Video Editing and DVD Authoring software??

[nat869]

I am interested in trying to edit some video and burn some DVD's. Which are some good programs? If someone sells a dvd, do you need to copy protect it somehow? Thanks for any info!!

[Sumoto]

If you are editing home video use Premiere 6.5 (use special settings if you are going to publish for the web). If you want to make a dvd after editing in premiere then use Encore.

If you want to copy/backup and existing movie then use dvdshrink

Hope that helps

[msad1217]

For windows, Pinnacle Studio, they have a DV edition. Pretty complicated for a newbie though. Ulead's Video Studio is much easier to learn. Microsoft Windows Movie Maker is another one.

For Mac, iMovie which comes standard with any pc you buy from them, comparable to Ulead's Video Studio and the Windows, personally, I think it's better. And then there's Final Cut. There's the Express HD version and the Pro HD version.

I can't tell you much about the Windows softwares, but I am a video editor and use Final Cut Pro. If you need any info there, I'd be more than happy to help.

I don't know if you have to worry about copy protection, still not too many people have the capability to copy DVD's. You can put the usual disclaimer like the ones you see in movies about illegal copying of the movies.

-Manny

[Rob612]

Under WIndows. the Adobe suite is the only real way to go. There are other options but personally, after several years of activity in the field, I do not like them. As of today you have to go with Premiere Pro, the 6.5 is discontinued. My personal preference, despite the fact that I recognize that the Pro has a lot more of useful features, is for the 6.5 because of the A/B editing instead of the linear. I used to edit film a looooong time ago, and we were using A/B and that's what I learned. And find difficult to get used to the new style.

A good realtime editing card like the Matrox RTx.100 Xtreme would be of great help. I love mine.

[nat869]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I should have added that I do have a pc running windows 2000 and I believe I have a Radeon 7200 video card.

[KevC]

For copying DVDs, I've had the best experience with DVDShrink. It's free, too!

[EOSAddict]

At risk of hi-jacking the thread I am also looking for a foolproof way of ripping DVDs to AVIs for use on my Epson P2000. All the convoluted ways I have foind from the Net so far have failed! Anyone had any luck?

[weemannie]

I use Adobe Premiere Pro and have no regrets. Yes, it is a very comprehensive program, but its not that difficult to pick up the basics.
Encore DVD has some great features, but can be a real PITA! I'm trying Sony DVD Architect at the moment to see if it is more reliable.
Encore DVD 1.5 does offer copy protection facilities.
Are you shooting MiniDV? If you are then you'll need a firewire connection on your PC. Also I would strongly recommend a second hard drive, for editing purposes. Many pros recommend three hard drives! Oh yes! Don't forget to make those hard drives huge:lol: I've got an 80Gb primary drive and a 160Gb secondary drive for editing. They should be at least 7200RPM. I also have a firewire (120Gb) backup drive, and periodically back up to DVD. Video takes up a lot of space!

A couple of useful links: www.dmnforums.com (http://www.dmnforums.com/) and www.adobeforums.com (http://www.adobeforums.com/) If you decide on Premiere I've got some tutorial links I can send. Then of course, you may decide to get into special effects -Adobe After Effects is quite superb :lol: :lol:

[lomond]

What Weemannie said plus here is a link to some great video tutorials for Premiere and Encore.

http://www.wrigleyvideo.com/videotutorial/index.htm

I found these tutorials to be a great help.
Better than any book.

[nat869]

I use Adobe Premiere Pro and have no regrets. Yes, it is a very comprehensive program, but its not that difficult to pick up the basics.
Encore DVD has some great features, but can be a real PITA! I'm trying Sony DVD Architect at the moment to see if it is more reliable.
Encore DVD 1.5 does offer copy protection facilities.
Are you shooting MiniDV? If you are then you'll need a firewire connection on your PC. Also I would strongly recommend a second hard drive, for editing purposes. Many pros recommend three hard drives! Oh yes! Don't forget to make those hard drives huge:lol: I've got an 80Gb primary drive and a 160Gb secondary drive for editing. They should be at least 7200RPM. I also have a firewire (120Gb) backup drive, and periodically back up to DVD. Video takes up a lot of space!

A couple of useful links: www.dmnforums.com (http://www.dmnforums.com/) and www.adobeforums.com (http://www.adobeforums.com/) If you decide on Premiere I've got some tutorial links I can send. Then of course, you may decide to get into special effects -Adobe After Effects is quite superb :lol: :lol:

Cool, great info, I will check it out.

I have a Canon GL2 and will be making 1min long mpegs for my wife's website as well as a full length video that she wants to sell, which is why I was wondering about copy protection. I use an 80 gig as my primary drive and I have a 250 gig drive for photography, website stuff and engineering info. It is half full, so likely I will get another 250 gig drive.

[PacAce]

If you want something really sophisticated that'll give you that "pro" finished product (and money is no object), then get Adobe Premier Pro for video editing and Adobe Encore DVD for DVD authoring. Both of these will interface very nicely with Photoshop for stll artwork and titling.

If you are running on the Mac, you probably won't have too many choices since Premier Pro won't run on the Mac. Apple Final Cut Express is a good and cheaper alternative to Final Cut Pro which costs just under a grand! :shock:

If you want to go the economical route, then I have nothing but high praises for the Ulead products like Video Studio and DVD Movie Factory. They're easy to work with and almost very intuitive if you understand the workings of video editing and DVD authoring.

[weemannie]

Cool, great info, I will check it out.

I have a Canon GL2 and will be making 1min long mpegs for my wife's website as well as a full length video that she wants to sell, which is why I was wondering about copy protection. I use an 80 gig as my primary drive and I have a 250 gig drive for photography, website stuff and engineering info. It is half full, so likely I will get another 250 gig drive.

If you can manage it, try and keep the new drive solely for video editing. Also, if you've got AV installed or a home network, turn them off before you open the software, it will quicken things up considerably. Don't forget to turn on the AV again before you go back on-line:D

If you want to try out the Adobe software, they do offer tryout downloads on their web site. However, they are huge :lol: . I'm not sure about the States, but over here some video editing magazines have the trial versions on their freebie disks.

Have fun, I combine my love of video and photography by creating compilations of my favourite photographs and video footage on to DVD for family and friends. The really fun bit is creating special effects.

[felix21685]

pinnacle systems is what i have used and is pretty good

[markubig]

anyone ever heard of Vegas Video . . . formerly sold by Sonic Foundry, but it is now sold by Sony Media Software.

[micklemuk]

also look at ulead's bunch of appz

[weemannie]

anyone ever heard of Vegas Video . . . formerly sold by Sonic Foundry, but it is now sold by Sony Media Software.

Yes - I've got it. Primarily for DVD Architect as I've been having problems with Encore. Its popular, but I find it difficult as its structured very differently from Premiere Pro. :D