Windows Movie Maker
Sun, 02/17/2008 - 22:01 — Ciprian
Windows Movie Maker is one of the applications that have not been changed much since Windows XP. The new version includes relatively minor updates such as: new effects, new transitions and support for the DVR-MS file format which is used in Windows Media Center to record television. In Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate, Windows Movie Maker offers as an additional feature the capacity to capture video from HDV camcorders. Another difference, compared to the older version from Windows XP is the fact that it no longer supports importing video from analog video sources such as web-cameras.
Windows Movie Maker is a tool that allows users to create and edit video content. The interface is pretty simple and easy to use: you have a storyboard view and a timeline view, a preview screen, collections of imported media and a tasks list. The timeline consist of one 'Video' bar, an 'Audio/Music' bar and one 'Title Overlay' bar. The content from each bar can be edited. You can stretch the content, cut it in segments, etc.
The tasks practically take you through the features offered by Windows Movie Maker. You can import videos, pictures, audio and, if you have Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate, video directly from your digital video camera.
When it comes to editing you can add special effects, transitions, titles and credits.
The list of available effects and transitions is quite big. One nice thing is the fact that you can preview them directly in the Collections area of the interface.
As you can see in the below screenshot, titles can be added practically anywhere.
Publishing your videos is very easy. Windows Movie Maker offers you the following options: saving the video on your computer, directly to a DVD, CD, publishing it directly to someone's e-mail address and to a digital video camera.
Working with Windows Movie Maker is pretty straightforward. Even though it cannot compare itself to professional video editing solutions, it can certainly get the job done for the average user.
Related articles:
How to connect a video camera and import a movie
How to burn a Video DVD using Windows DVD Maker
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Comments
burning slideshow to dvd
Hi, I made a picture slideshow...with audio, using windows (vista) movie maker. I am not able to burn it to a disc. I "published movie" and was taken to Windows DVD Maker. When my slideshow appears in the "ready to burn disc" preview window, a majority of the pictures are lost and I am shown a very shortened version of my project. When I burn it to disc, it is this shortened version that burns. I have added my own transitions between each picture, and several title pages/slides. Any suggestions?
reply to burning slideshow to dvd
this has happened to me before and i was simply a fault with windows vista movie maker.i was burning a movie to a dvd but when i played it it had lost half its pictures.the best thing to do is call someone to fix it.
burning slideshow to dvd
If your photos are too big you can have problems. I make all of mine jpgs 800x600 @ 95 dpi since video resolution is 720x480. If you are using 5-10 megapixel files you can have problems. I would suggest only using wmv for video, jpgs for photos, and mp3's for music. If you are having trouble with the mp3 playback or other issues try converting them to wav files. Render the finished product for playback on your computer in wmv file format. They burn to DVD fine using the Windows DVD Maker. I hope it helps. I have had all kinds of trouble using avi files as input and output and that is wierd but true. I have been making mpegs with Adobe Premier Elements and they seem to playback and burn fine so far.
Digital8 on movie maker...
Im wondering what I can do,
I want to take footage to be edited into a movie from my digital8 video camera onto windows movie maker.
The disc that came with my sony DCR-TRV460E handycam isnt compatible with vista.
Vista tried to make its own adjustments to make the old program work, it appeared to have worked...
But, when I try to import from digital camera through windows movie maker, it tells me the camera isnt connected. It's like it doesnt exist or something.
Thankyou in advance for any help...
digital 8
Are you using firewire? You need to use the firewire not usb. I have an older Digital 8mm and with firewire WMM sees my camera just fine. I tried to capture some stuff using a Sony camera that burns direct to a mini DVD. It only had a usb connector and I could not get my computer to see it. Sony didn't have updated drivers or software that support Vista on their website. Vista you have to use what comes with Movie Maker and hopefully a firewire is the solution. Capture in wmv and not in avi. Or find some software that allows you to capture via USB.
movie maker not publishing the way I edited!
When I publish a movie it does not playback the way I edited it! titles come in late or totally the wrong place, some clips loop etc. any ideas?
Same with me
I know! It happens to me too! It's really pissing me off!!!
Adding Pictures
I have a quick question. How do I put 2 pictures on 1 pane and add comments to both?
Adding Pictures
You need to take the two photos into a Photo Editing Program like Adobe Photoshop Elements or Corel Painter or ??. You can add the text there or add credits or text in WMM. Photoshop Elements is well worth the price sometimes it comes free with some scanners or cameras or tablets. There are so many good graphics programs now. I am sure your computer came with at least one. There are even some good FREE or Shareware ones out there.
free photo editing software
Gimp is one that's been around for a long time. As a pro I've never gotten familiar with it, but those who've never known photoshop have gotten great results with it. I've seen it done. It's one of these open source projects.