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Video
Background
Cubase AI plays back video films in a number of formats.
Under Windows, video playback can be done using one
of three playback engines: Video for Windows, DirectS-
how or QuickTime 7.1. This ensures compatibility with as
wide a range of video files as possible. The following file
formats are supported: AVI, QuickTime and MPEG.
Under Mac OS X, QuickTime is always used as playback
engine. QuickTime supports the following video file for-
mats: AVI, MPEG, QuickTime and DV.
There are two ways to play back video:
• Without any special hardware.
See “Playing back video without any hardware” on page 250.
• Using video hardware that, for example, connects to an
external monitor.
See “Playing back video file using video hardware” on page 251.
Before you start
When working on a project involving a video file, there are
several points to bear in mind:
Have you selected the right playback engine?
(Windows only)
The playback engine is used not only for playback of the
video file, but also to provide file information in the Pool and
in the Import Video dialog. Therefore, to make sure that you
have chosen the right playback engine for a particular type
of video file, check the file information displayed in the Im-
port Video dialog or the Pool prior to trying to import or
playing back the file.
When this information reads “0x0 pixel”, “0.000 s” and “0
Frames”, the video file is either corrupt, or the format is not
supported by the codecs available to the selected video
playback engine. You will either have to change the video
playback engine, or install the required codec.
About the QuickTime video playback engine
In Cubase AI for Windows, you select a playback engine
in the Device Setup–Video Player page:
• Generally, you can expect most Windows hardware to
work with DirectShow.
On a Windows system, the DirectShow and Video for Windows players
are provided by the operating system, so you do not have to install any
additional software.
• Under Windows, QuickTime 7.1 must be installed on
your computer for QuickTime playback to be available.
There is a freeware version (a QuickTime installer is included on the Cu-
base AI DVD if required, or you can download it from www.quicktime.com)
and a “pro” version, which offers additional video cutting options. The en-
gine is the same in both versions, so for mere playback in Cubase AI there
is no need to purchase the “pro” version.
!
Trying to import or play back a file not supported by
the selected video playback engine leads to unpre-
dictable results – if no information on the number of
frames, the length and the pixel resolution is available
in the Import Video dialog or the Pool, you cannot im-
port/play this file properly with this particular video
playback engine.
!
You can change the video playback engine in the
Device Setup dialog. After having done so, make
sure to remove any previously imported video file
from the Pool first, and re-import it.