Edit decision list
Encyclopedia
An edit decision list or EDL used in the post-production
process of film editing
and video editing
. The list contains an ordered list of reel
and timecode data representing where each video clip can be obtained in order to conform the final cut.
EDLs are created by offline editing
systems, or can be paper documents constructed by hand such as shot logging
. These days, linear video editing
systems have been superseded by non linear editing (NLE) systems which can output EDLs electronically to allow autoconform
on an online editing
system - the recreation of an edited programme from the original sources (usually video tap
es) and the editing decisions in the EDL.
They are also often used in the digital video editing world, so rather than referring to reels they can refer to sequences of images stored on disk.
Some formats, such as CMX3600, can represent simple editing decisions only. Both XML
and the Advanced Authoring Format
(AAF) are relatively advanced file formats that can contain sophisticated EDLs.
of "b-reels". For example, the EDL will change the 8th character of the reel name to the letter B.
However, sometimes editors will (confusingly) use the letter B to designate timecode breaks on a video tape. If there is broken timecode on a video tape, there will be two (or more) instances of a particular timecode on the video tape. When re-capturing, it can be ambiguous as to which timecode is the right one. The letter B may indicate that the right timecode is from the second set of timecode on the video tape.
EDLs can use either drop-frame (DF) or non drop-frame timecode (NDF), running at 24fps (non drop-frame only), 25fps (non drop-frame only), and 30fps (drop-frame and non drop-frame).
Overall, EDLs are still commonly used as some systems do not support other more robust formats such as AAF
and XML.
Adobe Premiere Pro
Blender
http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=147999
Emacs
http://1010.co.uk/gneve.html
MediaCoder
Final Cut Pro
(Support was dropped with Final Cut Pro X.)
Any professional editing system and many others support some form of XML/EDL.
Avidemux
project files.
BSplayer http://forum.bsplayer.com/feature-requests-feedback-suggestions/7157-chapter-playlist-scene-cut-3.html
MPlayer
(see also http://linuxgazette.net/178/brownss.html)
MythTV
cut list
SageTV
vlc media player
with xspf files that specify start and start times, or with movie content editor
XBMC
Zoom Player Max
Post-production
Post-production is part of filmmaking and the video production process. It occurs in the making of motion pictures, television programs, radio programs, advertising, audio recordings, photography, and digital art...
process of film editing
Film editing
Film editing is part of the creative post-production process of filmmaking. It involves the selection and combining of shots into sequences, and ultimately creating a finished motion picture. It is an art of storytelling...
and video editing
Video editing
The term video editing can refer to:* Linear video editing, using video tape* Non-linear editing system , using computers with video editing software* Offline editing* Online editing...
. The list contains an ordered list of reel
Reel
A reel is an object around which lengths of another material are wound for storage. Generally a reel has a cylindrical core and walls on the sides to retain the material wound around the core...
and timecode data representing where each video clip can be obtained in order to conform the final cut.
EDLs are created by offline editing
Offline editing
Offline editing is part of the post-production process of filmmaking and television production in which raw footage is copied and edited, without affecting the camera original film stock or video tape...
systems, or can be paper documents constructed by hand such as shot logging
Shot logging
In filmmaking and video production, shot logging is the process by which shoot metadata is captured during a film or video shoot. During the shoot, the camera assistant will typically log the start and end timecodes of shots, and the data generated will be sent on to the editorial department for...
. These days, linear video editing
Linear video editing
Linear video editing is a video editing post-production process of selecting, arranging and modifying images and sound in a predetermined, ordered sequence. Regardless whether captured by a video camera, tapeless camcorder, recorded in a television studio on a video tape recorder the content must...
systems have been superseded by non linear editing (NLE) systems which can output EDLs electronically to allow autoconform
Autoconform
Autoconform is the video editing post production process where an online editing system combines a timecode based edit decision list created from an offline editing system with the original video and audio source material to produce a version of the edited video which is a high quality analogue...
on an online editing
Online editing
Online editing is an older post-production linear video editing process that is performed in the final stage of a video production. It occurs after offline editing...
system - the recreation of an edited programme from the original sources (usually video tap
Video tap
A video tap is an accessory for a motion picture camera used in filmmaking to provide a video signal from the camera lens. Video taps are used to allow the film crew to see what is in the camera's frame without having to look through the viewfinder, as well as allowing video to be recorded and can...
es) and the editing decisions in the EDL.
They are also often used in the digital video editing world, so rather than referring to reels they can refer to sequences of images stored on disk.
Some formats, such as CMX3600, can represent simple editing decisions only. Both XML
XML
Extensible Markup Language is a set of rules for encoding documents in machine-readable form. It is defined in the XML 1.0 Specification produced by the W3C, and several other related specifications, all gratis open standards....
and the Advanced Authoring Format
Advanced Authoring Format
The Advanced Authoring Format is a professional file interchange format designed for the video post production and authoring environment. The AAF was created by the Advanced Media Workflow Association . The AMWA develops specifications and technologies to facilitate the deployment and operation...
(AAF) are relatively advanced file formats that can contain sophisticated EDLs.
B-roll
Linear editing systems cannot dissolve between clips on the same video tape. Hence, one of these clips will need to be dubbed onto a new video tape. EDLs designate these occurrences by marking such dissolves' source reels as B-rollB-roll
B-roll, B roll, or Broll is the supplemental or alternate footage intercut with the main shot in an interview or documentary.- History :The term B-roll originates from the method of 16 mm film production from an original camera negative...
of "b-reels". For example, the EDL will change the 8th character of the reel name to the letter B.
However, sometimes editors will (confusingly) use the letter B to designate timecode breaks on a video tape. If there is broken timecode on a video tape, there will be two (or more) instances of a particular timecode on the video tape. When re-capturing, it can be ambiguous as to which timecode is the right one. The letter B may indicate that the right timecode is from the second set of timecode on the video tape.
EDL incompatibilities and potential problems
EDL formats such as CMX, GVG, Sony, Final Cut Pro, and Avid are similar but can differ in small (but important) ways. Particular attention should be paid to reel naming convention. On the Avid, reel names can be up to 32 characters, but user should be aware that these EDL's don't adhere to online editing machine control specifications. These are used by systems that have modified the import/export code to handle file-based workflows as tape acquisition formats wane. On FCP, in CMX3600 format, only eight characters are allowed. Particular attention should be paid towards b-reels. If the EDL handles dissolves to the same reel, reel names should be limited to 7 characters since the 8th character may be replaced.EDLs can use either drop-frame (DF) or non drop-frame timecode (NDF), running at 24fps (non drop-frame only), 25fps (non drop-frame only), and 30fps (drop-frame and non drop-frame).
Overall, EDLs are still commonly used as some systems do not support other more robust formats such as AAF
Advanced Authoring Format
The Advanced Authoring Format is a professional file interchange format designed for the video post production and authoring environment. The AAF was created by the Advanced Media Workflow Association . The AMWA develops specifications and technologies to facilitate the deployment and operation...
and XML.
Systems known to support EDL to some extent
Avid Media ComposerMedia Composer
Media Composer, frequently referred to as "Avid", is a type of computer software application known as a Non-linear editing system . It is the flagship product of Avid Technology. It was released in 1989 on the Macintosh II as an offline editing system...
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro is a timeline-based video editing software application. It is part of the Adobe Creative Suite, a suite of graphic design, video editing, and web development applications developed by Adobe Systems, though it can also be purchased separately. When purchased separately, it comes...
Blender
Blender (software)
Blender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software product used for creating animated films, visual effects, interactive 3D applications or video games. The current release version is 2.60, and was released on October 19, 2011...
http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=147999
Emacs
Emacs
Emacs is a class of text editors, usually characterized by their extensibility. GNU Emacs has over 1,000 commands. It also allows the user to combine these commands into macros to automate work.Development began in the mid-1970s and continues actively...
http://1010.co.uk/gneve.html
MediaCoder
MediaCoder
MediaCoder is a transcoding program for Microsoft Windows. It has been developed by Stanley Huang since 2005.MediaCoder uses various open source audio and video codecs, among several proprietary codecs and tools to transcode different audio/video formats and has many extra features...
Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro is a non-linear video editing software developed by Macromedia Inc. and then Apple Inc. The most recent version, Final Cut Pro X, runs on Mac personal computers powered by Mac OS X version 10.6.7 or later and using Intel processors...
(Support was dropped with Final Cut Pro X.)
Any professional editing system and many others support some form of XML/EDL.
Systems supporting EDL playback, not just EDL cutting
Probably most of the above, plus any professional editing system, plusAvidemux
Avidemux
Avidemux is a free and open-source video editing program designed for video editing and video processing. It is written in C++, and uses either the GTK+ or Qt.- Features :...
project files.
BSplayer http://forum.bsplayer.com/feature-requests-feedback-suggestions/7157-chapter-playlist-scene-cut-3.html
MPlayer
MPlayer
MPlayer is a free and open source media player. The program is available for all major operating systems, including Linux and other Unix-like systems, Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. Versions for OS/2, Syllable, AmigaOS and MorphOS are also available. The Windows version works, with some minor...
(see also http://linuxgazette.net/178/brownss.html)
MythTV
MythTV
MythTV is a free and open source home entertainment application with a simplified "10-foot user interface" design for the living-room TV, and turns a computer with the necessary hardware into a network streaming digital video recorder, a digital multimedia home entertainment system, or home theater...
cut list
SageTV
SageTV
SageTV Media Center was a proprietary, commercial DVR and HTPC software for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux. It requires that the host computer have a hardware based TV tuner card. The SageTV software has an integrated Electronic Programming Guide that is updated via the Internet...
vlc media player
VLC media player
VLC media player is a free and open source media player and multimedia framework written by the VideoLAN project.VLC is a portable multimedia player, encoder, and streamer supporting many audio and video codecs and file formats as well as DVDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. It is able to...
with xspf files that specify start and start times, or with movie content editor
XBMC
Zoom Player Max
See also
- KeykodeKeykodeKeyKode is an Eastman Kodak Company advancement on edge numbers, which are letters, numbers and symbols placed at regular intervals along the edge of 35 mm and 16 mm film to allow for frame-by-frame specific identification...
(Film editing) - Commercial skippingCommercial skippingCommercial skipping is an advanced feature in some digital video recorders that makes it possible to automatically skip commercials in recorded programs...
sometimes uses EDL's to track commercial blocks.
External links
- http://www.edlmax.com/EdlMaxHelp/Edl/maxguide.html A guide to EDL management.
- Sensible cinema A "universal" EDL player.