Video editing for dummies

dancelikeamonkey

Hi guys - does anyone out there know anything about video editing software?

My stepdad has bought himself a new HD video camera and is starting to record everything around him and is now wanting to put the files onto a DVD to pass around to friends.

He's not after anything too fancy, just something that will let him put an intro screen on, and edit sound and tidy up the transition between scenes (fade out and things). He doesn't mind paying, but not daft prices.

I know absolutely nothing about all this stuff, and there seems to be a million applications when you search on Google, so does anyone have any experience that can provide some input?

Thanks in advance.

G42

I've used Magix Movie Edit Pro for years which can be used as a beginner or advanced when you get more into it. I see the 2013 version is on sale just now for £39.99.

You can load your video clips, edit them, add transitions, add music if you want etc then create a DVD with a menu all in the same program. The output quality is far better than many of the so called Video Editors as well and that counts for a lot.

http://www.magix.com/gb/movie-edit-pro/

He can download a trial version here to see if he likes it.

http://www.magix.com/gb/free-download/

dancelikeamonkey

Hi, thanks for the quick response.

That sounds ideal (beginners mode sounds perfect for him)

Downloading the free trial now, so will let him give it a try for a few days to see how he copes. Might turn my phone off....:D

G42

I hope he likes it. Here's a link for a Magix Tutorial on editing. It explains what the buttons are etc. which will help him get the hang of it. The Magix Manual is also very comprehensive.

If he buys it, he can access free downloads of extra fades, menus etc from the HELP Menu.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpyVJkPKwvY

NiftyDigits

Windows Movie Maker is free, as is Windows DVD Maker with certain editions of Vista and Windows 7.

Mikebellows

You could also look at Serif Movieplus...

http://www.serif.com/movieplus/

They have a free version also...

http://www.serif.com/free-video-editing-software/

Which has limited use, but is still very usable and easy to use.

paddyrg

Sony Vegas is actually much better than the price suggests

Maybe another one to download a trial of??

dancelikeamonkey

Hi all, cheers for the input. I'll see how he goes with the first one, then try the rest one at time until we find one that he can get the hang of.

Thanks again for the help.

crystal0092

dancelikeamonkey wrote: »

Hi guys - does anyone out there know anything about video editing software?

My stepdad has bought himself a new HD video camera and is starting to record everything around him and is now wanting to put the files onto a DVD to pass around to friends.

He's not after anything too fancy, just something that will let him put an intro screen on, and edit sound and tidy up the transition between scenes (fade out and things). He doesn't mind paying, but not daft prices.

I know absolutely nothing about all this stuff, and there seems to be a million applications when you search on Google, so does anyone have any experience that can provide some input?

Thanks in advance.

well, I think ShowBiz might be your good choice.
It's a video editor that support almost all common seen video files.You can create your own video from either video clips or still photos. You may find how to edit videos with it on its official user guide. See if this helps. :j

System

I bought one of those Flip vidios camera's and it is easy to use. I recorded parts of our grand daughter's birthday and I can't remember which software I used, but it fused the various snips together and made a complete film, fading in and out.

With that achieved as a newbie, came the day I wanted to transfer to disc. I have three types, and didn't know which to use. I've tried two and endevoured to play them, but for whatever reason they play very slowly or not at all, so if we forget all that, what type should I use. The aim is that when I have success, I can choose to play either on laptop or tv. So guys, a little help please.

This isn't highjacking as I am sure the original poster will have this as his next question.