Video Editor Recs???
So, I'm having some problems with Windows Movie Maker. (Actually, I'm having a whole host Windows 7 < Windows XP issues, but the major problem of it centers around Movie Maker.)
Issue the first: External hard drives.
After having some files spontaneously erased by Windows 7's "Scan and Fix" feature, I have stopped moving the externals back and forth. (I used to do this for things like running BitTorrent over night and using the older Windows Movie Maker.)
Issue the second: Windows LIVE Movie Maker can suck my cock!
'Nuff said.
Issue the third: Old Movie Maker isn't fully functional on Windows 7.
I straight copy and pasted the program files. (I also did this with my older version of ActivePixels, a photo editor, as the new one kept crashing.) It works somewhat, but the most important features can't be used.
Firstly, if I play a video clip from the Collections section:
It works fine and plays the clip in the preview window:
But if I play a clip from the timeline (where I actually have to drag files in order to make any kind of video):
It doesn't show anything in the preview window at all:
Secondly, once I hit Ctrl+P, the shortcut to open the dialog box for rendering the movie...the whole program crashes. (Same thing if I do it the long way.)
Obviously, this presents a problem. With all of the video files I'd want to use for fanvids on external hard drives that I can't move and my functional, free video editor on another computer, I can't make videos.
So, if you can answer even one of these questions, please comment.
1) How can I make old Movie Maker work on my Windows 7 PC?
Is it some kind of 32-bit vs. 64-bit thing. I'm really out of my depth here. If there's a relatively simple fix, that would be lovely.
2) Know of any good free video editing software?
(This is probably the one I want answered most.)
Preferably something that works similar to Movie Maker. I'm especially fond of the timeline bar, which puts audio and video right on top of each other and lets me drag things until I've got them synced just the way I want them.
3) Know of any reliable way to move my external hard drives back and forth to the old computer without risking the new one trying to delete files?
4) Why does new technology suck so much worse than old technology?
4a) Why can't shitty new technology at least be backwards compatible?
5) Where can I get my hands on a time machine?
I'd like to go and see the developer of Windows LIVE Movie Maker on my second trip.
Or maybe just go back and tell myself to buy a Mac. Seriously, I talked myself out of a Mac on the grounds that I'm more familiar with Windows. If I'd realized 7 would be this different, this inferior, I would've just gone for a Mac.
But for all I know, maybe Macs suck too. It wouldn't surprise me.
I'm frustrated and part of this post is just venting, but I really would like a bit of help with question 2 up there, if anyone could oblige me...
ETA: Solved it. Thank all that's holy for Windows Movie Maker 2.6! All the familiar and useful features from Movie Maker for XP, but fully and functioanlly compatible with Windows 7. Also, thanks to Youtube and it's many informative videos on the subject.
Issue the first: External hard drives.
After having some files spontaneously erased by Windows 7's "Scan and Fix" feature, I have stopped moving the externals back and forth. (I used to do this for things like running BitTorrent over night and using the older Windows Movie Maker.)
Issue the second: Windows LIVE Movie Maker can suck my cock!
'Nuff said.
Issue the third: Old Movie Maker isn't fully functional on Windows 7.
I straight copy and pasted the program files. (I also did this with my older version of ActivePixels, a photo editor, as the new one kept crashing.) It works somewhat, but the most important features can't be used.
Firstly, if I play a video clip from the Collections section:
It works fine and plays the clip in the preview window:
But if I play a clip from the timeline (where I actually have to drag files in order to make any kind of video):
It doesn't show anything in the preview window at all:
Secondly, once I hit Ctrl+P, the shortcut to open the dialog box for rendering the movie...the whole program crashes. (Same thing if I do it the long way.)
Obviously, this presents a problem. With all of the video files I'd want to use for fanvids on external hard drives that I can't move and my functional, free video editor on another computer, I can't make videos.
So, if you can answer even one of these questions, please comment.
1) How can I make old Movie Maker work on my Windows 7 PC?
Is it some kind of 32-bit vs. 64-bit thing. I'm really out of my depth here. If there's a relatively simple fix, that would be lovely.
2) Know of any good free video editing software?
(This is probably the one I want answered most.)
Preferably something that works similar to Movie Maker. I'm especially fond of the timeline bar, which puts audio and video right on top of each other and lets me drag things until I've got them synced just the way I want them.
3) Know of any reliable way to move my external hard drives back and forth to the old computer without risking the new one trying to delete files?
4) Why does new technology suck so much worse than old technology?
4a) Why can't shitty new technology at least be backwards compatible?
5) Where can I get my hands on a time machine?
I'd like to go and see the developer of Windows LIVE Movie Maker on my second trip.
Or maybe just go back and tell myself to buy a Mac. Seriously, I talked myself out of a Mac on the grounds that I'm more familiar with Windows. If I'd realized 7 would be this different, this inferior, I would've just gone for a Mac.
But for all I know, maybe Macs suck too. It wouldn't surprise me.
I'm frustrated and part of this post is just venting, but I really would like a bit of help with question 2 up there, if anyone could oblige me...
ETA: Solved it. Thank all that's holy for Windows Movie Maker 2.6! All the familiar and useful features from Movie Maker for XP, but fully and functioanlly compatible with Windows 7. Also, thanks to Youtube and it's many informative videos on the subject.