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Home: Video University Forums: Teaching Video Production:
Newbie Question

Mambito1
Novice

Sep 14, 2005, 6:22 PM

Post #1 of 7 (2110 views)
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Newbie Question	Can't Post

Fellas,
I'm JUST flirting with the idea of getting into Video production and I can see how it can become an addiction.
First, I''d like to commend all the Talent, Creativity and Resources that is on this Forum.
Now for my Newbie question:
I have a camcorder that I connect to my windows XP system via USB. I promise I will eventually purchase a professional video editing software in the near future but I want to Learn the basics of recording, capturing and editing so I use uncle Bill Gates Microsoft Movie Maker. When I capture the footage on the computer screen, it's not as smooth as the actual camera's tape. My system is winXP, 80 gigs w/60gigs Free space HD, 512 Memory (which I will buy more this weekend). Does it had to do with settings? My video card is a High end CONSUMER type.

Please assist.
Thanks in advance

DPerry
User

Sep 15, 2005, 4:02 AM

Post #2 of 7 (2104 views)
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Re: [Mambito1] Newbie Question [In reply to]	Can't Post

If you are dropping frames it could be a memory/resource issue. Make sure you are not running any other programs at the same time, also make sure your hard drive is in good shape (not fragmented or having any errors). If that doesn't help, add RAM. Just my thoughts on the issue.

David

DCS Video

videobear
Veteran

Sep 15, 2005, 9:29 AM

Post #3 of 7 (2092 views)
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Re: [Mambito1] Newbie Question [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think it also has to do with the fact that you're using USB.

You should use a Firewire (IEEE 1394) port and cable to transfer video. It should be captured to a second hard drive, physically separate from your system (C:) drive.

You should not change the video format while capturing. I'm not sure what MovieMaker2 is capturing the video as for you right now, but you should be capturing DV at 720x480 resolution, lower field first, at 29.97 frames per second, and with either 48KHz or 32 KHz audio sampling (depending on whether your camcorder is set for 16 bit or 12 bit audio capture). The capture utility (MovieMaker's or another) should produce an .avi file on your hard disk, and its size should be about 13 GB per hour of video captured.

Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions

Mambito1
Novice

Sep 15, 2005, 10:49 PM

Post #4 of 7 (2063 views)
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Re: [videobear] Newbie Question [In reply to]	Can't Post

First I'd like to thank you guys for your input. Today, I purchased a APC Firewire IEEE 1994 (4pin-4pin) cable and man what a difference it does. It's captures great. This gives me hope to play around with the software tonight. My next move is to purchase additional memory from newegg. Hopefully, I'll be in safe playing grounds with 1 GigMB of Ram.
Once I get familiar with the basics and produce a couple of Family mini-movies, I'll upgrade my software.

Mambito1
Novice

Sep 20, 2005, 9:50 PM

Post #5 of 7 (1949 views)
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Re: [Mambito1] Newbie Question [In reply to]	Can't Post

Ok, New memory came in from newegg. Now I'm running with 1Gig Ram on my PC along with 80 Gig Hard drive w/60Gigs Free and capturing with Firewire. Everything is Fast. My question now is after I'm DONE with my storyboard using Windoes Movie Maker, how do I get the complete movie to be in widescreen format to have that cinematic effect?
I'm using a Samsung mini DV camcorder.
All suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I will be sure to pass the knowledge base to other entry level newbies like myself.

DPerry
User

Sep 22, 2005, 2:56 AM

Post #6 of 7 (1913 views)
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Re: [Mambito1] Newbie Question [In reply to]	Can't Post

You can fake it, but normally you shoot in widescreen format. I haven't used Movie Maker is quite some time, so I don't know if you even have that option.

David

DCS Video

Mambito1
Novice

Sep 22, 2005, 9:27 AM

Post #7 of 7 (1906 views)
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Re: [DPerry] Newbie Question [In reply to]	Can't Post

Fake it?..LOL....I guess that's why I'm a Newbie. I didn't know that. With all these editing tools, I thought it was some feature in a software. I need to check if my camera is capable to shoot in widescreen format.
Thanks for the input.