I've just returned from a trip with 6 miniDV tapes full of memories that I want to edit on my computer. I've never done any video editing.

I'm trying to decide what to buy to edit my video on my computer.

Here's what I want to be able to do:

• Cut, splice, and re-arrange video clips (my wife just had to use the last 15 minutes of 3 different tapes on one sight-seeing tour);
  
  Remove the recorded audio from some clips and record a new voice-over narration (don't want to sound like a foul-mouthed, babbling fool when we share the video with friends);
  
  Filter out wind noise but keep the rest of the recorded audio on some clips.

I don't plan to compete with Hollywood or make movies for sale. I just want to be able to put together a reasonable presentation of our travel video for family and friends. I plan to share on VCD or DVD (if I decide to buy a DVD burner - currently only have a CD burner).

My computer is a 1.7 GHz P4 with 768 MB Ram and a 128 MB video card. I will need to purchase a firewire card/cable to go with the new software. My video camera is the Sony Handycam HC40.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

I would suggest Pinnacle studio 8 or 9, I have found it very user friendly, It has automatic scene detection(which is an absolute blessing) and easy to edit and rearrange scenes. Also it allows you to edit the sound as and where you want.

Good Luck

Reg G

Thanks Reg!

How about filtering out wind noise?

:

A prayer!

If you've made your recording and got wind noise from the mike, I;ve not found a sequence of filters to get rid of it. Sorry.

__________________
I'm not young enough to know everything!

As regards the wind noise, the only way Ive managed to reduce it, is to reduce the general video sound for that relevant part. Normally when the wind noise is high you cant hear much of the video background anyway, so by reducing it, I find I haven't lost much.

Regards

Reg G

I have used both Pinnacle Studio 8 and Ulead VidioStudio 8. My recommend VS8 but both will do the job.

I find VS8 to be more stable, I like the large preview window, it takes 30-50% less to time render a given project, the results are as good or better than Pinnacle and you can create video_ts folders that are larger than what will fit on a DVD.

Both applications are easy to use.

VS8 does have a fully functional 30 day free trial!

wwjd