HandySaw DS 4.1
Introduction
HandySaw is intended to facilitate the job for people who work
with nonlinear editing (NLE) software.
To accelerate the digitalization process the source material is usually captured as one or several large pieces, editing in Adobe Premiere with such source files can be rather difficult. Instead of one long clip it is desirable to have a set of short clips, each one containing one single "scene" (e.g. from the start to the end of recording).
This is the task that can be accomplished by HandySaw DS.
HandySaw DS is a Powerful
Automatic Optical Video Scene Detection Tool.
Main Features
Video scenes detection
HandySaw DS offers two methods of scenes detection in the videofile:
- Optical. The program parses content of the videofile, finds scene changes and divides the initial video into separate scenes. For this analysis only videostream data is used; timecodes or any other information are not required. Of course 100% correct results cannot be guaranteed but, on the average, it is rather high.
Also thus there is an opportunity to detect very dark and very light frames as a separate scenes.
- By the date of shooting. Cameras of DV standard and the standards based on DV (DVCAM, DVCPRO), during the shoot saves time and date of shooting of each frame of video on a tape. Then if video is transferred in a computer via digital FireWire interface this information is saved in the videofile. If HandySaw finds it then search of scenes is fulfilled with usage of these data. In this case accuracy of detection makes 100 % under condition of absence of a spoilage in initial video.
Supports many video formats
Due to use MS DirectShow API HandySaw DS is capable to process the big number of formats of videofiles - AVI, MPEG, MOV, etc. Basically it can process any videofile for which there are corresponding DirectShow filters.
Works in YUV or RGB color space
Scene detector can works in YUV or RGB color space. The user can choose.
Many formats of presentation of result of splitting
HandySaw DS offers a wide range of variants of representation of the information of splitting into scenes:
- Copying of each scene in a separate file
- Libraries in format PLB and PSQ for Adobe Premiere
- EDL a file for Sony Vegas
- Script for VirtualDub which copies each scene in a separate file
- CMX3600 EDL
- Besides this it is possible to create new type of result, having written a plug-in for HandySaw...
Support of plug-ins of result generation
HandySaw DS supports plug-ins of generation of the result, written on script languages (for example JavaScript, VBScript). If you wish to receive result of splitting in a special kind, you can create a new plug-in which will meet your requirements.
In corresponding section of the help there is a full information for the developer of plug-ins.
The powerful tool for manual editing - Manual Trimmer
In addition to automatic partitioning there is Manual Trimmer tool which allows you:
- To check up a correctness of automatic partitioning on scenes.
- To delete unnecessary scenes.
- Precisely to cut off any scene.
- To splice two scenes.
- To divide a scene in the defined place on two.
- To give names to scenes.
- To enter comments to scenes.
- To place the unnumbered markers which will be accessible in Adobe Premiere.
- At any moment to save the current information in HSQ the file.
- To convenience of the user mechanism Hold/Fetch and 99 levels Undo/Redo are accessible.
Thus, automatic partitioning on scenes in a combination with Manual Trimmer allows fast and convenient to prepare the initial material for editing in the videoeditor
Copying of each scene into separate MPEG file without recompression
If source video - a MPEG file, HandySaw DS can save each found scene into separate MPEG file without recompression.
Copying of each scene into separate WMV file without recompression
If source video - a WMV file, HandySaw DS can save each found scene into separate WMV file without recompression.
Copying of each scene into separate AVI file with recompression
You can save each scene in separate AVI file and at the same time video and audio can be recompressed by the codecs chosen by you.
Batch mode of processing
You can set the list of files for processing and HandySaw DS will process all of them by turns.
Support of a command line interface
The powerful command line interface allows to organize any scenario of use of HandySaw DS.
Creation and printing of reports on splitting
You can create the report on splitting a videofile, print out it on the printer or save in sequence of BMP files by means of tool Clip Sheet.
Opportunity of easy localization of the program
Because all the significant symbolical strings, used in the interface of the program, are in a separate text file, to translate the program to other language is rather simply. Initially there are an English and Russian language packages.
Output data format
HandySaw DS can generate these types of result:
- Compatible PLB - HandySaw DS creates an Adobe Premiere Library (.PLB) file, where to each retrieved scene there corresponds one clip referring to the initial videofile. In addition there is a clip containing all initial video. This clip may contain the unnumbered markers, marking each scene start. In Adobe Premiere (further AP) it is possible for version 5 to simply open the .PLB file and import it into the project. In AP 6+ you have to import the .PLB file into an existing project! The file format is compatible with AP as much as possible.
- Usage PLB - with this option a PLB file is created also, but its format slightly differs from previous. It has some advantages and disadvantages.
On the one hand — in the project window in the "Usage" column there is a correct value of how many times this clip was located on timeline. In "Compatible PLB" all this statistics is displayed only for last, complete clip referring to all video.
On the other hand — Project Trimming function do not work correctly. It is impossible to use it.
- Split - In this case HandySaw DS writes each retrieved scene in a separate AVI file. Video recompression is not made, if it is possible and if in Preferences on tab Codecs other is not specified. If item Create Subfolder is marked, a subdirectory with name "FIlename.avi.Scenes" will be created and all scenes will be saved in it.
If in your system audio is saved in a separate WAV file, it is necessary to install the MS DirectShow filter WAVDest.ax, which is a free-of-charge example from MS DirectX 8.1 SDK and allows programs using DirectShow to save WAV files.
If the source video and result are located on one disk, resulting WAV files will be saved in the audio drive you indicated (in the Preferences) in the appropriate directory. If source and output disks are different, audio is saved near to AVI.
If source AVI file contains reel timecode then result AVI files will contain correct timecode.
If source video - MPEG file, and in Preferences on tab MPEG Files is chosen Write each scene in separate MPEG file HandySaw DS will save each found scene in separate MPEG file to within the nearest I-frame.
- Simple List - the result is a text file, in which the frame numbers of the beginning and end of the scenes are listed. Each scene is in a separate line.
- AP 5 PSQ - there is PSQ file - Adobe Premiere Sequence in Adobe Premiere 5 format.
- AP 6 PSQ - there is PSQ file - Adobe Premiere Sequence in Adobe Premiere 6 format, can contain comments of the user. PSQ 6 files can be imported in Adobe Premiere Pro.
- Vegas EDL - we receive a text file in EDL format as a result which can be opened in Sony Vegas program.
Further in the list all plug-ins of generation of the result installed in your system are listed. At standard package are present:
- CMX3600 EDL.js - file of EDL CMX3600 format is created. It is compatible with Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5
- Edius EDL.js - file of EDL format compatible with Canopus Edius is created
- HTML EDL.js - the edition list in the HTML format is created
- VDub Direct Copy.js - the script .SYL for VirtualDub is created. During execution of created script VirtualDub copies each scene of source AVI file in separate AVI file.
What's new in HandySaw DS 4.1?
Support of plug-ins of generation of result is added
Now HandySaw DS supports plug-ins of generation of the result, written on script languages (for example JavaScript, VBScript). If you wish to receive result of splitting in a special kind, you can create a new plug-in which will meet your requirements.
Recognition of "black" and "white" scenes is added
Now it is possible to set up HandySaw so that very dark and very light frames were allocated in separate scenes.
Scene detector can work in YUV color space
Now user can choose color space wich scene detector will use - RGB or YUV.
Work with MPEG2 files is improved
Because of a bug in DirectShow HandySaw incorrectly determined the dimensions of the video frame of some MPEG2 files. The mechanism of detour of this bug is added.
Choice of codecs for video and audio recompression
You can save each scene in separate AVI file and at the same time video and audio can be recompressed by the codecs chosen by you.
Saving of each scene of a MPEG file in separate MPEG a file without recompression
If source video - a MPEG file, HandySaw DS can save each found scene into separate MPEG file without recompression.
Adjustments of parameters of creation of AVI files are added
Now you can adjust such parameters for AVI files creating: DV Type, AVI interleaving and audio saving destination.
Fine adjustments of parameters of MPEG files reading are added
For achievement of the best results of work with MPEG files the opportunity to choose MPEG Demultiplexer, MPEG Video Decompressor and MPEG Audio Decompressor filters with which works with HandySaw is added
New tool - MPEG Filter Test
MPEG Filters Test allows to automate process of selection of suitable DirectShow filters for work with MPEG files.
The choice of the renderer filter is added
It is possible to choose the "renderer filter" which HandySaw uses in Manual Trimmer.
Multilanguage support is added
Now the interface of the program can be not only in English. It is possible to translate it to any other language easily.
Procedure of video processing actions choice is changed
Now HandySaw stores in memory results of processing of all files and you can apply to video in the any order: scenes autodetection, editing in Manual Trimmer and result saving without restarting the program
Interface of Manual Trimmer is slightly changed
TrackBars are changed.
The out-of-date control elements are removed
Buttons " Seeking mode " and " Locate scene while dragging " in Manual Trimmer window are removed as superfluous.
The global menu in Manual Trimmer is added
Practically all commands, possible in Manual Trimmer, are accessible from this the menu. To see it, right-click on an empty area of Manual Trimmer window.
The type of result Vegas EDL is compatible with Vegas version 5
Created EDL files are compatible both with 4 and 5 version of Sony Vegas.
New parameters of a command line are added
Now from a command line it is possible to demand to generate Clip Sheet and to print out it or to save into BMP files.
Manual Trimmer is optimized
The mechanism of extraction of pictures from video file is completely reworked. Plural optimizations of the Manual Trimmer engine are made. Now it works much more quickly.
Saving of each scene of a WMV file in separate WMV a file without recompression is added
If source video - a Windows Media WMV file, HandySaw DS can save each found scene into separate WMV file without recompression.
You can choose how many thumbnails per scene Manual Trimmer shows in scenes list
Now each scene can be represented in scenes list of Manual Trimmer not only by two thumbnails but from one to five!
Manual Trimmer
Third HandySaw version includes the powerful tool of a manual
video trimming - Manual Trimmer .
It allows:
System requirements In order to
use HandySaw DS the following conditions are necessary:
- Windows Operating System
- Intel Pentium CPU or above
- Microsoft DirectX 8.1 or above
- DirectShow filter WAVDest.ax (for
usage of the Split mode on systems with separate storage of video
and audio)
- Microsoft Windows Script Control
- Windows Media Format Runtime (to operate with WMV files)
History of changes
Version 4.1
- Now plug-ins can have adjustable by user parameters
- Thumbnails retrieving routines rewritten
- Some core routines rewritten
Version 4.01
- Saving of each scene of a WMV file in separate WMV a file without recompression is added
- You can choose how many thumbnails per scene Manual Trimmer shows in scenes list
- Several bugs was fixed
- Bugs tracking system is added
Version 4
- Support of plug-ins of generation of result is added
- Recognition of "black" and "white" scenes is added
- Scene detector can work in YUV color space
- Work with MPEG2 files is improved
- Choice of codecs for video and audio recompression
- Saving of each scene of a MPEG file in separate MPEG a file without recompression
- Adjustments of parameters of creation of AVI files are added
- Fine adjustments of parameters of MPEG files reading are added
- New tool - MPEG Filter Test
- The choice of the renderer filter is added
- Multilanguage support is added
- Procedure of video processing actions choice is changed
- Interface of Manual Trimmer is slightly changed
- The out-of-date control elements are removed
- The global menu in Manual Trimmer is added
- The type of result Vegas EDL is compatible with Vegas version 5
- New parameters of a command line are added
- Manual Trimmer is optimized
Version
3.21
- The new type of result - Vegas EDL is added
- If video contains the information on time of shooting it is
displayed in Manual Trimmer
- In the processing log-file the method of scenes detection for
each processed file is displayed
- The bug, resulting to that sometimes video was recognized optically
even if there was an information on time of shooting in the file,
is corrected
Version
3.2
- The report generator - Clip Sheet is added
- The mechanism of optical redetection of scenes is added
- Scene naming templates are added
- Possibility to process video of the Windows Media format
- The format of HSQ files is changed - now version 2
- Possibility to speed up optical recognition of files of some
formats at the expense of usage of video of the reduced quality
is added
Version 3.1
- The algorithm of ignoring of flashlights is added
- Search of scenes on time of shooting is added
Version 3
- Manual editing of scenes - Manual Trimmer tool
- In Split mode the information about timecode of initial video
is saved
- The type of result - PSQ 5
- The type of result - PSQ 6
- Own HSQ file format
Version 2.02
- Two errors in the mechanism of copying AVI of files in Split
mode are corrected. In rare cases they resulted to that resulting
files could not be played back.
Version 2
- Usage of Microsoft DirectShow API and consequently abbreviation
DS has been added to a program name
- The support of AVI Type 2 — files more than 1 Gigabyte
- DV files support
- One algorithm for optical recognition of the scenes with an
adjusted threshold of sensitivity
- Batch operation
- Two kinds of PLB files can be created — Compatible PLB
and Usage PLB
- New kind of result — Simple List
- The advanced command line mode
- Correct recognition of audio in separate WAV file
- Correct processing of dropped frames
- Limitation of minimum length of the retrieved scenes
- The date of creation of a source file is assigned to files
created in the Split mode
- "Quiet mode" - the dialogues with error messages
are not output
- The process can set priority of execution
- Possibility of recording of processing errors in the log-file
- Possibility of recording of processing results in the log-file
- Integration with Windows explorer
- Detailed realtime statistics during execution
- Installer/uninstaller
Version 1.2b
- The structure of created .PBL file was considerably perfected.
Now project, created with the HandySaw use, can be trimmed (Utilites/Project
Trimmer).
- The correct recognition of any values of "Frames Per
Second" of a source video was added.
- The possibility to discard adjusted quantity of last frames
of each scene was added.
- The indexing of the scenes now is carried on in decimal format
instead of in hexadecimal.
- Generated .PLB files are compatible with Adobe Premiere 6
now. It is recommended to import them to the project via File\Import\File.
Version 1.1b2
- Small bug of audio disappearing in long source splitting was
fixed.
Version 1.1b
- The opportunity to save each found scene in separate AVI file
was added. Now HandySaw can be used with any videoediting system,
not only Adobe Premiere 5.*.
Version 1.0b3
- NTSC 30fps and 29.97fps support was added.
Version 1.0b2
- The improved algorithm of recognition was added. Percent of
the detected cuts was rather increased.
- The DV mode was added. Very slow. It is sensitive to any distîrtions
of a picture, accepts them for cuts. The sole mode, which can
be used in DV-systems.
- In the main window of the program the information on an amount
of the detected cuts, elapsed time and scan speed was added.
- The name of a source file can be set with the "Drag'n'Drop" from
Windows Explorer and as program argument at start.
Version 1.0b
- First issued version of the program. One base algorithm of
scene recognition was realized.
Conclusion I offer to download and
test this program in operation. Good luck!
Buy
HandySaw online! |
