rbowen

I'm in the early stages of putting up my 1st blog with a self-hosted video, which I'd like to edit, so I'd appreciate (video knowledgeable ) Warriors' recommendations for video editors.

What I'd like to do is:

1) cut a minute or two from the end
2) insert some text on a separate (PowerPoint-like) story board (or whatever its called) at or near the end,
3) place a watermark on it, at or near the end, and
4) reduce background noise as much as possible
5) also use it on YouTube.


My two biggest criteria, equally important, are:

1) No-cost/Low-cost: I have relatively little money, so no-cost is better than low-cost (less than $100 - preferably less than $50).

2) Ease-of-use, since I am not terribly technical. (I'd rather pay a little more to get software that's easier to use.)


I've found 3 choices after doing some research on my own:

1) Windows Movie Maker (the version for Windows 7, which I'm running) - Free

2) AVS4 Editor (which is actually delivered in a package of 16 pieces of software, including a video converter) - $39/yr

3) Sony Vegas - $79 (I think)


What I'd like to know is:

A) whether each of those 3 choices are capable of doing each of the 5 things I mentioned, above

B) how relatively easy (or hard) each one might be to use to do those 5 things

C) which one is best for me/my situation

D) any recommendations for other (better?) choices.


Thanks in advance for your time!

Richard

Elion Makkink

Sony Vegas is awesome and pretty easy to learn! And definitely does what you've listed. Btw, I've sent you an email about the refund as well. Did you received that one? BTW, those videos in my WSO's are made with Sony Vegas as well!

rbowen

Thanks, Frank. I'll look closer at Sony Vegas, then.

I work on the weekend, so I haven't yet had a chance to look at my email, but I'll take care of it this morning.

Richard

Elion Makkink

Let me know if you need any help regarding Sony Vegas. I can teach you the basics

EDIT: However, I think you should start with Windows Movie maker, it's free and very basic since you are not that technical

rbowen

1) Can I do all of what I said in my original post I want to do, with Windows Movie Maker - Windows 7 Version, then?

2) Will WMM - W7 Vsn do (more or less) as good a job, in terms of the resulting quality of the video and audio, as Sony Vegas?

3) And is WMM - W7 Vsn. easier to learn and to use than Sony Vegas?

If so, like I said earlier, I'd much prefer "free" to "paid", so I'd definitely go for WMM Vsn. 7. But if the quality isn't as good and it isn't any easier to learn or use, then I might go with Sony Vegas.

BTW, I appreciate your offer to help me with Sony Vegas, but would you be willing to help me with WMM - Vsn 7, if I had some problems in the beginning?

Thanks,
Richard

Chri5123

I would use Windows movie maker for what you need to do it is the easiest.

All of these things:

1) cut a minute or two from the end
2) insert some text on a separate (PowerPoint-like) story board (or whatever its called) at or near the end,
3) place a watermark on it, at or near the end, and
4) reduce background noise as much as possible

Can be done in 5 mins with windows movie maker.

Just look up some free video tutorials on how to use it:

YouTube - how to make a video with windows movie maker

Hope this helps!

Awesome movie!

Not sure that it is the best pick for an online business though?

Elion Makkink

What do you mean with that? Whether the script is the right pick for starting an online business? Haha. That's up to the warriors

Chri5123

No I was joking, I didn't mean the script.

I meant impersonating this guy >> Frank Abagnale - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

edlewis

If I had to do the things you listed....I would use Camtasia.

Removing a minute or two....easy just cut and remove from the timeline.

Place some text...or even a clickable link....easy using the "Callouts"...

Watermark...? Simple as adding it right before creating the video.

Reduce background noise....no problem.

Create a version for YouTube....simple, just save it as an MP4...


I know most think it's just for recording screencam vids, but the editing features are nothing to sneeze at.

Last week, I created a 30-minute DVD presentation with Camtasia that included Powerpoint slides, text, live video cutups, and audio...watermark too.


They have a free 30-day trial....although the full software does run you $300....

Download Camtasia Studio or Camtasia for Mac, TechSmith's Screen Recorder Software

rbowen

@EdLewis

Thanks, Ed, sounds good ... but that's a little too rich for my blood right now! Maybe if ... *when!* ... I make some money with my blog, I'll go for it.

Richard

noble

Looks like you are doing basic stuff, this can all be accomplished with windows movie maker which is 100% free and user friendly for the novice. If you were getting more advanced then consider upgrading but for what you listed I see no reason to do so.

edlewis

Yeah...I figured that from reading what you posted.

However, there is the free 30 day trial and it's a full version of the software....so if you get bored and want to try it out...or get the urge to make a few screencast videos....you've got 30 days to pump out as much content as you can!

Elion Makkink

Haha oh I see! Yeah, the movie rocks!

seobro

I have sony vegas. Like it is wonderful to the max. Yeah, I do rec. Also, it is very useful if you want chromakey and other special effect in your movies.

Also, I have tried several free editors and I do not like any.

rbowen

@SEOBro

OK. Thanks. But ...

A) Is it (relatively) easy to learn & use ... especially for a non-techie?

B) What did you pay for it & do you know of a discount code/coupon for it?

C) Is Window's Movie Maker one of the 'free' ones you tired?

Richard

Steve Solem

Richard,

I found Sony's Vegas Movie Studio a few years ago and absolutely love it. Think I paid $80 or so through amazon at the time, and you can download a free trial from sony good for 30 days still I believe.

I found it quite easy to learn, and any time I wanted to lean something new, I went to youtube and searched tutorials...especially those from Billy Myers.

Windows movie maker will probably do all that you want, but I'd encourage you to try 'em both and make the investment in Vegas if it makes sense to you.

Cheers,

Steve

rbowen

@ Noble
Good to know .. thanks.

@Steve Solem
Thanks. Didn't realize Sony Vegas came with a free 30-day trial.


So .. I think I'll try WMM - using some YouTube WMM training vids - and if not really satisfied with the quality, then I'll try out Sony Vegas for 30 days.

Thanks, guys!

Praney Behl

Hmm this looks interesting, just gave me an idea to improve my upcoming product.

OaldDesign

i use After Effects to edit videos not that hard to learn

rbowen

@FrankAbagnale

Just sent you a PM.

Richard

bobbylee

i am using AVS4 Editor and i found it Excellent. lot of packages under one license and it has all the features you have asked

rbowen

Well, that's encouraging .. thanks!

But again, I'm not really technical, so can you tell me whether it's relatively easy to learn & use .. and whether they have good instructions or tutorials?

Richard

Chronic IM

Hello!

If you want to be a good video editor, you should start with the most basic video editor, the Windows Movie Maker. It will help you know important stuff in editing videos. Then you can use any different softwares if you thinks your ready to use something other than the Movie Maker.

Best of Luck!