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Editing D-SLR Video

Software to help you make something special with your video clips

This Article Features Photo Zoom

Excellent for travel and events, SLRs like the new Nikon D5000 make it easy to capture HD video clips on the fly, a nice alternative to carrying both a still camera and a camcorder.

EDITING
Both iMovie and Premiere Elements allow you to “trim” or edit your clips, eliminate footage and add sound. iMovie ’09 has a new tool called the Precision Editor that makes exacting trims easy. Remove unwanted segments, edit sound and video independently, and add transitions between clips.

The high-def video clips you capture with cameras like Panasonic’s new Lumix DMC-GH1 can be quickly and easily assembled into a polished movie using inexpensive video software.

Another excellent feature of iMovie ‘09 is Video Stabilization, which analyzes your video for shaky frames and does a pretty good job of steadying the footage.

With a click of the mouse, you can use the Precision Editor to manipulate audio,
split frames, and add titles and transitions to your project.

Premiere Elements 7 lets you trim clips by setting In and Out points, which helps isolate portions of video you want in your project while trimming out excess frames you don’t want.

iMovie—Apple iLife ’09

Once you make these cuts, you can further refine your edits, change playback speed or split clips to add effects. You can add effects by selecting the clip to which you want to add an effect and dragging the effect into the clip, or by clicking the Apply button.

HIGH-QUALITY VIDEO
Once you’ve explored iMovie ’09 or Premiere Elements 7, you’ll realize there are thousands of different edits you can make to your video, and you might get hooked.

If you decide video is something you want to pursue more seriously, there are more advanced applications you’ll want to consider, but these entry-level options are definitely impressive in what they can do.

Both applications have great output options. Apple iMovie ’09 allows you to publish to YouTube, create and burn a DVD via the iDVD program or save files on your desktop.

Adobe Premiere Elements 7 lets you share videos on YouTube, save files to your computer, or burn to DVDs or even to Blu-ray discs. Adobe Premiere Elements is available for Windows and Mac at a street price of $95. Apple iMovie ’09 comes packaged in the iLife ’09 suite, with a price tag of $79.

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