This depends on the
Version of Windows that you are using, the type of connectors that are
available on the computer and the camera
used to record the video.
Most of today's Digital Camcorders
record to flash memory, but older ones may still be in use that record to mini-DVD's
or even "mini-dv" tapes. Current models of digital camcorders connect to the computer through a USB
cable rather than a "Firewire" (aka 1394) cable which was
common in the era of
mini-dv cameras.
Hard Drive and Flash
Memory Camcorders
With these camcorders, video
is recorded in either MPEG2 or MPEG4 format, and sometimes in High Definition.
Video is sometimes recorded in individual
video clips - with one clip per play. The camera is then connected to the
computer with a USB cable, and the video files are then copied from the
camera to the computer and stored in a folder as individual clips.
Alternatively, the memory card can be removed and placed in the computer
(this is dependent on the computer having a card reader or the camera
including one).
Individual clips need to
be converted to wmv or avi format using either the software that is provided with the camera, Video Converter
software like the AVS Video Converter or Microsoft's Windows Movie Maker.
For Easy-Scout Pro, the
video needs to be in one file per game. For Easy-Cut, video can also
be in a folder of individual clips, with one clip per play or series of
plays.
Mini-DV Camcorders
Increasingly hard to
find, this type of camera records to
"mini-DV" tapes connects with a "firewire" (1394) cable, and the "camera"
becomes, in a sense, an extension of the computer, and is fully controllable
with the computer mouse and keyboard.
Windows Movie Maker
(included with Windows XP and Vista, or downloadable for Windows 7 and now
called Windows Live Movie Maker) or the AVS Video Recorder - both free
software utilities, can be used to "capture", or transfer some or all of the
video that is recorded on a "mini-DV" tape to the computer - easily
and reliably. The video should be saved on the computer in either the
WMV or AVI format. AVI is usually
the best for editing video.
PAUSE HERE - If you have the AVS
Video Converter, or are considering purchasing it, you can find instructions
for ripping a DVD and converting files from Flash and Hard Drive camcorders
by
visiting this capturing video page.
Otherwise, continue reading to learn about Windows Movie Maker
Windows Movie Maker
The Windows Movie Maker software application was
originally part of Windows XP, and later Windows Vista. It was removed
from Windows 7 and since that time has been provided as a free download from
Microsoft. It is a very capable program and remains free. We've used Movie
Maker for many years and continue to use it for a number of tasks that
complement Easy-Cut and Easy-Scout Professional. See below
for more details.
Windows 7 and 8
Users - The "modern" Movie Maker program is part of what is now referred to as Windows
Essentials 2012 (formerly Windows Essentials, and before that Windows Live
Essentials).
Since it is
most common today for video
to be recorded on Flash Memory Camcorders, most camcorder models come with
software that can save the video in a number of formats, including Standard and High Definition Windows Media Video
(WMV) file
format. Products like the AVS Converter and Windows Movie Maker are
recommended as excellent alternatives for converting the video from the format used by
most cameras (usually either MPEG2, MPEG4
or for High Definition, AVCHD or MTS) to either the WMV or XVID AVI.
The documents below provide step by step
instructions for downloading and installing Movie Maker from Microsoft's web
site, as well as using Movie Maker to Capture Video
from older camcorders, Convert videos from newer camcorders, and
"ripping" DVD's.
While there are slight differences
between the versions of Movie Maker, the Windows Live and Windows Essentials versions of Movie Maker
are quite similar. For all versions of Movie Maker, the basic approach
and concepts are largely the same as well.
Video that is on a VHS tape requires a "video capture" device of some kind
in order to perform what is called an Analog to Digital conversion. There
are many brands and styles - some are cables, some are "boxes", and some are "cards" that are
inserted into a computer. Some connect with "firewire" and others a USB
cable.
Most of these products are inexpensive (under $100) and available online or at electronics stores like Best Buy.
Video that is on a DVD must be captured
or converted (ripped) using a type of software
known as a
DVD "ripper" thats convert the DVD video to the AVI or WMV formats.
OUR RECOMMENDED DVD RIPPER PRODUCT - AVS Video
Converter
Over the past 10 years or so, video conversion and DVD ripping software
has evolved a great deal. While we have recommended a couple of products of
the years, we finally settled on one that stands above others we have tried
in many ways - the AVS Video Converter. This is not a free product, but well
worth the cost.
We've prepared this
video tutorial
to the use of the AVS Video Converter to convert" or "rip" a DVD. We
also have another that illustrates the use of Rip DVD Plus, a capable, affordable but
not quite as versatile product that we recommended for a number of years. Both have received favorable reviews
from a number of coaches who our products, along with
many others who have thanked us for introducing them to these excellent
products.
Caution : DO NOT attempt
to work with the video (.VOB files) directly from a DVD itself. When a
DVD is ripped, the VOB files are combined and converted into an editing
friendly format and stored on the computer's hard drive - usually as a
single file for a game.
Still want to read more about capturing and converting video?