complete beginner at video editing - Page 2

TimStannard · #11 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 12:33 PM

And isn't that post just oooozing with the excitement and pride at having learned a new skill as well as anticipation of future projects?
And you know what? I bet that even though Peg's next few productions will improve technically as she learns more and consolidates, this first production will for a long time still have that "certain something" which makes it special.

MJ Peg · #12 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 02:25 PM

Would you Vegas users say that it's a fairly easy step up from WMM for someone who feels entirely comfortable with WMM? Does it operate in the same way, mostly? Are there any annoyances where something that used to be easy in WMM is now tricky in Vegas?
Thanks

Flickson · #13 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by MJ Peg

Would you Vegas users say that it's a fairly easy step up from WMM for someone who feels entirely comfortable with WMM? Does it operate in the same way, mostly? Are there any annoyances where something that used to be easy in WMM is now tricky in Vegas?
Thanks

WMM is a very basic editing application. If you feel comfortable with WMM then download a free trial of Vegas and try it. You start out with the same basics - importing video clips and audio clips, drag them to the timeline and edit them.

The difference between the two applications is vegas has way more features and gives you a ton more editing freedom. You don't have to use or know all the stuff to start. Just start playing.

One thing to remember as you're playing with your clips is that no matter what you do to them, Vegas does not alter the originals in any way. Vegas will give you more rendering options, and probably not in as simplified options as WMM.

There's alot more to learn in Vegas, but it's worth it. If you can use WMM you'll be able to pick up Vegas.

i would suggest a trial of Vegas Movie Studio. Anyone else?

And for God's sake, stay away from Ulead and PowerDirector. You can thank me for that later!

MJ Peg · #14 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 05:10 PM

Thanks

I read the slashdot.org tech news blog each day and agree with much of the anti-Sony sentiment that can often be found there (for a number of reasons such as DRM, proprietarystandards and rootkit fiascos) but if they make the most suitable product for me then fair play to them.... I shall give it a try.

TimStannard · #15 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by MJ Peg

Thanks

I read the slashdot.org tech news blog each day and agree with much of the anti-Sony sentiment that can often be found there (for a number of reasons such as DRM, proprietarystandards and rootkit fiascos) but if they make the most suitable product for me then fair play to them.... I shall give it a try.

Sony Creative Software seems to be worlds apart from Sony the record company or the hardware manufacturers. Sony laptops are even sold with non-Sony video editing software.

And I'm with Flickson on this - if you want to try it out go for Movie Studio (if you ever move on to Pro, you won't have wasted any learning time)

deepsleep · #16 (**permalink**) 01-26-2009, 02:11 AM

Would you guys recommend a total newbie to jump into Vegas Pro 8? Will it be hard to learn on? I mean, it can't be that difficult right? Do I just need to get used to the layout and options or something? The concept is the same from editor to editor is it not?

TimStannard · #17 (**permalink**) 01-26-2009, 07:53 AM

The reasons for choosing Movie Studio are:
1. There is less to it, therefore less to get confused by & it's less daunting.
2. Why buy facilities you don't yet need or even know if you'll need.
3. Buying MS then upgrading later to Pro is not (much) more expensive than starting with Pro.
4. You might not get on with it and want to try Premiere or whatever, in which case it's only cost you the cost of MS.

And you're right, the concept of editing is the same from one editor to another - (trim clips, move them around, add transition, mix sounds,superimpose clips/titles etc etc) - it's the method of execution that differs. In the same way as the concept of piloting a ship is the same as driving a car (forwards, backwards, left, right, faster, slower) but the execution is different.

I found Vegas easy, but not as easy as Pinnacle. I initially found Premiere confusing/cluttered. Your views may differ.

But don't woryy. Do what Flickson suggested a few posts back and download a FULLY WORKING FREE 30 DAY TRIAL of Vegas/Vegas MS and see how you get on. If they come with the trial, run the interactive tutorials (from the Help menu) - they're a great leg-up to start. And the help file is pretty good. The downloadable manual is also very good (as software manuals go). Then there are plenty of on-line tutorials and VASST have a range of recommended DVDs if you want to get serious.

PegMac · #18 (**permalink**) 01-29-2009, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by Flickson

You know what's really nice? it's when people come back and tell you how they made out!

Despite what everyone say's, Windows Movie Maker is a good app for people starting out in video editing. It's simple and user friendly - and it's free with windows. i started out with Movie Maker, got a little more advanced , then tried others and finally landed on vegas.

Thanks PegMac for posting your results!! People like you are worth giving advice to!!

Thank you for your kind words. I always like to think that if I have managed to solve something I have struggled with, and had help in doing so, that my experience should then be documented in order to help others in the same position. That way I feel I am repaying the people who were kind enough to help me. I have applied this logic to other situations as I have gone along life's path. I will keep you informed re my progress with Sony Vegas once I get the trial version.
Thank you all again for your help.
PegMac

PegMac · #19 (**permalink**) 01-29-2009, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by TimStannard

And isn't that post just oooozing with the excitement and pride at having learned a new skill as well as anticipation of future projects?
And you know what? I bet that even though Peg's next few productions will improve technically as she learns more and consolidates, this first production will for a long time still have that "certain something" which makes it special.

How right you are, Tim. Supposing I edit and produce 100 DVDs, none of them will be as special as that first one and the excitement of watching your old VHS video that you took 14 years ago on your TV screen was pure magic, made all the more so because of the three years struggling with Adobe Premiere that is far too far advanced for a complete novice, but a good programme nonetheless. PegMac

PegMac · #20 (**permalink**) 02-03-2009, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by PegMac

Thank you for your kind words. I always like to think that if I have managed to solve something I have struggled with, and had help in doing so, that my experience should then be documented in order to help others in the same position. That way I feel I am repaying the people who were kind enough to help me. I have applied this logic to other situations as I have gone along life's path. I will keep you informed re my progress with Sony Vegas once I get the trial version.
Thank you all again for your help.
PegMac

Hi Guys
Following my success with WMM and your advice I downloaded the 30 day trial version of Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 and loaded the first year of my garden project from my video camera into it last night. Much to my surprise it is just one huge clip covering the whole hour whereas Windows Movie Maker split it up into bite size pieces that you could drag to the timeline one at a time. With the VERY limited knowledege I have of Adobe Premiere I know you can do a batch captue where you decide the size of the clips you capture.
Should I have done the same with Vegas? I just presumed that as it was a new programme it would be as sophisticated as WMM (and more so) and therefore would split the hour into manageable clips. I would once again appreciate your help.
Thank you in advance. PegMac