[bgwfreak]

Hey guys,

I made my first video with footage from my Mexico (non-coaster) trip earlier this month and it turned out pretty good if I must say so myself!

It got me thinking though that I'd like to have a better program...

Someone told me about XP Movie Maker (I didn't even know it was on my PC!).

Is that a good program, or can anyone recommend a better one?

I especially want to cut the size of the file down. I used ImageMixer or something that came with my Sony Cybershot and a 3 min video was 100MB in MPEG format!

I'm not a computer nerd like I am a coaster nerd, so any help would be...er... helpful.

[chargercrazy]

You can go to <a href='http://www.videohelp.com' target='_blank'>Video Help</a> and check out the programs there. There are lots of trial programs and free ones. Good luck!

[MarkD]

Surprisingly enough the Windows Movie Maker isn't bad at all for videos. There are plenty of options and effects along with alowing Titles and Credits. I use it alot as it seems easier for me to edit videos. <a href='http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/' target='_blank'>W.M.M. 2</a>

My personal vavorite is Pinnacle Studio 9, if you got the money for all the add ons. After editing the clips in W.M.M. I import the clips into studio 9.

The biggest obstacles are codecs. There are codecs for sound and video. If you plan on just posting your videos I'd stay with the "built in" codecs that come with the program. If, like me, you actually burn DVD's I'd suggest using the DIVX codecs. The videos just seem to be of better lossless quality along with great sound.

Remeber this tho, the video editing world is massive and confusing. Try not to use to many "trial" programs as some do not uninstall all the way.

[coasterbruh]

I use Cyberlink powerdirector. Its pretty cool and it works well for me. I use it to make all of my DVD's and havent been dissapointed yet!

[MarkD]

With all the toys I have on my computer I've never been able to get Powerdirector to run, too many conflicts, but it does look like a pretty cool and easy program.

[bgwfreak]

Well from what you guys are saying, WMM is probably all I need.

I would basically like to be able to do videos for my website and such and as gifts for my extended family at Christmas.

Many of them like to hear (I think) about my coaster trips and such and this way they can look at them for free.

My other question is this, does Windows MM compress the DVDR or CDR (whatever you call it) into a smaller file (say around 20mb or less).

I'm not looking to do like profession vids (like Jarvis' which I've been enjoying), but I'd like to just do fun simple vids that maybe the Alvey's won't turn off half way through. lol

ImageMixer actually was easy to use but like I said it converted the thing into a huge mpeg.


BTW: Jarvis... I figured out what the deal is with my DVD player. I finally watched the Thunder Struck TR vid. Very cool as were all the coaster vids.

[coasterbruh]

with what I use it gives me the option to save it tons of ways, well not tones but you know what I mean. I can save it either mpeg1 or mpeg2...different sizes...different bitrates...save it as a streaming video...avi...quicktime, wmv, real audio...

Its a fairly simple process to even make the videos being that everything is drag and drop. I think it will be very hard to get me to use any other program!

And thanks for the comments about the DVD im glad your enjoying it! But one thing I realize is that on the copy you have, on the previews for the other DVD's I think it either cuts off after the SFoG segment or in the middle of it. It was my fault sorry but all you missed was im thinking SFA preview....lets see..well dang I forgot but you should see previews from the DVD's for myrtle beach, dollywood, busch gardens tampa, six flags over georgia, six flags america, and an unedited, unscripted version of six flags over georgia that I did w/ a classmate of mines. But I forgot where it cut off!!

Anyway back on subject. I also heard that pinnicale or however you spell it was a good program to use also! If I were you I would go to best buy because those guys seem to know their stuff...some of them...

[MarkD]

WMM also gives you those options but I am curious about one thing. In WMM it will, if you choose as an option, automatically cut your video into sections. Does CPD do the same?

[bgwfreak]

^ Oh no. I've created a monster.

[coasterbruh]

WMM also gives you those options but I am curious about one thing. In WMM it will, if you choose as an option, automatically cut your video into sections. Does CPD do the same?

It just saves the video as is then you can use the sister software, power producer, to create the dvd where you can set up chapters, add music and images to the DVD, and actually burn it to the DVD. I think I understood what you were saying.

Like for instance, when I create a DVD I just save the, for example 40 minute video as is, but go thru power producer and set chapters and add music and pictures to the pages. It all goes together like peanut butter and jelly!

[AMartin777]

Well, I would reccomend Video Studio 9 by ULEAD Software if you want to spend a bit of money but not too much for a really full featured editing application. I used it to put together alot of our videos prior to 2005. Now I use the professional level version of ULEAD's product: Media Studio Pro 7 but it's cost is prohibitive if you only want to do simple editing with basic transistions, filters, etc.

Vegas Video is really good too but quite expensive.

WMM is fine for very simple projects. If you can get away with using it and it does everything you want then go with it... I mean, it's there and it's free!