How do I edit camcorder videos with Windows Movie Maker?

Maddie



Joined: 16/11/2008
Posts: 147

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 10:27

Can anyone help me to learn how to edit camcorder videos with either Windows Movie Maker or other editing software please.

Mellon


Joined: 20/01/2009
Posts: 8

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 11:45

to connect your camcorder to the Samsung DVD-VR350. Once you have this you can record all of your footage onto a standard DVD.



In order to transfer your footage onto your PC from camcorder, you will need to have an interface (such as a DV Input) on your PC. This will allow you to ‘play’ your footage and then ‘import’ onto your chosen software.



If you do want to edit your movies as mentioned above e.g. with title credits and edited scenes etc, I would say that using Microsoft Movie Maker isn’t the best choice of software. This main reason is that once you have finished your project and you are happy with it, you will not be able to burn it to a DVD even if your PC has a DVD burner! You would need yet another PC of software to achieve this. However, if you are happy with storing all of your footage on your PC and ‘viewing’ it that way, then all is good.



I’d recommend purchasing a program called Nero 8. This is a very easy to use ‘editing’ and ‘burning’ program that will

Mellon


Joined: 20/01/2009
Posts: 8

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 11:45

Hi Maddie,

There are various ways to do this and it depends on what software you have, what hardware you have and the types of interface you have your camcorder and on your PC.



What is your goal here e.g. do you just want to convert your DV tapes (assuming they are DV), to DVD or do you want to actuall edit your movie and create transitions between scene and have video effects etc?



If you just want to convert your DV tape to DVD, then this can be achieved very easily and without the hassle of going through your computer. The solution is to use a DVD recorder that has a DV interface/input, such as the Samsung DVD-VR350, which for this type of work is a very good machine. This will also convert VHS tapes to DVD very easily if you wanted to.



Assuming you have a DV camcorder and a ‘DV-OUT’ socket, you would need to have aN IEEE 1394 DV Out Cable ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/FPUK-1-8m-Firewire-Lead-Cable/dp/B001D8DK9G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1232702292&sr=1-3)

Maddie



Joined: 16/11/2008
Posts: 147

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 12:25

Hi my camcorder is a JVC Everio with SD card. I have no difficulty uploading to my PC, DVD or You tube. What I need is a lesson in splicing (ie merging separate video files) and removing sections of a video, that sort of thing, video editing.



I don't to add music or anything I would just like to know how to splice and cut out sections.



Happy to pay for a lesson.

ilovemydogs



Joined: 20/04/2008
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 12:31

we have a jvc evario. you should have a disc with it that lets you edit and burn to disc. it is very hard to do. but it won't let you do it through windows movie maker. so the only way is to read the instruction book. and practice step by step. unles someone near can show you. it is too hard to give step by step instructions over a forum like this.

Maddie



Joined: 16/11/2008
Posts: 147

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 12:39

ilovemydogs, i have no difficulty transferring the videos, I would like to know how to edit them

Mellon


Joined: 20/01/2009
Posts: 8

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 12:34

be everything you need to edit your footage and then burn to a DVD. Make sure you can get your footage onto your computer first!

Mellon


Joined: 20/01/2009
Posts: 8

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 12:34

Woops, can't do that either as I can't see your email address (not posted enough apparently).



Soz

Mellon


Joined: 20/01/2009
Posts: 8

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 12:34

Woops! Forget it Maddie I will PM you. The forum has put my post the wrong way round!! Any mods out there please amend.

ilovemydogs



Joined: 20/04/2008
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 12:42

thats the problem. you do it through the software you get with the camcorder. but it isn't very user friendly. so it is too hard to explain.but you wont be able to edit in windows media. we have tried.

Maddie



Joined: 16/11/2008
Posts: 147

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 13:30

Mellon, what's PM? My email is maddie.menzies@btopenworld.com

susief


Joined: 06/11/2008
Posts: 529

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 13:33

Mellon, actually you can use Microsoft Movie Maker to burn your edited footage onto DVD, did it recently!

Mellon


Joined: 20/01/2009
Posts: 8

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 13:39

Hi Susief,

Are you 100% sure it was a DVD you burnt to and Microsoft Movie Maker is what you used?

Mellon


Joined: 20/01/2009
Posts: 8

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 13:40

Maddie,

If you have access to your footage within Movie Maker, just drag it to the Timeline and it will be spliced for you.



Give it a try and see how you go.

Maddie



Joined: 16/11/2008
Posts: 147

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 13:48

Am a numpty at this, would be good for someone to show me if possible

Mellon


Joined: 20/01/2009
Posts: 8

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 14:11

Can't help you Maddie as am in England!

susief


Joined: 06/11/2008
Posts: 529

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 14:49

Mellon - apologies because I said Microsoft Movie Maker when actually I meant Windows Movie Maker, though you were refering to WMM anyway! Technically, as I've just checked, I didn't burn it using the actual program but it did facilitate the burning as it does give you the option to "save to DVD". WMM then saves your project and automatically transfers it to Windows DVD Maker which burns it onto DVD. This is on Vista so have no idea if that's a new feature or one that's been there all along.

susief


Joined: 06/11/2008
Posts: 529

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 15:22

Mellon is right, if you can access your footage through Windows Movie Maker then it fairly straight forward - you just drag the clips onto the timeline. If you can't use WMM then I'm afraid I don't know. Try looking here for more help though http://www.videoforums.co.uk/