DVX 100B and a PC

Fred Taber · June 16, 2007

Hi all. I am new here and know pretty much zip! I know a little about photography but so far my only video shooting has been from a Sony DCW5 camera that can shoot a few minutes of video. :) I did a tying video for my YouTube page. Sharks caddis

I have another tying video there and I put together a couple of slide shows. I am entering into a new world here and would like to do some serious work. I have a site called Salmontyer.com It's about fly tying. I want to shoot better vids and I would like to do a documentary on fly fishing, for an upcoming fly fishing film festival. I travel around certain parts of the US on fly fishing adventures and figured it would be the right way to go as I feel I should shoot about what I know.

I have done a pretty good bit of research and have decided on getting a DVX100B. But, I would like to know if I can edit the film on my Sony Vaio laptop with Windows Movie Maker? Or any other software that won't require a degree to use?

I won't need any special equipment, will I?

I have not found any info on this yet. I am still looking though. ;)

Best wishes,

Fred

Fred Taber · June 16, 2007

I know I may be stepping into the deep end of the pool but it'll work out in the end. And I have opted to enroll in a course on filming to help.

I just need a lift on the PC editing thing. I would like to be able to start with better YouTube stuff and work my way up from there. The DCW5 has no set focus in macro, just auto only, so it goes in and out of focus while tying. :( besides, its a 5.1 mp camera, not exactly the best tool for the job.

Anyway, I'll keep looking.

Edited June 16, 2007 by Fred Taber

Daniel Sheehy · June 16, 2007

Welcome Fred.

I took a look at your YouTube vid.. pretty good.

Ok, the 100b has a firewire output, which is pretty standard for connecting to edit software from camera. I am not too familiar with tha abilities of MS Moviemaker.. but any free editing software that can handle a deck/camera via firewire will do the trick for you. Have a look here: http://tv.isg.si/site/?q=node/873

Either your PC has to have a Firewire input, or you need to get a firewire/USB/serial port breakout box.

Fred Taber · June 16, 2007

Thanks dude, for the compliment and the info. I have the hook up. :) I saw about the firewire port bt just wasn't sure enough about being able to edit it.

By the way, windows XP has a movie maker, i think that was the first edition of windows to have it. I have Vista which has an upgraded version. It may not be the greatest thing out there but for some tying videos and slide shows on YouTube it works just fine. I played around with a bunch of stuff in it but still have much to learn. I will have to check out some other software too.

Thanks again for the guidance.

Stuart McCammon · June 16, 2007

Hi Fred,

The big problem with Windows Movie Maker, last time I checked, is that it will only import/export .wmv files. Two other cheap tools for the PC are Quicktime Pro, which is a $29.95 download and Nero Ultra 7, which is commonly available from Fry's for free after rebates. Quicktime is also limited in its file formats (.avi and Quicktime, if I remember correctly), but has built-in H.264 compression and the file formats it works with are more common. Nero will theoretically work with any file format and has better tools than Quicktime or Movie Maker. Another cheap alternative would be to buy an older version of Adobe Premiere on Ebay.

Cheers!

Fred Taber · June 17, 2007

Hi Fred,

The big problem with Windows Movie Maker, last time I checked, is that it will only import/export .wmv files. Two other cheap tools for the PC are Quicktime Pro, which is a $29.95 download and Nero Ultra 7, which is commonly available from Fry's for free after rebates. Quicktime is also limited in its file formats (.avi and Quicktime, if I remember correctly), but has built-in H.264 compression and the file formats it works with are more common. Nero will theoretically work with any file format and has better tools than Quicktime or Movie Maker. Another cheap alternative would be to buy an older version of Adobe Premiere on Ebay.

Cheers!

Thanks alot dude. I have been reading about DV Rack too.