Cheap & easy fan videos for Windows, using Ulead VideoStudio
VideoStudio isn't the only video editing program for Windows, and it could arguably be said that it's not the best (as it doesn't have all the advanced features of some other editors). But it is almost certainly the easiest in its class (Windows-based, consumer-priced). So, unless you're willing to deal with a steeper learning curve of a more advanced program right away, then VideoStudio is a good place to start. This tutorial will cover a few of the basic workings of VideoStudio, as well as give you advice and pointers on how to acquire video clips for your fan video, as well as how to successfully convert your finished video into a high-quality, web-ready format. |
Even though I do most of my vidding on a Mac, I find that I also really enjoy working on a nice Windows program (slightly reminiscent of iMovie) called Cheap? But it's about $100!
Yes, you'll pay around $100 US (or £59.99 or less if you are in the UK) for the latest version of VideoStudio. But you don't have to do that. I wrote this tutorial using version 9 SE DVD (a "lite" or limited edition). VideoStudio 9 (SE and full version) goes for about $30 (approx. £16) on places like eBay or Amazon.com (and Amazon.co.uk). NOTE: Windows Vista users must use VideoStudio 11 (or above) for satisfactory results.
What VideoStudio can do (that Windows Movie Maker can't) . . .
If you have been using Microsoft Windows Movie Maker, you will be pleasantly surprised by how much more you can do with VideoStudio. Here's a list of a few things, hopefully explained clearly:
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More control over your filters. You know how in Windows Movie Maker, you can only add 6 effects to each clip, and you can't adjust anything so it's a little bit lighter, a little bit darker, a little more contrast? Well, you can with VideoStudio. It's limitless.
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More bells and whistles. Interesting filters that can look very gorgeous and "arty." Interesting effects like a floating box (with another video in it) over your main video. Some of these effects are restricted and limited (so don't expect the moon) but compared to Windows Movie Maker (which can do nothing) they're fantastic!
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Much easier to make music videos. Did you ever want to pull out your hair because you were trying to get the clips to match up to the beat of the music, but it was taking forever and you had to fiddle to get the timing just right? Well, VideoStudio has Chapter Markers ("timing markers") which you can place in your timeline to mark where you want a new clip to start. You can even play the music in VideoStudio and click, click, click on the Chapter Marker button in time with the music, to place markers "live."
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More file export options. You are not just stuck with a few pre-sets for WMV (and one difficult DV AVI) for your finished video. You can make iPod files, Sony PSP files, you can use advanced settings and make DivX or XviD files, Quicktime MOV files—there really is no limit, and you can tweak every aspect of the video's quality (size, audio quality, etc) if you like.
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Not as much difficulty with "squashed" or "squished" clips (as you often see in Windows Movie Maker videos). With the proper preparation, you can make sure that everything in your video has the appropriate aspect ratio (proportions or frame dimensions) so no one looks like a tall skinny bean pole or all fat and squashed.
One thing that my copy of VideoStudio doesn't do that Windows Movie Maker does . . . crash. Crash crash crash cra . . . you get the idea. Once in a while VideoStudio will hang or crash, but it is nothing compared to Windows Movie Maker.
Other vidding programs required:
On the Windows side, there is an abundance of free (or inexpensive) software available for vidders. Alas, some of this software isn't very good. But enough of it is, so here's a partial list of recommended applications:
- DVD Decrypter is free, and can be used to extract the VOB (digital video files) from a DVD, so they can be further trimmed and edited. I see no need to look any further—it does what it says on the tin.
- MPEG Streamclip will convert the aforementioned VOB files to a high quality video format that can be imported into VideoStudio. MPEG Streamclip is free, but in order to get it to work well, you either need to purchase Quicktime's MPEG-2 Playback Component ($20), or uninstall Quicktime from your computer, and install the free Quicktime Alternative (read the instructions of the MPEG Streamclip site on how to make sure Quicktime Alternative is configured properly). Note: for the most hassle-free experience, I recommend that you purchase the $20 plug-in from Apple and keep Quicktime installed.)
- When you have finished creating your video with VideoStudio, you can return to MPEG Streamclip to convert your video to a web-ready Quicktime or AVI format.
- I just started using eRightSoft's SUPER © (a freeware Jack-of-all-Trades video conversion program) and found it to be simple to use and very fast. It's not right for every job, but can make some excellent web-ready video files.
- RiverPast's VideoCleaner is about $30 (though you do get to use a tryout first), but it encodes Windows Media (WMV) files pretty well, and works much faster (and more efficiently) than Microsoft's WMV encoder. It produces excellent quality videos.
- Make sure you have VLC Player installed on your computer, so you can test out the different file formats and codecs available for your fan video. VLC will play just about anything! Also, it is recommended that you install the DivX and/or XviD codecs as well.
In Summary:
The instructions and tips you'll get through this tutorial are just a tip of the iceberg—there are tons of Windows-centric vidding sites with all sorts of great advice. Many of these tutorials have authors who are far more advanced vidders than me. Many will suggest different techniques that are probably superior to what I show here. But also, many of these tutorials will also be overwhelming to a relative newbie. It is my hope to give you enough information to help you get you started, and also to show you a few sound vidding techniques. (My main goals are instruction on how to attain good picture quality and proper aspect ratio, since these seem to be weak areas with many fan videos.)
Ready to get started? Let's begin with an introduction to VideoStudio and MPEG Streamclip >>