Video Editing Software/Program

HunnyHeatha started this discussion · 3/13/2010

I'm trying to figure out how to edit my videos that I've recorded. I want to edit them so that I can take out the multiple times I'm wiping the pole, or when a move just doesn't work out and all the other lovely moments that I'm sure no one wants to see. I would also like to be able to take stills from my videos. I'm not sure how to do that either! I use my digital camera to record the videos, so it's nothing fancy. I have Windows Vista, so I have all the windows programs that come with Vista. But I've had a look at them and I'm not sure which one to use! Any advice or help is greatly appreciated!!

8 replies

Journey · 3/14/2010
A very basic program that is default Windows software is Windows Movie Maker. It's free and you should already have it, and it's easy to use. HOWEVER - it sucks. Then again, I'm of the opinion everything Windows sucks, lol. But it's what I used to use before I switched to Linux... There are several other programs out there, but I haven't heard of a good one that's free - Sony Vegas is supposed to be awesome, but you have to buy it (unless your proficient in cracks...). You can download free trials of it, though. If you go back to the very first page of this forum (Tech), there is a Windows Movie Maker How-To that I wrote up a long time ago under my other username (Foxy Rei). That should get you started, even including how to find the program on your computer. Like I said, it's not the best but it'll get you started until you can find something better. 🙂
Webmaster · 3/14/2010
So I am a big fan of Mac which comes with the always great iMovie, although laying iTunes tracks over the top can cause sound issues when you upload it to the site, so you should always convert to MP3 first. However most of you out there are on Windows so I here good things about http://videospin.com/ . It is free and its based on Pinnacle, a very powerful piece of editing software. Give it a try, its probably one of the best options.
videospin.comMovie & video editing software - Pinnacle Studio 26 UltimateCreate professional level movies with Pinnacle Studio 26 Ultimate, advanced video editing software with video masking, color grading, multi-camera editing, and more.
Rin Rin · 3/14/2010
I also record myself with my digital camera and then take still frames from the videos. To do that, I open the videos with Quicktime, take it to the frame that I like as a picture, then hit ctrl+c to copy that image, open up Paint, hit ctrl+v to paste it, and then save it. When you open it by itself later, it should just be a regular picture in Windows Photo Gallery or whatever program opens your pictures. 😀
Jenn PoleLush · 3/16/2010
I was wondering the same thing...i will try Movie Maker and see how it goes. For "capturing" video pics I have Google Picasa 3.0 and all my stuff is automatically uploaded there and from there you can "capture" and specific part, thereby creating a picture. A couple of those in my profile are done that way. 😀
Gsylass · 3/16/2010
I used Windows movie-maker when I first started making my vids, which I found quite easy to use. However hubby got me a fancy new camcorder that recorded in an awkward format so now I'm getting to grips with Sony Vegas. I don't do technical very well, so WMM worked fine for me!
Rouge_LAmour · 3/25/2010
blah blah blah windows movie maker sucks blah blah blah (shuffles back to couch) anyway, WMM is a pretty crappy product. Get a trial of Vegas - although with Vista it'll take forever asking if you really want to do this. (i've said yes once, isn't that enough!!!). Vegas is good for the level that is uploaded here. iMovie is fine for Mac users, however, FCP just rocks. Which is what Veena, WebMaster and I use for all our work. It's a pro product, but worth every cent if you have a Mac, but not essential to have. I like the fact FCP can interface with Maya, Shake, Toxik and all sorts of other cool products. Bite the bullet and pay the $55 for Vegas - you won't regret it and in comparison to the $1800 NZD that we pay for FCP, you're getting a good deal.
Roadkillgerbil · 8/18/2010
I'm having definite trouble in this area. Given how narrow the space I have to dance in is, I really need my videos taken portrait, but my computer always recognises them as landscape. WMM doesn't maintain the aspect ratio when rotating (I know my housemate's version does, but mine doesn't) so my ass ends up the size of the moon! I tried using videospin, but couldn't find anywhere that it lets me rotate the video (or, indeed, make it brighter. Another perennial problem). Any free software that does allow you to do this? Or am I doomed to being roughly square (at least in pole videos) for all eternity? 🙄
hookedonpole · 8/18/2010
I'm having definite trouble in this area. Given how narrow the space I have to dance in is, I really need my videos taken portrait, but my computer always recognises them as landscape. WMM doesn't maintain the aspect ratio when rotating (I know my housemate's version does, but mine doesn't) so my ass ends up the size of the moon! I tried using videospin, but couldn't find anywhere that it lets me rotate the video (or, indeed, make it brighter. Another perennial problem). Any free software that does allow you to do this? Or am I doomed to being roughly square (at least in pole videos) for all eternity? 🙄 I'm having the same problem due to pole space and can't back up more. I also practiced rotating in WMM and it's distorted...my husband told me not to even upload it. I uploaded a little vid to practice rotating in AVS Video Editor, it also distorted somewhat. I tried trial version, then purchased it not realizing the rotation feature would not be up to par. 🙁 I love the software otherwise. If you find anyway to do this, please post and/or let me know. It's frustrating to be able to record practices from middle of pole to floor, or middle of pole to top of pole. BTW, what is your housemate's version, etc to be able to maintain ratio when rotating? I have Windows XP. Thanks