how to start a simple home video editing

[yymun]

hi everybody, i am new to video editing! i wish to burn my holiday video into DVD disc, one way is to purchase a dvd recorder to do the job. and the another way is to do it yourself at your PC.

could someone pls advise how to start editing in PC? i have try connect my videocam via USB to my PC but no connectivity! do i have to buy some hardware to install b4 i could start editing?

cheers

[bigboy_cad]

Hi...

Usually they use firewire cable and bundle with software and card. then download to the computer and start editing if you want.

[frenchbean]

The USB cable is usually for accessing photos only. To download the video you will need a firewire cable and a firewire slot on your PC. The cable is usually not provided in the box, you gotta get one separately. If you are using Windows XP, there is Windows Movie Maker that can download and edit the video. For Mac, use iMovie.

[Cecil]

u can join our class if you want to find out

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=231737

[chanxj]

If ur camera records on dvtape, u would need to have to connect the camera via firewire. Then u would need a video editing software(i.e. ulead videostudio, Pinnacle Studio, adobe premiere). Using the software capture the video from the tape. Normally we capture in avi format (very big file) If u have lack of hdd capture in mpeg format if it allows(but degrade in quality) Finally edit all u want and next author it into a dvd disc or any other media like vcd(method is software dependent). U can also save the video in lower quality format like mpeg2(dvd video format) to save space instead of keeping the AVI file.

This is of course if u r using a PC.

[devilboy]

You can use Window Movie Maker to try... but strictly for short files (5mins) only. Any thing more, prepare to restart your PC.

[frenchbean]

Originally Posted by devilboy You can use Window Movie Maker to try... but strictly for short files (5mins) only. Any thing more, prepare to restart your PC.

Seems like you are using a very slow PC or you have lack of RAM. Or maybe it's just that you don't have enough patience...

The rendering of the video might take very long, even up to hours if your clip is long and on a slow PC. I usually let it run overnight while I sleep on my 867Mhz G4 Powerbook for long clips.

[devilboy]

Originally Posted by frenchbean Seems like you are using a very slow PC or you have lack of RAM. Or maybe it's just that you don't have enough patience... The rendering of the video might take very long, even up to hours if your clip is long and on a slow PC. I usually let it run overnight while I sleep on my 867Mhz G4 Powerbook for long clips.

Its not about the system, windows movie maker uses up your system resources very quickly... thus long hours of rendering may cause your system hangs... it more of a poor software rather than the need of a good system... but its free when you buy Windows XP, thus no complains.

[kenele]

Originally Posted by chanxj If ur camera records on dvtape, u would need to have to connect the camera via firewire. Then u would need a video editing software(i.e. ulead videostudio, Pinnacle Studio, adobe premiere). Using the software capture the video from the tape. Normally we capture in avi format (very big file) If u have lack of hdd capture in mpeg format if it allows(but degrade in quality) Finally edit all u want and next author it into a dvd disc or any other media like vcd(method is software dependent). U can also save the video in lower quality format like mpeg2(dvd video format) to save space instead of keeping the AVI file. This is of course if u r using a PC.

Yup! alternatively, you can get professional advice/coaching or someone to do it for you etc. Helped a customer once and he paid me to teach him, now he's a professional he!he!

[frenchbean]

Originally Posted by devilboy Its not about the system, windows movie maker uses up your system resources very quickly... thus long hours of rendering may cause your system hangs... it more of a poor software rather than the need of a good system... but its free when you buy Windows XP, thus no complains.

Ah.. I see... I'm a Mac user, haven't used Windows Movie Maker much. Thought it's similar to iMovie.

Hmmm... so maybe a Mac is better huh?

[shojibake]

After you've downloaded the movie. You can use debugmode's wax to edit. Later you can use DVDstyler to burn and create menus.

Wax
http://www.debugmode.com/wax/

DVDstyler
http://www.dvdstyler.de/downloads.html

I haven't used dvdstyler extensively though.

[yymun]

Originally Posted by kenele Yup! alternatively, you can get professional advice/coaching or someone to do it for you etc. Helped a customer once and he paid me to teach him, now he's a professional he!he!

could u pm me what is your professional coaching fee?

cheers

[dinxcarin]

If you are a pc user -- use adobe premiere 5 will do. Doesn't really have to be so updated
if it's just a personal home-movie.

If you are a mac user -- use imovie. or FinalCut

If you don't want any hassles.. YOu can hire me to convert your videos to dvds . That is for minimal cost.heheh!

[tommon]

Not to forget the consumer version of Adobe Premiere Elements that's bundled with Photoshop Element.

The only problem with all cheaper NLE is the rendering. You'll need plenty of HD, RAMs, super video cards and CPU power to help.

You can also try Ulead Video or Sont Vegas Video Suite or Pinnicle Studio DV which are all consumer easy to use NLE but they do have lots limitations but will definitely suit most amature needs.

[ricohflex]

This is exactly the thread I want to learn something from.