How do you guys make your vids?

[TheSweeney]

Not looking for any noob camera tips or anything. I'm hoping I'll work all that out myself

Basically all I wanna know is what software you guys use for capturing and editing your videos. Do you use all in one capture/edit software or a couple of seperate packages?

Also what AV formats/codecs do you guys use to get a good trade-off between quality and compression? If you use one format for storage and another for publication please state both.

I'm hoping to get a BASIC video rec'd within a week so would like some input here. I'm gonna be using an analogue sony handycam type cam and passing it through a AV input on a PC TV/capture card.......That should work shouldnt it?


TIA

TheSweeney

 

[Error401]

I mostly use a Mac for capturing and editing, but you're probably on a PC. I have used Pinnacle Studio 8, Adobe Primere LE and Windows Movie Maker in the past. WMM is pretty basic, but it will crunch vids ok. Adobe Premere LE was a really good editor, but kind of limited on some of the options and transititions. Studio 8 was ok, but not one of my favorites. My dad got him a vid cam and a copy of Sony Screenblast. I must say that Screenblast impressed me. Lots of effects and transitions, easy to use, lots of output options, and a great price for what it does. $99 USD

As for codecs, I do all my stuff in DV for the edit, and archive. Sometimes I burn the finished vids to DVD in data and video format. For distrobution, WMV version 9. It has decent quality and a good compression ratio. MPG 4 rivals it, but most windows systems don't have the codec instaled. DivX is pretty good, but same problem as MPG 4. The only thing I don't like about wmv 9 is the sound quality. It always ends up sounding a bit odd.

 

[TheSweeney]

LOTS of usefull info there error, thanks very much.

Anyone else wanna throw in their $0.02?

EDIT: BTW Yes I AM using a PC not a Mac.

Error, All those packages you mentioned.......Do they allow you to capture as well? i.e. can i use them to record through my tv cards AV input or will I have to use software specific to my TV/capture card?

Its been so long since i used the card that i can't remember.
I bought it and used it for about a week before i decided that I needed the PCI slot to fit ANOTHER extractor fan. Ahhhhh the joys of overclocking your rig happy days.

 

[Waste Land]

I'm using a Cannon A40 Digital Camera. It has a filming option but with only one memory stick I can't get more than about 2 minutes total. I come home put it all on my computer and film again. I then pile all my vids into Pinnacle Stuido 9(editing software).

If you need some help with your vids or editing or what ever send me a PM and I'll help ya out.

 

[Error401]

Originally posted by TheSweeney
Do they allow you to capture as well? i.e. can i use them to record through my tv cards AV input or will I have to use software specific to my TV/capture card?

Most all editors will allow the inport of videos captured via other means. Also, the capturing of vids directly into the editors is pretty much hard coded for Firewire. Occasionally you'll get lucky and an editor will use a WDM capture driver that your cap card uses, but I've found that that's spotty at best.

Your best bet would be to play around with the cap card using it's capture driver and import it to an editor. I used to use an ATI All-In-Wonder Radeon 7500 AGP, but had mixed results when importing to the editor based on the capture codec. I would suggest capturing the vids in AVI or MOV format, and if possible DV for quality purposes and compatibility with the editor. Then import into the editor and go from there.

 

[TheSweeney]

Originally posted by Waste Land
If you need some help with your vids or editing or what ever send me a PM and I'll help ya out.

Thanks M8, thats very much appreciated.
I'm gonna start downloading some software now and dig my tv card outta the loft/attic.
I'll let ya know how I get on.

Cheers

TheSweeney.

Originally posted by Error401


Most all editors will allow the inport of videos captured via other means. Also, the capturing of vids directly into the editors is pretty much hard coded for Firewire. Occasionally you'll get lucky and an editor will use a WDM capture driver that your cap card uses, but I've found that that's spotty at best.

Your best bet would be to play around with the cap card using it's capture driver and import it to an editor. I used to use an ATI All-In-Wonder Radeon 7500 AGP, but had mixed results when importing to the editor based on the capture codec. I would suggest capturing the vids in AVI or MOV format, and if possible DV for quality purposes and compatibility with the editor. Then import into the editor and go from there.

Thanks for the info, very helpful.

I'm gonna get hold of as much editing SW as i can and see what they offer in terms of WDM capture and take it from there. My tv/capture card is old and some cheap generic type so I'm assuming the software for it is gonna be crap and probably hasnt been updated for eons.
I'll let you know what I find.

Thanks a lot for all ya help.

TheSweeney.