Video Editing Noob

[cecco]

Hello,

I just recently began playing around with video editing using windows movie maker. I have a sony trv-27 miniDV camcorder which I use to record with. I plug in the firewire cable then capture with movie maker and begin editing.

Now, after I edit the 15 min. clip and add effects I am only able to save to computer, cd, send via e-mail or web. I want to be able to burn to DVD. I saved my file as WMA then using nero express 2 se converted it to mpeg-2 and then burned it to a Memorex DVD+RW to see how it would come out.

The final result was a mess. The video was washed out in colors and there was no sound. Can anyone tell me what are the next steps once I finish editing my clip? How should I save it as and what do I use to convert and burn?

Thanks

 

[cecco]

bump

Anyone?

Maybe a link?

 

[rh71]

First, your edited file should be WMV (video file), not WMA (audio only). This may have confused Nero's converter (to mpeg2) and that's why you got garbage on the burn.

What you should be doing is using a 3rd party tool to convert the WMV to DVD format, instead of letting Nero do it for you (it's really there as a convenience and may not be the best tool to do it). As for WMV --> DVD, I'll let others chime in on that.

In the meantime, dvdhelp is where the info is at. doom9 may be another one.

 

[cecco]

Yes, you are correct it is wmv format I don't know why I wrote WMA. However It was a wmv file that I converted through Nero.

I'll check the links out. Thanks for the help rh71.

 

[kevbot]

cecco, there are many freeware apps available to imort DV video through firewire and save as .avi files. If you have nero 6, you can convert your files and create your DVD with menus. This will save you from converting one compressed format into another, e.g. .wmv to .mpeg. .avi's can get pretty big, however. Also you can find all kinds of commercial products pretty cheap than can do everything you are looking for. Hope this helps.

 

[mechBgon]

If you have NeroVision Express, try firing that up and capture from your camera there, then follow the remaining steps to burn to DVD.

 

[cecco]

Thanks for the suggestions, I didn't know you could do dv import through Nero. I think the version I have is 6 but it's the OEM edition so i'll see if it works.

Is it worth paying to upgrade to Nero 6 ultra?

 

[John P]

I thought you could output as an *.avi using windows Movie Maker? If yes, do that and then burn to DVD with Nero.

If not, Pinnacle Studio 9 is on sale cheap at Outpost.com and Fry's B&M right now. I recommend the Plus version to get Pan & Zoom of stills and an extra video track, but the basic version only $14.99 after rebate right now.