Video Editing

[AydST]

OK so I'm not producing Spielberg type movies here, just something to use to send DVD's of my Son back to the family as the software that came with the camera is naff.

Looking for something simple to use (so the Wife can use it) but with added features such as fading in and out, music backing tracks, effects etc.. to run on XP and without taking out a loan to pay for it

Any suggestions?

 

[Dav0s]

windows movie maker can do all that

 

[FarFarAway]

Ye and it's actually not too shabby at it

 

[AydST]

Just had a quick 5 minute play with it and the quality of video it produces isn't as good as the software from the camera, excuse my ignorance in this matter but does it make any difference if I import the file to WMM from my PC or is it best to capture it straight from camera to WMM?

 

[Dav0s]

what format are you exporting in?

 

[AydST]

its pulling them straight off the camera in mpeg format

I have tried to browse a few forums on this subject but they get far too technical far too quickly, I need a 'dummies guide' seeing as I've never done this before

 

[Dav0s]

ok so you are IMPORTING in mpeg format, once uve made the video in moviemaker, what format are you exporting in?

you can change the quality when you are exporting...

 

[SuB]

windows movie maker quality is rarely close to what it says it should be tbh everytime i've tried it, it just.. looks crap

daft question ayd but can you get your hands on a mac? imovie is a cinch to work with and coupled with idvd you and the mrs can make dvd's till the cows come home

 

[nathan]

windows movie maker quality is rarely close to what it says it should be tbh everytime i've tried it, it just.. looks crap

daft question ayd but can you get your hands on a mac? imovie is a cinch to work with and coupled with idvd you and the mrs can make dvd's till the cows come home

i'm pretty sure theres a cheaper solution.

 

[nunzio]

i've used a few programs, and found some freebie ulead dvd creation software that came with my vga card worked best, its just a shame its a very old version.

Windows Movie maker in vista is ment to be loads better than XP's.

If you are willing to pay out about 60 quid, Adobe Premiere Elements is a good choice.

Clicky

 

[nrage]

I don't have personal experience with it but ulead generally produce good stuff:

http://www.ulead.com/vs/

There is a free trial available.

 

[Dav0s]

i wonder if you could use virtualdub...

 

[nrage]

i wonder if you could use virtualdub...

Last time I used it I found it great, but it was very.. hardcore, perhaps not wife friendly.

Also note:

http://www.virtualdub.org/

"VirtualDub is mainly geared toward processing AVI files, although it can read (not write) MPEG-1"

That may, or may not be a problem.

 

[nunzio]

Best sticking with something wife friendly I think the main choices are ulead vs and adobe. Both look to be the same price.

 

[WC Annihilus]

I've heard Magix is a decent budget editor.

Another option is I have 3 or 4 slightly dated video editors sitting around my house that I could probably provide you a key and a cd iso (if needed) for. You'd have to wait though since I'm on vacation until the 17th

I know I have Vegas Movie Studio 6 Platinum and Magix 2004. I think the other 2 are Ulead 10 and Pinnacle Studio but I'd have to look to be sure. If you want one, the best of them is probably Vegas Movie Studio.