I'm trying to find software with which I can edit together my student film, because when I hired somebody else to do it it became fifteen minutes of a thirty-minute film. Problem is, I'm on a limited budget ($40-$60). I need something to edit it together and put it on a DVD with some extra stuff, try and make a little side cash to finance my next venture. Anybody have any suggestions?

Pinnacle video editing software has some of the lower prices if I'm not mistaken.

Are you using WindowsXP or a Mac? WinXP comes with a free movie editor. I've played with it a few times and it's pretty easy to use. I don't know how fancy it can get though.

Are you using WindowsXP or a Mac? WinXP comes with a free movie editor. I've played with it a few times and it's pretty easy to use. I don't know how fancy it can get though.
Really? As a matter of fact we ARE using WindowsXP. Thanks.

I've done two different searches of the hard drive and come up with nothing. What's the name of the program?

IIRC, it's "Windows Movie Maker". You may have uninstalled it or never installed it when you set up Windows. On my PC, it's under Start - Programs - Accessories - Entertainment - Windows Movie Maker.

I just found it. Thanks, Andrew! (Man, exclamation points seem hokey.) Now all I need is the camera I shot it on and I can get it into the computer.

IIRC, it's "Windows Movie Maker".
Yep. I couldn't remember the name of it or I would have posted it. Let us know how it works for you. I'm curious.

When I was playing with it I used it to record live television with my TV tuner card (instead of taking it off a comera) and edit the video. I played around with triming clips, moving clips, etc. But when I saved the video it looked really bad. Even at a large file size. I don't know whether it was the original material to blame or Movie Maker.

There's also a popular Video Editing program that often comes "bundled" with many different manufacturer's PC's. It's called "Intervideo WinDVD Creator 2." If your manufacturer included this in your bundle, it may not be installed on your computer yet, and could be sitting with some installation CDs that came with your computer. So keep an eye out for that possibility.

It's has a few more features than Windows Movie Maker has. But for most things Windows Movie Maker will work fairly well once you figure out how to use all the bells and whistles.

movie maker is plug and chug...it takes no effort to work it...however to get in DVD is a PITA and for me it took the quality of the film down. It compresses it when it downloads it onto the computer and then when the DVD is burned it's pixelated. I have gone to adobe premeire. I have adobe (awe, i forget what it's called, but it makes DVD's) I haven't totally figured that one out yet ...so I use ulead to burn the dvd's for now. Adobe premeire makes a very nice quality dvd..:)

While the included WinXP product works ok for very casual video editing, I suspect you probably will want something more powerful if you are editing a studio film. I'd definitely recommend looking at Pinnacle Studio, which I generally think has a good mix of powerful features for the price.

-Jeff

I'd definitely recommend looking at Pinnacle Studio, which I generally think has a good mix of powerful features for the price.

What is this price? (Not to be snippy, but this does factor in.)

What is this price? (Not to be snippy, but this does factor in.)

I think it is around $100 if you aren't upgrading from an older version. You might check to see if your video camera came with the "light" version of it (which would qualify for a discounted upgrade), though, as many do.

-Jeff

You can also go with Adobe Premiere Elements that runs $100 (or bundled with Adobe Photoshop Elements) for $150. I use Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5 and am a huge fan of the program that is very powerful and professional but that will run you about $700. A big price difference, that's for sure (100 dollars versus 700 dollars). Adobe Premiere Elements (as well as Photoshop Elements) are basically slimmed down versions of the professional versions for home users and people who don't need all that extra professional intricate stuff. I would suggest checking out this program to see if it will work for you. I read an article a while back in PC World that gave it a good rating and liked its interface and features. I would give it a shot.

Adobe Premiere Elements - http://www.adobe.com/products/premiereel/main.html

Adobe Premiere Elements plus Adobe Photoshop Elements - http://www.adobe.com/products/psprelements/main.html