Digital Video Essentials^TM: Shoot, Transfer, Edit, Share

by Erica Sadun

• ISBN13: 9780782141986
• ISBN10: 0782141986
• Edition: CD
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-02-01
• Publisher: Sybex

Summary

The Perfect Companion for Your Digital Video Camera Digital video brings the power of studio production to the personal computer. With just a video camera, a computer, and the proper software, you can create your own innovative and unique movies for personal or business use. Digital Video Essentials shows you how to take advantage of today's technology to get the results you want. In this book, you'll learn to shoot your footage effectively, transfer it to your computer, use editing software to build and enhance your material, and export your movies to VHS tape, DVDs, the Internet, and more. All the Know-How You Need Inside you get the unparalleled instruction of best-selling author and video expert Erica Sadun, who explains the technologies and standards behind digital video in terms anyone can understand. Digital Video Essentials shows you how to make the most of your equipment, introduces you to the inexpensive tools that will turn your computer into a digital-editing studio, and explains the latest methods for getting your video to its audience. It even guides you through special-effects projects so you can have fun with your video as you learn. The companion CD comes packed with sample projects and trial versions of the software you need- from programs for editing video and sound to tools for burning CDs and creating streaming video. Topics covered include: Choosing your equipment and planning a shoot Composing, lighting, and shooting scenes Recording high-quality sound Getting analog or digital video onto your computer Editing your video on a PC or a Mac Adding low-cost special effects to your videos Burning video CDs and DVDs Sharing your movies via streaming video Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xv
Why Digital Video?	1	(22)
Digital versus Analog Camcorders	2	(2)
Benefits of Desktop Video	4	(1)
Digital Video Equipment	5	(4)
Plan Your Video	9	(4)
Shoot Your Video	13	(2)
Set Your Focus	15	(6)
In This Chapter...	21	(2)
Compose, Light, and Shoot	23	(38)
An Introduction to Camera Shots	24	(9)
Advanced Shooting Techniques	33	(5)
Video Composition Tips	38	(6)
Techniques for Filming People	44	(3)
Microphone Choices	47	(4)
Video Lighting Tips	51	(5)
Build a Home Studio	56	(2)
Dress Your Set	58	(1)
In This Chapter...	59	(2)
Video Tech Talk	61	(20)
TV Basics	62	(5)
Video Quality	67	(6)
Digital Video Basics	73	(3)
Video Storage Media	76	(3)
In This Chapter...	79	(2)
Transfer Video to Your Computer	81	(18)
Prepare Your Digital Video Camera for Transfer	82	(3)
Prepare to Transfer from an Analog Source	85	(5)
Prepare to Transfer Analog Video with a Non-1394 Digitizer	90	(3)
Bring Over Your Data	93	(1)
Avoid Dropped Frames	94	(2)
In This Chapter...	96	(3)
Video-Editing Techniques	99	(22)
Split and Trim Clips	100	(2)
Assemble a Rough Cut	102	(5)
Add Effects to Enhance the Story	107	(7)
Add a Soundtrack	114	(5)
In This Chapter...	119	(2)
iMovie Simplified	121	(22)
The iMovie Interface	122	(3)
Manage Your Projects	125	(1)
Import Video and Pictures	125	(2)
Manage Your Clips	127	(2)
Manage Your Video's Sound	129	(2)
Add Wipes and Other Special Effects	131	(6)
Add Titles to Your Footage	137	(2)
Export Your Movie	139	(2)
In This Chapter...	141	(2)
VideoStudio Skills	143	(16)
The VideoStudio Interface	144	(1)
Manage Your Projects	145	(2)
Import Video and Pictures	147	(3)
Manage Your Clips	150	(2)
Manage Your Video's Sound	152	(1)
Add Special Effects	153	(2)
Overlay Text or Pictures	155	(2)
Create Your Movie	157	(1)
In This Chapter...	158	(1)
Burn Your Movies to DVD and VCD	159	(26)
DVD and Video-on-CD Technologies	160	(2)
Burn a DVD or VCD	162	(2)
VCD Compatibility Issues	164	(2)
Focus on DVD and VCD Production with Ulead VideoStudio 6	166	(6)
Focus on Nero 5.5 and TMPGEnc	172	(4)
Focus on iDVD	176	(6)
Focus on Toast Titanium	182	(2)
In This Chapter...	184	(1)
Share Your Movies with Streaming Video	185	(10)
Why Choose Streaming Video?	186	(1)
Streaming Basics	186	(3)
Streaming Video Considerations	189	(1)
Create Streaming Video	190	(2)
Find a Streaming Host Site	192	(2)
In This Chapter...	194	(1)
Export Your Movies to TV, Tape, and More	195	(10)
Export through Your Camera	196	(1)
Export through a Converter Box	197	(1)
Record Using TV-Out	198	(2)
Save to Alternative Media	200	(3)
PAL Format versus NTSC Format	203	(1)
In This Chapter...	204	(1)
Digital Video Fun	205	(28)
Stage a Disappearing Act	206	(5)
Create a Montage	211	(1)
Create Animations	211	(5)
Shake, Rattle, and Roll---Create Your Own Earthquake	216	(2)
Create Time-Reverse Effects	218	(4)
Produce Mind Teasers	222	(4)
Use Focus Effects	226	(1)
Use Sound Creatively	227	(4)
In This Chapter...	231	(2)
Glossary	233	(11)
Index	244