Got a new Windows PC for Christmas?
1. Connect your video capture device. (What's that? A video capture device is what some software companies call your camera.) Your video capture device doesn't magically communicate with your PC. You'll need a compatible cable, compatible video card, compatible display, compatible sound card, compatible pointing device (that's PC for mouse), and compatible memory.
If you don't have compatible devices, add external ones and make sure you have compatible cables and connectors for them. They are getting much cheaper these days.
Great. On to the next step.2. Open your movie-making program. Your PC didn't come with a movie-making program? Visit your local technology store or purchase a movie-making program online. The good news is that there are about 1000 third-party movie-making programs to choose from. The bad news is that there are about 1000 third-party movie-making programs to choose from. Once you've installed the program of your choice, you'll want to follow these steps for most movie-making programs.
a) With the proper capture hardware ready, download your footage. To start downloading your footage, go to File and choose Capture.
b) Go to the Video Capture Device menu, choose Available Devices, and choose your camera type. If it is not listed, consult the manual or call the help line. It shouldn't cost too much.
c) In the Enter a File Name for Your Video box, enter a file name for your video. Then, in the 'Choose a Place to Save Your Video' box, choose a place to save your video. If you are unsure where to save it, click Browse, and browse through the hundreds of places you can save your video. Possibly create a folder called "Movies"?
d) If at any moment you need help, use a wizard. Windows comes with lots of wizards to make life easier for users. You'll not know how it was done, but if it works first time, wizards are useful. Gandalf was a wizard. He was useful as well. Look for the Device Capture wizard, the Device Connection wizard, the Device Compatibility wizard, or the Device Requirement wizard. If you can't locate the wizard you need, refer to the Help wizard.
e) If you can't access the Help wizard, call tech support, again - it shouldn't cost much, and hope you get someone who actually works at the company who can speak in the same language as you do.
3. After your movie-making program has downloaded the footage and created video clips, you can finally start to make your movie. This is the fun bit.
Is your computer running a little slow now?
Did you remember to make room on your PC for this massive video project? Yes, of course you have to.
You can always reinstall what you remove. Make sure your PC is equipped with a 600-megahertz processor, 128 megabytes of RAM, and 2 gigabytes of space on your hard drive. However, a 1.5-gigahertz processor, 256 megabytes of RAM, and 4 gigabytes of space on your hard drive is recommended.
Why didn't we say that in the first place? Well, we like to give you options. Make sure your computer is up to par, and let's move on.
a) Arrange your video clips in the order you'd like them to appear.
b) To trim video clips, open the Clip menu, choose Trim, then click on your footage and edit away.
c) You want music in your movie? You'll have to import that using a different program. Refer to your program documentation.
d) Photos? Now you're pushing it.
e) Add all the effects (available in a separate program), titles, and credits (available in a separate program) you need to complete your movie. Now you're on your way.
4. In order to play the movie you've just created, you may need special software. Refer to your program documentation for ways to play and share your movie.
5. Take a bow. Wasn't that easy?
6. If it looks a little or breaks competition videos, and Movie Maker is dire. Maybe you need to go back to 1). But a movie package rather than trust in the one shipped with Windows XP.
ps
Don't worry, Vista will be here soon.Now, lets look at the same thing on a Mac.Connect your camera. All Macs come ready to roll.
Open iMovie (included in every Mac - no need to buy) and watch your video import automatically.
Drag clips, music, and photos into the timeline. Everything works together, seamlessly
Want to tweak the sequence? Cutting, clipping and rearranging is a cinche, espacially as Apple have looked after all of the technical bits for you. The wizards are back in Cupertino - they make the software easy to use and even easier to work with.
Sit back and preview the movie (use the supplied Front Row remote if you have a new Mac)
Bliss.
Take a bow. Burn a DVD straight out of iMovie and send to the family.
Don't forget to thank the Academy.
Now THAT was easy....and if you haven't tried, well, you haven't got it.