# Software for syncing audio files with video files? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 15, 2005, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-for-syncing-audio-files-with-video-files/317161 "2005-08-15T22:24:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-for-syncing-audio-files-with-video-files/317161/1 "2005-08-15T22:24:42Z")
I’m trying to convince my girlfriend to enter a movie score composition contest. In order to participate, you have to download a clip and then set it to original music. What kind of software does she need? How much does it cost? Is there any freeware that will do the trick? ---
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-for-syncing-audio-files-with-video-files/317161/2 "2005-08-15T22:30:33Z")
What’s the contest? ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-for-syncing-audio-files-with-video-files/317161/3 "2005-08-15T23:38:52Z")
[http://www.turnerclassicmovies.com/2005/yfcc/index/0,,,00.html](http://www.turnerclassicmovies.com/2005/yfcc/index/0,,,00.html) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-for-syncing-audio-files-with-video-files/317161/4 "2005-08-15T23:58:35Z")
I know that [Camtasia studio](http://www.techsmith.com/products/studio/default.asp) allows you to do this. It has a 30-day free trial, so if your girlfriend works fast, she may be able to do it free. It’ll produce WMF files and other video formats; I don’t know if that’s good enough, though. ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-for-syncing-audio-files-with-video-files/317161/5 "2005-08-16T00:24:26Z")
Trying to figure out the requirements from the [rules](http://www.turnerclassicmovies.com/2005/yfcc/rules/0,,,00.html) and the [FAQ](http://www.turnerclassicmovies.com/2005/yfcc/faq/0,,,00.html), and it is a bit confusing. Rules snippet… > [@](#): > > Once a participant has composed his/her musical composition, he/she may log on to the TCM Website and follow the instructions on how to upload a recorded performance of his/her original musical composition (the “Demo”) using the technology found on the site. Once the participant accesses the TCM Website, he/she must complete the first part of the application by entering his/her information including his/her first name, last name, score name, name of the video clip chosen, e-mail address, and phone number and then upload his/her Demo as an MP3 file (no WAV, AIFF, or other digital audio data files will be accepted through website submissions only) Once a participant’s Demo is uploaded, he/she will be given a confirmation message and then sent a confirmation email containing a confirmation number. If you do not receive a confirmation number, please send an email to [xxx@xxxxx.com](mailto:xxx@xxxxx.com). After receiving the confirmation message, the participant must complete the second part of the Contest application (the “Contest Application”) found on the TCM Website. The URL address for the second part of the Contest Application will be sent to the participant through the confirmation email from the upload submission. …which makes it sound like she doesn’t have to submit a single file with both audio and video combined. vs FAQ snippet… > [@](#): > > I’M USED TO WORKING WITH TIMECODE ON VIDEO. HOW DO I SYNC MY MUSIC TO THE DIGITAL PICTURE (CLIPS) THAT ARE PROVIDED TO PARTICIPANTS? > This is up to the participant. Since every participant may have different technical requirements in their own studios, there is no overall technical requirement that the music be synched in any way to the picture. While the music will be judged in terms of how it works with the clip that is selected by each participant, it is the responsibility of the participant to sync their music to the picture using whatever methods or techniques they wish. The clips that are available to participants may be downloaded and copied onto videotape or other media for purposes of preparing entries, so whatever methods each participant normally uses to view video and write music to it can be used. There is no timecode provided as part of the clips, nor is any required for the final entries. However, this in no way prevents an participant who wishes to generate timecode to a clip to aid in synching within their studio from doing so. …which makes it sound like she either has to submit a synced audio/video file, or (my personal opinion at his point…I think…maybe) she just has to figure out what technique she’s most comfortable with to ensure the recording _will_ be in sync with the video when they’re played together. A low tech way to do this would be to watch the video file on one laptop while she’s playing her score on the piano and recording it on another laptop. The only problem is, then she has to trust that they’ll match the two files up the right way once she submits. I don’t know…this is making my head hurt. ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-for-syncing-audio-files-with-video-files/317161/6 "2005-08-16T00:30:38Z")
:smack: If the only file format they’ll accept for the demo is an mp3, that answers my question…unless there’s some new-fangled way of having video in an mp3 these days that I’m not aware of…but damn if that wasn’t confusing enough to cross my eyes.