I'm just getting going with movie making, setup is an existing WinXP(pro)
PC, Sony digital camcorder abt 3 yrs old, and soon to add IEEE 1394 card.
Wondering if some folks could clarify/comment on software, I'd like to use
what have, keep simple, but it's beginning to look like the video editing
and DVD burning are two separate things/software. I'm unclear on what
software does what, what's needed, etc. Isn't there a one-package deal
(like Adobe Photoshop is to images....import, edit, save as any type file,
burn to CD, etc.) that does all well? OK, so here's what's on PC, agreed
some's old, and some looks like it duplicates functions of others, right?
Thanks ...

Windows Movie Maker:
(yes) Movie capture, is it as good as any?
(yes) Basic editing, how good is it?
(__) Burn DVD's and CDs? If it can, is this all I'd need?
Overall comments___________

Roxio Easy CD Creator 5:
(no) movie capture
(no) editing
(__) Burn CDs, right? Why need if other things will do this
Overall comments___________

Sonic MyDVD:
(__) Capture?
(__) Video Editing?
(yes) Create DVD, Create VCD. Wondered what means?
Overall comments___________

Roxio Videowave Movie Creator:

(yes) Movie capture, seems crummy, any comments?
(yes) Basic editing, how good is it?
(yes) Burn DVD's, it says?
Overall comments___________

Wow this could take a while.
"George" <air1@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:ub33673%23FHA.1600@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> I'm just getting going with movie making, setup is an existing WinXP(pro)
> PC, Sony digital camcorder abt 3 yrs old, and soon to add IEEE 1394 card.
> Wondering if some folks could clarify/comment on software, I'd like to use
> what have, keep simple, but it's beginning to look like the video editing
> and DVD burning are two separate things/software. I'm unclear on what
> software does what, what's needed, etc. Isn't there a one-package deal
> (like Adobe Photoshop is to images....import, edit, save as any type file,
> burn to CD, etc.) that does all well? OK, so here's what's on PC, agreed
> some's old, and some looks like it duplicates functions of others, right?
> Thanks ...
>
> Windows Movie Maker:
> (yes) Movie capture, is it as good as any?
It is the only thing I use for capturing and never have a problem.

> (yes) Basic editing, how good is it?
It is basic but great for a beginner. As you progress you likely pick up
more tools to use but, as most of us do, you will probably finish it off
still with WMM.

> (__) Burn DVD's and CDs? If it can, is this all I'd need?
If you have an MCE system (Media Center Edition) then the "Burn to DVD"
option is there but all it does is create and burn a DVD with no options for
menus etc... and only one project per DVD.

> Overall comments___________
This is a WMM group so we will all give WMM a thumbs up. If you read the
group you will see that there are always issues but that's always going to
be the case with any software and it is especially the case with new people
learning video editing.

>
> Roxio Easy CD Creator 5:
> (no) movie capture
> (no) editing
> (__) Burn CDs, right? Why need if other things will do this
It is a CD/DVD creator but IMO not a very good one.

> Overall comments___________
>
> Sonic MyDVD:
> (__) Capture?
> (__) Video Editing?
> (yes) Create DVD, Create VCD. Wondered what means?
VCD is a "Video Compact Disc" it is basically a DVD on a CD instead of DVD
disk.

> Overall comments___________

MyDVD is fine for "basic" DVD creations but once you decide to give your
DVD's a better more professional look with a nice menu and/or navigation
system then you will probably want to look elsewhere.

>
> Roxio Videowave Movie Creator:
>
> (yes) Movie capture, seems crummy, any comments?
> (yes) Basic editing, how good is it?
> (yes) Burn DVD's, it says?
> Overall comments___________
>
>

I have never used this program but I have never had a high opinion of any of
the Roxio products I have used.used.

Basically you have everything you need to start video editing once you get
the firewire (IEEE 1394) card installed. IMO you will probably invest in
higher end software in the future once you get hooked, and you will get
hooked, on video editing and DVD creation.
-Wojo