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What Are Some Windows Movie Maker Alternatives ....
(15 posts)
Here is a lossless editor - very fast: http://www.machetesoft.com/ - Read the manual, there are some restrictions.
There are a TON out there... but basically it depends on what input files you have and what you want to produce?
I'm using a few, depending on need and amount of 'work' needed to be done?
Sothink's Movie DVD Maker
Pinnacle Studio
An OLD version of Nero
I do have others, but those 3, depending on what needs to be done (from simple conversion to extensive cutting, overlays, and adding music/sound overs).
Irv S.
definitely two guys that id hoped to hear from ...
thanks for chiming in. sorry not following up sooner ...
ill read a little more about the ones you mentioned. but something ispalten mentioned raised another question - is it possible to expect any of the ones mentioned (do one of these?) allow editing, ie; splitting, merging, adding audio, removing audio, transitions, effects, etc.,etc.. WITHOUT having to set all the parameters for the final output all over again.
ispalten - you said "it depends on what input files you have" - so lets say i have .mp4's, now is it realistic to expect to want to do all the editing i mentioned above and keep the original files parameters (*compression, *frame rate, *aspect ratio, *container, etc.,etc..).
basically i dont want to have to learn the science behind each of the parameters i mentioned (*) but simply be able to do what i want, finish the project and move on.
will check out the suggestions you guys made - any other are much welcomed.
thanks for the feedback guys.
Here is a little video tutorial to show you how to operate Format Factory: https://vimeo.com/9283805
okay so four converters later and format factory produced the results that i might not find too bad compared to the original.
( shhhh - i have a bunch of these stashed in a folder that i have created portables of from when they've become available on GAOTD, so i tried Format Factory, Aiseesoft Total Video Converter, WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe, Wondershare Video Converter Platinum )
all of them, though failed to produce what to my eye, i would consider the same quality in the wmv format as the .mp4.
and see thats where i have a problem with. it would be nice if the settings were truly automatic and copied from the original source file.
i can assure you that neither did that. i had all the original files properties opened for me to view in a different window (using mediainfo).
but ff produced the closest to my eyes satisfaction. so i will play with that a a little.
in the meantime - will also check out the suggestions made before as id rather skip this step of converting to a different format (and losing quality) only to settle for what WMM has to offer. personally feel like im ready for something else anyway with a little more power and features and input / output "umph!' if you know what i mean. ..
will post back to let you guys know how i get a long. thanks again for the feedback. oh and thanks for the link to your vid too Wolfman.
The tip to getting nearly the same (if not exactly the same) quality as the source file is:
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/19454109/formatf.png
(photobucket isn't opening, dunno why, so here's the dropbox link)
yes vista.
but im gonna seriously look at those alternatives when i have a chance.
i ended up using my camtasia - but it also is not without its limitations. 
end result.
