Do you have great video footage stuck on your camcorder? Video footage isn’t much good if you can’t watch it. In order to watch your productions you first have to dub the camcorder recording onto a DVD. Although the process may seem highly technical, after doing it a couple of times you will soon fi...
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One of the big mistakes beginners make in shooting home video is putting too many similar shots together without a transition shot between them. Transitions are called "cutaways," and they can greatly enhance your video when used correctly. ...
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You use a video capture card to get analog video from a camcorder or VCR onto your computer (that is, to digitize the video) or to transfer video from a digital camcorder to your computer. Consumer video capture cards cost between $200 and $1,000. Several types of external video capture devices cost...
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The trick of making a good home movie is in the planning and editing. The shooting part is easy. The hard stuff comes before and after. Here is how to make a home movie with your camcorder. Instructions Difficulty: Moderately Challengin...
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When you master these simple preliminary guidelines, your videos will look much more professional. The first step is learning how to hold the camera steady. You will probably have better luck steadying an optical viewfinder camera than an LCD camera. Instr...
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After you’re done shooting your video, next comes transferring your video from your camcorder to your computer. The most efficient way is with an IEEE 1394 cable, commonly called FireWire that transfers in digital. So, the video quality is sharper and crisper than from an analog camcorder. ...
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Although taping a family event, such as a reunion or a barbecue, sounds like the easiest thing in the world to do, it's difficult to make a video that you and your family will actually enjoy watching for years to come. But these simple rules will help you produce a video that can be viewed with prid...
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VHS tapes aren’t complete dinosaurs…yet. And since camcorder cassettes can still be a little pricey, to get the most for your money, it’s not a bad idea to dub your camcorder recordings to VHS. Not only will you have an easily viewable copy of your video-worthy memories, but you’ll also have a brand...
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Ever see live images transmitted over the Web? These illustrate the power of Web cams, hardware-software combinations that stream live video or transmit frequently changing still images onto Web pages. You can use a videoconferencing camera (the most popular type, discussed here), a digital still ca...
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Recording directly to a memory card can be a tricky task. Some camcorders just aren’t designed to record to anything other than video tapes. However, with improvements in digital compatibility, memory cards are now functional in a great number of various electronic devices. If you hit a dead end try...
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One of the big mistakes beginners make in shooting home video is putting too many similar shots together without a transition shot between them. Transitions are called "cutaways," and they can greatly enhance your video when used correctly. ...
More...
If Ed Wood could make movies, why not you? Independent films are easier and easier to make with the continuing refinement of camcorder technology. With a little preparation, a small amount of money and an iron will, you can shoot a picture that might win an Oscar someday. Here is how to make an inde...
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Your company will be hosting an important meeting that you want to tape for review. Or perhaps your work assignments require you to travel and record video clips onsite. If you’ve been in either of these situations or if you know that you’ll encounter them, chances are you’ll want a camcorder around...
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Each shot you take must make sense if your video is going to make sense. Frame your pictures well and the quality of your shooting will improve immensely. Instructions Difficulty: Moderate ...
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Capturing some of your most important memories on video is great, but what good is it sitting in the camcorder? In order to make the most of your video, it should be transferred to a PC. The easiest way to transfer videos to a PC is by using a USB cable. After that is done, with the correct software...
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Filming indoors is problematic for camcorders: poor low-light performance can result in grainy or unwatchable video. When shopping for a digital camcorder to use indoors, be sure to look for these features. Instructions Difficulty: Mode...
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Now that everybody in America has written a screenplay (see How to Sell a Screenplay), it's time to start shooting. Digital camcorders, many selling for under $1,000, capture remarkably high-quality images and are just plain fun to use. Combine one with editing software on your computer, and capture...
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Most of the shots that you’ll take with your camcorder will be taken in low-light conditions. Many well-lit indoor locations are only well-lit for the human eye. Camcorders will record a much poorer quality image, characterized by grain or noise over the darker areas of the picture. One of the ways ...
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Do you have great video footage stuck on your camcorder? Video footage isn’t much good if you can’t watch it. In order to watch your productions you first have to dub the camcorder recording onto a DVD. Although the process may seem highly technical, after doing it a couple of times you will soon fi...
More...
You use a video capture card to get analog video from a camcorder or VCR onto your computer (that is, to digitize the video) or to transfer video from a digital camcorder to your computer. Consumer video capture cards cost between $200 and $1,000. Several types of external video capture devices cost...
More...