Insert Editing

Important: In modern non-linear editing the term "insert editing" has a different meaning. This page refers to the meaning it used to have in linear tape-to-tape editing.

Sometimes you want to insert a new video clip over top of existing video footage. For example, you might have a lengthy shot of a person speaking and you'd like to insert a few cutaway shots to break it up and make it more interesting.

As previously discussed, if you try to do this using assemble editing, you will get a horrible picture disturbance at the end of the edit. Also, the audio from the new footage will replace the existing audio — in the example above this would not be desirable.

The answer is insert editing — a method of inserting new video over old video with clean beginning and end points. You can also add new pictures while keeping the original audio.

Unfortunately not all video machines are able to do video inserts. It is a relatively advanced function for consumer-level equipment, and is normally only available in semi-professional or professional machines.

One thing to note with insert editing is that it must be done over the top of pre-recorded footage (or stable black). This is because insert editing uses the synch pulse of the underlying video. If you try to insert edit over unrecorded video tape the picture will be unstable.

The way insert editing works varies between machines. Consult your manual for exact details and instructions.

Next Page: Audio Inserting