This was just a quick question , that might have been answered already, so sorry if I'm posting this.
But does anyone here know how to mess around with Imovie or a program that can make a promo vid. I have been looking to make a promo vid

Windows MovieMaker is generally regarded as one of the most simple and easiest to learn editing programmes available*, and if you own a PC then you probably already have it installed. If you have a Mac then I don't have a clue, sorry.
*Esp. of the free/Cheap variety. If you want to really get into this then Adobe offer some very good software, IMHO.

IMovie is years ahead of Windows Moviemaker. In fact, at the risk of sounding like your average 8th grader, Moviemaker pretty much sucks. As a free, bundles program, iMovie is incredible, and incredibly easy to use.

Mando, I assume you are a Mac guy and have iMovie? If so, I can help you on this one, as I am pretty good with iMovie.

Can you take a vid shot in tape fomr and transfer it to computer? sorry don't know all the lingo to clearify my question. Most of my shows have been shot in the tape format not new disk stright to computer stuff, hope that helps. Other than paying a company to do it for me is there a way to do it myself for less $$?

Leland -

I'm not saying that this is the best solution, but it's one of the solutions:

http://www.ionaudio.com/vcr2pc

I saw it advertised in a newspaper flyer for a national electronics store, not too long ago.

- Donald

Leland ,

Yes you can, although you may need a friend who is a little more knowledgeable help you. Make no mistake, once you jump in the computer video game it will take time and tears. On the other hand controlling the video yourself is good because you know what you want. You can pay someone else to do it but I'd shop around and see their work.

-Mary Mowder

In a word, yes. iMovie will control your camera if you are Firewire capable (that is simply a type of cable that some cameras have) and if you do, it's as simple as pushing the "import" button in the iMove program.

Otherwise, you might have to convert your video before bringing it in. There are also devices that will take an analog input and change it into digital that iMovie accepts just as if it's coming from a firewire compatible camera.

What format tape is your video on? Most can be converted pretty easily.

I am no expert, but I am pretty good at editing. I like keeping my video myself. I don't get Hollywood quality, but it's good enough for getting the shows that I need. You can see a video of my Medicine Show character here for an example of what iMovie can do (this is low-res for Youtube, but you'll get the idea):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAdaDdHDrK8

I love my Mac, Why would any one with half a creative brain by a PC?

Colin, that was hilarious! Thanks!

I'm with you Colin.

Switch to a Mac and you'll never go back!!!

My partner Tom does the video work here and he prefers the Mac (he has worked with both). Ours came with Imovie and IDVD bundled. I have only played with it.

You will need a lot of some kind of memory if you plan to do this but you should ask someone who knows because I confuse RAM and ROM (don't bother to explain, I've had many kind attempts fail. I think it's a mental block).

Mary Mowder

The best explaination of the difference between hard disc space and ram is that the hard disc is like your kitch cupboards and the ram is like your work surface.
If you have big enough cupboards you can have all sorts of stuff stored in them but if you only have a small work surface, everytime you want to use some thing new you have to put something away.
With a big worksurface you have all your gadgets(programs) working together at once with space to move around so you can work faster.

What kind does Mando need a lot of to make videos?

-Mary

Personally, I use a PC because that's what I can afford. Anyway, if you are incredibly stupid or broke enough to own a PC then windows Movie maker is very straightforward for a beginner and is very stable on the PC platform (naturally).
Without getting into a pathetic PC/Mac peeing competition, both have their pro's and con's, anyone with half a brain would know that.

Thanks everyone for the help. I know where to start looking to get this done. Now I just time to do it. As far Mac vs PC, I've heard the same thing, try Mac you'll never go back. But when you don't know any better you stick with what you've always had. Safety zone, I guess.

I guess I have half a brain!

Read this and thought of all you clever whole brainers

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/apple

I used this for taking off my vcr or cam to the computer. Cheap and it worked great.
http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-2-0-VHS-DVD-Conv......adc070c3

I make all of my videos on iMovie and am very happy with the controls and effects it provides. You can see some of my videos on the following sites. It is defiantly not as advanced as many programs but you can learn how to use it in a fairly short time frame using the online videos they provide...

http://www.DenverKidMagic.com
http://www.WichitaComedyMagician.com
http://www.DenverMotivationalSpeaker.com

There are heaps of movie editing software packages, best bet is to read online reviews and make your choice. I used to use Pinnacle Studio 12, but it didn't support HD, so I've now switched to Power Director. It was pretty cheap, and very easy to use. Also comes with a cool sound-editing suite - not quite a multitracker, but great for creating seamless soundtracks.
With an HD camera, and HD editing, you get pretty much TV quality even on YouTube. Comparing my early vids with the new ones, it's an astonishing difference.
As for Mac vs PC, well, my new mega-powerful PC cost a fraction of what a Mac would have done - the choice was purely economic. The PC seems to still do everything just fine, and it's hardly rocket-science! Of course, Macs don't really get viruses, but I'm happy to stick with good old Windows!