I have some technical questions about a digital video.

[drm604]

I originally posted this in the photography forum, but Celebration suggested that I cross post it here.

The video is political so if the mods feel that this doesn't belong here they can move it to GD or whatever, but it strikes me that the denizens of this forum would be more likely to be able to help me. The questions are purely technical. I am not trying to raise a political discussion in this forum.

The question is about this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CMXMC7vba4&feature=play...

About 8 seconds in, a counter appears in the upper left corner for a short period. It also reappears several more times throughout the video. What is it counting, and is this particular counter (font, placement, speed, etc.) unique to any particular make or makes of equipment? Is there anything else in the video that might give clues as to the equipment used, either during filming or editing?

Also, is there any way to tell which audio is original (recorded at the same time as the video) and which was dubbed in later? Obviously the narrative was dubbed in later, but what about the conversations later in the video?

[drm604]

1. Anyone? n/t

[lapfog_1]

2. It would appear to be a frame counter

and the frame rate (from my rough calculation) is about 28 to 29 frames per second. Might even be the more standard 30 fps. I could download and save and run it through some video editing software, but this probably worth it.

I'm not aware of a particular brand of editing hardware or software that places the counter in that position or has that font/size. But then, I only use the tools that I have on my system, and I'm not familiar with much else.

It would be hard at this point to tell what captured the video. Access to the raw footage shot would be a much much better source.

Even determining if the audio is dubbed in over the "live" audio would be difficult, especially since we only see the ACORN worker and not the "pimp" and his "ho". Another thing, we only see the pimp and ho dressed to stereotype in "establishing" shots, and not in the interview shots. So you can't really tell what the ACORN person is reacting to. And last, since the interview is edited to show the response to questions that are narrated, you have NO IDEA if he is talking about underage prostitutes or a girl scout group coming for a visit when he actually asked the questions.

[drm604]

4. There was a good discussion about the editing in GD

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=6640458

The consensus is that they were asking for help in rescuing the girls from a pimp, but edited it to make it more ambiguous.

At one point they state that they are trying to get to the girls before they bond with the pimp. That sounds like they are trying to help the girls. Also, the ACORN worker has claimed that they told him that they were trying to help the girls. He contacted the police a couple of days after their visit, which doesn't sound like something you'd do if you were trying to help human traffickers.

The people who made the video have released a transcript and a full unedited audio recording (at least they claim that it is). It seems suspicious that they haven't released the full video.

[ConsAreLiars]

3. It's a good question but you might want to look for a more specialized digital video geeks forum

and ask there. Digital cameras add all sorts of info to the JPG file they produce, and even copy machines and printers add identifying marks, usually a single microscopic yellow dot, somewhere, and I wouild guess that video cameras do something along those lines. Photo editing software also often adds its mark. Video gear might salso leave such info, but finding a more specialzed forum might be your best bet for getting answers.


(edit typo)

[drm604]

5. It sounds like there may be some court cases involving these videos,

civil and possibly criminal, against the video makers. ACORN is reportedly bringing some lawsuits, and O'Keefe and Giles may have violated Maryland and California wiretap laws by taping people without their permission or knowledge.

If so, then there will probably be experts examining over these videos.

[DainBramaged]

6. Frame counter

they have edited this video and what you are seeing is the edited copy that someone FORGOT to turn off the counter while editing it OR turned the counter on to check the frame they were watching during mastering. I used to edit 3/4 in. video tape back in the day on a Sony editing console and even back then you could hide the counter in the copy, but bring it back up if you had a recorder that could read the data track.