Upgrade Guide: Edit Digital Video on Your PC
Mini-DV camcorders let you download, edit, and write image data to a fresh tape without losing quality.
Stan Miastkowski
From the July 2001 issue of PC World magazine
Posted Friday, May 18, 2001
Home video has gone digital. The current generation of mini-DV
camcorders produce all-digital data that you can download to your PC, edit, and
then write back to a fresh tape without losing quality as you copy and
manipulate the video.
All DV camcorders have a high-speed serial connection for loading video
into your PC. On the PC side, you'll need an IEEE 1394 (FireWire) card, and of
course capable video editing software.
Prices of DV editing components are falling. If you're just getting
started, you can buy entry-level packages with both an IEEE 1394 card and
editing software for $80 to $150. You can also create a custom editing setup by
purchasing a stand-alone IEEE 1394 card ($70 to $100) and editing software.
Even lower-end software ($80 to $150) has plenty of capabilities to satisfy
most home and semiprofessional users, but for really serious work, Adobe
Premiere ($500) is the professional's choice.
Here's how to set up your PC for digital video editing. For a review of
digital camcorders, along with links to other articles on digital video, see
"DV Guide."
The Top Down
Benefits: Capture and edit video from DV camcorders
Cost: Starts at about $70 to $150
Expertise level: Intermediate
Time required: 30 to 60 minutes
Tools required: Phillips screwdriver, antistatic wrist
strap (recommended)
Vendors: All-in-one packages: Avermedia, Digital
Origin, Pinnacle
Systems. Video editing software: Adobe, Digital
Origin, MGI Software, Ulead
Systems
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