video editing software question

[dwayne00]

I want to know what is the best software editing program to use. I am planning on filming a video and a need something to use that won't make it look homemade. Also I want to know what video camera is good to use for a great video. Oh and is Mac better to use with editing or PC?

[Soopafresh]

Uh oh, the "best".... http://www.petebest.com/

[gadgetguy]

The software used to edit the video has very little to do with whether or not it looks homemade. Very professional looking videos can be made with consumer grade video cameras with the right preparation and lighting, (especially lighting).
As for Mac vs. PC there is no "better" anymore, (if there ever was). The important things are that you have enough memory and harddrive space and adequate software that you are proficient in. Higher processor speed means less time waiting for encoding, but doesn't change the quality of the outcome. (Assuming it meets the minimum requirements for the software.)

[dwayne00]

i have a very fast computer but what's the name of some editing software and what type of camera is good to use.

[edDV]

Skill trumps software
MiniDV is best choice for camcorder unless wallet is very fat
Tell us more about your goals. What type of film are you planning to shoot?

Quality look is usually much more to do with lighting than editing.

Computer speed might get you a fast encode but has little to do with video editing or content.

[gadgetguy]

Ulead Video Studio, VirtualDub, Avisynth, etc. The tools section lists 37 different advanced editing tools. Every one of them has somebody who will swear it's the best. How much video editing have you done and what software did you use to do it?
The camera is also a difficult one to answer, because the answer is "the best one you can afford". But that's not the answer either because different cameras have different strengths in different environments and for different uses, so it depends on what you plan on filming and what your budget is. You need to do some homework and decide what features you need to have in your camera to shoot the type of video you want. Once you know which features, then start looking for different cameras that meet your needs, then find some in your price range, then look for user reviews on each of them.

[daamon]

"Best" is a subjective opinion - true, there is definitely crap out there and there is definitley great stuff out there too.

Only you can decide what's best for you based on your needs and, quite importantly, your budget.

A sport's car might be the best choice for a young person, but a people-carrier would be the best for a family of five. It's about their needs and budget.

Good editing packages I'm aware of or seen recommended:

Final Cut Pro (Mac only)
Adobe Premiere Pro
Vegas
Avid Xpress DV

...to name a few. All of which are pretty pricey.

Then there's free or cheap ones that also serve people well. Examples are:

Wax 2
Zwei-Stein
AVI Tricks
VirtualDub (and its variants)
Ulead Video Studio
Pinnacle Studio

...to name a few more. You'll have to figure out what you want to do, read up and do some trial and error.

I, personally, use Adobe Premiere Pro and think it's excellent. But then I started on Premiere 6.0 and haven't used or seen anything else...

For good camera info, go to www.camcorderinfo.com

I can't comment on Mac vs PC coz I've never used a Mac.

Hope that helps. Good luck...

[edDV]

Mac vs PC? that too depends. Both will edit.

What is your fast computer? A Mac or a PC?

[Bullworth]

Edit Studio 5 Pro has an Adobe Premiere style interface without the price tag. I do have to agree though that skill and imagination will beat any fancy package. I've seen alot of amazing things done to video with nothing but freeware tools that others with high-end software don't even know where to start. My suggestion is to just take a look at the Video Editing secition, read the reviews and decide from there depending on you budget and needs. Don't get discouraged because it doen't look like an Emmy contender, even the greats of today had a trial and error beginning.

[edDV]

If you get a fancy program like Premiere, Vegas, Final Cut Pro or Avid Express DV, best to get formal training to get you started. Otherwise allocate 1 month to 1 year to learn it and get proficient.

[dwayne00]

thanks for the info. I have a pc with 512 ram i know i will need more ram and i have 2.00ghz, 1.99 ghz. But this really answers my questions. I want to know with the software named above, will i be able to add music on top of the pictures that was filmed. Basically i want to learn how to do music videos.

[thecoalman]

thanks for the info. I have a pc with 512 ram i know i will need more ram and i have 2.00ghz, 1.99 ghz. But this really answers my questions. I want to know with the software named above, will i be able to add music on top of the pictures that was filmed. Basically i want to learn how to do music videos.

Just about any editing software will allow you to add soundtracks, you'd be hard pressed to find one that wouldn't. The higher end editors such as the ones EdDV mentioned will allow you add multiple simultaneous tracks. You could even mix the track in a external audio editor and import in the video editor or disc authoring program.

IMO a good camera is more important than anything (besides the knowledge of course), without good source material your stuck in low gear. If you have the budget look into getting a prosumer cam like the Canon GL2 or comparable. I've seen quite a few good reviews on a cheaper Sony model with simialr features. Try looking here for cams: www.camcorderinfo.com Here's some screenshots from my GL2: https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=242782

BTW instead of upgrading your RAM I'd look into upgrading your processor first. Video is very processor intensive, upgrading the RAM won't have as much affect as a faster processor.

[aanaravs]

BTW instead of upgrading your RAM I'd look into upgrading your processor first. Video is very processor intensive, upgrading the RAM won't have as much affect as a faster processor.

I disagree. RAM has a lot more effect on video editing that perhaps anyother component. Most programs like PPRO and Avid Xpress Pro use RAM more than processor speed.

As far as cameras go, you have to define your budget and your level of experience. You don't want to get an XL1s, if you havenot touched a video camera camera before.

[edDV]

No universal rules here but you need to separate "editing" "effects compositing" and "encoding".

encoding is mostly about CPU if you have 512MB RAM
straight editing takes little RAM or CPU. A notebook will do.
effects compositing requirements vary by your program and what you are doing.

Only pro effects programs load up RAM. Unlikely a requirement.

[aanaravs]

A notebook will do.

Again, a notebook is a wide term. I edit on a $4000 laptop and it blows most desktops away in terms of speed and performance.

Regardless, the OP needs to define his level of experience and the budget.

[rgs_uk]

I use a £700 ($1200) Toshiba laptop 2.8MHz 512RAM. I edit D1 format DV, AVIs with various encoding, and MPE2, works great. These days any inexpensive PC with this kind of spec will give you great results.

I use Vegas for editing and VirtualDub for filtering video and resizing. Plus Mainconcept MPEG Encoder for converting to MPEG.

As for cameras, get what you can afford. But also look for features such as completely manual exposure and manual focus. One of the things that makes videos look amateurish is over-exposure, which happens quite a bit when a camera is on automatic exposure. Personally I would rather work with a cheap camcorder with exposure I can lock rather than one without that feature at double the cost.

If you're recording interviews or making drama, another essential is a microphone socket on the camcorder. Otherwise you will be stuck with the sound from the built in microphone. Again, weak echoing voice recordings give an amateurish effect.

These things tend to be features on the more expensive camcorders. But not always. If you check out the various equipment available you will find that some cheaper models sometimes have lockable exposure and a mic socket.

[edDV]

...
As for cameras, get what you can afford. But also look for features such as completely manual exposure and manual focus. One of the things that makes videos look amateurish is over-exposure, which happens quite a bit when a camera is on automatic exposure. Personally I would rather work with a cheap camcorder with exposure I can lock rather than one without that feature at double the cost.

I agree fully and would extend that to audio. Manual control is essential to quality audio. The volume pumping you get from AGC sounds amatuer. All it does is raise the noise floor in silence and cause peaking on the first word when someone speaks.

DV audio can be superb if AGC is turned off. Unfortunately low end camcorders have no switch. Pro mics can be used if you add a Beach-Tek or similar adapter. http://www.beachtek.com/

[thecoalman]

BTW instead of upgrading your RAM I'd look into upgrading your processor first. Video is very processor intensive, upgrading the RAM won't have as much affect as a faster processor.

I disagree. RAM has a lot more effect on video editing that perhaps anyother component. Most programs like PPRO and Avid Xpress Pro use RAM more than processor speed.

I think you have to look at a system as a whole and his system is lacking in CPU, 512 is sufficent for editing. A 2ghz processor on the other hand is going to greatly hinder encoding time and previewing edits and transitions that can't be done real time.

[rgs_uk]

The main thing is not to fall into the trap of thinking you can only make movies if you can afford expensive equipment, because it isn't true.

Ten years ago the broadcast TV companies were shooting some stuff on Hi8 and S-VHS. Even old VHS, VHS-C or 8mm camcorders can give pretty good results and can be picked up for a few Dollars on EBay. Though they don't give quite the same resolution as MiniDV, some of those old camcorders have excellent quality lenses and manual settings, which can make a difference.

In years gone by the main problem with those formats was always loss of quality caused by tape-to-editing. This is not an issue now as you just transfer the footage straight to PC. However, a DV camcorder does cut out all the hassle of capture cards etc.

If you have to use an old PC you can do all your intensive editing on 320x240 size clips and substitute the full-size D1 clips when you come to render the final movie.

This is a good book:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1592000673/104-7357868-1823954?v=glance

'$30 Film School'