[Gritlad]

right, im trying to do a short bit of climbing film editing on Windows Movie Maker but unless the camera is plugged in the movie doesnt actually play ( as in the visual key part of the film) and says something about the codec??? can someone tell me what im doing wrong or recommend me some less pain in the arse software ( preferably  free)?
cheers

[SA Chris]

WMM doesn't support many file types, what format are they? I had the same problem trying to edit MP4 files, and dicked around with codecs etc, but eventually gave up and got Sony vegas Pro. As far as free goes, I had Pinnacle recommended to me, but never actually got it p and running. Have a search on here, similar questions have been asked a few times.

You could try updating to the latest version of WMM? The more recent ones support more files.

[slackline]

Video editing software (including FOSS options) and a Comprison of software.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Try installing the full K-Lite codec pack,
http://www.filehippo.com/download_klite_mega_codec/

You might find MovieMaker starts to work once that's installed. I've seen that work before.

Failing that try installing DIVX
http://www.divx.com/

What camera and what format are you using?

If none of that works and your gonna use it a lot as Chris says, Sony Vegas is dirt cheap on Amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sony+vegas&x=0&y=0
particularly if your happy with version 10 not 11
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Vegas#Vegas_Pro_10

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Oh yeah, and if you want to play with something 'high-end' download Lightworks
http://www.lightworksbeta.com/

This was discussed on here a while back, very powerful, previously commercial $$$$ but now free/open-source. Possibly a high learning curve if you've only used Movie Maker.

[Gritlad]

thanks for the replies. They asre formatted as AVI files. the camera is only your basic digital sort of thing.
ive gone ahead and downloaded the Lightworks stuff as it looks pretty good and Movie maker didnt work anyway.
Will tell you how it goes

[Gritlad]

tried Lightworks. it didnt work, i took it as my laptop was too shit for it, something about there no being enough RAM and it wouldnt start. any good free editing software out there??

[slackline]

Video editing software (including FOSS options) and a Comprison of software.

  FOSS == Free Open Source Software

[SA Chris]

The list Slackers has provided lists all the free ones as well as software requirements.

[SA Chris]

So I've finally managed to get a vid to a point where I am happy with the final product, after a steep learning curve figuring out Vegas Pro.

So what's the best output to render in for uploading to web and/or viewing on home PC? There is a choice of zillions most of which I've never heard of. It's about 8 mins long and not HD. Want reasonable quality, but not something that takes aeons to upload.

Thanks

[slackline]

Perhaps depends on where you intend to host?

Vimeo Sony Vegas group has appears to have a useful starting point

[Paul B]

I think Vegas contains presets under Sony AVC for basic "internet" uploads, just pick your desired resolution.

[SA Chris]

yeah, about 10 different resolution options, hence scrathing head about optimum one to use to balance viewing quality with file size for upload. Will probably host on Vimeo, seems easiest to use, but that eugenia site is blocked at work

[Paul B]

http://vimeo.com/help/compression

Basically...

Video:
h.264 (MP4)
24, 25, or 30 FPS
2000 kbps (SD), 5000 kbps (HD)
640x480 (SD), 1280x720 (HD)
Deinterlacing - Maybe

Audio:
Codec AAC (Advanced Audio Codec)
Data rate 320 kbps
Sample rate 44.1 kHz

[lagerstarfish]

640x360 if its widescreen SD - for file sizes have a look at the sizes of my vids on vimeo (files available to download bottom right above viewing stats) - older ones are SD.

5 or 6 MB per minute of SD video, or someting like that