Steinberg Cubase 7 User Manual

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VideoBefore you start
Cubase supports all these container formats, but problems may arise when the 
computer does not have the correct software to decode compressed video and audio 
streams within the container file. You must also know the type of codec that was used 
to create the video file.
Codecs
Codecs are methods of data compression used to make video (and audio) files 
smaller and more manageable for computers. In order to play back a video file, your 
computer must have the correct codec installed in the operating system to decode 
the video stream.
If you are not able to load a certain video file, the required codec is probably not 
installed on your computer. In this case, you can search the internet (e.
 g. the 
Microsoft or Apple web sites) for video codecs.
Frame rates
Cubase is capable of working with different types of video and film frame rates. For an 
overview about the supported frame rates, refer to the section 
“Frame rate (speed)” 
on page 652.
Video output devices
Cubase supports several ways to play back video files. Viewing video files onscreen in 
the Video Player window may work just fine for many applications, but often it is 
necessary to display video in a large format for viewing small details and so others 
involved in the session can also see the video. Cubase provides the ability to use 
several types of video output devices to accomplish this.
Multi-head video cards
One of the most common methods is the use of a multi-head video card installed in 
the computer. Multi-head video cards allow you to connect more than one computer 
monitor to the card, in some cases up to four. If you direct the video output of Cubase 
to one of these outputs, the video file is displayed in full screen mode on a computer 
monitor or HD television screen. 
ÖYou can also use more than one video card to achieve the same result. 
Different video cards support different types of outputs including standard VGA, DVI, 
S-Video, HDMI, and component video. These options allow you to choose the type of 
monitor you use for video. HD televisions and digital projectors provide the largest 
viewing screens, but a normal computer monitor can function as a very high-quality 
video monitor as well.
Dedicated video cards
The use of a dedicated video card is also supported in Cubase. These cards are 
normally used in video editing systems to capture video to disk and display it while 
editing. They usually have a high resolution and take some strain off the host CPU by 
providing video compression and decompression processing on the card. 
AVIThis format is a multimedia container format introduced by Microsoft.
DVThis is a video format used by camcorders.
Format Description
!The names of codecs and container formats can be confusing. Because many 
container formats have the same names as the codecs they use within the file, make 
sure to differentiate the container format or file type, for example .mov or .dv, from the 
codec used within it. 
						

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VideoPreparing a video project in Cubase
ÖThe Decklink cards by Blackmagic Design are automatically recognized by Cubase. 
Video will be sent directly to its output.
FireWire DV Output
You have the option to use FireWire ports on the computer to output DV video 
streams to external converters such as various camcorders and standalone FireWire 
to DV conversion units. These units can be connected to a television or projector for 
large format viewing. The FireWire protocol is capable of transporting data at high 
speed and is the most common standard for communicating with video-related 
peripheral equipment.
Preparing a video project in Cubase
The following sections describe the basic operations necessary for preparing a 
Cubase project involving video. It is advisable to save your video files on a separate 
hard drive from your audio files. This can help prevent data streaming problems when 
using high-resolution video with many audio tracks. 
Importing video files
Importing a video file into your project is very straight forward once you know that you 
have a compatible video file. 
Video files are imported in the same manner as audio files:
•By using the File menu (Import–Video File).
In the Import Video dialog, you can activate the “Extract Audio From Video” option. 
This imports any embedded audio streams to a newly created audio track 
positioned below the video track. The new track and the clip will get the name of 
the video file. The new audio event will start at the same time as the video event, so 
that they are in sync with each other.
ÖIf you try to import a non-supported video file with the Import Video option, the Import 
Video dialog displays the text “Invalid or not supported file!”.
•By importing to the Pool first and then dragging to the Project window, see “The 
Pool” on page 376.
•By using drag and drop from the MediaBay, the Pool, the Windows Explorer, or the 
Mac OS Finder.
ÖWhen importing video files via the Pool or by using drag and drop, Cubase can 
automatically extract the audio from a video file. Whether this happens, depends on 
the “Extract Audio on Import Video File” setting in the Preferences dialog (Video 
page). For further information about extracting audio from a video file, see 
“Extracting 
audio from a video file” on page 678.
ÖWhen importing video, Cubase automatically creates a thumbnail cache file. The 
generated file is stored in the same folder as the video file and gets the name of the 
file with the suffix “.vcache”.
!On Windows systems, it is important that you connect your device to the FireWire 
port before launching Cubase. Otherwise it may not be detected properly by Cubase.
!In Cubase, you may work with multiple video files of differing frame rates and formats 
on the same video track. Assuming you have the proper codecs installed, all video 
files can be played back in one project, but note that proper synchronization of audio 
and video events is ensured only if the frame rate of the video file matches the project 
frame rate. 
						

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VideoPreparing a video project in Cubase
Adopting the video frame rate
When using video files within Cubase, it is important to adjust the project’s frame rate to 
that of the imported video. This ensures that the time displays of Cubase correspond to 
the actual frames in the video. If the frame rate of an imported video file differs from the 
frame rate set for the project, the video event shows a warning.
In order to match the two frame rates, you have to adjust the frame rate in the Project 
Setup dialog.
To adopt the video frame rate, proceed as follows:
1.Open the Project menu and select “Project Setup…”.
2.In the Project Setup dialog, click the “Get From Video” button.
Provided that the video file has a frame rate supported by Cubase, it is 
automatically detected and applied to the project. If the project contains several 
video files with different frame rates, the project frame rate is adjusted to the frame 
rate of the first video event on the upper video track.
The project frame rate setting will change to that of the video file and the project start 
time will be altered to reflect the change in frame rate if needed. For example, when 
the project frame rate is switched from 30
 fps to 29.97 fps, the start time is changed 
so that all the events currently in the project remain at the same positions in relation to 
realtime. If you want the project start time to remain the same, you must manually 
change it back after clicking the “Get From Video” button. In this case, it is important 
that the video event is snapped to the timeline to ensure proper positioning and 
synchronization within the project.
ÖCubase can only detect the supported frame rates (these are the frame rates listed in 
the Frame Rate pop-up menu in the Project Setup dialog). Video files with non-
supported frame rates can be played back, but the time displays are not correct in this 
case and proper positioning is not guaranteed. Furthermore, audio and video may not 
be in sync. Therefore, we recommend that you use an external application to convert 
the video file to a frame rate supported by Cubase.
If you have more than one video file in a project, it is advisable that all video files have 
the same frame rate consistent with the project frame rate. Nevertheless, you can 
work with multiple video files of differing frame rates, but in this case you should 
always change the project frame rate to the frame rate of the video file that you are 
editing at the moment. This is done in the Project Setup dialog by selecting the 
correct frame rate from the Frame Rate pop-up menu. 
						

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VideoVideo files in the Project window
Video files in the Project window
Video files are displayed as events/clips on a video track, with thumbnails 
representing the frames in the film. 
In the track list and in the Inspector, the following buttons are available:
ÖSome of these buttons may not be visible in the track list. In the Track Controls 
Settings dialog you can determine which buttons are displayed in the track list, see 
the section 
“Customizing track controls” on page 702.
About thumbnails
The individual thumbnail images are positioned exactly at the beginning of the 
corresponding frame. When you zoom in and there is enough space between the 
frames, the thumbnail is repeated as many times as there is free space available. Thus, 
you can always see a thumbnail regardless of how much you zoom in.
Thumbnail Memory Cache Size
In the Preferences dialog on the Video page, you can enter a value for the “Thumbnail 
Memory Cache Size”. This determines how much memory is available for displaying 
“real” thumbnails. The currently shown image is buffered in the thumbnail memory 
cache. Whenever you move to another image and there is no memory capacity left, 
the “oldest” picture in the cache is replaced by the current one. If you have long video 
clips and/or work with a large zoom factor, you may have to raise the “Thumbnail 
Memory Cache Size” value.
About thumbnail cache files
When importing video, Cubase automatically creates a thumbnail cache file. The 
cache file is used in situations where the processor load is very high and the correct 
redrawing or realtime calculation of thumbnails might use system resources necessary 
for editing or processing. When you zoom in on the thumbnails, you see that they are 
in a lower resolution, i.
 e. the pictures are not as clear as when they are calculated. 
When the processes that rely heavily on the computer CPU are finished, the frames 
are automatically recalculated, i.
 e. the program automatically switches between 
realtime calculation of the pictures and using the cache file.
ÖThere are situations where no thumbnail cache file can be generated, e. g. if you 
import a video file from a folder that is write-protected. If you have access to the host 
folder at a later stage, you can generate a thumbnail cache file manually.
ButtonDescription
Mute VideoWhen this is activated, video playback is disabled, but playback of any 
other events in the project continues. This increases the performance 
of Cubase when realizing operations that do not require watching the 
video.
Show Frame 
NumbersWhen this is activated, each thumbnail is shown with the 
corresponding video frame number.
Show ThumbnailsWith this button you can activate/deactivate the thumbnails of a video 
track.
LockWhen this is activated, the video event will be locked, see the section 
“Locking events” on page 78.
Show frame numbers Mute videoShow thumbnailsLock 
						

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VideoPlaying back video
Manually generating thumbnail cache files
If no thumbnail cache file could be generated during import or if you have to “refresh” 
a thumbnail cache file of a certain video file, because the file has been edited with an 
external video editing application, you have the possibility to generate the thumbnail 
cache file manually.
To create a thumbnail cache file manually, you have the following possibilities:
•In the Pool, right-click on the video file that you want to create a thumbnail cache 
file for and select the “Generate Thumbnail Cache” option from the context menu.
A thumbnail cache file is created, or, in case there already existed a thumbnail 
cache file for the video file, it is “refreshed”.
•In the Project window, open the context menu for the video event, and select 
“Generate Thumbnail Cache” from the Media submenu.
•Open the Media Menu and select “Generate Thumbnail Cache”.
Ö“Refreshing” an already existing thumbnail cache file can be done only from within the 
Pool.
ÖThe thumbnail cache file is generated in the background so that you can continue 
working with Cubase.
Playing back video
To check if your video equipment is capable of playing back a video from within Cubase, 
open the Video Player page in the Device Setup dialog. If your system does not meet 
the minimum video requirements, a corresponding message will be displayed.
Video is played back together with all other audio and MIDI material, using the 
Transport controls. 
Video settings in the Device Setup dialog
In the Device Setup dialog you determine which device is used for playing back video 
files. You can switch between different output devices during playback.
The Video 
Player page in 
the Device 
Setup dialog
!For playing back video files, you must have QuickTime 7.1 or higher installed on your 
computer. There is a freeware version and a “pro” version, which offers additional 
video conversion options. The player engine is the same in both versions, so for mere 
playback in Cubase there is no need to purchase the “pro” version. 
!You need a video card that supports OpenGL (version 2.0 recommended) for proper 
video playback. A card with OpenGL
 1.2 can also be used, but might put restrictions 
on the video functionality.  
						

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VideoPlaying back video
To set up a video output device, proceed as follows:
1.Open the Devices Menu and select “Device Setup…” to open the Device Setup 
dialog, and select the Video Player page.
2.In the Active column, activate the checkbox for the device that you want to use for 
playing back video. 
All devices in your system that are capable of playing back video are listed. The 
Onscreen Window device serves for playing back the video file on your computer 
monitor. For further information on output devices, see the section 
“Video output 
devices” on page 671.
3.From the pop-up menu in the Format column, select an output format.
For the Onscreen Window output, only a “fixed” format is available. For the other 
output devices, you can select different output formats for playback depending on 
the device.
4.Adjust the Offset setting to compensate for processing delays.
Due to delays while processing video, the video image may not match with the 
audio in Cubase. By using the Offset parameter, you can compensate for this 
effect. The Offset value indicates how many milliseconds the video will be 
delivered earlier in order to compensate for the processing time of the video 
material. Each hardware setup can have different processing delays, so you must 
try out different values to determine which value is appropriate. 
ÖThe Offset value can be set individually for each output device. It is saved globally for 
each output device and is independent of the project.
ÖThe offset is only used during playback. It is defeated in stop and scrub mode so that 
you always see the correct video frame.
•If the quality of the video image is not a critical factor or if you are experiencing 
performance problems, try lowering the value on the Video Quality pop-up menu.
Although higher quality settings make the video display sharper and smoother, 
they also lead to an increased processor load.
Improving video performance
Sometimes, video problems, such as stutters during playback, are caused by codecs 
that do not support multi-threading. This can be the case for video files that use 
single-threaded decoding, such as Motion-JPEG, Photo-JPEG, and QuickTime DV 
codecs. These types of video files are typically created when capturing video with 
Decklink/AJA cards.
To compensate for this, you can activate the Boost Video (formance) option on the 
Video Player page in the Device Setup dialog. This excludes one of the available CPU 
cores from audio processing and reserves it for video tasks like decoding and 
playback. However, this may reduce the audio performance.
Playing back video on the computer screen
The Video Player window is used for playing back video on your computer screen.
•To open the Video Player window, open the Devices menu and select the “Video 
Player” option.
!For this option to have an effect, you must also activate the Multi Processing option in 
the Device Setup dialog (VST Audio System page). 
						

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VideoPlaying back video
Setting the window size and video quality
To resize the Video Player window and/or change the playback quality of the video, 
select the appropriate option on the context menu of the Video Player window.
The following options are available:
•To resize the Video Player window, you can also drag the borders.
ÖThe higher the resolution, the more processing power is needed for playback. If you 
need to reduce the processor load, you can reduce the size of the Video Player 
window, or lower the value on the Video Quality submenu.
Setting the aspect ratio
Resizing the Video Player window by dragging its borders may lead to a distorted 
image. To prevent this, you can set an aspect ratio for video playback.
•From the Aspect Ratio submenu of the Video Player context menu, select one of 
the following options:
OptionDescription
Fullscreen ModeThe window is enlarged to occupy the whole (computer) screen. If you 
are working with more than one monitor, you can move the Video 
Player window to an extra monitor. Thus, you can work with Cubase on 
one monitor and let the video play back on another monitor. You can 
exit full screen mode via the window’s context menu or by pressing 
[Esc] on your computer keyboard.
Quarter SizeThe window size is reduced to a quarter of the actual size.
Half SizeThe window size is reduced to half the actual size.
Actual SizeThe window size corresponds to the size of the video.
Double SizeThe window is enlarged to twice the actual size.
Video QualityThis submenu allows you to change the quality of the video image. 
Higher settings make the video display sharper and smoother, but lead 
to an increased processor load.
OptionDescription
NoneThe aspect ratio of the video is not kept when resizing the window. The 
image is enlarged/reduced to occupy the whole Video Player window.
InternalThe Video Player window can be resized at will, but the aspect ratio of 
the video is kept and black borders are displayed around the video 
image to fill the window.
ExternalThe resizing of the Video Player window is limited according to the 
aspect ratio of the video image, i.
 e. the video image always fills the full 
window and its aspect ratio is kept. 
						

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VideoEditing video
ÖWhen the video is played back in full screen mode, the aspect ratio of the video is 
always kept.
Scrubbing video
You can scrub video events, i. e. play them back forwards or backwards at any speed. 
This is done by clicking in the Video Player window and moving the mouse to the left 
or to the right.
You can also use the Scrub controls on the Transport panel or a jog wheel on a 
remote controller for scrubbing video events, see the sections 
“Playing back with the 
shuttle speed control” on page 105 and “Project scrubbing – the jog wheel” on page 
105.
Editing video
Video clips are played back by events just as audio clips are. You can use all the basic 
editing operations on video events, just as with audio events. You can take a single 
event and copy it many times for the creation of mix variations. A video event may also 
be trimmed using the event handles to remove a countdown for instance. 
Furthermore, you can lock video events just like other events in the Project window, 
and you can edit video clips in the Pool (see the chapter 
“The Pool” on page 376). 
It is not possible to fade or crossfade video events. Furthermore, you cannot use the 
Draw, Glue, and Mute tools with a video event.
ÖWindows only: If you find that you are unable to edit a video file copied from a CD, this 
might be due to the fact that files copied from CD are write-protected by default. To 
remove the write-protection, in the Windows Explorer, open the Properties dialog and 
deactivate the “Read-Only” option.
Extracting audio from a video file
If a video file contains audio, the audio stream can be extracted. As always when 
importing audio material, a dialog is displayed allowing you to select different import 
options (see 
“Audio file import options” on page 684).
There are several ways to extract audio from a video file:
•By activating the “Extract Audio From Video” option in the Import Video dialog (see 
the section 
“Importing video files” on page 672).
•By using the “Audio from Video File” option on the Import submenu of the File 
menu.
This will insert an audio event starting at the project cursor position on the 
selected audio track. If no audio track is selected, a new one will be created.
•By activating the “Extract Audio on Import Video File” option in the Preferences 
dialog (Video page).
This will automatically extract the audio stream from any video file during import.
•By using the “Extract Audio from Video File” option on the Media menu.
This creates an audio clip in the Pool, but does not add any events to the Project 
window.
 
!These functions are not available for MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video files. 
						

							679
VideoReplacing the audio in a video file
Replacing the audio in a video file
Once you have edited all audio and MIDI data to the video and created a final mix, you 
will need to put the new audio back with the video. You can do this by embedding the 
audio in another stream within the video container file.
To replace the audio stream in a video file, proceed as follows:
1.Place the left locator at the start of the video file in Cubase. This will ensure that 
your audio and video streams are synchronized.
2.Open the File menu and select the Audio Mixdown option from the Export 
submenu to export the audio file you wish to insert into the video container file (for 
detailed information on this function, see the chapter 
“Export Audio Mixdown” on 
page 638).
3.From the File menu, select “Replace Audio in Video File…”.
A file dialog opens prompting you to locate the video file.
4.Select the video file and click Open.
Next, you are prompted to locate the corresponding audio file.
5.Select the audio file and click Open.
The audio is added to the video file, replacing its current audio stream.
Once the process is completed, open the video file in a native media player and check 
for proper synchronization. 
						

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ReWire
Introduction
ReWire and ReWire2 are special protocols for streaming audio between two 
computer applications. Developed by Propellerhead Software and Steinberg, ReWire 
provides the following possibilities and features:
•Realtime streaming of up to 64 separate audio channels (256 with ReWire2), at 
full bandwidth, from the “synthesizer application” into the “mixer application”.
In this case, the “mixer application” is of course Cubase. An example of a 
“synthesizer application” is Propellerhead Software’s Reason.
•Automatic, sample accurate synchronization between the audio in the two 
programs.
•The possibility to have the two programs share one audio card and take advantage 
of multiple outputs on that card.
•Linked transport controls that allow you to play, rewind, etc., either from Cubase or 
from the synthesizer application (provided it has some kind of transport 
functionality).
•Automatic audio mixing functions of separate channels as required.
In the case of Reason, for example, this allows you to have separate channels for 
the different devices.
•Additionally, ReWire2 offers the possibility to route MIDI tracks in Cubase to the 
other application, for full MIDI control.
For each ReWire2 compatible device, a number of extra MIDI outputs will be made 
available in Cubase. In the case of Reason, this allows you to route different MIDI 
tracks in Cubase to different devices in Reason, with Cubase serving as the main 
MIDI sequencer.
•The overall load on your system is much reduced, compared to when using the 
programs together in the conventional way.
Launching and quitting
When using ReWire, the order in which you launch and quit the two programs is very 
important:
Launching for normal use with ReWire
1.First launch Cubase.
2.Enable one or several ReWire channels in the ReWire Device dialog for the other 
application.
This is described in detail in the section “Activating ReWire channels” on page 
681.
3.Launch the other application.
It may take slightly longer for the application to start when you are using ReWire.