"How to" video

[reel fool]

I am hoping that Admin/Jer will make this a sticky.
I have been snapping away with the digital camera for a few years, even upgraded to a newer camera this past week.
This thread is for
1) the guys who have been down the learning curve the hard way on quality video editing--for you to post your tips, DOs/DON'Ts, "how to" advice, etc...
2) cheezeballs like me to learn the EZ way--from those who have already bloodied their knuckles for me
Hopefully, this will bring even more outstanding video to the site.

P.S. If there are already quality thread about this, post the link to them too. but don't stop there, surely there has been more learned since then too...

[flatbottom]

first tip ! for reel fool

This concerns photos in a slide show / video format.

I Use Photostory (microsoft) to arrange the collection. Photostory 3 will allow 300 pics. Previous versions were capped (less not sure of amount). You can add a sound clip or multiple clips to the story line before compiling the wmv. I have found that, for some reason or another, you need to import the photostory.wmv (when finished) to movemaker or other video editing software. When doing this, for some reason or another, you can export the wmv, and now the server on sportfishermen.com or other servers throughout the internet, will accept the re-encoded wmv. Easy as Chinese arithmetic. I use the 640 x 480 format in photostory. You can shrink the size of the final video if you need to, for bandwidth reasons on a remote island some where, or upload the small file as is.

This is just one way. There are hundreds of other software selections available with similar results. Also other en-coding formats: mpg, mpeg, mov, mod, etc.....Run a test clip (2 or 3 pictures) and see if it works on the sever......great lucks


Post some pictures man !!!!!!!

[whitneymarch]

Are you talking still pics or is your new camera a camcorder?
Either way for final editing in a drop dead simple to use computer program go with the mac. Base level imac comes with everything you need and costs $1100. If you have particular shooting or editing questions post them to this thread and I will offer my opinions based on lots of trial and error.

[Squidnation]

Are you talking still pics or is your new camera a camcorder?
Either way for final editing in a drop dead simple to use computer program go with the mac. Base level imac comes with everything you need and costs $1100. If you have particular shooting or editing questions post them to this thread and I will offer my opinions based on lots of trial and error.

I have a technical question for ya. I am looking for a small HD camera. The TV crew that was on our boat in Costa Rica had one. I think it was an Sony HD camera but I can't remember the model number. I think she told me the cost was about $4,000. Here is a pic. Any suggestions about this type of professional camera would be appreciated. Also how difficult are they to operate

[clt_capt]

Bill,
I know Sony makes a couple - Some very high end - Here are 2;

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/532...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/505...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

[whitneymarch]

The camera in the photo is s Sony HVR A1U and runs about $2,000 and is a very nice camera.
Other choices Sony HDR-CX7 $1,100 very small easy to use. Point and Shoot.
Sony HVR-V1U Medium size higher end prosumer camera runs about $3,500
The new Sony XD CAM EX is a super pro level camera very high quality images and starts at $7,000.
What ever camera you get buy a wide angle lens for it (the XDCAM EX comes with a fairly wide angle lens) the screw on lens will run about $200. Also get a circular polarizer filter about $50. Be super anal about checking you lens to make sure it is clean, this is very important! In high definition any dirt or water spots on the lens looks awful. On boats there is usually wind, so get a wind muff to cover the on camera mic or any external mic you attach.

[reel fool]

sorry about the confusion. I was referring to VIDEO. I was trying to say that I have been busy with the still camera, but am now trying to capture quality video & want to edit it.
I am looking for any bits of advice. I purchased Pinnacle 11.0 to edit.
I have a Sony camcorder, uses the little discs, not hard drive.
I am working thru the users guide, just looking for any helpful advice.

[chumtini]

I just started shooting video last season. I'm no expert by any stretch. I hate to state the obvious, but it starts with the cam and photographer regardless of whether its DV or HD.

1. Image stabilizers help, but hold that cam as steady as possible (and always upright). Cleaning up a "bouncy" vid later using a video editor is not the way to go.

2. Keep shooting. Sounds obvious. But it's so easy to get caught up in the action. And the first thing to go is the cam. When I have a cam in my hand, everyone (now) knows I won't grab a gaff, a rod or a beer unless absolutely necessary. Keep shooting

3. Camera zoom, I don't use it anymore. I'd rather capture as much as I can in the frame and crop it later with an editor. An example might be someone in a fighting chair. I'll record as wide an angle as possible. When editing, you can zoom or cut into a close up and back out.

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you'll never watch a movie the same again LOL. You'll be looking at how the pro's sequence EVERYTHING. I've tried all the editors I could get my hands on. I settled on Adobe Premiere Pro. It's the most stable and rich software there is. It's also more expensive. But you have complete control of everything you could ever want. Get LOTS of memory and CPU power you can. Rendering videos is compute intensive.

If there's an easier way than just getting out there and fooling around with stuff, I'm all ears. Can't wait to see your vids.

-Steve

[gman]

Squidnation - I have the sony HD SR300 its an awesome video camera that had a hard drive so you can tape 24 hours of continous video if you wanted to. I would highly recommend it I believe it ran around $1200. you can also take stills while taking video

if you want a sony go to most malls and they will have a sony store, your best opportunity for information

Chuminiti - you make some awesome videos, I enjoyed the fog one

[Cowboy]

OK Video Camera experts here is a question I have been trying to research, I have looked at some of the action cams that you wire into a camera and mount on gun or bow or anything but it seems that the biggest problem will be knowing when or what your filming. I am very new to video recording and got a bare bone cheap JVC to get started, not a bad camera but certainly not a high end camera.
My desire....Small good quality video camera point and shoot with absolute silence and be able to start fast. My current unit makes to much noise on startup and takes to long to be ready to record and in stand-by drains the battery almost as fast as just keeping it recording.I know it is hard to video without missing the action but there has to be a unit that will allow me to tape while still taking part in the action and not have to carry a spare car battery with me
Who has a reccomendation.