I’ve noticed some pretty fair Model Railroad Videos on this site
and was wondering where I could get some { hopefully Free} software
to add sounds and even music to my videos
which could also use some editing of lots of oops shots
TIA
Google is your friend! Just type in “free video editing software”. You’ll get hundreds of links, here the first one I found:
http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/top-5-free-video-editing-software-review.html
I’ve used the the Microsoft one, Some will even compress your file for posting on you-tube.
Terry,
Have you tried Windows Movie Maker? It’s in the accessories folder on my PC and comes with the MS Office pack I think. You can do a lot with it including importing from camera, titles, cuts, lots of fancy scene changes like lap disolves (Fades from one scene to another), checkerboard, slide left/right, turn page and some special effects like blurring and embossing, brightening and darkening. You can also save the movie in various formats. It’s what I use.
cheers
There are two websites that I go to daily, and you’ll soon see why:
- Gizmo’s Freeware…
http://www.techsupportalert.com/
Go to the sections called “Hot Finds” and “Daily Tech Treats” daily, and; take your time researching the articles & reviews on virtually every type of freeware program you haven’t even thought of yet.
- Giveaway of the Day…
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/
Example: Today’s GOTD is “FLV Editor Ultimate” and the download is absolutely awesome!
GOTD is always commercial software with a 24-hour time period to download, install, and activate.
Always read the GOTD reviews (just under the download) to understand how to activate the software; to see if you even want to download the software, and; see how these reviews may even direct you to equivalent, if not superior, freeware programs that do the “same thing” as that specific GOTD.
Or, it should be included with Service Pack 2
MS Movie Maker doesnt come with soundbites or music…You have to import it from your library…
There is SoundWave and HotCakes that have music and other editing effects,dont know if they have a free downloadable version tho…Videomaker mag may advertise some try them if you havent found anything…
I use Sony Vegas 8 for all of my video editing. It is not free, but I often see it at the local Fry’s Electronics on sale for “virtually free.” I purchased mine last year: the price was $59.99 with an instant $30 rebate and a mail in $30 rebate, so I basically paid sales tax minus one penny. In fact, Vegas 9 is now out and I saw the same deal at Fry’s a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I was in the store making a company purchase and when I went back the next day to get the software, the sale had ended. But I will be ready the next time. [:D] Jamie
What format are you recording in? The problem I have with using the free software is my camera only records Apple Quicktime movies. Good luck finding free software to convert Quicktime to a usable format.[xx(]
Windows Movie Maker IS pretty good if you can use it.
HUH ? [%-)]
Don’t ask me that Teckie stuff !
I just turn the wheel on top of the camera to the little movie camera icon
and push the button and try to keep my fingers out of the way
The format could be important depending on your camera and the software. For example, my JVC video camera records in MPEG2 format which is not supported by several of the freeware video editors I tried before I started using Sony Vegas. Jamie
I’m looking forward to your great videos, generated completed automatically, just by pushing the movie camera icon on the camera. No knowledge or intervention on your part, just point and shoot - and the camera knows how to get it to a point where the rest of us can view it.
By the way, didn’t you ask for software recommendations to process and upload the video? OK, enough of the sarcasm. Since not all video software (Microsoft Movie Maker for one) works with all recording formats, wouldn’t it be helpful to learn what format you have, and what format you want for the output? Does your camera record sound with the video? Do the trains that you are recording produce sound that your camera is picking up? Or do you need to embed sound into the video file? Do you have suitable sound or music files available for that purpose?
What operating system does your computer use? And the 2nd key question - what format does your camera record on - tape? DVD? memory card? And if a memory card, do you have the appropriate card reader on or able to hook to your computer? Or do you plan to move the file to your computer via a cable from your camera? If yes, what file extension (3 letters) are generated on your computer when you do the transfer? Are you looking to burn your finished video to DVDs? Blue Ray disks? Or simply store them on the computer hard drive? What video format(s) does the chosen upload site support? Making a workable vide
Many standard cameras that shoot video use MOV format, which is an Apple format which Windows Movie Maker cannot use. You’ll need a converter to convert it to AVI (uncompressed) or WMV (compressed) which Movie Maker can use. Other cameras shoot in different formats, however.
I used Movie Maker for a while, since my camcorder shoots WMV (a Microsoft filetype) files. Recently I switched to VideoSpin by Pinnacle, which is very similar but has a lot more capabilities: a sound library (although I use audio from prototype videos I’ve shot), TWO audio tracks available (instead of one in Movie Maker), and better titles and effects. It’s free, has tutorials (I didn’t watch them, but the program is very professionally done, so I assume they’re pretty good) and you can download it here:
http://cdnexpress.pinnaclesys.com/CDN/VideoSpin/2_0/VideoSpin_2_0_Setup.exe?language=EN
They are both easy to use, and are good examples of beginner-intermediate video editing software.
Here’s a tutorial I created on how to produce model railroad videos using Movie Maker (the program includes good tutorials, but my tutorial is for model railroad videos specifically)
How to make a Model Railroad Video using Windows Movie Maker
If you have any more questions, I’d be happy to help. Just send me a PM and I’ll try my best to answer your question. Good luck!
Thanks Ty
That’s a very helpful How to video and after doing a search on my computer found out
It already has Windows Movie Maker on
For free software, PC Magazine has a summary article linking to reviews.
For commercial software try this link at PC Magazine
Thanks Doc I’ll check it out !
C&O Fan -My still camera gets that yellowish cast to it if I shoot at a downward angle in automatic mode. (downwards away from the light source.) You might want to try shooting at a more level angle or moving your lights around if you can.
Hmmmmmmmmm
Well i’ve tried shooting level but it still has the same yellow cast to the picture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WHbdVDJGZQ
Yesterday i changed some of the settings and this is as good as i can get it
The yellow tint issue looks like a white balance problem. See if you can change the setting from auto to indoors. That might help, and won’t affect any other auto settings you have (focus, shutter, etc.)
Yes your right it is a White balance problem
But once in movie mode it’s hard to change
Low light quality is a common complaint on this camera
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-a560/4505-6501_7-32314658.html
Terry, I feel your pain–I have a comparable Canon camera and it has the same limitation. I love the camera and it shoots great video most of the time, but it just doesn’t have a whole lot of manual control when in video mode. I finally went out and purchased a JVC video camera when I decided the Canon wasn’t keeping up with even my video skills. [:)] BTW, techinical issues aside, that is a great video you posted. Jamie