digital video using windows movie maker and usb camera

Introduction to Windows Movie Maker for use with USB compatible camcorders to create and edit film to support the curriculum

Malcolm Wilson

ICT Curriculum Development Officer

Falkirk Council Education Services

Outline of this presentation

Introduce creating and editing film using Windows Movie Maker

Use of USB-compatible camcorder to take film (the Digital Blue Digital Movie Creator Camera or a webcam can also be used).

Import film into Windows Movie Maker Create Timelines and add transitions Add titles and export to share


Before you start

You will need to have Digital Video Camera driver software installed on the computer you intend to use to download the film from the camera (this comes with the camcorder) – networked computers will require ICT Support Engineers to undertake this installation.

Plug digital video camera into mains electricity rather than battery.

Connect digital video camera to the computer by the USB cable supplied with the camera.

Switch camera on to VCR playback setting. Rewind film using camera playback buttons. Open Windows Movie Maker Software on computer

(in folder 1-Creating & Presenting on primary networked computers).


Now you’re ready to capture video - 1

In Windows Movie Maker software click on “Capture Video” – “Capture from video device”.

In the Capture wizard ensure there is NO tick in “Show preview during capture” as when using USB the captured video may be jumpy since this preview taxes the processor (you can still preview on the camera itself).

Ensure your video camera is highlighted in the “Available devices” window – click on “Next”.

Enter a name for your saved video. Captured video should be set to save to “Shared

video” – This will be accessible by any user on that computer station

who can access “Local Disk (C:) - Documents and Settings – All Users – Shared Documents – Shared Video.”

Click Next.


Now you’re ready to capture video - 2

Select “Best Quality Playback” – click Next. Click “Start Capture” button.

Important: when using USB connection you must now set the video camera on the camera itself to “Play” when capturing to computer

(this is not necessary when using Firewire connection).

When you see that the film has finished click “Stop Capture” button on the computer and press stop on the camera (which can also now be switched off).

When importing this video the file will have been saved onto that specific computer station at “Local Disk (C:) - Documents and Settings – All Users – Shared Documents – Shared Video.”


Importing video ready to edit

Click on “Capture Video – Import Video”

Browse to find your saved video. Select “import” once selected.

Your video clip will appear in the “Collection” pane.


Build a storyboard

Drag your film clip onto the first frame of the storyboard at the bottom of the screen

Import more clips and drag to the storyboard to build up your film.


Editing your clips

On the selected clip drag the slider under the clip preview to where you would like to trim the clip.

Press the “Split the clip” button.

Unwanted film can then be highlighted and deleted with the delete key on the keyboard.

Repeat this as often as required.


Editing the storyboard

On the storyboard drag any clip into a different position to vary the order of clips.

Repeat as often as necessary


Add pictures

Click on “1. Capture Video – Import Pictures” to select pictures you have already stored on your computer.

Choose the “Take Picture” button at selected parts of the video to add still images to your video.

Drag picture from Collection to the storyboard.

In timeline view you can then drag the edge of the inserted picture to the desired length of time.


Add video effects

Click on “2. Edit Movie” – “View Video Effects”.

Drag chosen effects onto clips on storyboard.

Repeat as often as necessary.

Note that “Blurring” can be useful to avoid being able to identify individuals in a film of class activities.


Add video transitions

Click on “2. Edit Movie” – “View Video Transitions”.

Drag chosen effects between clips on storyboard.

Repeat as often as necessary.


Add titles or credits

Click on “2. Edit Movie” – “Make Titles or Credits”.

Choose if you want the title before, on, or after the clip.

Add the desired text. Choose “Change Title

Animation” select title animation effects.

Choose “Change Text Font and Colour” to select how text font and colour.

Then click “Done, add title to Movie”.

Repeat as necessary.


This changes from storyboard to timeline view – keep to this view now in order to be able to add audio/ music.

Add Audio/Music

Ensure you are in Timeline view (click on “Show Timeline” button above storyboard if not).

Click on “1. Capture Video” – “Import Audio or Music”.

Browse to find your audio or music clip you have saved on your computer.

Importing now makes it appear in the Collection pane.

Drag it to the “Audio/Music” track of the timeline. Drag the right-hand end of the track to shorten as required.


Add narration

Ensure you are in Timeline view (click on “Show Timeline” button above storyboard if not).

Ensure a microphone is connected to the computer (the Digital Blue Digital Movie Creator acts as a microphone).

Click on “Narrate Timeline” button (looks like a microphone above the timeline).

Press start and stop narration buttons then “Done” to add to your timeline of the film. Click on Collections icon to return to main window.


To add music AND narration add the music track immediately joined onto the narrated track. Then nudge them together and they should appear as below which will overlap them.

Finishing movie

Select “3. Finish Movie”. Choose “Save to my computer”. Name film and save to Shared video folder. Select format for saving – the better the

quality, the greater the memory required. Select “more choices” to see options.

Note that in order to be able to edit further it must be saved in DV-AVI format – but this takes up most memory.


Where can you get more help?

Microsoft Moviemaker tutorials and resources website:

www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/default.mspx

Atomic learning website has Windows Movie Maker video tutorials:

www.atomiclearning.com/moviemaker2

Mighty Coach Windows Movie Maker tutorials and tips:

www.mightycoach.com/articles/mm2/index.html


Recommendations

For much improved downloading of video from a DV camcorder it would be recommended to:

Purchase the following through the ICT helpdesk and request installation by an ICT Support Engineer for the computer you intend to dedicate to video downloading:

Firewire card (also known as IEEE 1394) – this dramatically improves speed and quality of download of film from a camera.

Increased memory for the computer – video uses a huge amount of memory and increasing memory storage on the computer also speeds up access to and transfer of the video.

To be able to more easily create DVD from your film then it is recommended you also purchase:

Pinnacle Video-Editing software with DVD-creation facility. A DVD re-writer.
