Advice Video Editing

[petermmc]

I realise this is not strictly DSLR stuff but I also know that lots of you members out there also own video equipment.

I have a number of Digital Videos (in the Mini DV format) and I want to make DVD's out of them. I have experimented a bit and have had some luck but the software that I have is the cut down versions of Sonic and one called Video Studio 7. The cut down or basic versions seem to stop functionality just when you get excited and so I am looking for something better (not more complicated)

I tried Windows Movie Maker today which is really user friendly but I realised that it does not quite capture for DVD but for CD or VCD instead. It is a great all rounder editing program if you want to show your videos on your computer.

What is a good all rounder that can be used easily on a computer that captures, edits and one can add groovy special effects easily? To make it relevant to DSLR, it could also be able to add photos as well!!

Thanks in anticipation.

Peter Mc

[Marvin]

I use Pinnacle Studio with the add-on Hollywood FX. I find it does everything that I want, has heaps of transitions and effects and you can add music, change the sound, change the video exposure (within limits), output to dvd, vcd, etc.

[Nnnnsic]

I'm a Sony Vegas and Adobe Premiere user... and either of those are great, but are probably too advanced for what you like.

I might suggest one of the "Vegas Movie Studio+DVD" packs... which I've heard is pretty decent and doesn't require you to learn how to use both the professional versions of Vegas and DVD Architect.

Failing that, there's Adobe Premiere Elements which is essentially Photoshop Elements for video.

[stubbsy]

I'm with Leigh. Sony Vegas - powerful, but reasonably intuitive to use and it also does nice transitions and wipes.

[Nnnnsic]

I'm with Leigh.

Shit. I missed the wedding.

Vegas is, IMHO, probably the best PC solution on the market, however, it really requires experience with a sound application like Acid or Sound Forge to really use it well as that's where its origins lie.

Whilst I haven't played with it, I would imagine the Vegas Movie Studio version of the application would be like Adobe Premiere Elements in that it's essentially dumbed down for people who don't want to learn a whole new application just to do their video editing.

[losfp]

I haven't done any video editing on my PCs, but I use Final Cut Express on OS X. Not much use to you I guess, but if you were looking to play with the Mac platform, I can definitely recommend it as a great solution.

Haven't used them before, but I have heard good things about the Pinnacle line.

[jdear]

Id suggest downloading a few trials and using what you feel comfortable with.

I just downloaded premiere elements 2 trial version...

I can burn it onto a disc and send it to you if you want (if you dont have bband)

Also have premiere pro 1.5 trial.

Ive used apples iMovie and iDVD recently, that was very easy to use.

JD

[Greg B]

I would only say that whatever you use, do some testing on small files first - rendering times can be lengthy and you may burn a couple of coasters before you get things sorted out. Expect a learning curve.

[Nnnnsic]

Actually Greg, that's one of the reasons I'm a big fan of the Vegas software.

On Premiere, past experience has shown me that trying to do a preview render of a few minutes takes ages... on Vegas, it was essentially automatic.

As for full rendering, yes, that'll take time when going to Mpeg2, but I find that if you minimise Vegas, it actually goes a lot faster. Premiere seems to always not be so fast, but the two have very different styles of non-linear editing: Premiere is similar to industry standard Final Cut Pro whereas Vegas is more like audio editing solutions.

[Mal]

I'm currently working (well not really as I am DSLRUsers.net) on a job using Premier Pro 1.5. It is now on par with Final Cut Pro, only running on Windows it still likes to fall over (Especially doing a 16:9 HD job)
All of the special effects etc that you can use tend to come down to the capture card that you have installed.
I am currently useing the Canopus DVRaptor card, as well as real-time tranistions and effects there are also a few plugins that Canopus offer that help with the final transition when converting files for DVD.
I know that this is not really much help for someone who is just wanting to dump some footage onto DVD, but I have found that most people that start down this path end up getting some editing software in the long run.
My advice like some others it to look at Premier Elements.

[Manta]

Pinnacle Studio for me. It's not outstanding but I'm yet to outgrow it. Does me fine for home movie applications. I'd love Adobe Premier but can't justify the expense. Can't see me accepting an Oscar at any stage soon so Studio does me fine.

[robboh]

Ive heard some good things about Pinnacle Studio 10 and Adobe Premier Elements in PC Land.

You could also check out Avids offerings (though I see Pinnacle are now actually owned by Avid). They do a Avid Free DV, which is quite limited I believe and then a Avid Express DV.