Editor for a Kid?

[Genix]

My brother is in need of editing software to help him edit his skateboarding videos him and his friends made. We just got him an AIW 8500 and we are looking for some nice easy software to use for him. He doesn't want amazing effects here just cutting and joining and some small effects. He has used Premiere but that was a little too complex.

[dun4cheap]

If your running windows xp then use Windows Movie Maker which is free.

[Tommyknocker]

If the video he wants to use is AVI, he can try the freeware Virtual Dub mod. If it is MPEG, the list is a little longer. I would mostly like to suggest going to the Edit section at left, to find an agreeable guide for him and downloading the trial or freeware version of the respective program.

[Genix]

I don't like the fact that WMM can only save in WMV and D1-AVI. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[Genix]

If the video he wants to use is AVI, he can try the freeware Virtual Dub mod. If it is MPEG, the list is a little longer. I would mostly like to suggest going to the Edit section at left, to find an agreeable guide for him and downloading the trial or freeware version of the respective program.

What should I use to capture?

[dun4cheap]

I would then try ArcSoft Showbiz, it does it all but its real simple, no complexity at all. Capture, split videos, edit, special effects, ez vcd svcd and dvd creation.

[Tommyknocker]

If he is capturing straight DV from his camera to his firewire card, I would suggest DVIO (freeware), I haven't seen an easier DV capturing program. If he wants to capture in another format (MPEG takes up a lot less room, but the quality suffers), he also can try the guides under Capture section. If he wants to stay with AVI, but not DV, provided he has a capture card, he should stay with Virtual Dub mod.

[housepig]

simple editing on the cheap-cheap, with some effects & transitions...

check out Zwei-Stein - free.

Google and dig for MovieXone free version, or ABC VideoRoll. Both have been discontinued by thier makers, but downloads are still lurking on servers out there, if you dig enough.

Otherwise, check out last years software at your local computer superstore - I found Ulead Video Studio 5 for $10 at MicroCenter, and Magix Audio / Video Deluxe Version for $10 at an Office Depot, both new in the box.

All of these are non-linear editors with some basic transitions and effects.