mil8
I'm using a PC laptop and running Pinnacle Studio 9. I have a miniDV camcorder too.
Answer
Capturing Xbox Video on a PC
There are 2 basic ways to get this accomplished, direct to PC and w/ a Digital Video Camera.
Direct to PC
First off, you'll probably need a half-decent PC. If you don't plan on doing alot of editing, a ~1.5Ghz with at least 256MB RAM should get you started, and you'll need at least a GB or two of Hard Disk space to store the video while you're working on it, depending on how long your segments are. In order to record video on a PC, you will also need a Video Capture card and capture software. Some video cards may have this, so look on your PC and check if there is a yellow RCA or S-Video INPUT plug next to the VGA/DVI Output. If you're not sure, check the manual or website for your PC/Video Card. A Video Capture Card is NOT the same as a TV Tuner card, though many TV Tuner cards may also include video capture capabilities. These cards usually start in the $50-$75 range and go up from there. There are also external video capture devices, but if you're considering one of these, make sure you have a USB2 or Firewire connection for the device, since USB1 will be a little slow when dealing w/ Video. If you have a laptop, another option may be a PC Card (PCMCIA) Capture Card. The capture card will have a composite input (OK), an S-Video input (Better), or maybe both. This is the only device we know of at the moment that uses component inputs. There is a list of available cards at VideoHelp.com, including prices, technical details, and user comments about most of them.
Once you have a capture device, you'll need to connect it to the PC. Do NOT assume you can just connect it directly to the PC and play 'live'. Generally, there will be a slight delay as the video passes through the PC, so you don't want to be playing your game while watching it on the PC monitor. Therefore, you will probably want to consider one of the following connection methods:
1) Splitter - Use a composite Y-Cable (cheap) or S-video splitter (not so cheap) to split the output of the Xbox to BOTH the TV and PC. You can use the Radio Shack Video Distribution Amplifier as a splitter, especially for long cable runs, and it will also convert Composite to S-Video if your TV and PC inputs don't match. Basically, you'll connect the Xbox cables to the Y-Cables/Splitter, and the splitter to the TV and PC. Anything you do while in the game should be visible on the TV in real-time, and maybe slightly delayed on the PC. Don't forget your audio cables! They will be split as well using simple RCA Y cables, available at Radio Shack or any electronics store.
2) Monitor Out - Some TV's have a 'monitor' jacks to OUTPUT whatever is on the screen. You'll connect your Xbox to your TV as you normally would, then run another cable from the TV to your Video Capture card/device. Most of the time, this Monitor output is only Composite, so it may not be the optimal method. If you are using a decent A/V Reciever, there may also be a monitor output on the reciever that you could use as well.
Once you got everything connected, you should be able to use whatever video capture software that came with your device to display the signal that's input into the PC in a window or full-screen on video monitor and start recording it. Assuming you're recording to the AVI file format for future editing, try recording at 480x640 or 720x480 before going to any higher resolution (or 'NTSC' if your card lists options in that manner). This is the best you'll get over a composite or S-video connection, so increasing it probably won't make much of a difference.
Digital Video Camera
This one is pretty simple, as long as your camera has Video Inputs (as most do). Connect the camera to the Tv and make sure you can see what the camera sees on the TV (the TV is on the right input, etc...). Connect your Xbox to the Camera. Record your video by pressing "REC" on the camera. When you're done, connect the camera to the PC and you can transfer the video to the PC as per your camera's software instructions. Many software programs will even let you control the camera directly from the software, so you may be able to have the camera connected to the PC at the same time and control it through the software.
For more general information on capturing and working with video on a PC, check out the guides at Videohelp.com
I abstract this news from http://forums.xbox.com/2635140/ShowPost.aspx
hoping the news can be helpful.
Capturing Xbox Video on a PC
There are 2 basic ways to get this accomplished, direct to PC and w/ a Digital Video Camera.
Direct to PC
First off, you'll probably need a half-decent PC. If you don't plan on doing alot of editing, a ~1.5Ghz with at least 256MB RAM should get you started, and you'll need at least a GB or two of Hard Disk space to store the video while you're working on it, depending on how long your segments are. In order to record video on a PC, you will also need a Video Capture card and capture software. Some video cards may have this, so look on your PC and check if there is a yellow RCA or S-Video INPUT plug next to the VGA/DVI Output. If you're not sure, check the manual or website for your PC/Video Card. A Video Capture Card is NOT the same as a TV Tuner card, though many TV Tuner cards may also include video capture capabilities. These cards usually start in the $50-$75 range and go up from there. There are also external video capture devices, but if you're considering one of these, make sure you have a USB2 or Firewire connection for the device, since USB1 will be a little slow when dealing w/ Video. If you have a laptop, another option may be a PC Card (PCMCIA) Capture Card. The capture card will have a composite input (OK), an S-Video input (Better), or maybe both. This is the only device we know of at the moment that uses component inputs. There is a list of available cards at VideoHelp.com, including prices, technical details, and user comments about most of them.
Once you have a capture device, you'll need to connect it to the PC. Do NOT assume you can just connect it directly to the PC and play 'live'. Generally, there will be a slight delay as the video passes through the PC, so you don't want to be playing your game while watching it on the PC monitor. Therefore, you will probably want to consider one of the following connection methods:
1) Splitter - Use a composite Y-Cable (cheap) or S-video splitter (not so cheap) to split the output of the Xbox to BOTH the TV and PC. You can use the Radio Shack Video Distribution Amplifier as a splitter, especially for long cable runs, and it will also convert Composite to S-Video if your TV and PC inputs don't match. Basically, you'll connect the Xbox cables to the Y-Cables/Splitter, and the splitter to the TV and PC. Anything you do while in the game should be visible on the TV in real-time, and maybe slightly delayed on the PC. Don't forget your audio cables! They will be split as well using simple RCA Y cables, available at Radio Shack or any electronics store.
2) Monitor Out - Some TV's have a 'monitor' jacks to OUTPUT whatever is on the screen. You'll connect your Xbox to your TV as you normally would, then run another cable from the TV to your Video Capture card/device. Most of the time, this Monitor output is only Composite, so it may not be the optimal method. If you are using a decent A/V Reciever, there may also be a monitor output on the reciever that you could use as well.
Once you got everything connected, you should be able to use whatever video capture software that came with your device to display the signal that's input into the PC in a window or full-screen on video monitor and start recording it. Assuming you're recording to the AVI file format for future editing, try recording at 480x640 or 720x480 before going to any higher resolution (or 'NTSC' if your card lists options in that manner). This is the best you'll get over a composite or S-video connection, so increasing it probably won't make much of a difference.
Digital Video Camera
This one is pretty simple, as long as your camera has Video Inputs (as most do). Connect the camera to the Tv and make sure you can see what the camera sees on the TV (the TV is on the right input, etc...). Connect your Xbox to the Camera. Record your video by pressing "REC" on the camera. When you're done, connect the camera to the PC and you can transfer the video to the PC as per your camera's software instructions. Many software programs will even let you control the camera directly from the software, so you may be able to have the camera connected to the PC at the same time and control it through the software.
For more general information on capturing and working with video on a PC, check out the guides at Videohelp.com
I abstract this news from http://forums.xbox.com/2635140/ShowPost.aspx
hoping the news can be helpful.
Good Film Editing Software?
Mark J
I need something for editing movies that has loads of features. Windows Movie maker is not very good, can anyone recommend me something good? Perhaps for under $100 CAD.
Answer
Comparing Video Editing Programs
Adapted From: Creating Family Web Sites For Dummies
Printer-ready version
Anyone who's had to sit through someone else's amateur home movies knows why video editing software is so crucial. Too many blurry, shaky images, stomach-wrenching zooms, and abrupt pans, and you find yourself clutching the arms of your chair and hoping you don't have to sit through much more.
Even professionals fall prey to these common mistakes, which is why pros shoot at about a 20:1 ratio â that is, they expect to have to shoot 20 minutes of tape to capture 1 usable minute of video. Be kind to your audience and do what the pros do â ruthlessly cut your video down to only the very best moments, and arrange segments so that they have a logical beginning, middle, and end.
Every program listed in this article lets you perform basic editing and cutting as well as create fade-ins. The programs also support the addition of special features, such as opening titles, voice-overs, and music tracks. As you go up the price scale, you add features for creating special effects, slow motion, fast motion, and even filters that can make your video look like a scratchy sepia-toned 1920s era silent movie.
The following are some of the more popular video editing programs on the market today:
* Adobe Premiere: This high-end video editing program is comparable to the Hollywood standard, Final Cut Pro, but it's not quite as expensive and it works on a PC. To use this program effectively, you need a very fast computer, gigabytes of available hard drive space, and a lot of free time.
* Adobe Premiere Elements: This new "lite" version of Adobe Premier is much better suited to a home user. It costs about $600 less (retailing for about $100) and the menus and options are much simpler to master. Unless you've managed to get your mitts on a $30,000 high-definition video camera, Premiere Elements is more than enough for your needs.
* Pinnacle Studio Plus 9.0: This program is aimed at the "prosumer" market, meaning it's designed for people who have some familiarity with shooting and editing video and want a lot of features but aren't professionals and don't have a company expense account to cover their costs. Studio Plus does the basics, capturing video and allowing you to cut and paste scenes, dub audio, and create titles. It also includes some special effects (such as slow motion, burring, and stretching an image) and even a blue-screen feature, which lets you film against a blue background and then combine video files to create movies of things that aren't possible, like making it appear as though your hamster can dunk a basketball as well as Michael Jordan can.
* Ulead MediaStudio: This programincludes both VideoStudio and a useful audio editing program. "Lite" versions of Ulead's products are often bundled with capture cards or other hardware and provide basic video editing features. MediaStudio is designed for people who want to make their own versions of music videos on a tight budget. You can also add plug-ins that enable MediaStudio to work with high-definition video and do basic retouching of the images.
* iMovie: Part of Apple's iStudio suite and an excellent video editing program, iMovie is available only for the Macintosh. Many Macs now come with iStudio already installed, so if you have a newer Mac you probably already have this editing program. Acclaimed for its intuitive interface, iMovie is fully integrated with the rest of iStudio, which includes iPhoto, and works seamlessly with Mac's DVD and CD creation software.
Related Articles
Working with Digitally Captured Images
Turning Digital Videos into Still Photos
Organizing Digital Video Clips
Digital Video Close-Up: The Timeline Tool
Adjusting the Playback Speed of Your Digital Video
Related Titles
iPod & iTunes For Dummies, 4th Edition
Machinima For Dummies
Apple TV For Dummies
Wiring Your Digital Home For Dummies
iLife '04 All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies
Ads by Google
Video Editing Software
Capture, edit, burn & author DVDs Create & upload video to portables.
www.avs4you.com/VideoEditor
Free Video Editing Tool
No Compression Needed. Upload & Go. Feature-Rich Online Video Editor.
Motionbox.com/Edit Video
Video Editing Software
Powerful And Easy-to-Learn Program For Digital Video Editing
www.avsmedia.com/AVS-Video-Editor
About Dummies | Sign Up for eTips | Sign Up for RSS Feeds RSS Feed | Register Your Book | Contact Us
Copyright © 2007 & Trademark by Wiley Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Please read our Privacy Policy.
Comparing Video Editing Programs
Adapted From: Creating Family Web Sites For Dummies
Printer-ready version
Anyone who's had to sit through someone else's amateur home movies knows why video editing software is so crucial. Too many blurry, shaky images, stomach-wrenching zooms, and abrupt pans, and you find yourself clutching the arms of your chair and hoping you don't have to sit through much more.
Even professionals fall prey to these common mistakes, which is why pros shoot at about a 20:1 ratio â that is, they expect to have to shoot 20 minutes of tape to capture 1 usable minute of video. Be kind to your audience and do what the pros do â ruthlessly cut your video down to only the very best moments, and arrange segments so that they have a logical beginning, middle, and end.
Every program listed in this article lets you perform basic editing and cutting as well as create fade-ins. The programs also support the addition of special features, such as opening titles, voice-overs, and music tracks. As you go up the price scale, you add features for creating special effects, slow motion, fast motion, and even filters that can make your video look like a scratchy sepia-toned 1920s era silent movie.
The following are some of the more popular video editing programs on the market today:
* Adobe Premiere: This high-end video editing program is comparable to the Hollywood standard, Final Cut Pro, but it's not quite as expensive and it works on a PC. To use this program effectively, you need a very fast computer, gigabytes of available hard drive space, and a lot of free time.
* Adobe Premiere Elements: This new "lite" version of Adobe Premier is much better suited to a home user. It costs about $600 less (retailing for about $100) and the menus and options are much simpler to master. Unless you've managed to get your mitts on a $30,000 high-definition video camera, Premiere Elements is more than enough for your needs.
* Pinnacle Studio Plus 9.0: This program is aimed at the "prosumer" market, meaning it's designed for people who have some familiarity with shooting and editing video and want a lot of features but aren't professionals and don't have a company expense account to cover their costs. Studio Plus does the basics, capturing video and allowing you to cut and paste scenes, dub audio, and create titles. It also includes some special effects (such as slow motion, burring, and stretching an image) and even a blue-screen feature, which lets you film against a blue background and then combine video files to create movies of things that aren't possible, like making it appear as though your hamster can dunk a basketball as well as Michael Jordan can.
* Ulead MediaStudio: This programincludes both VideoStudio and a useful audio editing program. "Lite" versions of Ulead's products are often bundled with capture cards or other hardware and provide basic video editing features. MediaStudio is designed for people who want to make their own versions of music videos on a tight budget. You can also add plug-ins that enable MediaStudio to work with high-definition video and do basic retouching of the images.
* iMovie: Part of Apple's iStudio suite and an excellent video editing program, iMovie is available only for the Macintosh. Many Macs now come with iStudio already installed, so if you have a newer Mac you probably already have this editing program. Acclaimed for its intuitive interface, iMovie is fully integrated with the rest of iStudio, which includes iPhoto, and works seamlessly with Mac's DVD and CD creation software.
Related Articles
Working with Digitally Captured Images
Turning Digital Videos into Still Photos
Organizing Digital Video Clips
Digital Video Close-Up: The Timeline Tool
Adjusting the Playback Speed of Your Digital Video
Related Titles
iPod & iTunes For Dummies, 4th Edition
Machinima For Dummies
Apple TV For Dummies
Wiring Your Digital Home For Dummies
iLife '04 All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies
Ads by Google
Video Editing Software
Capture, edit, burn & author DVDs Create & upload video to portables.
www.avs4you.com/VideoEditor
Free Video Editing Tool
No Compression Needed. Upload & Go. Feature-Rich Online Video Editor.
Motionbox.com/Edit Video
Video Editing Software
Powerful And Easy-to-Learn Program For Digital Video Editing
www.avsmedia.com/AVS-Video-Editor
About Dummies | Sign Up for eTips | Sign Up for RSS Feeds RSS Feed | Register Your Book | Contact Us
Copyright © 2007 & Trademark by Wiley Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Please read our Privacy Policy.
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