Editing Nikon Video [LR-4, win-7]

<p>I've just started to play with video with my D800 and would really like to be able to at look at what I shot, after the transfer, without cranking my head over at 90°. I can't seem to find a tool or utility that will just allow me to rotate the image 90° to get it upright. Anyone here tell me where that simplest of tools may be hiding? LR-4.2, Windoz-7 <br>

TIA</p>

<p>Are you deliberately shooting in portrait orientation? With the camera oriented correctly for video shooting, the MOV file should play correctly as-is.</p>

<p>Yes. Didn't know I couldn't/shouldn't. <br>

All video shot in landscape? <br>

Can't rotate the image at all?<br>

Thanks</p>

<p>Mark, you might have a look at VLC which should be able to rotate, convert and save:<br>

<a href="http://www.wintips.org/how-to-rotate-and-save-a-video-using-vlc-media-player/">http://www.wintips.org/how-to-rotate-and-save-a-video-using-vlc-media-player/</a></p>

<p>Yes, there are plenty of ways to rotate video shot in the wrong orientation - most good editors can do it, but it can be computationally a good workload, and can take a little while. <br /><br />The native orientation (landscape) is the way it is because it's taking into account the way that most people will be displaying the video back: on an HD display like your basic TV, these days. Note that all TV's (not counting some unusual display options use in shopping malls, etc) usually default to a horizontal/landscape format.</p>

<blockquote>

<p><em>"All video shot in landscape?"</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Mark, in short, yes, as Matt said, unless you have a special reason to shoot in portrait orientation. <br>

<br>

By shooting portrait mode you will be compressing the vertical to fit a wide screen while leaving blank sides, not only is it aesthetically unpleasant, it's also throwing away usable pixels for nothing. If a scene calls for a more vertical framing, better to do it in post via software zoom even if it achieves the same resolution as portrait mode; at least the frame will be filled without blank sides. </p>

<p>Thanks guys. Seems my effort to concentrate "on the action" i.e. in portrait orientation, as I would doing stills, just has to change. Thus I'll need to get closer or get some bigger glass.<br>

Oo-o-o, with #1 grandson involved, "Bigger Glass" is in the near future!! |;-}}}</p>

<p>Damn. Don't you hate it when technical matters beyond your control force you to acquire a new lens? Rats. Well, I'm sure you'll get over it!<br /><br />Happy editing! (that's the hard part)</p>

<p>Michael,<br>

I tried that link. The viewer editor didn't seem to have what I was looking for but what it did have came with a load of malware. Took several full-bore scans with Spybot and Malwarebytes to clean it all out.<br>

I'll stick to landscape.</p>

<p>Mark, do you mean VLC installed malware? Did you get it from here?<br>

<a href="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html">http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html</a></p>

<p>I'm surprised. VLC is probably the most popular video viewer out there and able to view just about every available format. </p>

<p>In any event, if you decide to get into video editing more seriously, there are a number of more competent editors which many of us can recommend; I'll start with Sony Vegas:<br>

<a href="http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/vegassoftware">http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/vegassoftware</a></p>

<p>They offer free trials and even the lowest cost version is very capable depending on your requirement. </p>

<p>Hi Michael,<br>

It may have been partly my fault as I might have approved something as part of the download that I didn't need to. Either way, the junk is gone now.<br>

The home movie thing has never been a big thing with me. I can still remember my old man going out and getting a Bell & Howell 8mm triple-turret camera and projector to take movies of me in 4th grade on the football team. Worse than awful (both me and the movies), but I suspect he dug'em.<br>

If all else fails, I can always use the Big Glass for stills. 70-200/2.8 VRII here I come! |;-}}</p>

<p>You'll definitely want an external microphone, Mark. Otherwise you'll be making some fantastic recordings of the autofocus and VR systems hard at work! The Nikon hot-shoe mic, or perhaps something from Rode, are nicely shock-mounted, and will really help matters.</p>

<p>Thanks Matt. Any preference between the two?</p>

<p>Mark: Really depends on what you're trying to record. The Nikon ME-1 is a stereo mic meant more for general purpose/ambient recording. Not a lot of "reach," as one might want if you're after sounds from the field in a sports situation. Rode makes similar mics, but also some short shotguns that are more directional. Really does come down to what you're trying to capture. Hate to say it, but these are basically sound lenses... and you <em>know</em> you'll end up with more than one for the same reason you have wide-angles and telephotos!</p>

<p>A strong contender:<br>

<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/883650-REG/Que_Audio_qmsg_pro_Mini_Shotgun_Pro_Mic.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/883650-REG/Que_Audio_qmsg_pro_Mini_Shotgun_Pro_Mic.html</a><br>

<a href="

- video review used with a D800</p>

<p>My personal preference is a separate digital audio recorder:<br>

<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/811053-REG/Zoom_ZH2N_H2n_Handy_Recorder_Portable.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/811053-REG/Zoom_ZH2N_H2n_Handy_Recorder_Portable.html</a><br>

<a href="

- Video demo with a D800</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Thanks again, folks</p>

<p>Depending on which Nikon Model you have; the value of an external mic could be next to useless. I put an ME1 mic on my D300S and was dissapointed in the Audio Quality. At first I blamed the mic, then after using it with a Canon 5D Mk 2 the sound quality was good. There is a fundamental problem with earlier Nikon Audio which drove me to the Canon system. I hope by that by now Nikon have sorted this out with the Later models.<br>

Rode V Nikon Me1 Mics<br>

Comparing the Rode mic to the Nikon the Audio quality of both are good. The ME1 can give a 3 dimensional sound; especially when using headphones. As it is omnidirectional it will pick up background noise which is good for travel videos; but not for recording music or speech in a busy environment. It is the equivalent audibly to an ultra wide lens. The Nikon mic is very easy to use with switch to reduce low frequency noise and rumble. The ME1 is very prone to wind noise so on must bear this in mind when shooting outside.<br /> The Rode shotgun mic is unidirectional; so can be fairly effective at cutting down on background noise from the rear or side. This makes it a better mic for recording music or interviews. However the Rode's narrow sound field can be likened to a Telephoto lens. This means if you are recording musicians on stage and turn your camera to the audience and you will reduce the sound of the musicians when you do so. This will be far more noticeable when you are recording manually. The Rode mic is very sensitive and requires care in setting the levels to avoid overload. There are awkwardly positioned switches to reduce the sound levels and a low noise switch. The foam shield does reduce wind noise to some extent . I have had fair results from shooting from the back of a motor bike; its much better than the Nikon in that way<br>

If you record either on auto you will pick up background (audience) noise in the music becomes quieter so Its best to do a sound check before recording.</p>