What Software for Video Editing??

[Wood Butcher]

I recently persuaded SWMBO that we should get a DV video camera so we can get video clips of the kids (and maybe some woodwork vids;)). I've now managed to accumulate a couple of tapes worth of footage and want to start getting it onto the computer and making movies that I can burn to CD to show family etc (and upload to here:D)

What are the recommendations of software for uploading and editing footage on the computer? I have a firewire connection for the camera direct to the computer so I presume that is what I'll be doing.

Suggestions?!

[Stuart]

Not the cheap route - but I use Adobe Premiere. It takes control of the camera via the firewire connection and uploads the video from the camera, either taking the whole lot, or whatever parts you specify.

Editing can be done the traditional way (in / out points), or via a timeline. Very easy to do titling, transitions, edits, frames within frames etc etc etc.

Not sure what it is worth - but there is also Premiere Elements which will be more than enough for most users.

[martrix]

I'm no expert by a long shot on the subject, but if you have Windows XP have a go with the Windows Movie Maker that comes with XP.

Its quite easy to get the hang of and will give you a basic idea of the process....and best of all its free.

[Gumby]

I'd say Movie maker too. It's free to download if you don't have it.

Adobe Premiere is not only expensive, it's complicated to use. Well, at least that's what i find anyway. Then again, I never read manuals. :D

I'd strongly suggest a DVD burner, rather than the Video CD route. They're only about $50 and you get software with it.

You can use a couple of free programs to convert the files to a smaller size - it's all in the instruction video thread which I know you've read.

Looking forward to your contributions soon WB. ;) :)

[Wood Butcher]

Thanks for the comments, I think I'll go with Movie Maker - the price seems about perfect.


I'd strongly suggest a DVD burner, rather than the Video CD route. They're only about $50 and you get software with it.Actually had a DVD burner for years but never looked at what software it had with it. Have to look into that.


Looking forward to your contributions soon WB. ;) :)
Will be a few weeks away due to work and study commitments but it's coming!!:eek::cool:

[Wood Butcher]

Ok,
Spent the morning playing around with movie maker and having a lot of fun. Next question:-

What is the ideal choice for saving a video for uploading? I know that divX has been mentioned a few times but where does that come into it?

[Gumby]

Ok,
Spent the morning playing around with movie maker and having a lot of fun. Next question:-

gee, work and study commitments didn't last long. :D :D




What is the ideal choice for saving a video for uploading? I know that divX has been mentioned a few times but where does that come into it?

DivX is actually avi with a divx codec. So the results are avi files.

I started with them and then moved to wmv, when I settled on Movie Maker as my preferred choice. I use the default settings in the save options and adjust the final file size to whatever I think is appropriate. A good 30-40 minute Video should be around 200MB as a wmv file and still be reasonable quality.

A shorter Vid could be better quality, like TonySA did with his. It's 40MB and only goes for 6 minutes but the quality is excellent.

It's a bit of trial and error.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Adobe Premiere is not only expensive, it's complicated to use. Well, at least that's what i find anyway. Then again, I never read manuals. :D

Adobe Premiere has an "idiot" timeline mode for beginners. :D

If you just want to do basic transitions, titling and minor editing, well... Movie Maker is usable. But I abhor using the thing. :rolleyes:

For serious video-editing, Premiere is well worth the money and the learning curve.


What is the ideal choice for saving a video for uploading? I know that divX has been mentioned a few times but where does that come into it?

If you're burning to Video CD or DVD for replaying on an ordinary TV/Video player combo then you're best off leaving the source files as plain old AVIs 'cos that'll leave them in the best possible quality. Humongously sized, but best quality.

DivX (or XviD ) are probably the best formats, in terms of quality for compression size, for use on a computer system... such as putting up for torrent download in the forum's video thread.

I avoid WMV as there seems to be a degree of laxity in the format standards and some WMV's just won't play on a non-windoze system. :mad: Nothing new from Mickey$oft there!

[tashammer]

http://www.afterdawn.com/
Has all sorts of tutes and guides.
There is a lot of freeware available and AfterDawn have guides for some of it.
I like words that begin with free.
Something to keep an eye open for is that the disk you burn on your pc is viewable on your dvd player or other peoples.

[graemecarson]

If you really want to get into movies with your DV Camera - take a look at the goodies in this little pack. see the adobe web site www.adobe.com (http://www.adobe.com) It is exy but the value in it is unbelievable. You can shoot your footage and then everything else is taken care of - Editing, making real DVD's with full menus etc, Music creation (yes - for absolute dummies as well as pro's) effects like you wouldn't believe and output to just about anything you can imagine. I couldn't imagine having a dv camera without it. As I said - expensive but really good gear. Like buying Jet Woodworking gear instead of cheapie chinese!!


- Just kidding!!!

[falcon]

Ive been using a program called PowerDirector. Has editing function as well as various options for authoring (burning).

Certainly not as expensive as Adobe. Best to get a package such as the DVD Suite for just on AUD $100.

http://www.cyberlink.com/multi/products/main_4_ENU.html.