Video And Audio Software

[AndyP]

I love the work of the people who make videos for Disney Central and the like and I'm especially a huge fan of martin. I was hoping to use some software to combine some videos of my own and create a video to show to our group in build up to our next trip. So if you could tell me which software you use that would be great, especially any free or trialware so I can give it a go at least, Thanks for any helps in advance!

Andy

 

[Robfasto]

Although I am not Martin I can answer that for him as I asked him the same thing a few weeks ago.

He uses Windows Movie Maker 2 and I think he does a great job with it.

 

[AndyP]

Blimey, I'm struggling to figure out how Windows Movie Maker 1 works :S

 

[TheOneVader]

I haven't done much with it, but I personally like Camtasia Studio 2.

 

[marni1971]

WMM 2.1 - its free with XP and quite useful once you get round its limitations!

I`ll go into more detail at weekend (leaving for another 12 hour day shortly)

 

[barnum42]

Depending on the source format of the video file you can cut and chop with Windows Movie Maker.

I use the notoriously buggy Pinnacle Studio to edit video, but my next contribution to Disney Central will be compiled to wmv format using Movie Maker as Studio can only manage mpeg, which I used for the two videos of mine that are on there.

 

[epcotfan]

I use Windows Movie Maker and Pinnacle. I prefer Movie Maker to Pinnacle.

 

[AndyP]

Thanks for the help guys, I've now been experimenting with Movie Maker, and its alot more user friendly than I had originally thought!

However, any know what program to use to edit music which I can then make fit to the video ??

As always thanks for help in advance!

 

[barnum42]

However, any know what program to use to edit music which I can then make fit to the video ??

That's one of the toys that is useful with Pinnacle Studio, you have a couple of tracks where you can pull music from CD or MP3 into the time line and trim as desired.

 

[imagineer99]

I use Pinnacle for basic editing...and then use Adobe Premiere for all those nifty "extras."

 

[AndyP]

Anyone know any free editors??

 

[imagineer99]

Well, movie maker through windows is free and comes with the operating system. It lacks a lot of bells and whistles, but it'll get the job done.

 

[AndyP]

Well, movie maker through windows is free and comes with the operating system. It lacks a lot of bells and whistles, but it'll get the job done.

Yeah, I'm using it. But what about on the audio side, can you edit music, or split it into 'frames' also??

 

[marni1971]

You can do basic audio editing with WMM (fade one track to another, split and cut tracks) but not much. Since it has only one dedicated audio track for music (not counting the video track) you may find it hard to have 3 audio tracks - eg live video, music and fx - you can always mix two into one (say live and fx), save it combined, then use this combined track to add the music track to - totally inflexable but it does work. Also, unless you use WAV files after 2 or 3 compressions of an MP3 or WMA the quality will begin to suffer (remember the final mastering of your movie to a finished WMV will be another step down in quality for any compressed file)

 

[imagineer99]

Yeah, I'm using it. But what about on the audio side, can you edit music, or split it into 'frames' also??

It's free software--don't expect a lot.

If you plan on doing "serious" editing, you may want to invest into something more feature full.

There's a lot of products out there. Find out what works best for you (and your budget).

 

[AndyP]

I didn't realise you can cut parts out of audio with WMM. Thats what I'm looking for, just so I can shorten clips to the bits I want. I'm not working on a masterpiece, lol. Anyway, I'm sure the audio editor will be sufficient, but having looked, I'm still clueless, any hints on where abouts??