A Video input adapter is a hardware extension for video editing. It is not just about the pure digitization of analog video and audio signals, but also about video editing, in which individual sequences are joined together. The individual parts are taken over by a source medium, i. H. copied and remixed in altered order. Top-current graphics cards, especially in the high-price segment, which are built into powerful PCs, often already provide sufficient functions for video editing. For home users, they are sufficient in many cases. Required is an additional Video input adapter in older computers, which lack the required performance, and in the semi-and above all, fully professional environment in which higher demands on the video editing are made. Video editing cards are available for installation in the PCor as an external functional unit in its own housing.

MAZ and NLE – the two basic procedures for video editing

Basically, during video editing, an editor uses video source material to copy selected sequences to a target medium and string them together. The result is a video that has been redesigned both in terms of content and dramaturgy. Basically, two different methods are used:

– Linear cut
is carried out in the professional field at a machine cutting place. Are processed magnetic recording media (MAZen). Recorded is analog or digital and the target media are mostly magnetic tapes. The process is complex and the required equipment is often implemented in 19 inch technology.

– Nonlinear section (NLE)
is performed on machines equipped with video editing hardware and software. The signals are first stored on hard disks, with analog data being digitized. Then it is possible to add individual segments together. Picture and sound can be put together separately.

Older computers with Video input adapter

With older PC’s when recording analog and digital video material, the question of the advantages of a Video input adapter easy to answer. The card is simply necessary because both older computers and older video cards are not powerful enough for such applications and require additional support, especially if an on-board graphics has been installed.

Current calculator with Video input adapter

Modern PC’s or notebooks with a current graphic cardequipped usually contain a dedicated graphics unit with its own memory. It is often so powerful that upgrading may not be required in cases of simple editing. External analogue sources can often be imported via a FireWire interface or with the help of a DV camera. Nevertheless, even with current hardware, the use of a special video card has significant advantages. They provide immediate and optimal control of editing through real-time plug-ins and related video editing programs. Although there are a lot of free software for video editing in the open source area too, these programs often do not optimally match the existing hardware. Separately purchased video editing software is usually highly comfortable, but often expensive and not always optimally adapted. For a video editing card, the software is almost always included in the delivery and is specifically tailored to the individual functions of the card hardware and firmware.

The main features of a video editing card

The cards not only read the image signals, but also buffer them for further processing. This allows a preview image to be calculated in real time without loading the CPU of the computer. In addition, even during video editing, all editing steps such as title creation, color corrections, effects, or animations on the output monitor can be controlled immediately – and not just as a preview image. Newer cards usually have a sound chip, analog inputs and outputs (audio, S-video, F-BAS, video BAS), YUV and an MPEG or MPEG2 encoder. In addition, they are also mostly equipped for new technologies such as HDV or HDTV and with connections such as u.a. HD YUV equipped. In addition to video editing cards usually also includes an attractive software package with features such. B. DVD creation. In addition, they also offer plug-ins for common Video Editors,