Customer Reviews

How to Use Digital Video (How to Use)

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I'm thinking of getting a digital camcorder and I wanted to see what I would be able to do with it. From that perspective, the book is a success. First it discusses the equipment: the basics of using a camcorder, and setting up your computer for video. The book then goes through tasks of basic editing, titles (including effects such as rolling), audio, and working with still images (I learned video tools can also be used for making slide shows). Finally, now that you have your video, the book covers producing videotape, publishing to the Web or CD-ROM, and adding video to PowerPoint presentations. The book is organized into chapters that cover various tasks such as adding titles or making credits roll. The book also has four projects that serve to tie the tasks together. The book comes with a CD-ROM that includes trial versions of the software discussed in the book (including video editors MGI VideoWave and Adobe Premiere). While the book is targeted towards readers who already have a camcorder, for my use the book would have been stronger if it discussed purchasing a camcorder. And, since I don't yet have a camcorder, it would have been nice if the CD-ROM included sample videos so I could try the various techniques described in the book. Overall, the book showed me what I could do with a camcorder, and that tools such as VideoWave make the process fairly straightforward.

If you have ever struggled with making a digital video, struggle no more. This book is an easy to read, easy to follow method for making a digital video that includes both Adobe Premiere and MGI Videowave programs on an enclosed CD. Both programs are demonstrated throughout the book, with information on how each video maker is used and their weak or strong points. The only thing better than this book might be your own tutor or instruction by CD showing actual examples of video constrction. I found the book to be better written, with more concise description than any other text I have evaluated.

This is a book for beginners of digital video production and editing. With hundreds of pictures illustrating the "how-to", the book gives you a much rewarding hands-on experience. In a learner-freindly environment, readers are led step-by-step into a fun digital audio-vidual world, and yet it allows readers to create professional-looking video with their own imagination. The information keeps you current with the most popular programs of digital programs -- Macromedia Premiere and MGI VideoWave III. The skills you learn will go far beyond these two software applications -- they can be easily adapted to other programs. The only drawback seems that the explanation is too dearth for those who enjoy detailed verbal instruction.