What do I need to make my home videos into professional looking movies?

Question

I have a month left in the summer and about 20 hours of home videos recorder on my camcorder. I want to add titles and music to them. Basically editing them up and stuff like that. At school a lot of kids know how to do that like for projects. What software is needed or anything else? Any tips?

Also how do I transfer the digital video tapes into my computer, i've heard of an iLink, but do I also need some software?

Answer 1

If you've got digital video tape then you must have a MiniDV or Digital8 camcorder, and they transfer video the same way.  You'll need to capture the video via firewire, aka iLink - if your PC hasn't already got one you'll need to install a firewire card. They're cheap, easy to install and readily available. You'll also need a firewire cable.

Once everything's connected you can capture and edit the video with Windows Movie Maker (it should already be on your PC).  If you need a more powerful editor, have a look at Sony's Vegas Movie Studio.

20 hours is a lot of video, but the general rule is that 90% of what you shoot is useless.  Even then, 2 hours is a long time for a home video - be VERY selective about what you use.

Answer 2

What kind of camcorder? Did it store onto miniDV tape, hard drive, flash memory, DVD, VHS, Digital8, VHS-c or something else?

It matters because they all transfer to your computer differently. So, you supply the camcorder manufacturer and model number - and computer manufacturer and model number and then we'll have enough information to answer your questions.