WEEKEND PROJECT: Create a blockbuster vacation video Weekend wisdomNeed more advice? Have tips to give? Go to the Digital Video forum to share your insights. The latest
news, reviews, and features on cameras and camcorders. Delivered Mondays Create a blockbuster vacation videoStep 2:
Before you get started with this project, we recommend that you have the following:
What you'll need
DV camcorder
As part of this project, we show you how to convert analog video to digital format, a prerequisite for desktop video editing. But the easiest way to do digital video is by capturing it that way in the first place with a DV camcorder.
Editors' First Choice
This top-of-the-line, full-featured camcorder produces excellent video and takes decent digital stills.
Read Sony Handycam DCR-PC330 reviewCheck latest pricesThis product is available at the following retail stores
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Capture card
If you have video in an analog format such as VHS, Compact VHS, 8mm, or Hi8, you'll need a device for your PC that captures it--directly from your camera or from a VCR--and converts it to digital video for editing. There are both external (USB) and internal (PCI) capture cards on the market; some graphics cards double as capture cards and TV tuners.
Editors' First Choice
This low-cost, external device lets you convert video from a VCR or an analog or digital camcorder to a desktop or a laptop using USB.
Read Pinnacle Systems Dazzle DV Creator 80 reviewCheck latest pricesThis product is available at the following retail stores
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Software
The key to creating great home movies is a good digital video-editing package. Many PCs come with basic video-editing programs, such as Microsoft MovieMaker or Sony's DVGate Plus, but one of these programs will give you a better experience and more capabilities.
Editors' First Choice
VideoStudio 8.0 is a good pick for beginners who want to create and customize videos and DVDs.
Read Ulead VideoStudio 8.0 reviewCheck latest pricesThis product is available at the following retail stores
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DVD burner
A DVD burner has become an essential part of digital video editing because it lets you save video projects to discs that you can play back in most standard DVD players. Many new PCs include a DVD burner, but if your system doesn't, it's relatively easy to add one. Standard DVD burners can store up to 4.7GB on a disc; the new dual-layer drives can pack twice as much data on a disc, but they are not compatible with as many DVD players.
Editors' First Choice
Sony's first double-layer DVD burner does its job well, but double-layer burning itself is a mixed blessing.
Read Sony DRU-700A reviewCheck latest pricesThis product is available at the following retail stores
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Create a blockbuster vacation video
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