Help with editing and effects

[coppermouse]

I am new to video editing and need some help. I am just doing basic home stuff on a budget and using Nero. Is ther something better which is free (since I already own Nero).

I am mostly interested in taking regular MP4 video from my camera which is 720 P HF for my Sony T90. I would like to cut out some dead space and take some video and make it play in slow motion. How would I do that. Also how to place text on the video and how to circle or mark up objects in the video (like they do on TV when the circle a car in a high speed chase for example. Also can I bring in a mix video from other sources like my phone (3GP) and stills.

Also I have a bunch of footage on an old camcorder that used DV mini tapes. It has a firewire connection. The model is GR-DVM5 (JVC I thiink). How can I import that onto my computer? (it has a firewire connection i think the connector says I 400 and it is a Sony)

Any help would be appreciated

[guns1inger]

WinDV for your old DV tapes.

Pretty much anything is better than Nero in almost all circumstances.

There are fwe free editors for windows. The most likely candidate for something decent si the soon to be released VLC editor ( https://forum.videohelp.com/topic377341.html ) but until then, I would be looking at the entry level Vegas Studio or Premiere Elements.

[coppermouse]

VLC looks good, what about Wax or something like that? What happened to windows movie maker, didn't they include it in Windows 7?
Do any offer slow motion, or putting lines circles etc... on the video?

[Safesurfer]

What happened to windows movie maker, didn't they include it in Windows 7?

No, they didn't but you can get at http://download.live.com/moviemaker

[guns1inger]

MovieMaker has some features, but the quality is decidedly average.

WAX is not an editor, and can be pretty flakey. It is also very much pre HD, so I would not vouch for it being able to play nice with your footage.

You could look at the free videopad tool from NHC, however NHC have the tendency to add a lot of links to your bookmarks, and to start downloading extra features with minimal warning.