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Last Updated: Apr 21st, 2006 - 13:03:03 |
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After Video Editing, Comes DVD Authoring
By Kim Komando
Aug 2, 2004, 10:03
Using your computer to make a bunch of home movies look like one Hollywood blockbuster takes more than good editing. You'll want effects, transitions, and a menu that lets you instantly access different chapters. And last but not least, it should work with your player.
A number of entry-level software programs can help. Pinnacle Studio 9 (http://www.pinnaclesys.com; $99.99), Roxio Easy Media Creator 7 (http://www.roxio.com $99.95) and Ulead VideoStudio 8 (http://www.ulead.com; $99.95) are big sellers for Windows. Mac users will want to try iDVD (http://www.apple.com; $49.99, part of iLife) or Roxio Toast 6 Titanium (http://www.roxio.com; $99.95).
When you're done editing, the authoring process begins. This is when you actually make, or in computer lingo "burn," a disc so that it can be viewed. Here are three important steps not to miss.
1. Build a menu. Most commercial DVDs include a menu. Using it, you can play the entire movie or select specific scenes.
The menu for your home movie won't be as elaborate but it will help viewers jump around. This is done by creating chapters. Each chapter created is represented on your menu.
Simplicity is key. If you have too many chapters, the menu will be several pages deep and navigation will be difficult. It's best to place chapter points where there are natural breaks in the movie. For example, your vacation video might consist of time at the beach, a day at an amusement park and a trip to the zoo. You now have one movie with three chapters.
2. Understand authoring options. You don't need a DVD burner to watch movies on a standalone DVD player. There are other standards of video that will play on many DVD players.
VCD (Video Compact Disc) has a picture quality similar to a VHS tape. VCDs are burned onto compact discs and hold about 80 minutes of video. This format is fine for creating picture slideshows. Avoid using it for video--the picture tends to be blurry.
SVCD (Super Compact Disc) has a better picture than VCD. SVCDs are burned onto compact discs and hold about 60 minutes of video. The picture quality is good, especially if you have a small amount of video. The less minutes of video you have the less it is compressed and the better the picture.
DVD has the best picture of the three formats. It can store up to two hours of excellent-quality video. You can store several hours of video if you want but the compression will be so great that the picture quality will suffer. If you have a DVD burner--you'll want to stick with this format.
3. Know the format. Not all standalone DVD players will play VCDs, SVCDs or DVDs. Check to see if your model will play one (or all) of these formats. Although your DVD player may be compatible with one or all formats, you can still run into problems. Some players have difficulty reading different brands of discs. You may have to experiment to get consistent results.
After you become more experienced, you may find entry-level video suites limiting. There are professional authoring programs such as Adobe Encore DVD (http://www.adobe.com; $549), Pinnacle Impression DVD-Pro ($199.99) or Ulead DVD Workshop ($495). The prices of these programs are hard to justify unless you're a true video buff.
Copyright © 2004-2005 WestStar TalkRadio Network. Reprinted with permission.
No further republication or redistribution is permitted without the written consent of WestStar TalkRadio Network. Visit Kim Komando at: www.komando.com
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