Camcorder Masterclass - Index
Video processors and Mixers

During the course of an instructional session Masterclass student Ron Nash was rather taken with some fancy titles and credits which had been created using a titler and processor. He realises that he has more pressing equipment needs but nevertheless hankers over possessing a decent processor. Better still - a video mixer.

He realises that there is no substitute for imagination and flair but rightly argues that if you are lucky enough to possess such facilities then the provision of suitable electronic equipment, which allows full reign to your creativity, should result in the making of better movies. However, he had certain misconceptions as to what processors can or cannot do. Here's some clarification and ideas as to how they might be used.

Non-Linear Editing
Computer programs and associated hardware are outside the scope of this article but see the NLE editing section of this website. - Webmaster.

What do we really mean?

There are no standard definition as to what constitutes a processor or mixer so we'll give you ours. Firstly, neither exercises any control over the operation of the play and record machines or contributes to frame cutting accuracy. Occasionally misleading advertisements give a different impression. Having said that there is at least one processor which contains a single scene edit controller, but as we haven't tried it we cannot comment on its efficacy. That apart, apparatus for controlling two machines etc. is an edit controller, not a processor.

Video processor facilities

A processor is a machine which can manipulate video signals to alter picture quality and often create special effects. We haven't the space to list all capabilities but the most elementary is an enhancer which is supposed to help picture image when copying from one tape to another. We wouldn't call that a special effect and if reasonable quality pictures are taken in the first place then there should be no need to buy a stand-alone enhancer. If enhancement is incorporated with other processor facilities then, fair enough, provided you need those other facilities.

Special effects really start with fades, wipes, and masks and then become increasingly sophisticated on more expensive machines. Don't be impressed solely because a machine boasts far more wipes than others. Most won't get used. The best machines incorporate features similar to those often seen on professional TV. For example, the "Tumble" where the picture spins, reduces and disappears into its own orifice. As well as special effects some processors allow the colour, brightness, sharpness and contrast to be altered. A brightness control is well worth having. It can equalise the lighting in adjacent scenes and reduce the extent of spillover of bright colours, beyond the subject outline which sometimes occurs when copying. Many machines also incorporate an audio mixer and/or possess more than one video input. Whilst the latter will enable the editor to easily switch in a picture from a second play machine don't make the mistake of thinking that two pictures can necessarily be blended or mixed together. You need a video mixer for that.

Video mixer facilities

Video mixers are more sophisticated animals. Although they may include many of the features of a processor they are far more useful because two pictures can simultaneously occupy the screen, either in the form of a dissolve, a wipe between shots, a superimposition, or two ongoing visuals in different screen areas, perhaps as a picture-in-picture.

Let's explore some creative effects which can be achieved with a processor or a video mixer. We'll ignore the fades, wipes and dissolves which may be used to link shots, because they were dealt with elsewhere. But note - dissolves can be very effective, especially when they involve scenic views.

Masks

Masks can be very useful to create a border for visuals either within a titling sequence or elsewhere. Instead of filling the screen with a map consider imposing a mask with a variable size inner circle through which the picture can be seen. This converts the map to a globe form. Whilst recording to the Master Edit you might slowly decrease the size of the see-through area until only the town name is visible. Circular or other shape framed pictures of the principal characters can help make an eyecatching title sequence. Most decent processors as well as mixers have the above facility.

Superimposition/Digital frame-grab

The superimposition capability on a video mixer is especially valuable. In the Shakespeare documentary my colleague and I wanted to simulate the Bard being consumed by flames. Mixer input one comprised of a freeze frame picture of the writer, whilst input two, fed from the play VCR, contained a close-up of leaping flames. At first the playwright predominated but then he gradually disappeared amidst a welter of flames. This effect was achieved by using a slide control which decreased the video strength emanating from the mixer's freeze frame facility whilst simultaneously increasing that from the VCR.

The video also required a shot of a bust of Shakespeare during which, after about three seconds, a mask (of the highway man type) slowly appears on his face. This was achieved by first filming the bust without the mask and then, from precisely the same camcorder position, taking an identically framed shot, but this time with the mask over the eyes. At the edit stage the second shot was gently superimposed over the first which had previously been transferred to freeze frame. Because of the identical framing the bust didn't appear to alter; only the masked area changed. In the first example had the vision of Shakespeare been a moving one then its input would have come from an additional VCR not from the freeze frame.

Apart from the afore-mentioned use, the digital freeze can grab a single frame from a wobbly picture thus rescuing something from sloppy camerawork. Obviously this will only be usable if the scene is entirely static. For creativity reasons the freeze frame can be combined with a "paint" facility to help make good looking, somewhat different, titles. On the other hand, moving pictures can also be "painted" for the same, or for other purposes.

A word to the wise
Many a video has been ruined by an editor who has just acquired a processor/mixer and wants to show off his or her new toy. It is a tool which can be useful but like most things should be used in moderation. I dare say that if you are into experimental types of movies or pop videos you might think otherwise. We'll not argue with that.