Make Your Own Videos

[RogerFGay]

I need to make my own videos to demonstrate software. I tried a 30 day free trial (don't remember the software name) and didn't really get great results. I gave the demo while in record mode. The audio wasn't good quality (I only used the built in microphone on my PC), and couldn't really figure out how to do edits (from the insufficient help .... and the sw wasn't intuitive).

I don't have a lot of time to commit to become an expert in the field. Mostly I do other stuff. But if I can turn out good videos it would be helpful.

Is there some good, cheap, video production software out there?

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

I highly recommend Pinnacle Studio (http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/Home+Video/Studio+Family/), which is the most user friendly and easy to use movie-making software, imho. I also own Serif MoviePlus 4 (http://www.serif.com/MoviePlus/MoviePlus4/index.asp), Windows Movie Maker (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/moviemaker2.mspx), and MediaShop Digital Studio (http://www.shopping.com/xPO-Broderbund_Digital_Studio). Each are comparable in price, however, I believe Pinnacle to be the best of them all because of it's super easy user interface.

I'm currently in the process of beginning my own home-based business making event movies (birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, etc.), and I have been using Pinnacle Studio for 2 years. As far as I'm concerned, it's the best.

Actually, Windows MovieMaker is free, I think -- not sure, my computer came with it already installed. I still like Pinnacle best though.

[RogerFGay]

Actually, Windows MovieMaker is free, I think -- not sure, my computer came with it already installed.

Well I'll be darned. Found it on my All Programs menu. I guess I should try that before shelling out any money. I'll keep in mind where this thread is in case it doesn't get the job done adequately.

Thanks.

[RogerFGay]

OK. Just gave Movie Maker a 5 minute test. Doesn't look like it can do the job, unless maybe there's some hidden capabilities. It does video capture via my built in video camera; but I need to capture what's going on on my computer screen (software demonstration). Am I missing something?

{Also, I suppose I can figure out why but it didn't record my audio - I probably just needed to adjust something.}

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with any screen capture capabilities -- I'm sure Rhino, Doc, or Suzie can probably help you though.

When I need to capture something from my computer I just right click, copy and paste into a graphics program (my favorite is Micrografx) and save as a .jpg or .bmp. If I need to show progression, I just switch to Xara and make it an animation. Probably the long way around, but it's the way I learned since I'm self-taught.

Hopefully Doc, Rhino, Suzie, or perhaps even Gonzo will check this thread -- I'm sure they can help you from this point on better than I can.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Just another quick note, I didn't work much with the Windows MovieMaker because I also had an early edition of Pinnacle preloaded on my computer, so I'm not sure if MM has this capability, but Pinnacle allows for window-in-window: i.e. you can make the screen capture pic (.jpg or .bmp) a window inside your film footage, allowing you to use titling to point out different items on the screen, moving from one to the next using transitions. Don't know if this helps, but I thought I would throw it out there for you.

[RogerFGay]

OK thanks. I'll see how it goes.