Need info on video editing

[pquirk]

Nah, not making any home porn so just calm down. I've got a project going at work and I'm going to need to edit some video. I haven't the first clue how to do this so I need some advice.

What I want to do:
Videotape some interviews
Edit the interviews so I can present parts of them in a powerpoint slideshow

What I've got:
A miniDV video camera and PC running XP pro

I've got some money to buy whatever hardware and software package I need, but nothing too high end, my priority is to get something that's user friendly. I have no interest in getting a video engineer's degree to do this shit. Okay geeks nerds and porn freaks, tell me what I need.

Thanks!

[tcspannerwrench]

i have found widows movie maker (already on your computer) is easyer than any of them. now it dont have all the tools other programs has but it is good to just cut and edit video

on powerpoint there is a templet to let you link your video then you can resize it to fit the full screen. if you need more info let me know

[pquirk]

Originally Posted by tcspannerwrench

i have found widows movie maker (already on your computer) is easyer than any of them. now it dont have all the tools other programs has but it is good to just cut and edit video

on powerpoint there is a templet to let you link your video then you can resize it to fit the full screen. if you need more info let me know

How do you get the video into your computer? Do you have to buy a video capture card or can Windows do that itself? My camera has a firewire output, but I don't have a jack on my PC. I'm assuming there's an external interface gizmo I need, no?

[Goshawk]

Do you know a program that can edit video from a digital camera?
I have tried different free programs but can't seem to get one to work.
I have Windows Vista and a Panasonic DMC-TZ3 camera.

[jamman]

windows movie maker is one of the easiest. maybe you need to add a fire wire port.. lot's of neat effects, option's , can add music over the top etc..

[Shark Doctor]

PQ-

I have several programs ranging from Adobe Premier (very high-end with a STEEP learning curve) to several lower cost, but equally capable packages. Almost all of these allow you to plug your video camera into the computer, either by Firewire of USB cables, for acquiring the video. The programs are so clever that the software actually controls your camera to capture just exactly the segments you want, and then allows you to stitch them together ("Edit"), adding titles, voice-over, music, etc.

Most work with any Hi8 or HD camera, so they are quite flexible.

If you're interested, send me a PM and we can chat on the phone next week and I'll give you a bit more insight and send you a program that one of my students did last year so you can see the range of capabilities of these relatively inexpensive programs.

-Jeff

[mw521]

I use this. Pretty good and easy to use.

Magic Video Editing - CyberLink PowerDirector 7 - Video Editing and Disc Authoring Software

[pquirk]

Thanks all! You guys have given me great info...I appreciate it!

[Big Jerk]

Originally Posted by mw521

I use this. Pretty good and easy to use.

Magic Video Editing - CyberLink PowerDirector 7 - Video Editing and Disc Authoring Software

I like cyberlink because it's easy to use and you can fine tune the video like sharpen, contrast, saturation, etc. It can even stabilize shaky video and that will come in handy if you ever take your camera on your bike.

If your video is not shaky or blurry and has good color, window movie maker will work just fine.