I Want to Make a Digital Video What do I need?
Before and After Digital Video Before
After
•Large, heavy video cameras •Handheld = Shaky video •Separate video and still cameras •Orange-tinted indoor video •Video editing – expensive and difficult •Sharing video by mailing a tape
•Pocket-sized video cameras •Image-stabilization tech. •Most digital video cameras take stills too •Automatic lighting adjust •Edit videos from home •Share video by email, CD, or DVD
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Required Equipment
Digital Video Camera
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Digital Video Camera • MiniDV camera – Most popular digital video technology – Best compromise for size, quality, and cost
• Choose based on comfort and size • For a widescreen TV, choose one that can record in widescreen format, or 16:9
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MiniDV Tapes
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MiniDV Tapes • Readily available at grocery stores, pharmacies, and electronics stores • Do not play in a VCR – Copy to computer and burn to CD or DVD – Connect camera directly to TV
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Recommended Accessories
Memory Card
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Memory Card • For capturing video and still pictures • Sometimes included in the video camera kit • Can be purchased separately
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Tripod
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Tripod • Holds camera steady • Eliminates shakiness of handheld video cameras
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Wide-angle Lens
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Wide-angle Lens • “Must-have” for indoor filming • Allow closer stance to subjects • Allow for capture of more people in crowded rooms
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Spare Battery
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Spare Battery • Most camera batteries last for only an hour of filming
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On-camera Light
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On-camera Light • Can be attached to most video cameras • Improves video quality when shooting indoors
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Computer and Accessories
Computer Requirements and Recommendations for Movie Maker Component Processor Operating System Memory Hard Disk Space Drives Connection
Requirement 600 MHz SP2 for Win. XP 128 MB RAM 2 GB Available CD-ROM or DVD IEEE 1394
Recommendation 1.5 GHz + SP2 for Win. XP 500 MB – 1GB 20 GB Available CD-ROM or DVD IEEE 1394
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Processor • Any processor manufactured in the last three years • Older ones work too, but the editing process will take longer
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Memory • 512 MB or more • Inexpensive and easy to upgrade • Greatly enhances performance of video editing!
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Hard Disk • At least 2GB of free space • Consider adding an external USB hard disk drive • If buying a new computer, purchase a larger hard disk drive • 3 GB (~$30) – 1TB ($1,000)
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i.Link/Fire Wire/IEEE 1394
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i.Link/FireWire/IEEE 1394 • Connects your camera to your computer • Must have a FireWire port on your computer – Can install an i.Link adapter
• Digital Video camera kits include the proper cable
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Headphones • Allows hearing of subtle sounds more clearly than with speakers
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Video Editing Software • How much does software cost? • What video and audio compression schemes are supported? • What features does the software offer – special effects, transitions, titles, audio tracks, more? • Are there other bundled items that come with the software?
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Miscellaneous • Dazzle Box (analog to digital converter)
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