Camera -> Computer

[Brian]

I'm in charge of the sound system and visual system at Church, and we currently need some software that will turn things we've video taped into playable movies on the computer.

Anyone know a good, reliable, and proven piece of software that does this? Price doesn't matter, we can afford it no matter what the cost.

[DaveyBoy]

well erm...

Microsoft Movie Maker is awesome and $0

If you have a DV camera that is, i dunno about converting analogue to a PC.

I also use MovieDV which is great too.

[fishfreek]

Price doesn't matter, we can afford it no matter what the cost

WOW. Nice church.

Well first you need a video capture card to get the video off the camera into the PC. IM assuming this is not a Digital video camera. Capture cards are not to expensive if you get a dedicated capture card. Popular capturecard/tv tuners/video cars are the ATI All in Wonders. BUt thats overkill for this job.

ATI makes a standalone capture card that should be under $100 so its well within your 'no mater what it costs' budget.

Once you ahve the capture card working you plug your camera into the capture card and you dump the video from the camera to the hard drive. Make sure you have a big drive. 80-100+gig so you can keep a few sundays worth of video on the hard drive.

From there you can use any number of video editing packages to edit and package the video how you want. Add graphics and transitions and such.

Then you can use the same capture card (most have video output aswell) to output the master to tape. Or you can encode it into avi, mpeg, wmv, mov format.

[greg]

you need to get a video card which has video in. once you have that you can connect any camera with RC input.

Here is some great software for helping you get everything together and convert it into whatever format you need
http://www.adobe.com/products/dvcoll/main.html

[Brian]

Thanks everyone.

[ash]

Hey Brian,

I am constantly transferring video footage from both 8mm & 16mm Cameras, Mini-DV Cams, and even the big HDs to computers, then back again to starnard VHS video tapes, mini-Dv tapes and even CD & DVDs due to all the film work I do.

So if you need any advice I'd be more than happy to help.
Just PM with what video footage you have and on what format and how you wish it to end up and I can give you a step by step talk thru if you need it.

I started off with no idea and had to stumble my way thru it, made a lot of mistakes (only natural) too bad there wasn't a forum like this for film stuff for me back when.

[Leon]

2 Programs thay I hear alot about.

Adobe Premeire and Avid.

[thebassman]

I use Adobe Premiere for my company and find it quite easy & intuitive to use. Avid systems are very nice as well... but are also very expensive if you want a decent one.