Video Editing/Creating Software

[bblqj78]

how it going

something new to me is Video editing. Ive bought a digital video camera for work puposes for making technical instruction videos. One thing I have never done is compile and edit my own video's...so I am looking for some decent 'easy to use' software that can do this. Nothing too expensive. It is likley that on top of the video...i will have to add voice overs...and maybe subtitles as this may be used internationally.

Is there any recommendations on software that I can use to start getting the hang of this stuff. As stated...nothing to complicated...but will get the job done well!

Thanks for the help

:t

[Tweb]

This site has all u want: http://www.videohelp.com/

VirtualDub: Free, but only does AVI, check the mod out > VirtualDubMod
TMPGEnc: Mid $50 or more, guessing, There's a free version but the mpg stop working in a few weeks, does mpg.
Video Studio 8 by ULead: Don't know what it cost, got it with my capture card..

[ukulele]

You will need a video capture card and preferably one that has both input and out put in both AV and DV format and handles all the usual file formats. I just ordered Pinnacle AV/DV capture card with a good editing software package from Directron. The reviews are mixed on the product but if it doesn't perform as I want I can send it back within 30 days. This company is fast and has a great return policy. Mine should be here tomorrow and I'll give it a go and let you know what I think of it.

http://www.directron.com/studioavdv9.html

[bblqj78]

thanks...do that man

[Rocketmech]

Windows Moviemaker 2
Windows Media Encoder

[rraehal]

If you have XP or WinME you can use Windows Movie Maker as RocketMech suggested. It will do AVI and WMA formats.

I use TMPGEnc to make DVD Video Files and convert movie formats. I think it works fairly well. My last few movies do not seem to have a difference in quality from a VHS tape. I use this when I convert movies that are downloaded in WMA or for ones I recorded before getting Studio 9.

I have Pinnacle Studio 9 for recording from my Digital Camcoder via Firewire. It works well. It does everything in one software package

http://www.pinnaclesys.com/publicsite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/Home+Video/Studio+Family/Studio+version+9.htm

[ukulele]

Just installed Pinnacles Studio 9. Looks great so far. It took a long time to install then needed 67MB patch. Looks like an awsome program but it too late to test tonight. On the plus side it came with a spare sound cable and 4pin to 6pin DV/firewire cable. It was not listed on the contents when I ordered so I ordered another one. Now I got two. The one that came with the board looks like the better one. I'll do some testing tomorrow.

BTW the contents disk is a DVD so if you order one you will need a DVD reader at least to install it all.

[ukulele]

After watching the demo this product rocks. It's the Studio 9 Plus version which lets you show a scene within a scene and also add an actor in any scene you want using green screen techniques. You can even animate zooming on a still photo. The transitions ae awsome, the sound editing features are first class and the effects library is not bad either.

[ukulele]

For those interested, the Pinnacles version 9 with AV/DV capture card works great so far. I have edited several movies both DV format and AV format and written to tape and DVD. I did have one problem at first when I downloaded a 30 minute DV tape with several clips the captured file became corrupt and would not render. It was my first capture so perhaps I had the settings wrong. I tried it again but only captured each clip one at a time. Editing and rendering then worked perfectly. I read in the instructions that DV clips can have corrupt data between clips if the camera is turned off between clips and need to be edited out before rendering. It is a very easy user interface and very powerful editor. Thumbs up for this one. :)

[mobo57]

Hey Uke, I have Pin Studio 9 also. It's a great program for novice and intermediate users. Lots of great features and functions. Only complaint is that when you render your video, it is much slower than a lot of other programs out there. Other than that I agree with you, 2 thumbs up.

[ukulele]

Hey Uke, I have Pin Studio 9 also. It's a great program for novice and intermediate users. Lots of great features and functions. Only complaint is that when you render your video, it is much slower than a lot of other programs out there. Other than that I agree with you, 2 thumbs up.

I have nothing to compare with, but in my case it's a moot point. I have several computers so I don't care if it takes all night. I't main virtue is easy of use and both AV/DV I/O.

[gtaylor]

If you only want to do stuff from your digital camcorder, any PC with a firewire connection will do, no other hardware is required (other than the cable of course). A heck of a lot of motherboards in the last few years have carried firewire on them so it might be worth checking it out before you invest in hardware.

Having gone through months of testing stuff (as mobo57 will testify to as he helped me with loads of it), I have used (trial versions at leat) most of the reasonably priced software out there. I now mainly use good old Studio 9 to edit with because I can author the DVD's with it too. I actually capture with Premiere 6.5 as I have a semi-pro capturing solution, but that won't author the DVD's so I use Studio. Simple and effective in my book.