Digital Video

[evannever]

Okay, inspired by the myriad of great amateur video on this site and others I decided to invest in a Mini DV camcorder with the hope of downloading high quality video to my laptop and making cool vids.

So far all I have been able to do was capture some really crappy quality video with the free video capture software my VAIO came with.

For you video guys: what do I need to do this right? I am good with Photoshop and an expert digital audio, so I wont have a hard time getting my head around an advanced capture and editing program, I just need push in the right direction.

Also, my camera has and I.link 1394 connector and so does my laptop, but it only came with a USB cable. DO I need to get the i.link cable too?

Here are my specs:

JVC GR-DV800 MiniDV Camcorder
VAIO laptop with P42.8 and built in firewire 1394 connector.


Thanks so much for any help. I want to send some "family day" video of Primary home to my parents who can't be there and haven't seen me in a pickle suit.

Evan Strong

[MrMudd]

If you are useing windows Xp

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/moviemaker/downloads/moviemaker2.asp

It is a free video editing program with its own capture device.

[PJRanger]

Evan,

You probably need to get a 4 pin to 4 pin firewire cable. Most cameras have the 4 pin "i.Link" receptical and laptops too (saves space). The 4pin to 4pin cables can run about 15-25$ depending on where you get it.

If you have a desktop I also recommend getting a Firewire Card for that as well. If you get one of those then you would need a 4pin to 6 pin cable.

I personally us ULEAD Video Studio 6, not bad for a 99$ program they are up to Version 7 now.

Windows movie maker is OK for just starting out but there are others out there for not a whole lot of money that let you do some pretty wild stuff.

Hope this helps.

PJ

[ski bum]

evan,

Yes. You ABSOLUTELY need the firewire cable per PJ's instruction above. The crappy clips you have captured were likely stored on your camera's memory card/stick and transferred via USB. Most DV cameras won't transfer the video on the tape via USB. IEEE 1394 is the standard. 400 Mbit/sec transfer rate. ULead Media Studio is chock full of features, but MS Movie Maker is extremely simple to use and a good place to start learning how to work with DV. The only problem with using MS Movie Maker is that the default video codec it uses when 'finishing' your project is a Microsoft proprietary codec so you won't be able to edit it using any other software unless you specify DV-AVI format when working with your video. Good luck.

BTW, enjoy flight school!

[bgrablin]

Ulead DVD Movie Factory to download from camera, premiere 6.5 to edit, and then back to the Movie Factory to export it to a VCD, SVCD, or DVD!!! WOO HOO

Providing you "BUY" them all. :thumbsup:

[Sasquatch]

Or, you can buy Vegas Video (v6), since they're using it nowadays to edit movies...it's a simple user interface, and a nice low price tag...and does EVERYTHING necessary (and then some) all in one program, instead of purchasing multiples. The latest version also has DVD creator with it, and you can create menu driven DVD's, etc... and rip straight to the DVD.

(at least that's what us professionals use)

You can also capture through Premiere (better captures too!) instead of some other proprietary software...then edit and export from there...

For special effects, etc, use After Effects, then export finals out of Premiere, and convert them to whatever necessary format using Cleaner 6 (Mac) or Cleaner 5 (PC)...

[evannever]

Thanks a bunch guys!

This is exactly the info I was looking for.





Evan

[young gun]

the best editing software:

apple final cut pro (used to edit tv show SCRUBS)

adobe premiere

avid (express)


they are expensive, about a grand, but are the industry standard.

but remember, full quality DV is HUGE!
my G5 has a 180GB hard drive and trying to import and edit MMS footage from iraq and only have about 35GB left after only a few MMS tapes (haven't even started on the CNN footage yet, am buying a 250GB HD to supliment)
i edited a 15 min video in kuwait on a powerbook but used almost all my hard drive. good luck!

[Sasquatch]

Just take into consideration that the average KW pilot/cronie doesn't have a G4 or a G5 (yes, I do have a G4 as well, and final cut pro is one of my favorites, albeit we also use a Canopus RT system for edits)....

Most KW guys/gals are PC based, and the best PC based combo NOWADAYS is:

Premiere 6.5
After Effects
Vegas Video 4 (or higher)

Not that I condone alternate means of acquiring software...BUT...there are a number of ways to get these programs...

and YES...if you want to do ALOT of DV editing, you will need at LEAST a 250GB or higher size drive for NOTHING BUT your DV Files. Otherwise, your hard drive will go bye bye.

[bgrablin]

I just downloaded Sonic Foundry's Vegas 4.0, and I am going to have to agree with Sasquatch, that it is a pretty decent program. Over Premiere 6.5 that is. I have yet to mess with 7.0.

But from messing with Vegas 4, you can preview fx, and transitions directly to firewire. Video FX is top of the line, and like all sonic foundry programs there is endless possiblities with audio.

It is a little more user friendly then premiere is, which is like most Adobe products where you damn near need a degree in computer graphics just to operate.

[young gun]

Originally posted by Sasquatch
Just take into consideration that the average KW pilot/cronie doesn't have a G4 or a G5 (yes, I do have a G4 as well, and final cut pro is one of my favorites, albeit we also use a Canopus RT system for edits)....





oh, yeah....well, nobody's perfect
some firends of mine here in the film dep't are helping me with some stuff this summer all i can say is....avid symphony!

[CAV AO]

I'm a video editor and the one thing I can tell you is max out your 'puter with as much RAM as it can hold. Get an additional hard drive. Never store your working files on the same drive as you software it can cause problems. If you can afford it, get a computer with dual processors.
Adobe Premier is ok but it has bugs. I you are serious, invest about 5K in a Apple MAC dual G-5 with 2GB of Ram and two hard drives and learn how to use Final Cut Pro 5. Best editing software to learn on, very user friendly. AVID will run you about 10K and up and unless you are producing broadcast quality videos stay cheap. Let me know if this helps.

Also jumpbacks are pre-generated animated backgrounds and look great behind still images and graphics. you can find them at www.digitaljuice.com

Also if you use any Adobe products, get the Adobe Classroom in a book for the software you are using. It is great and highly recommended.