Video Editing, Fourth Edition: A Postproduction Primer [Paperback]

Steven E. Browne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 23, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0240804023 | ISBN-13: 978-0240804026 | Edition: 4

Video Editing is a comprehensive, practical guide to editing techniques and practices that covers both technical and creative aspects of video postproduction. Aimed at helping the reader to become knowledgeable about and comfortable with these concepts and techniques, its direct approach and user-friendly style make it accessible to readers at all levels, from students to practiced editors. This thoroughly updated edition also covers the new DTV formats, newer random access editing systems, and offers tips to help readers become comfortable with the new formats and systems.


Focusing on cutting edge technology, the fourth edition examines the conceptual and practical aspects of the next evolution--the new DTV formats. DTV provides picture quality similar to 35 mm. movies with sound quality similar to that of the CD. Discussions of industry procedures also help make the editing process easier to follow

* Covers DTV formats and new random access systems

* Accessible to both students and professionals

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This new edition of Browne's original is updated to cover new technologies and digital editing. Video Editing is a solid introduction to the world of professional editing."
-Videomaker
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

Focusing on cutting edge technology, the fourth edition examines the conceptual and practical aspects of the next evolution--the new DTV formats. Discussions of industry procedures also help make the editing process easier to follow.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 4 edition (April 23, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240804023
• ISBN-13: 978-0240804026
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,242,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

It has been years writing books and this kindle edition is great. I am considering bringing some of my out of print books online.

Currently I am in the middle of a new novel that combines romance and adventure along the California coast.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars mostly outdated and nearly useless, January 7, 2004

By 

+++ (OR, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Video Editing, Third Edition: A Postproduction Primer (Paperback)

I like to find in the book the material which I expect from its title. I would've rated this book much higher if it were called "History of video editing", which is pretty much what it is about. The fourth edition of this book, published in 2002, is heavily based on its earlier editions, which date back to the early 1990s or late 1980s. The majority of illustrations depict equipment which was used back in the 1970s-1980s. The technical editing tools presented by the author look like museum items compared to the modern computer-based editing tools, and the manuals of these programs would tell much more about digital editing than this book. The old material is occasionally updated by references to high definition TV standards and modern video tape formats, which are not clearly separated from the old ones, and it is not even clear which of 10+ standards used in consumer-level camcorders and in professional equipment. Some ideas on how to shoot videos to avoid common mistakes are useful, but again it is just a short chapter. To make things worse, the book contains a lot of practically useless, for most people, information such as structure of tracks on 2-inch-wide video tape used in the first videorecorder introduced in 1956, or (more modern example) position of audio and video tracks on VHS tapes. A consumer like I am can edit home videos without any of this knowledge.

It was interesting to learn when the first videotape recorder was invented and see a picture of that device and its designers, including Ray Dolby who later founded Dolby Labs. But you know, I expected to find in this book much more up-to-date and much more practical things, judging by its title and its 2002 (for the 4th edition) publication date. It took me 20 minutes to read the book (or whaever I thought was useful) from the beginning to the end.

I suppose, the 1996 year edition depicted at the top of this page is even more outdated.

My opinion and advice: Don't waste you money on it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Only general information in this book, August 28, 2002

By 

Adrian (Toronto) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Video Editing, Fourth Edition: A Postproduction Primer (Paperback)

This book offers only general information. It's a good start to get information about concepts used in video editing but is far from offering you in depth information. Although I found some good info, I was relatively disappointed (3 stars), but maybe I had wrong expectations.

4.0 out of 5 stars old school for NLE editors, September 10, 2007

By 

Steven E. Brown "Steven E, Browne author/editor" (La Canada, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Video Editing, Fourth Edition: A Postproduction Primer (Paperback)

Yes, it is old technology, it is history but everyone still uses video tape. It is amazing how many adobe, final cut and avid editors know nothing about control track, ins and outs and don't even know how to read an EDL. They're all good until tape is involved.
I agree the technology is old but much of the information is still being used. I know more than one filmmaker who could have used the production advice, including recording room tone.