Can a video person please help me with some basic questions?

I have been using SONAR for years for audio only, and feel like I know my way around this part of the system.  I am trying my first video project (mostly to fix screw-ups with the audio portion of the video of a live performance).
 
First let me say that I did look at the manual, but it is sorely lacking any real, usable instruction on video editing.
 
1.  The video that I was given to work with is an avi file.  Is this a good format?
2.  When I export the finished project, is it possible to export it to a different quality\resolution that it was when I got it?  If not, how do I ensure that I export it in at least as high a resolution as it was when I started?
3.  Can I actually edit the video stream to create crossfades, edit out dead air, etc? or can I only alter the audio portion?  If so, did I miss something in the manual, or is there a good reference that you can point me to?
4. Should I request the video in chunks, or as one big file?
 
Thanks,
 
Poco

Depending on the codec inside the avi, avi's work great. If Sonar can open your avi then you're good.

Regarding 2: Yes, you can export an avi with the same quality. When you export, go into the codec settings and choose "none".  That will just use the video as-is without re-encoding it.

And as AT said, the baby version of Vegas will be  your friend if you're going to be doing sound for video in Sonar.

Hi Poco

I am a pro TV editor of some 30 yrs. Simple advice:

Assuming its a simple single camera shoot and that you kept rolling throughout the gig.
Import the audio you have into Sonar and mix and fix it to your hearts content. You can do this with a reference picture if you feel the need. Sonar is pretty tolerant of video formats and should load whatever you have codecs for. Just import the Video and it will play as Sonar rolls.

Remember:
You can't move the video footage, trim or cut it in Sonar, so forget that and move your imported gig audio to the pictures to get them in sync. Mix and overdub away. When done export the audio mix to a file and import that into your video editing software and then do the same with the pics if not already there.

Reallign the two in sync, in your video editor software and then cut the two (video and audio) at the same time to retain sync when removing the dead time (or 'editing' as we editors like to call it ;-). Some software will allow you to lock the sync between the audio and video tracks or create a subclip that acts like a single shot that were born in sync.

Most of all have a cracking time and take regular breaks.

C

They won't even use the video I send back, just the stereo mix.

In that case, why worry about exporting a video? Will they just accept your stereo mix as a .wav file?

That makes sense. Carry on.