Video editing software

Mill Iron · 05-06-2009, 07:54 AM

I'm wanting to transfer video from my Sony Handycam 8mm tapes to DVD but am in need of a good program to do this. The one that came with the camera, Picture Package, is extremely basic and I haven't determined how to transfer the audio - only the video and the video transfer drops frames terribly. Does anyone know of a good, yet relatively simple, program to use for video editing? My computer is a Dell Inspiron 530S, Pentium Dual-Core CPU 2.50 GHz, running XP Pro with an ATI RAdeon HD 3450 video adapter and Realtek HD Audio.

thanx

**zuluclayman** · 05-07-2009, 01:18 AM

for my recommendations for reasonably priced yet effective video editing software have a look at these:

Adobe Premiere Elements 7
A very efficient and powerful editing suite that allows multiple audio, multiple video tracks (and therefore layering with differing opacity), Picture in Picture, green-screening, many transitions and effects, ability to burn straight to DVD from within the software, post to Youtube from within the software and much more.

Vegas Movie Studio Platinum Edition 9
again multiple tracks for audio and video (only 4 of each - compared to Adobe's 99), Picture in Picture, green-screening, many transitions and effects

Both accept input from a range of file formats and output a similar range, both are relatively easy to use but offer powerful editing capabilities.
I prefer Adobe - mainly because I started on Adobe and have used Photoshop for years so am familiar with Adobe layouts and terms.

Download a trial version and try them out - best way to see which suits your way of working.

As for the dropped frames - how are you transferring your footage from your camera to your computer? if USB then this is your problem - if you can I would advise you to get a firewire card installed on your computer - this will allow faster, more efficient (ie. no dropped frames) transfer of video and audio to your computer. They cost very little (around the AUS$40 mark) and are easy to install (do a search on Youtube if you like seeing how to do it - Google it if you prefer to read about how to do it)

Mill Iron · 05-11-2009, 08:44 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I will look into some of those and see if I can make progress. I appreciate your help! Will post again with results.

05-06-2009, 07:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mill Iron Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Montana Posts: 7 OS: Windows XP Pro, SP3	Video editing software I'm wanting to transfer video from my Sony Handycam 8mm tapes to DVD but am in need of a good program to do this. The one that came with the camera, Picture Package, is extremely basic and I haven't determined how to transfer the audio - only the video and the video transfer drops frames terribly. Does anyone know of a good, yet relatively simple, program to use for video editing? My computer is a Dell Inspiron 530S, Pentium Dual-Core CPU 2.50 GHz, running XP Pro with an ATI RAdeon HD 3450 video adapter and Realtek HD Audio. thanx

05-07-2009, 01:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
zuluclayman Design Team Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 3,049 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium My System	Re: Video editing software for my recommendations for reasonably priced yet effective video editing software have a look at these: Adobe Premiere Elements 7 A very efficient and powerful editing suite that allows multiple audio, multiple video tracks (and therefore layering with differing opacity), Picture in Picture, green-screening, many transitions and effects, ability to burn straight to DVD from within the software, post to Youtube from within the software and much more. Vegas Movie Studio Platinum Edition 9 again multiple tracks for audio and video (only 4 of each - compared to Adobe's 99), Picture in Picture, green-screening, many transitions and effects Both accept input from a range of file formats and output a similar range, both are relatively easy to use but offer powerful editing capabilities. I prefer Adobe - mainly because I started on Adobe and have used Photoshop for years so am familiar with Adobe layouts and terms. Download a trial version and try them out - best way to see which suits your way of working. As for the dropped frames - how are you transferring your footage from your camera to your computer? if USB then this is your problem - if you can I would advise you to get a firewire card installed on your computer - this will allow faster, more efficient (ie. no dropped frames) transfer of video and audio to your computer. They cost very little (around the AUS$40 mark) and are easy to install (do a search on Youtube if you like seeing how to do it - Google it if you prefer to read about how to do it) __________________ AutoGordianKnot Audacity K-Lite codec pack Irfan View GSpot TSF Photographer's Corner Last edited by zuluclayman; 05-07-2009 at 01:21 AM.

05-11-2009, 08:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mill Iron Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Montana Posts: 7 OS: Windows XP Pro, SP3	Re: Video editing software Thanks for the suggestions. I will look into some of those and see if I can make progress. I appreciate your help! Will post again with results.