Easy Video Camera System

[ddrueding]

I have a client that isn't particularly computer savvy, but has a need to shoot video, edit it, and either burn it to a DVD or post it on YouTube.

The only editing they'll need to do is trim a clip and/or spice several clips.

At the moment, they have a Sony DCR-DVD403 that uses the little DVD discs and they give the entire camera to me with post-it directions on what they need stuck to the side.

I have the opportunity to redo their entire system; new camera, software, whatever. I just need it to be as bulletproof and simple as possible without getting in their way.

Thanks!

 

[Mercutio]

My generic recommendation for straightforward movie making is Ulead Moviefactory. The bigger problem I'm running in to these days is that a lot of simple DVD making programs don't support .MTS files from an HD camera. At that point, you need something like Xilisoft's Video Converter to turn the video into a more compatible format; basically nothing that deals with AVCHD seems to be free or easier than that.

I think you can do simple trimming of video directly on Youtube, at least as far as changing the start and stop point.

 

[Santilli]

HMMM.
Logitech 9000 cam appears to have stuff that might work, though I haven't used it for anything other then Skype....

 

[ddrueding]

How about from a hardware standpoint? HD isn't an issue at the moment, and a recording duration of even 6 hours would be plenty. Though if HD is available without much additional cost, it would be a no-brainer. Something with decent optics and a bit of a zoom would be fantastic.

 

[Mercutio]

I don't really know or care enough about that stuff. I work with whatever people bring me. One of the consistent things that seems to come up is that low-cost HD cameras are missing basic features like mic inputs that used to be standard.

 

[ddrueding]

Currently looking at this one. They say it includes "Pixela Video Browser Software" which can edit AVCHD files and transcode for YouTube. Though it doesn't say anything about DVD authoring.