Video-making question(s)...

[TimothyW]

Here's what I want to do...

Use my digital camera to get raw footage onto sd card. edit the clips using good ol' Win movie maker (I'll take suggestions on BETTER + CHEAP -- but just as EASY editing software).

Then take that completed 'movie' and get it onto DVD -- or,

*send the file to a duplication house* -- and have them put in onto dvd (authoring, etc.)

Is this all possible? -- and, if so, is there any limitations of time length of video using the 'recipe' above (maybe because of file size, etc.)?

Also, knowing my overall goal, would you recommend any easier/quicker recipe?

Let me know.

Thanks!

-- TW

[ronnlisa]

The first thing I would do is get yourself a copy ofulead video studio. It's very inexpensive and easy to work with.
You can upload your videos from your camera right into Ulead video studio.

Your finished videos will look a lot more professional if you use Ulead video studio.

[R-Yeah]

There are DV cameras that comes with a CD with very good editing software
such as ULead and AVID all in mini versions for home usage check them out.

As for the space in the DVD it depends on the quality and compression since DV is one of the biggest video file sizes there is since the quality is superb.

You may create a final file in DV format and then convert it to .AVI which will be compressed and can be burnt on regular CD-R to save you disc space
and time burning if you do it yourself (also CD-R costs less)

If you going to do industry copying like 100 discs it may be smart to do it in duplicate factory but if you doing a limited copies i recommend to do it on home PC.
average CD-R burning time today is less then 5 minutes, thats 10 discs per hour... (approx of course).

Good luck.

[TimothyW]

Yes, I'll be making 500-1000 copies or more. I guess I'll have to check out what incoming formats the dup house accepts. I 'm pretty sure I *can't* hand them a dvd to use as the original, right? What file size is too big to send them via email?

What's the best way to get my finished movie from my computer to the dup house?

Thanks.

-- TW

[R-Yeah]

Of course you can!

When you duplicate you send them MASTER CD/DVD.

search google for "bulk cd duplicating" or "bulk cd manufacturing"
you will find some good results.

Also if you find a website that you wish to make business with then
call them and ask for advice on your project, if you want to duplicate
500 - 1000 CD/DVD discs they will be GLAD to help you out!.

[TimothyW]

Also -- I see ulead movie wizard (very cheap) all the way up to ulead "pro" for $100. What 'level' of ulead would you recommend? Shortest learning curve?

[R-Yeah]

Well
As a programmer i know how software works in time of needing,
So i can't even remember how the software looks and acts and it's features
regarding different versions.

Regarding for more info you can see these reviews on different software and prices here:
Video Editing - Reviews and Price Comparisons – from PC Magazine
Video editors - CNET Reviews

[TimothyW]

I have done biz with discmakers -- twice. I'm pretty sure I recall them telling me dvd is one format they cannot use as a master (for the incoming edited video to be duplicated) -- and I remember thinking that was pretty odd. They said, "oh sure you can submit the master in this form, that form, etc. -- just not a dvd(!) So, either that was wrong, or they are just weird that way?

[SVMarketing]

Originally Posted by -- TW

I have done biz with discmakers -- twice. I'm pretty sure I recall them telling me dvd is one format they cannot use as a master (for the incoming edited video to be duplicated) -- and I remember thinking that was pretty odd. They said, "oh sure you can submit the master in this form, that form, etc. -- just not a dvd(!) So, either that was wrong, or they are just weird that way?

discmakers is an old fashion company. My experience with them is just the reverse. They said Yes to me on everything before my order was placed. But once I placed an order the answers began to change to No. Can I talk to my original salesperson? "No."

Now I use a company in Silicon Valley called newcyberian.com. They are more honest them discmakers and the quality of their product is simply great.