Need to 'blur' or 'wash' out specific video areas. (??)

[Gromit137]

How would I (at a reasonable cost) be able to blur (or pixelize) a face or a name/logo on an avi file before rendering to DVD. Like those news shows that make the person UNrecognizable.
Is there freeware? My program... Cyberlink PowerDirector has no such tool.

Thanks all in advance.

[Gromit137]

Is there somewhere I can get an external mic shoe that I can 'glue' on to my lower end videocam... 'cold'... I don't need power.
Thanks

[Cornucopia]

(Answer to 1st Q):

Virtualdub, combination of one of the many blur filters, and one of the "area-based" filters.
Freeware.

(Answer to 2nd Q):
Don't do that. Glue won't last long at all. It'll come off RIGHT when you're shooting, most likely.
You could easily create a bar the holds the cam and the mike shoe (it's usually called a "clip" or "shock mount") beside it, from pieces gotten at a hardware store, and then properly sized threaded holes drilled/milled into it.

Scott