thanks for the replies, cleared up a lot.

i think it's a good idea that i won't really start getting serious with video editing until i build my dedicated editing rig (thus, having 2 separate PCs). while one is encoding i can just play around on my general-use PC.

i tell you, seeing these user videos are certainly inspiring. this is like when i first learned to play guitar. sure, you pat yourself on the back once you learn about 10 chords and learn a song or two, then you hear Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page and you see just how far you can go on the thing.

so you keep practicing after seeing this "whole new world". i thought there wasn't that much more to amateur video editing outside of Movie Maker, now i'm seeing just what exactly is possible (although it's obvious that many of you are "pro-amateur"). i'm soaking in all the tricks and things you guys are doing, adding to my knowledge.

sorry to hijack your thread, Alan, hopefully you take it as a compliment that i was so inquisitive as to the method to your madness.

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