Stabilizing clips

Catalyst Prepare allows you to use metadata from clips to stabilize the image.

  1. Click the Organize button at the top of the Catalyst Prepare window to view the Media Browser.

  2. Select the clip you want to stabilize. An on a thumbnail indicates a clip that contains stabilization metadata.

    The stabilize icon is not displayed for clips on FTP devices, XDCAM Station volumes via CIFS, XDCAM decks, XDCAM Drive units, or Optical Disc Archive volumes.

    For information about camera settings for enabling stabilization using metadata, please see Information on Software Applications.

    Clip stabilization is not supported when changing camera settings or detaching the lens during clip recording.

  3. Perform any of the following actions to display the Correct clip workspace:

    • Click the Stabilize button at the bottom of the Catalyst Prepare window.

    • Right-click the clip in the Organize pane and choose Stabilize clip from the shortcut menu.

    The Stabilize button is not available when multiple clips are selected.

    When the Catalyst Prepare window is resized, the Adjust color, Lens breathing compensation, and Stabilize clip buttons are available in the Adjustments menu .

  4. Use the Correct clip workspace to preview and adjust stabilization settings for the selected clip:

    1. Set the Mark In/Out points to indicate the portion of the clip you want to correct. For more information, see "Marking in and out points for playback."

    2. Choose a Stabilization mode setting:

      • Select the Auto button in the Inspector to adjust stabilization automatically.

        Item

        Description

        Minimum cropping ratio

        Drag the slider to set the amount of cropping that can be applied to stabilize a clip.

        This setting is persisted when changing the selected clip or exiting the Correct clip workspace.

        When stabilizing a clip using a Minimum crop resolution setting that is too large, clips with significant camera shake may exhibit a black border around the frame. We recommend using a setting that is close to the default cropping ratio value in manual mode. To check the default manual cropping ratio, click the Manual button and double-click the Cropping ratio slider handle to reset the setting to its default.

        Corrected crop resolution

        Displays the dimensions of the stabilized frame after cropping is applied.

        Minimum crop resolution

        Displays the minimum dimensions of the stabilized frame based on the Minimum cropping ratio setting.

      • Select the Manual button if you want to adjust stabilization settings:

        Item

        Description

        Cropping ratio

        Drag the slider to set the maximum amount of cropping that can be applied to stabilize a clip.

        This setting is persisted when changing the selected clip.

        When stabilizing a clip using a Cropping ratio setting larger than the default value, clips with significant camera shake may exhibit a black border around the frame. We recommend using a Cropping ratio setting that is close to the default value. You can double-click the slider handle to reset the setting to its default.

        Corrected crop resolution

        Displays the dimensions of the stabilized frame after cropping is applied.

  5. Click the Analyze button to analyze the selected clip and update the preview to show the stabilized clip.

    After analysis, the Output summary section of the Info panel displays the corrected crop resolution.

    If you change the selected clip, the preview will indicate that the clip has not been analyzed. Click the Analyze button at the bottom of the workspace to analyze the selected clip and update the preview to show the corrected clip.

  6. Click the Before/After button at the top of the video preview to choose a preview mode so you can compare your original and stabilized video before applying the changes, and then use the transport controls below the timeline to preview the clip.

    • Before: the clip is displayed in its original state.

    • After: the cropped and stabilized clip is displayed.

    • 2 Up: two full frames are displayed in a split-screen view with the original video on the left and the stabilized video on the right.

  7. To save a clip with the stabilization settings, click the Export button at the top of the Catalyst Prepare window, and use the Export pane to choose a destination and format for your exported files. Click the Export button at the bottom of the Export pane to start exporting the selected clip.

    If multiple clips are selected, the Export button at the bottom of the Export pane is displayed as Batch Export. Click to display a confirmation dialog that lists all selected clips. You can select or clear check boxes to add or remove clips from the selection. Click OK to begin exporting the selected clips using the current settings.

    For more information about the controls, please see "Exporting media from a library".