten up a phrase as it goes by. It's better for ME to follow him with controlling the slides progression than it is for HIM to have to be a slave to the slides' timing.

[HAL9000]

Cool, a live orchestra. It will be a major production.

I'd recommend Keynote as a fast and easy way to design the presentation with the manual control you need to pace the images to the music - and impressive transition effects for the projected images.

The design process is simple. First, you select one of the basic visual themes for the slides. Then drag your images or videos into the design window in the order you want them presented, and set optional effects like crossfade, page turn, etc.

After your design is completed, you click the play button to start the presentation, then press the space bar to advance to each subsequent slide.

Keynote has a feature that might be useful - but is not available on the Mac mini. If you run the presentation on a MacBook laptop computer, the projector can show the current slide at full size for the audience - but on your computer screen in the projection booth, you can see two slides: the current slide and the next slide. That could make it easier to synchronize your manual control to the music.

In the image below, the MacBook screen on the left shows what you'd see in the control room, and the right screen shows what the audience would see on the projector.

 

Apple has a video demonstration of Keynote's features here

[ShadowAce]

[antiRepublicrat]

I second VirtualDub. Open your video and save any frame you want as a still image (or all of them at once, but that would suck up the hard drive space).

Bare-bones is to do a screen capture (Alt-Print Screen) of the paused video and paste it into Paint. Note that if you get nothing, you probably have to turn off "Video Overlay" in your graphics card's properties for the duration of your captures.

For graphics editing, Gimp is about the most full-featured free editor out there. It does more than most people need for home use.

[NCC-1701]

This is to go along with all the other options mentioned here. Anothe video editing software option is Roxio's Titanium Toast, now in its eigth version. Follow the link for more info: http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/toast/titanium/overview.html.

Another way to bedazzle your friends is to use a burner that has Lightscribe technology. I use this little baby at the link: http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10071. After you place your info on the disc, you simply flip it over and literaly burn the label on it. You can design your own artwork. It's a neat way to finish your project. Looks great, too. There's several brands that use Lightscribe technology, so it's your call.

[rawcatslyentist]

Roxio is indeed a powerfull program. A bit too powerfull for my tastes. I had about %20 burn failure with it back in 2001-2002. Granted it will do things Nero could only dream of, it still hogs requests and bullies other programs. If you want to capture stills from dvd, Nero premium "showtime" dvd player will capture to your hearts content.

[NCC-1701]

I was just throwing out my .02 to NotJustAnotherPrettyFace. I've seen a lot ot posts in the past mention Nero. Never used it myself but it looks like a nice arrow in the quiver. I'll have to look into Nero's details. BTW, I use a Mac G4 dual. I do a lot of graphics work. I don't have anything against PC's. Just a personal preference.

[JerseyHighlander]

VideoLan is a good tool,

also try this freeware program for PC:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/movica

This is an editor for non-linear video. Exactly what you are asking for.

Have you gotten the video into digital format yet?
That in itself is going to need another piece of software.

[JerseyHighlander]

When you say "action shots" are you loking to get captured still images off of a old video (photo montage), or do you want short clips from old videos (video montage) ?

Some friendly suggestions:
1. There is freeware out there that can take care of your needs. Those telling you to go buy a new Mac are out of their gordes.
2. You might need to borrow a better video card and you would do well with at least 1GB of RAM, and 2 hard drives. One for windows and the video capture software, one for the video file to be saved on. Borrow a video card from a friend/colleague, or use your $100 budget to get a new card. Someone's kid is a pc gamer who has a dual output 512MB or higher video ram card that can appear at 2048 x 768 resolution or better. Most new cards can do widescreen dual screen, which would be even better for your wall projection. I haven't seen a projection screen at PC monitor resolution for sale in years.


3. You need to take your video and record it into a digital stream. This can be time consuming, give yourself plenty of time to record these videos. (Not sure in what format your video is in). Use www.virtualdub.org software for this. Rip at highest quality you can, remove audio capture to save yourself time. You are trying to prevent "shearing" and to keep the blacks actually black.

4. If you are doing video montage, try the free
http://sourceforge.net/projects/movica first.
5. keynote.org is a good way to control a "powerpoint like" presentation
6. Make sure your PC has a dual monitor card running and you have 1 monitor next to you and one as the wall projector. This is another reason you'll need a high end video card. Disaster prevention step.
7. Practice, through in a classical CD and practice scrollling through the montage.

This project sounds pretty cool, good luck!

[rawcatslyentist]

A mac user,,, you've never known the "joys" of hackers viruses, and malwares..... You really dont know what you're missing, be glad of it!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I'm looking to grab photo stills and put them into a Powerpoint presentation that I can control - timing-wise, according to the music being sung - through the A/V control booth in the auditorium where the music concert performances will be held.

Like a slideshow, I guess, is the best way to describe it. But I need to control the timing of how the slides are shown and thus I think Powerpoint might be the best way to go about that part of it.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Thank you for that rundown on specifics. Much appreciated. I will ping you all when my volunteer work is done.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

You neglected to inform us of what format these digital videos are in.

If it is on DVD, then WinDVD or CyberLink PowerDVD can capture screen shots at any time by the click of the mouse and automatically save in .gif or .bmp format.

If they are in .mpg format then you can use any of the other software products mentioned here to enter into an editing session and do screen caps from within.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Thank you, also, for that information. Considering I'm getting the footage from various sources, I think I'm going to be working with both of the formats you mentioned above.

[Covenantor]

Actually, the lastest versions of PowerDVD will play back mpegsaswellas capture stills.

[Covenantor]

Ahh dolt.......correction.

Actually, the lastest versions of PowerDVD will play back mpegs as well as capture stills.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

That's OK - I could read what you wrote. (Don't beat up on yourself too hard! :-). Thanks for adding to this thread!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Thank you - I ended up using your suggestion since we already had IntervideoDVD on this computer. Worked like a charm! :-)

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Thank you for all your instructions. Lucky for me - someone else did all the video conversion over from videotape to digitized footage on a DVD. So all I had to do was to playback on the DVD drive on this specific computer (from which I'm posting right now), then, and capture.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I have several friends who work in graphic arts. All of them use Macs for their work.