Want to buy Movie Editing Software.

[Byegone Daze]

These are all free shareware programs that I use:

Freemake Video Converter
http://www.freemake.com/free_video_converter/

Freemake Audio Converter
http://www.freemake.com/free_audio_converter/

Handbrake
http://sourceforge.net/projects/handbrake/
if I want to custom crop a video file, since Freemake doesn't include that ability.

The only shortcoming to my strategy of not coughing up $$$ is that I cannot permanently adjust chroma, hue, brightness, saturation, sharpness, etc, in a re-authored file. But then, the controls in

VLC Media Player
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html

allow for on the fly precise adjustment of these parameters upon playback. It works quite well, better than the other media players I've used to include MPC, Win MP, Real Player and Winamp.

I've seen a number of successful permanent quality improvements to some poor VHS rips, as accomplished by Blue126. He uses:

TMPGEnc Video Mastering Works 5
http://tmpgenc.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/tvmw5.html

This program is pricey at 99.95, but when Blue126 works with it, he has been able to achieve meaningful results.

I've also used AVS Software Suite, but their technical support pissed me off. I'm just too damned cheap to part with $$$ if I don't have to. So now I use VLC or MPC for free, depending on my immediate needs.

[HugoHackenbush]

For a PC based system, I used Pinnacle Studio for years with excellent results. It only had one real glitch and that was the ripping program (for making Mp3's from CD's) sucked big time. Luckily, the Tech Support guy admitted as much and suggested that I get a free ripping program from the internet which is what I did. CDex, was the program, very reliable and bug free. Got it off download.com. From that library you could cut and paste into the audio track fairly easily.

Pros: Easy to use (once you get the hang of it, like all computer programs). Very good title generator, with infinite customization. Can select a filmstrip or timeline view for playback, the latter is especially handy for fixing glitches of both audio and video. Lots of DVD menu templates. Clip editor very precise.

Con: Looong render times. (making the movie ready to output to DVD) Cannot animate titles or stills (unless they have changed this in newer version). Had one project that "hung" during render and could not be fixed. Sometimes inserts glitches that cannot be corrected.

However, you will need to convert your VHS to digital. Again unless they have changed this it will not convert for you.

[HugoHackenbush]

For a Mac, (I made the switch three years ago) the only one I have experience with is iMovie, which is part of the iHome suite. Apple makes a much more sophisticated version called Final Cut, but which is much more expensive.

Pros: Animated titles, and the ability to animate/ pan/zoom still photographs, which makes the movie ever so much more interesting. You can even do scrolling credits, and yes, even a "Star Wars" style rolling credit. Importing from iPhoto or iTunes is a snap. It has a motion stabilizer to correct for overly jiggly video. Good render times and the ability to configure the movie for DVD, YouTube, Internet etc.

Cons: As with all things Apple, methods/ functions which they think are obvious or intuitive, are not. It took me a lot longer to get "up to speed" with iMovie than with Pinnacle Studio. Titles are much more limited than Pinnacle as are the DVD menus.

[rotobott]

Yes VLC is great for playing with video, finding what looks best to you, also if you resize stuff, it's easier to see any flaws in the video.

[HugoHackenbush]

Originally Posted by Retro_XXX_Buff

I thought I read somewhere that you could edit the audio quite a bit as well.

I don't know if it's a possibility, but it would be awesome to split the audio in a way that you could take out the music altogether / or lower the volume then enhance the verbal dialogue between the actors. That way it would be easier to understand what they're saying to each other.

Retro, with Pinnacle you can lower or even suppress the audio track (iMovie too for the person who asked) using the audio mixer. This would allow you to insert the music of your choice, or if you feel so inclined, your own replacement dialog.

It will not however separate the music from the dialog. Unless, I am mistaken, this would call for a level of audio frequency sophistication which is beyond what you would be willing to pay for.

[winebeavis]

Originally Posted by HugoHackenbush

For a Mac, (I made the switch three years ago) the only one I have experience with is iMovie, which is part of the iHome suite. Apple makes a much more sophisticated version called Final Cut, but which is much more expensive.

* * *

Cons: As with all things Apple, methods/ functions which they think are obvious or intuitive, are not. It took me a lot longer to get "up to speed" with iMovie than with Pinnacle Studio. Titles are much more limited than Pinnacle as are the DVD menus.

Also use a mac 95% of the time. iMovie and Final Cut work well with me. But truthfully, I hardly ever use either very often. I sometimes have to go back a read up on how to use them. Also, for simple things like DVD rips and conversions, there's other programs that work quicker for what I want it to do.

I've yet to find a program on the mac that makes decent screen shots. Been using VLC and it's not that great for that purpose.

[Blue126]

I would also like to add, whatever program you choose whether free or paid the results of your efforts depends on your system! A must is a decent graphics card, processor and memory, this is a must have. I have burnt out two graphics cards and the one I have now is over five years old and just scrapes by...because of financial embarrassment

But hopefully, in the not to distant future I will build my dream video editing system as there are great deals out there to build your own system.

This guy has a decent budget, but we can always scale back a bit
but it is informative and gives you an idea.

Part 1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hly0GD8WxEA

Part 2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eruQCZz8duo

[HugoHackenbush]

Originally Posted by Blue126

I would also like to add, whatever program you choose whether free or paid the results of your efforts depends on your system! A must is a decent graphics card, processor and memory, this is a must have.

Blue126 makes an excellent point. Video files are HUGE. If you' re going to get into this, get as much hard disc space and DRAM as you possibly can afford, along with a fast processor. Upgrade your graphics card if necessary. DON'T believe what they say the minimum requirements are. Get much more than that. You'll tear your hair out in frustration otherwise.

Even then save your work frequently. With both Pinnacle and iMovie, the program would hang without warning, sometimes requiring a reboot.

On a final note , when video editing, a large glass of a fine claret adds immeasurably to the experience.

[Byegone Daze]

Originally Posted by winebeavis

Been using VLC and it's not that great for that purpose.

I've been using MPC for that... you can size the number of rows and columns in it if I remember correctly

[winebeavis]

Originally Posted by Chibi_Madara

I've been using MPC for that... you can size the number of rows and columns in it if I remember correctly

Does anybody know where to get a version of MPC for a Mac. I'd love to find it.