Video Editing software

[kkmauch]

I have a Canon ZR200 and I have about 3 hours of video I am trying to edit and then eventually share. As I understand it, I need to get a video editing software package that will allow me to transfer via firewire from the camcornder to the computer. Then, I will use the software to edit the video and then I'll need to buy a DVD burner to make copies of my video.
I am VERY new to this. Does anyone have suggestions?

 

[Servants of Evan]

While we have the Adobe Premeire Pro Suite at work, I woudn't recommed it for the typical homeowner as it is very cost prohibitive. The only thing I'd like to mention is that you should check out just how big your files are going to be. You're talking about digitizing upward of three hours of footage -- and that will require pretty sizable hard drives... It might be a lot easier to do a few rough edits in your mind and only digitize what you know you'll need.

 

[brack]

I use Pinnacle Studio 9 and it does very well. It comes in various price ranges and can be had for less than $100.

 

[tmt martins]

I use ULEAD Videostudio 6 I've had it for a few years but it is very easy to use .It burns to DVD or VCD .

 

[MOmousefan]

The Microsoft Movie Maker that comes with Windows XP is a great way to start editing. While limited it is easy to knock out a video with little frustration.
An example of such a video can be watched at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=579459408888728809&q=wdw&pl=true

 

[hookedondizney]

The microsoft movie maker is easy BUT you cannot burn it onto a DVD! Very frustrating after I spent several hours editing my christmas video from disney. Now I have to start all over in another program. UUUURRRG!

 

[kkmauch]

I use ULEAD Videostudio 6 I've had it for a few years but it is very easy to use .It burns to DVD or VCD .

ULEAD came with a free 90 day trial when I bought my camcorder. I'm very ignorant on this though...can I burn a VCD with my normal CD burner and if so will it play in DVD players?

 

[PaulD]

ULEAD came with a free 90 day trial when I bought my camcorder. I'm very ignorant on this though...can I burn a VCD with my normal CD burner and if so will it play in DVD players?

Yes. VCD is written to a CD, not a DVD. But, getting a VCD to work in a DVD player is problematic. I don't know if anyone else has had success but I have never gotten a VCD to work in any home DVD player that I've ever owned. They work on my computer but I don't think that the manufacturers have made much effort to get this format working on their machines. Plus, you will lose a LOT of image quality with this format because it uses really heavy compression to fit onto a CD. I would suggest that you buy a DVD writer. They really don't cost too much anymore and the end product will look a whole lot better.

 

[donaldduck1967]

I have created vcd and played them on my dvd players. IMO it's not really worth the time creating VCD's. Like PaulD said the quiality is not that great.

 

[NJDad18]

I also use the Windows Movie Maker. Like other people have said, you can't burn it to DVD with this program. So what I do, as recommended by somebody on the Windows Movie Maker section of the microsoft web page is to do everything in Windows Movie Maker and then when it's time to burn the DVD, use Sonic My DVD.