AVI or MPG Editor

[sourboy]

I am looking for a (preferably free) program that allows me to edit AVI or MPG/MPEG video files. I have scoured downloads.com and other sites for a decent program, but most do not work well or at all. I would need something that edits both video & sound together, and down the road would need something that overlays sound. Does anyone know of a program that does this?

Much thanks.

 

[Jeratain]

If you're not looking for overtly advanced programs then you can just use the Windows Movie Maker which is included with Windows XP. If for some odd reason your computer has XP but does not have Windows Movie Maker included (Check 'start' > 'all programs' > 'accessories' > 'entertainment') then you can download it here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/moviemaker/downloads/moviemaker2.asp Keep in mind it only runs on XP.

I have a whole list of great budget video editing software (Sony Screenblast Movie Studio 3.0, Magix Movie Edit Pro 2004, Ulead VideoStudio 7, Pinnacle Studio 8.8, Roxio VideoWave Movie Creator, etc) but they each run from $49.99 to $99.99, so I suppose those are out of the question. If download.com doesn't have any decent ones, then I don't think I can help you out :-/ Hopefully someone on here knows of a good one

 

[sourboy]

I'll take a look at those. I just need to use it for a small "project" and maybe I could use a trial version of one of those programs to satisfy my current need, and get an idea of what to buy (should I be happy with the results). I have tried this once before and was satisfied with the results, but the company went out of business (and I had the trial version). I have no problem with paying for one in the longterm, but so far I have only found 1 of 6 or so that was any good - that's why I want to try it out first.

Oh, and FYI - I have Win98.

Thx Jeratain.

 

[CruddyLeper]

Hey sourboy, there's quite a few old programs that do this that don't work with XP - so having Windows 98 is actually a benefit!!!

Generally, people do their edits using AVI files and then record onto a Movie CD or (nowadays) DVD using MPEG.

MPEG is a continuous stream of data, you see, wheras AVI's store the original frame information - it's like lots of little bits of film, albeit stored in a compressed form.

In short, MPEGS are not easy to edit, but many programs will let you translate from one to the other.

Personally, I'd check through magazine cover CDs and DVDs - I got mine bundled with my DVD cutter, but there's a LOT to choose from, many with downloadable demos, and many, as I say, free in their entirety because they don't work with XP!

Happy editing, and good luck finding the one right for you.

 

[funxus]

We use Pinnacle Studio Version 8, which we're fond of, especially since it's easy to burn on DVD with good quality (not having to deal with MPEG directly). It costs a bunch though ($50 maybe).