Please help me help my Windows customers do video editing =-(

[MattG]

To make a long post short, despite my insistence, these customers of mine bought a PC instead of a Mac.

She wants to do video editing and is frustrated that the Windows software she has is so complicated to use (surprise surprise). I know I'm not going to find any thing iMovie-easy, but does anyone have any suggestions for software she could use on a Windows XP PC?

 

[tjmcardl]

Surprisingly enough...

Microsoft actually provides a free solution.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/default.mspx

My fiance and I just made a video for her class. We ended up using iMovie instead of this so I can't comment on it specifically, other than to say it did look pretty easy to use. Or is this what they already have?

-Tim

 

[MattG]

Hmm. That's not what they were using, but they might have it. I'll have to check it out!

 

[jxyama]

well... can i ask why you need to help them? do you owe them help? they disregard your suggestion... why should you help them then?

i'm just asking. it would sound very snobbish to tell them "see i told you so, you should have gotten a Mac" but there's some truth to it, you know?

 

[MattG]

well... can i ask why you need to help them? do you owe them help? they disregard your suggestion... why should you help them then?

i'm just asking. it would sound very snobbish to tell them "see i told you so, you should have gotten a Mac" but there's some truth to it, you know?

Well, believe me, I already told them "this is why I told you..."

I've been helping them for a long time, and they're the nicest people. I wouldn't just turn them away because they didn't go with something I suggested. It's just all their other computers are PCs, and they didn't want to get something different. I have a feeling one day though, she'll change her mind.

 

[jxyama]

that's a bummer.

when i owned a PC, i didn't even think to edit videos so i can't help. (iMovie, however, is amazingly easy... i had never edited a video before but i was able to pick it up fairly quickly.)

good luck trying to help them out...

 

[Sun Baked]

Well there's also the fact that quite a few people with businesses also say, but the accounting software I have won't work on a Mac (or my accountant refuses to learn a new app.)

 

[live4ever]

Virtualdub is great freeware (of course you'll have to hunt down and install the necessary codecs). Also Adobe Premiere, if they have the money to spend.

I think all the great free software you get free with the Mac equates to about $1000 worth of comparative Windows software.

 

[Les Kern]

Sorry, no sympathy for the devil here

To make a long post short, despite my insistence, these customers of mine bought a PC instead of a Mac.

I tried a few iMovie-like apps on my Vaio, and nothing comes close to the power and functionality of iMovie itself. Crashes, freezes, lousy, lousy results... even the interfaces were crappy. If they wanted to have something like iMove, they should have gotten iMovie, eh?
Nice people, but don't think much of your expertise. They have to live with it, you dont.

I'm sorry, but it's my personal burden that I have absolutely no sympathy for them. I've been in the business too long, have seen everything, and my skin is at least a foot thick.

Oh, I LOVE the Buck Fush.

 

[Les Kern]

I've been helping them for a long time, and they're the nicest people.

Nice. Would they be nice enought to PAY you to do it for them? Could be a way to get some spare cash.

MOVIE MAKER 2... try that.

 

[zim]

This situation sounds too familiar. My sister wanted my advice on a new computer so I put together a package for her, even included a PC of equal value. I explained in depth as to why the Mac would be a better environment for her and her children. Yet, in the end she listened to her husband and his family and got a PC, she knows Macs, my whole family, immediate family, are Mac users. Now she want things like iPhoto and iMovie and I have told her, that I am sorry, I can't help anymore. It is hard because I would love to help her but I don't want the frustration of recommending something and then trying to trouble shoot it days later.

Back to you question, Avid use to have a free application that was suppose to run neck and neck with iMovie, not sure whatever happened to it.

 

[Indiana Mac]

Here's the Avid link to their free DV editing software, I've never used it though.

Avid Free DV

As for Premier, it is an expensive and in my opinion aggravating solution. I think that Adobe does offer a lower end version of Premier(I think its called Premier Elements, but I'm not sure the cost).

 

[angelneo]

I think PC users (the normal consumers) have an inherent fear of using Mac. I tried telling a few friends while they are getting new computers to try a Mac but they just go "but I don't know how to use a Mac". No amount of explaining can sway them from their technophobia so I just say that they should look for someone else to troubleshoot their PC later on, as I am a converted Mac tech....

As for creating videos, like the other posters, I guess Windows Movie maker is the next best thing for your customers

 

[Blackheart]

I think PC users (the normal consumers) have an inherent fear of using Mac. I tried telling a few friends while they are getting new computers to try a Mac but they just go "but I don't know how to use a Mac". No amount of explaining can sway them from their technophobia so I just say that they should look for someone else to troubleshoot their PC later on, as I am a converted Mac tech....

As for creating videos, like the other posters, I guess Windows Movie maker is the next best thing for your customers

Just propose the next logical question. Do they REALLY even know how to use their Windows machine? With all of the issues I'm sure they've had, is that not reason enough to give something else a try? I mean, from their standpoint, could it really get any worse?