Production Glossary
Non-Linear Editing
Non-linear editing (NLE) is the process used when editing digital recordings, both audio (NLAE) and visual. This editing format allows for easy manipulation of any and every frame or track of the recording without having to shuffle through the adjacent material on the film reel or tape. Specifically in film editing, NLE has put an end to the destructive process of actually cutting the film reel and pasting the appropriate frames together.In order to utilize NLE or NLAE, the audio and video is first captured on digital storage and imported into a computer. An editing software program saves the original format of footage despite any alterations made during the editing process. This ensures that if any mistakes are made, there is always a back-up copy of the original. An edit decision list (EDL) keeps track of all changes made to the recording, enabling numerous variations to exist without having to save multiple copies. NLE and NLAE offers manageable editing with the ability to select random frames or sections of a recording, and helps an editor keep their projects effectively organized.
The very first NLE system was the CMX 600, and was debuted in 1971 by CMX Systems. This washing machine sized editing system enabled the editor to use a light pen which selected variations superimposed as text on top of the non-edited video. A second monitor showed the edited portion of the video. It was not until the advancement in computer processing in the late 80s that true NLE took shape with the ability to produce and store digital images. Editing Machines Corp can be credited with launching the first hard-disk based non-linear off-line editing system, the EMC2, in 1989.
Today, many desktop and laptop computers come equipped with some type of NLE software. Apple includes iMovie with all of its computers, which has expanded NLE from primarily a professional job into the home.
