Help - Could use advice about programs and guides

[neosatusneu]

I have a class project video I need to edit together into a single video. I know how to author DVDs but editing I've never done before. I have about 10 hours I can dedicate to doing this. I'd like to do neat stuff like dubbing in music and transitions, and maybe a fast-forward sequence. Probably really simple stuff for many of you here.. I have about 20 minutes of video total that I need to cut down to 4-5 minutes. There's probably a total of 20 total usable scenes that I have to put in order etc. and then add some effects.

Right now I'm using Handbrake to rip the DVD *from a camcorder into a Xvid .avi with .mp3 audio.
Am I on the right track?
Programs I've been reading about are:
Sony Vegas Pro 8, Magix movie edit pro 14, Video edit magic 4, Ulead video studio 10

Basically whatever is easiest to use would be ideal.

What programs and guides would help me do this?

Many thanks!!

[guns1inger]

Don't use Handbrake to rip to Xvid. if you must re-encode, use DV AVI instead. Xvid is heavily compressed, which will affect quality, and doesn't edit well. All of the programs you have mentions will do your project, and most (all ?) should be able to use the footage from the DVD without the need to re-encode first.

Personally, I like Vegas, and have been a Vegas Pro user for years. However for a short project like this, I would probably recommend VideoStudio as it is easy to get into, and you don't have time to learn a program, and how to edit.

I would also recommend keeping your finished product simple. Choose one or two basic transitions, and use them consistently. Don't go for flashy effects and silliness unless you can justify it for the content. Most training videos only need simple cross fades and fades to black. Training videos made by amateurs are easy to spot. They use every transition in their editing package except the ones they should use. It looks cheap and tacky and distracts from the whole point of the exercise - to teach people something.

[neosatusneu]

Thanks for the info guns1inger I used Videostudio and put all the clips in the timeline and edited them etc. I'm all set I think except I don't see how to produce the final product. Where/how do I output the final video?

[neosatusneu]

Actually, I figured that part out. I just can't figure out how to make text onscreen now like scrolling credits etc.

Aside from that I'm amazed how easy this was. Thanks so much for the suggestion.

[M Bruner]

1. In VideoStudio select Title from the buttons on top.

2. Select Create Title button on the left part of the screen. Type in your credit. Remember, don't use serifs, like New Times Roman, but use sans serifs like Arial, as they look better to your audience. Post them on the lower third of your screen and stay in the "protected square".

3. Next adjust how long you want the credit to last in the lower right corner of the Project Screen. Credits usually last about 4 seconds, for stationary credits, but since ours will be scrolling, select two seconds.

4. On the left side of the display, select the Animation tab. Leave "Type" set to "Fly", "Start Unit"A set to "Text", set "End Unit" to "Top". Save the credit. Select the "Edit" tab on the left again and repeat until all you credits are done.

[neosatusneu]

Hi M Bruner! Thanks for the reply, I found the Title tab but don't see a Create Title button. The only thing I can do is double-click the preview screen and that would let me add text to the video I already have but I don't want to do that.

Do I have to use one of the existing ones like "Show Time", or "The End" etc? And if so, how do I put them in front of the video?

[neosatusneu]

Do I need to insert a blank image (black background for example) to insert before the first video clip or something?
I'm not having any luck finding the create title button.
Thanks a ton if anyone can help.

[M Bruner]

It looks like a T+ icon on the left of the display. And to have a blck background you won't have to do anything. Remeber, black is the ABSENCE of color.

[neosatusneu]

Sorry, I plead ignorance!
Maybe this will help.
Thanks!

[img=http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/5901/52340565oo0.th.jpg][img=http://img518.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif]

[M Bruner]

I see you have a different version. However, did you click in the middle of the workscreen like it says to "Add a Subtitle"?

[neosatusneu]

Yeah and it wants to only apply the text to the current video as far as I can tell. I've messed with everything I can see to try to insert something ahead of the video but no luck yet. And yeah I'm using version 10.

[neosatusneu]

Would it be easier to make them with another program and then import them?

[neosatusneu]

I figured it out. "Add a color." Go figure.

Thanks again for all the help and advice