Assorted MovieMaker Newbie Questions...

[George]

Am using WinXP-pro PC that came with MS Movie Maker 2. Got a Sony digital
camcorder that does movies and snapshots. So far...just getting started,
wondered about using MM2, would greatly appreciate insights from pro's...on
any or all of...

-If I "invest" in a learning curve and later decide to step up to a
different video package, like Adobe Premier...are other packages able to
"read and convert" other packages' files (like can Adobe read and convert
MM2) so that the the work in putting together a movie (video, images,
transitions, audio, etc.) is not lost? Or do I have to start all over and
re-create every movie in the new package? Is there a "standard" way to save
the movie so it's likely to be readable by a new package?

-MM2 seems to save files in _____.mswmm. And if you attempt to email a
movie, it can save it as ____.wmv, but...

-Can it save to ____.mpg... isn't that sort of a defacto standard?

-Can it save to my DVD-burner so I can play it in my average-Joe Sony DVD
player, or do I need another package to do that? Got Roxio Movie Creator,
can/do I have to use it...seems like a lot of work just to get a DVD

Thanks,
George

 

[Graham Hughes]

--
Graham Hughes
MVP Digital Media
www.dvds2treasure.com
www.simplydv.com

Am using WinXP-pro PC that came with MS Movie Maker 2. Got a Sony digital
camcorder that does movies and snapshots. So far...just getting started,
wondered about using MM2, would greatly appreciate insights from pro's...on
any or all of...

-If I "invest" in a learning curve and later decide to step up to a
different video package, like Adobe Premier...are other packages able to
"read and convert" other packages' files (like can Adobe read and convert
MM2) so that the the work in putting together a movie (video, images,
transitions, audio, etc.) is not lost? Or do I have to start all over and
re-create every movie in the new package? Is there a "standard" way to save
the movie so it's likely to be readable by a new package?

Save as a dv-avi file

-MM2 seems to save files in _____.mswmm.

This is the project file and not the movie.


And if you attempt to email a

movie, it can save it as ____.wmv, but...

Correct as this is highly compressed.

-Can it save to ____.mpg...

No

isn't that sort of a defacto standard?
Depends, mpeg1 for vcd, mpeg2 has various sizes and is used for svcd and
dvd, but not for emailing, mpeg 4 is more compressed and there are also
mpeg3 etc etc....

-Can it save to my DVD-burner so I can play it in my average-Joe Sony DVD
player, or do I need another package to do that? Got Roxio Movie Creator,
can/do I have to use it...

No, you need to use the software that came with the burner.
seems like a lot of work just to get a DVD
It is, but rewarding when you get it right.

Graham