Suggestions for decent video editing software?

[Greg]

Looking for something basic to add captions, transitions, some background music, and maybe a title/credits screen for online videos. Something of good quality, but reasonably priced, or better yet free. Suggestions?

 

[andyzee]

V's favorite, she does all the editing, has been Pinnacle Systems Studio. It's an extremely versitale product for the price. Be forwarned though, it can be a bit buggy in Windows, be sure to check out the minimum requirements, especially for a graphics card. http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSi.../Home+Video/Studio+Family/Studio_Software.htm

 

[riverc0il]

basic video editing starts at $50. decent video editing software usually starts around $100. i use pinnacle studio for my video editing which gives you a lot of control over stuff, that is a $100 product. they have a more basic version for $50 called dazzle. i also looked at the ulead stuff, which i found pinnacle slightly better for offering more control.i think the ulead product is video studio ($70) and the plus version ($100). check out the demos, you will quickly see the limitations of the cheaper versions. the freebie EOM versions of the products tend to be automatic sequences which i find to be rather terrible with no manual control. i have yet to find a cable open source product that can step up to the full featured versions of these programs. i did try a few freebie products (can't remember the names) but they were more hassle than they were worth and had inferior controls. you get what you pay for and i think it is worth while considering paying a little extra for a good product that offers more control.

 

[MichaelJ]

I have Quicktime Pro and Final Cut Express for my Mac. They've handled everything I've thrown at them so far. Unfortunately, neither of them was free; however, QT Pro is not pricy at all, and does do saving in different formats as well as basic conversions (like rotating a point-and-shoot camera's movie 90 degrees).

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I too would like some info on that. I just discovered, or should I say a 12 yo at the TD dinner I went to pointed it out to me, that I have video I my point and shoot dig camera as well.

When I bought the camera I really didn't want video, wanted ALL the technology focused on photographs. I was perfectly happy thinking I did not have it but now that I know I do might as well have some fun with it.

 

[YardSaleDad]

You can start off with Windows Movie Maker 2.1. It is free with Windows XP. It is pretty versatile for MS freebie. There is also a pretty good community for support. http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/

Once you want to actually drop money on this, then I prefer Sony Vegas. The Movie Studio edition of Vegas starts at $89.00 and is very full featured. It is an easy upgrade to the pro version should you get serious about this stuff.

http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/products/vegasfamily.asp

 

[Greg]

You can start off with Windows Movie Maker 2.1. It is free with Windows XP. It is pretty versatile for MS freebie. There is also a pretty good community for support. http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/

Wow! This is a pretty neat app. Certainly meets all my needs. I played around with it for a few hours and this is what I came up with:

Mount Snow - 11/25/2006

I have to be honest. I borrowed some techniques that Steve uses in his vids. It's my first attempt so please be kind, but let me know what you think!

 

[FRITOLAYGUY]

Good stuff Greg, looked to be some decent cover...

 

[Marc]

I thought it was pretty damn good Greg. Especially for a first attempt.

There was one real big thing missing, however, from the video.








That would be me, of course.

 

[Greg]

There was one real big thing missing, however, from the video.








That would be me, of course.

That my friend is your problem!

Thanks for the kind words.

 

[YardSaleDad]

It's my first attempt so please be kind, but let me know what you think!

Awesome debut!


My only advice is to avoid the MS movie maker windows blue background and use black or white instead.

 

[Greg]

Awesome debut!


My only advice is to avoid the MS movie maker windows blue background and use black or white instead.

Thanks YSD and thanks for the recommendation on XP Movie Maker; it certainly meets all my humble needs. There are a few other transitions I might try next time, but I'm not much for using a lot of different transitions - there's a fine line between mixing it up the right amount and coming up with something cheesy. I think the fade is still the best. I went with the simple approach this time. I really like the caption labels I used for members' names.

I went with that XP blue cuz it's similar to the blue in the AZ header. The next attempt for the Hunter gathering will improve with some better title and credit screens.

 

[Paul]

Nice job, Greg. Very good for a first go-round.

One question, since I'm at work right now, and am STILL on 2000, can you do slo-mo on the video portions? I've been playing with the photo montage software that's similar to this, but haven't tried the vid yet. I used to be a professional Videographer in a former life, and am looking forward to getting my hands into this stuff.

 

[Greg]

Nice job, Greg. Very good for a first go-round.

One question, since I'm at work right now, and am STILL on 2000, can you do slo-mo on the video portions? I've been playing with the photo montage software that's similar to this, but haven't tried the vid yet. I used to be a professional Videographer in a former life, and am looking forward to getting my hands into this stuff.

Thanks Paul. Haven't fooled with it that much yet. I have to imagine it's capable of doing that.

 

[Paul]

Thanks Paul. Haven't fooled with it that much yet. I have to imagine it's capable of doing that.

Of course, I just realized the irony of me asking that question. My videos already look like they're in slow-motion, and they're in real-time. :lol:

 

[Greg]

can you do slo-mo on the video portions?

There is a half-speed video filter built-in.

 

[Paul]

There is a half-speed video filter built-in.

Cool, thanks, I'll have to check it out when I get home.

 

[YardSaleDad]

There is a half-speed video filter built-in.

Which you can apply multiple times for super slow motion.

 

[YardSaleDad]

I'm not much for using a lot of different transitions - there's a fine line between mixing it up the right amount and coming up with something cheesy. I think the fade is still the best. I went with the simple approach this time.

I am fully with you on the "Less is more" approach

 

[Paul]

I am fully with you on the "Less is more" approach

Yup, meant to say that as well. Agreed, I've never been a fan of transitions, especially wipes. Fade or cut are usually best.