About to buy first video editing equip. Suggestions please.

[2002Ecoast]

I've been researching this site for a while. As of now, I'm going to buy 3-port 1394 FireWire adapter with a 1394 DV cable for $40.00 and Video Studio 6.0 for $100.00 from compusa.com. I was wondering if you guys could think of anything else I should look into?
Thanks.

[low]

I think that for first experience is a good choise. The program supports dv capture through firewire and is very intuitive when editing.

[ahfairley]

I don't know how serious you intend to get, but you can probably find a firewire card bundled with a servicable editing program for around $50. You can always upgrade the software later if you want more functionality.

[EricB]

2002Ecoast,

Good way to start. The one drawback of VideoStudio6 is that when you go to create a VCD or SVCD, it doesn't allow you to make changes in bitrate or framesize. The VCD has to be 1150 kb/s. The SVCD is always 480x480.

I recommend that once you get a little experience, add ULEAD DVD MovieFactory ($49.95 list). You can then use the mpeg files from VideoStudio at non-standard rates to produce your VCD and SVCD.

[Spicuzza]

EricB wrote:

The one drawback of VideoStudio6 is that when you go to create a VCD or SVCD, it doesn't allow you to make changes in bitrate or framesize. The VCD has to be 1150 kb/s. The SVCD is always 480x480.

Not exactly.

True, if when you go to the Finish Button and click VCD or SVCD it defaults to the exact compliant settings. However, if you click on the Custom Button under the Create Video File menu, you can make any type of (X)(S)VCD you desire up to and including a 720 x 576 frame size and a bit rate of 14,000 kbps.

[EricB]

Sure you can create the non-standard file, but when you then click to make a VCD or SVCD, it won't use that file. It re-encodes to the standard rates (unless you've figured a way around this).

So I can make the XVCD in VideoStudio, but to burn it I need to use MovieFactory.

[Spicuzza]

EricB:
Yes, if you click "Create VCD, SVCD or DVD" on the left, then VideoStudio will do exactly that with whatever video file you have in the timeline then automatically open the Ulead DVD Wizard plug-in using the exact compliant settings.

However, to create an (X)(S)VCD you select your "rendered custom file" see blue highlighted thumbnail on the right, then on the left click "Export" to "Ulead DVD Wizard."



The next screen you get is the one below. Click "Ok"....to create XSVCD.



The next screen you get is the Ulead DVD Wizard plug-in!



Now for some fun.... Matt Turtzo was losing this match by 4 points with about 13 seconds left, he hits an inside trip for a two point takedown and gets 3 more back points to win the match by one.

Click here to watch video in RealMedia format.

Also, all of this was done without ever leaving VideoStudio!