Video question

Sanderxpander...It asks for a screen size and a bitrate...

It does--? - Sonar isn't a video editing program.  You can import video and then compose a soundtrack, but if you need to make changes to the video, that has to be done in a video editing program.
 
It's best to make a scratch copy of the video at a lower resolution so it plays more easily in Sonar - It doesn't matter, since it's only standing in for the real video.  After you have your soundtrack done, then that audio and the real vid are brought into a video editing program where the two are married.
 
But there shouldn't be any settings involving the video when you're ready to export the audio from Sonar -- you're only exporting the audio.
 
Randy B.

Sonar and Quicktime and Windows are all a roll of the dice regarding playability.   I get Quicktime files from multiple sources to work on daily and never know which ones will play and which ones will not.  Some will play in Sonar,  some will not.
 
I avoid issues by using a video program(s) (Vegas, Quicktime Pro ..both very inexpensive) to do the video chores.  I create an AVI file to work on in Sonar.  When I finish I export a stereo wav and generate a new picture file from one of the video programs. That is the quickest, safest, most efficient way to work picture files and Sonar.

Sanderxpander
No when I choose to export video I have to set all that stuff. I don't have a separate video editing program. And I don't really need to change the rate, it just makes me set something.

AH - I see - Your posts made me go take a look in Sonar, Sanderxpander.  Get this - When working with video in Sonar, all I've ever wanted is to export the audio mix, so I have been blind to the fact that there's even an export video option! - I literally never paid attention, since I generally work with a dumbed down lower rez copy of the vid, work on audio, then go to my video program for final work.
 
So now I've tested exporting an .avi file from Sonar.  I saw that there's an "Encoding Options" menu, but the defaults for both video and audio are "No compression."  In other words, without changing anything, the export will be a straight copy of the original, which is what you want.  You're not required to make any settings - there's just that pop-up to ignore.  You thought you Had to make choices?  You don't.
 
--This is a side issue - but now that I've tried exporting video from Sonar, twice now, I've discovered something's wonky.  Sonar crashed both times - I'm not able to do it!  But I can do what I usually do - I tested exporting just the audio from the video, and that worked perfectly.
 
As Jimbo suggested, you really need to get a video editing program if you want to be doing more with video.  There is the free Windows Movie Maker - I don't know if you can import video and audio separately in it, I've never tried that.
 
Randy B.

Sanderxpander
So you say you ignore the popup and then it crashes? What happens if you don't ignore it?...

The crashing is a side issue - I have no idea why it's happening, but it has to be something going on here on my computer.  I'm sure video export is working for most people - So, I wouldn't worry about my crashing problem.
 
But yes, I'm suggesting you ignore the popup since the default settings are simply to render an exact copy of the video without compression - without changing it.
 
Do try the free Windows video program - It's worth looking into in case it does what you need.
 
RB

Sanderxpander
I bought Quicktime Pro now. I don't really see how I can replace the existing soundtrack with it, although it can seemingly extract video and audio separately (as can Sonar). Hints from experienced users are welcome.

OK, I use Power Director - The first step in putting a project together is to import media.  So I'll have video clips, still images, as well as audio files.  I drag what media I want on to the timeline.  If I'm replacing a soundtrack, I unlink the video and audio on the master clip, delete or mute the original audio, drag in the new soundtrack which is already in sync since it was developed in Sonar parallel to the video.  See?  It must work in a similar way with your program.
 
Randy B.

Found it, Google is still my best friend. Not very elegant but it seems to work.

Instructions on how to replace it, yes. You can actually move it or anything. There is just "the audio track" without any visual timeline representation.

Sony Vegas makes entry level versions that are just as functional as the pro version except for track count.
Under $100.
 

rbowser

Sanderxpander
Instructions on how to replace it, yes. You can actually move it or anything. There is just "the audio track" without any visual timeline representation.

That's right, Sanderx - I think that kind of editing is standard with any video editor.  You need to be able to move all sorts of clips around wherever you want - audio, stills, video, on as many layers as you want- You're going to have fun, I don't think there's any doubt!  I love working in my vid program.
 
RB

Sorry, I meant to say you CAN'T actually move it. There is just "the audio track" with no visual timeline representation at all. Videos seem to be only sequential too. So very basic. Still, it works.
 
For those using Vegas, do you mean "Movie Studio" or something? Cause on their website;
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/vegassoftware
The cheapest product with "Vegas" in the name is 400 bucks.

Sanderxpander...Sorry, I meant to say you CAN'T actually move it...

Oh!  That doesn't sound any more functional than freebies - Hmm, maybe there's something in the manual that you're overlooking.  This doesn't sound right - unable to move clips--??
 
RB

Actually it is exactly what I need, although it's a little clunky. All I need is to change out the audio and save it to a slightly more manageable format (i.e. not ".mov" and not 4GB for 3 minutes). I had thought I could do this with Sonar but it won't read the .mov file and generally the export quality doesn't seem very good.
 
I can work this way, I'm just slightly disappointed in Sonar. I know its video functions are basic but I don't actually need to edit the video.

Sanderxpander

rbowser

Sanderxpander
Instructions on how to replace it, yes. You can actually move it or anything. There is just "the audio track" without any visual timeline representation.

That's right, Sanderx - I think that kind of editing is standard with any video editor.  You need to be able to move all sorts of clips around wherever you want - audio, stills, video, on as many layers as you want- You're going to have fun, I don't think there's any doubt!  I love working in my vid program.
 
RB

Sorry, I meant to say you CAN'T actually move it. There is just "the audio track" with no visual timeline representation at all. Videos seem to be only sequential too. So very basic. Still, it works.
 
For those using Vegas, do you mean "Movie Studio" or something? Cause on their website;
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/vegassoftware
The cheapest product with "Vegas" in the name is 400 bucks.

That is inaccurate. Even the most base versions give you timeline. Jusyvdownload theb demo and thay will clear up that mosconception

SanderxpanderAnd RBowser, again, I DON'T NEED TO SLICE AND EDIT VIDEO. I just need to modify the audio and export the video. This is not working very well. I believe many pro audio suites do offer this and in fact, so does Sonar. It just doesn't do it very well. Hence my disappointment.

lol--I KNOW YOU DON'T NEED TO SLICE AND EDIT VIDEO, Sanderx - (mirroring your caps) - that's why I said it's great you found something to do what you need, which is just to swap out the audio.  But what I was also saying is that audio programs, DAW software, NEVER have the ability to slice and dice/edit video.  That's why there's no need to be disappointed in Sonar.  It does exactly what all other DAW programs do - gives the user a way to score to video.  To edit video, one needs an actual video editing program.--
 
I'm wishing you the best - now quit yelling at me!  lol.
 
Randy B.

Thank you, yes that is something I know but don't always actively think of.
I do have a video converter (Roxio Easy Video Copy & Convert) but it has terrible quality no matter what settings I use. Quicktime Pro only seems to take a few formats but so far conversion quality has been good. Mpeg-4 is fine for my uses, and it reads the MOV file that Sonar won't.