29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
above and beyond, July 24, 2006
This review is from: iMovie HD 6 and iDVD 6 for Mac OS X (Paperback)
When I first picked up a copy of iMovie HD 6 & iDVD 6 by Jeff Carlson, I had specific questions I needed help with. I had used iMovie and iDVD before, having taught myself through experimentation and by referring to the help menus in the programs. When version 6 came out, I had some trouble with iDVD specifically and was unable to find the answers I needed through the help menu.
I picked up this book and found the answer to my specific problem. I also discovered quite a bit of other useful information. I ended up reading the book straight through and learned many useful things - major editing capabilities as well as useful tidbits - which will certainly make my future projects easier. I feel confident now that I can do even more (for example, with audio) than I felt I could attempt before.
The instructions are clearly presented, helped by the many screenshots. The tips at the end of each section are also useful, providing details you might not think of straightaway. However, they could be more complete. For example, in experimenting with direct trimming in the video editing section, I encountered the problem of never actually getting a cursor which would allow me to drag the edge of the video clip in. It was only in searching the iMovie HD help menu that I found an answer to my problem. (I had to have the "show clip volume levels" turned off in order to perform this function.)
The book covers everything from buying a camcorder to editing the clips to producing the DVD and even to what information to keep and what you can get rid of once the project is finished.
One aspect of making an iMovie which I had given little thought to was pre-production. Generally the footage I have used in my iMovies was filmed by someone else. After reading Carlson's tips, I feel inspired to pick up the camera myself and maybe even go to the extra trouble of making a storyboard, because he's absolutely right when he says that iMovie "can edit your clips into a professional-looking movie, but it can't help you improve mediocre source material."
Carlson certainly didn't have to include the pre-production section in a book on iMovie and iDVD, but I'm glad he did. His inclusion of more than just computer commands makes this book exceptional in its thoroughness. He has given the reader as much information as possible to succeed in making a beautiful finished DVD.
The beginner to intermediate user will surely find this a useful book to keep near the computer.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
iMovie HD 6 & iDVD 6 is the Quick and Easy Way, July 16, 2007
This review is from: iMovie HD 6 and iDVD 6 for Mac OS X (Paperback)
Review by Moses Rodriguez, MacCORE.org
The great thing about Apple software is the ease-of-use; you can literally launch a program (like iMovie) and get to work. This program is feature packed and more than capable in getting a stylized look to your video.
Figuring how iMovie works is fairly simple and straightforward. You can get up and running right away and create a DVD to share with family and friends quickly. But, one of the drawbacks of just going gangbusters and cranking out a movie without a help guide is you just may miss a sweet hidden trick or technique and perhaps wind-up doing things the "hard way". You could even run the risk of missing a cool effect or even knowing how a simple feature can make your videos much more special. This is the exact reason is why books like this are written. iMovie HD 6 & iDVD 6 is chock full of tips on almost every page helping you discover these hidden tricks and short cuts.
This guide is broken up in four parts: Shooting, Editing in iMovie HD, Sharing from iMovie HD and iDVD. Each part contains five to seven chapters.
Part One "Shooting" consist of the first five chapters of the book are dedicated to the process involved before you start your computer, covering subjects such as camcorder pros and cons, shooting video, composing your shots, zooming, panning, lighting and audio. Though these topics may not be why you buy the book in the first place I strongly suggest reading them. While it may be too late for you in considering which camcorder to buy it will help you in figuring out your camcorder's strengths and weakness. Even if its just in the area of getting the most from your video camera. These initial chapters will definitely make your end product better and help you in the long run achieve that masterpiece you have been longing for...at least it will help you turn those vacation photos into a movie (complete with music) that you'll be proud to share. Long gone are those painful days of watching someone else's vacation slides in a darkened den, now you can send a DVD via U.S. Postal Service, a video through your email, or if you are apt you can put your entire movie on the web.
The "Editing" section of the book contains the most chapters. Starting off with a basic overview of iMovie, from creating a new project to explaining the interface and tools within the program. Chapter 7 covers the in's-and-out's of importing video, while Chapter 8 is all about editing video. The rest of Part Two deals with audio files, transitions, titles and effects.
Part Three "Sharing from iMovie HD" covers exporting to GarageBand, Quicktime, email, iWeb, Bluetooth and iDVD.
Part Four "iDVD" helps complete your work of art. This part of the procedure is almost more important than all the others. While this is the last step in the process, it actually will be the first thing that is seen when your movie is viewed.
The beauty of working in iMovie is how easy it is to create a movie and the way it seamlessly interacts with iPhoto, iTunes and GarageBand. Importing photos, slideshows, music or even scoring your movie is easy and brilliant in its simplicity. But to get the most from iMovie don't just wing it - get help! Doesn't everyone want a "guide to better results"? With helpful tips and information to achieve great results this is what iMovie HD 6 & iDVD 6 will do for you.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great learning tool, July 14, 2007
This review is from: iMovie HD 6 and iDVD 6 for Mac OS X (Paperback)
If you are interested in making home movies, editing or even making relatively high quality films, this book will certainly put you on the fast track to success. That being said, there is nothing quite like experimenting with the program itself, but the book can help work out some of the kinks. Finally, it is not as in depth as other books on this program.
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