I suck at Video

[Yossarian]

Make me better.

Tools:
Sony MiniDV DCR-HC32 Handycam
USB Cord
Laptop with Windows XP

Rules:
No new major expenditures
Cheap accessories okay if needed, freeware, free downloads, cracked stuff, etc

I have lots to learn about shooting skiing with this thing, so far all I do is point and record. Will have to learn how to deal with contrast issue, but I can figure it out. Not so much asking for tips on how to shoot, although I'll take anything offered, of course.

Real question is everything in the process between device and CPU and through editing to final product, ie, after I've shot something. Found Windows Movie Maker...eh, okay...My first attempt at capturing on CPU is shite recording quality though, and sound is all fucked up.

Better way to get from cam to CPU than USB? What's this iLink dealie?
Better way to capture than Movie Maker? Better way to edit than Movie Maker? I don't need fancy, this is just for fun, and I'm a media jong, but I'd like to at least be able to:

preserve the quality of the original shots
create clips and string them together to create movies
use basic fade/transition effects between clips
be able to insert a title, text, etc
dub music/turn up/off volume


Learn me or point me towards a good intro resource!
Thanks in advance.

[Evil E]

free avid editing software download here.

http://www.avid.com/forms/freeDVRegDownload.asp

I have a few books you can borrow for composition, lighting, angles etc.

A tripod really is a must have if you want a steady shot.

Also, rewinding and recording over good footage is a big no no.

[iskibc]

Yep, a tripod makes a huge difference. Pain in the ass to set up every time, but well worth the effort in the end.

I wouldn't worry too much about the editing software just yet. Movie Maker is actually alright. It's great for beginners like myself.

Make sure your lense is always clean. It sucks when you get home with a ton of footage and it's ruined because there's a spot in the middle of the picture.

Only use zoom if you have a tripod.

USB transer isn't that great. Buy a DV cable to transfer your footage. Can pick one up at Target for $20.

[springsproject]

try not to use the zoom too much, insted rely on where you position yourself to get the desired distance between you and your subject. if you need to shoot in telephoto, as said above, use a tripod to help eliminate shaky shots.

usually on consumer camcorders the auto white balance isn't the best. go into the menu and take your white balance manually for achieving optimal color temperatures. if the subject is in the sun take your wb in an area that doesn't have shadows, if he's skiing through the shade take your wb in a shaded area. this will keep your video from coming out too blue or too orange.

when you are ready to edit lay down your audio track first. edit your video to match your audio ie: landing a jump at the beat. with most non-linear editing software you can go through and mark points on the audio track where you want something to happen so you know where to put your video. if you edit nicely to the audio it will be much more pleasing to watch than if the clips are just randomly thrown together with no real plan.

don't try to get really fancy with fades/dissolves etc. you don't want to have something that looks too overproduced because it will end up taking away from the final product. you want to create a piece that shows what it was that you were doing not that you have a program that has a bunch of star wipes. keep it simple and have fun

[Blurred]

preserve the quality of the original shots
create clips and string them together to create movies
use basic fade/transition effects between clips
be able to insert a title, text, etc
dub music/turn up/off volume


Learn me or point me towards a good intro resource!
Thanks in advance.

Yoss-Windows Movie Maker is all you need for the above editing tasks....seriously, it's great for learning.

For video transfer- you need to go with firewire/1394. USB is way too slow for video.

[Lurch]

What's this iLink dealie?

iLink is what Sony calls Firewire to confuse people.

[Arty50]

iLink is what Sony calls Firewire to confuse people.

Yes, and iLink is 4-pin Firewire 400. Firewire 400 (aka IEEE 1394a) is the original Firewire spec and it had two different connectors; 4-pin and 6-pin. 6-pin carries power while 4-pin does not. If your laptop doesn't have a Firewire 400 port, you'll need to get a Firewire PCMIA card. You should be able to find one for a decent price. You'll also might need a 4-pin to 6-pin cable, depending on what PCMIA card you get or what connector you have on your laptop. 4-pin goes in the camera, 4 or 6-pin in the card/laptop.

USB just doesn't work for vid cams. USB 1 is way too slow, and USB 2 has issues also. There's a reason 99% of all vid cams out there use Firewire. It's the only connection standard that works reliably.

[Yossarian]

You guys rule, as always!

A little practice, and someday I may even post some footy.
Provided I don't erase over the shots in the first place (heh, sorry E! Next time I guess).

So,

Step 1) buy appropriate firewire setup (4 pin and 4 pin card in this case)
Step 2) learn Movie Maker better, and maybe graduate to Avid
Step 3) ??
Step 4) Profit! Mwuaa haaa

[Cirquerider]

A couple of Window Movie Maker tips: Once you transfer the .AVI file onto your computer, you can drag that onto the WMM time line. Be sure to locate the icons that let you cut the clip into segments, and another that takes snapshots (stills) out of the clip. Icons are at the bottom of the preview pane. Mixing stills with video is a nice effect, especially in a better video editor. You can go frame by frame in WMM by holding down the alt key and pressing cursor left or right. A handy thing to know when you are cutting in effects and transitions. Finally, when you render the clip (make movie) you will make choices in the format and compression rate of the video. The DV-AVI (NTSC) format is uncompressed and an extremely large file, but no loss on quality. The best choice is "High quaity video", a compressed WMV file with a good 720x480 pixel image. All other choices are more compressed with smaller picture size and reduced bit-rate. This affects image quality, but makes transfer by email or over internet faster.

Don't worry about sound quality from your video. Just drop a music audio track in. Long-term, you need a more robust video editor and may need an external hard drive. This video stuff will eat your hard disk space in no time.

[Schralper]

You guys rule, as always!

A little practice, and someday I may even post some footy.
Provided I don't erase over the shots in the first place (heh, sorry E! Next time I guess).

So,

Step 1) buy appropriate firewire setup (4 pin and 4 pin card in this case)
Step 2) learn Movie Maker better, and maybe graduate to Avid
Step 3) ??
Step 4) Profit! Mwuaa haaa

Or just step it up to a Mac, JONG!

[Arty50]

Step 1) buy appropriate firewire setup (4 pin and 4 pin card in this case)

Why not buy a 6 pin card and a 4pin/6pin cable? That way, your card will be more versatile.

Or get a Firewire 800 card and the appropriate adaptor cable. I saw a couple of 800 cards online that have two 800 ports and one 400 port.

Despite the fact that 4pin/400, 6pin/400, and 800 all use different connectors; they make adaptor cables that work with each.

[Big Blue]

Or just step it up to a Mac, JONG!

Yeah, I've heard those intel processors in the new macs are really great for video editing. Much better than a PC.

[Cornholio]

So? Where's my sluttiness, man?