What a confusing program.

[Contortionist]

With Premiere being my preferred NLE up until I purchased my DVX, I, understandably, am having immense troubles adjusting to Avid (xpress pro). I just can't figure the stupid thing out. Is there a web site out there that gives a thorough tutorial on this "industry standard". Because without one, I'm totally lost.

(I'm talking basics here, I can't even manage to rearrange footage without messing up the whole works)

Also, I'm sure there are some wonderful Avid books out there, and I would love to know what ones are really helpful, but my first priority would be to find web based help since it would allow me continue lurking in the shadows of my room never actually seeing the light of day.

Thanks,
*David.

[MichaelP]

I don't know of any wen based sites that offer this type of information, but the set should have contained a tutorial disc with some footage and a sef paced set of instructions. You can still purchase from the darkness of your room several good books directly from the Avid store on the Avid site as well as tutorials...
;)

Michael

[Contortionist]

Yeah, I've sort of come to the same conclusion about the possibility of a web guide to this product. I'll just have to head to borders at night or on a severely overcast day and snag myself one of those 20 lb. "idiot's" guides.

I needed to lose my DVXuser.com posting virginity anyway, and this was both gentle and pleasant. Thanks.

David

[Howard]

Hi David,

I read your question about a basic guide with a lot of interest because I just got my DVX (actually, I'm still waiting to pop up to Finland from Kosovo where it's waiting to be picked up...) and I am scouting out different editing programs.

I was wondering why you felt compelled to change from Premiere to Avid? Doesn't Premiere work well with a DVX? (in other words, what am I going to find out the hard way....??)

Also, the question you asked about AVID, I was wondering about the camera itself - Is there a basic book out there that would introduce me to using the camera in a reasonably easy fashion?

Anyway, I identify with having wanted to break my DVX User virginity (never liked virgins - nor being one...) ;D

Cheers,
Howard

[oigflabble]

Howard,

The DVX manual provides reasonable coverage on the subject. Generally I found that anything that wasn't explained there was either basic information you could find described on this site, the web in general, or perhaps on Adam Wilt's thougthful essays at www.adamwilt.com. I hope you enjoy your new camera!

[booggerg]

use the tutorial disc that came with Avid... can't be that hard can it? You're reasonably clever right? NLEs... they're all the same concept to a certain extend.

[Beat Takeshi]

Howard,
I was a Premiere and vegas fan until this last project where I need to generate an EDL for an effects house. Premiere mentions what an EDL is but not if and how its generated. Vegas outputs one but from what I understand its not the standard format and is useless to an online Avid system. After Micheal P's presentation at the Avid users group last night, I saw there is much more to editing than just sticking clips together. I just got the Avid xpress pro visual quick guide and the free Xpress from the avid site to get me started on the learning curve until I figure out how im going to get the real deal after I sell my DVX and get the "A".

[grinner]

already knowing premiere and understanding how non-linear editing works, you have a head start. It's just different buttons doing much the same thing. If you mouse over buttons, they'll tell ya what they are. Avid gets cute with it's icons. Always have.
Time in the chair is the only thing that'll get ya feelin comfy. Just start diving in and know you have mutiple undos if you happen to do something you didn't wanna do.
Ask questions along the way and have fun.