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General discussion

Best video editing software for Sony Handycam DCR-HC21?

Dec 17, 2005 9:49AM PST

I have no idea what I'm looking for, but I do know what I want out of the software program. It has to be compatible with a PC with Millenium or XP operating system. Any advice would be very helpful in pointing me in the right direction!

Basically, I want to:

- upload footage from my camcorder
- move/arrange the sections of footage (so I can make different DVD's for different family members)
- add titles and basic special effects (fading, etc)
- retrieve still images from .av format and convert them into .jpeg (or similar) format. Basically, the handycam doesn't have a memory stick so all the still images captured on the tape are still in .av format, and I need a software to convert them.
- be able to burn this onto DVD

Discussion is locked

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"Best"
Dec 17, 2005 11:48AM PST

If you look at the Cnet reviews the top 3 are Final Cut Pro, Sony Vegas and Avid.

Since FCP is Mac only, you need to evaluate the other 2.

Bob

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Adobe Premiere Elements 2
Dec 19, 2005 12:26AM PST

If you don't want to spend a lot of money, but still want a quality program try Adobe Premiere Elements 2. It costs less than $100. It is the consumer program of Adobe Premiere Pro. It will let you do everything you asked for. Having worked with avid and other high end programs, I find Elements to easily be the best program for the money...Nicole

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Thankyou for the replies!
Dec 27, 2005 7:28AM PST

Thanks to both of you for replying. I looked up the Avid software, and it seems to have a lot of problems and bad/mediocre reviews. The sony Vegas software looks promising and is under $100.... but it doesn't make any mention of converting .avi into .jpeg. So I will also look up APE2.

Thanks so much for giving me something to go on.... in my initial searches before posting this question, I didn't pull up any of these software programs, so your responses have been very helpful!

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The full version of Vegas goes for $500 plus. You are
Jan 10, 2006 11:46AM PST

looking at the Studio or lite version of Vegas. It is probably OK, but would not be classified as 'best'. Full Vegas is in the 'best' category.

Vegas's working file format is AVI. It can render video output in a variety of formats. Video is not output in a jpeg format. However, Vegas can do captures from a video and save a still image if that's what you have in mind.

Vegas can burn a DVD, but, if you want menu type control, its companion product is DVD Architect.

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editing software for handycam dcr-dvd92
Jan 10, 2006 11:14AM PST

I finally got video downloaded on my pc, but now i cannot do anything with them. any help will be greatly appreciated. if anyone finds software please let me know

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request for software for my handicam
Nov 18, 2009 5:30PM PST

hi i lost the software for my sony digital vedio camera recorder DCR-TRV285E .it has no memory card and so i could not transfer my vedioes from my camercorder to my pc.i want to know if there are free downloads of softwares for my camera.my pc has windows xp operating system.please help me