Getting Started with Windows Movie Maker

The Movie Maker application is installed by default with Windows XP. You access it by selecting Start, All Programs, Accessories, Window Movie Maker. This places you at the main screen of the Windows Movie Maker application, which will look as shown in Figure 6.2.

Figure 6.2. Windows Movie Maker.

[View full size image]

Capturing with Movie Maker

From the main screen of Windows Movie Maker, you have a number of options. There are three main tasks from which you can choose to start a session:

• Capture Video You can use this task to capture video from your camcorder, import video from another source, and import still pictures and audio files.

• Edit Movie You can use this task to add effects, add transitions, or make titles for your video projects.

• Finish Movie You can use this task to save a completed video project to either your computer or to a CD, send it via email, place it on the Web for viewing, or send it back to your camcorder in its final edited form.

The first step in creating your video project is to get the video from your camcorder to your computer. To capture video with Windows Movie Maker, follow these steps:

1.	In Windows Movie Maker, under Capture Video, select Capture from Video Device. The Captured Video File page appears (see Figure 6.3). Figure 6.3. The Captured Video File page. [View full size image]
2.	Enter a filename for your captured video, choose a place to save your video, and then click Next. The Video Setting page appears (see Figure 6.4). Figure 6.4. The Video Setting page. [View full size image] Note Recall our earlier discussion about the options available on the Video Setting page. Refer to the section "Capture Considerations," earlier in this chapter, for the choices available here.
3.	Click Next. The Capture Method page appears (see Figure 6.5). Figure 6.5. The Capture Method page. [View full size image] Note Note that on the Capture Method page you can capture either the entire tape or parts of the tape. It is easiest to capture the entire tape and then later edit out the parts you are not interested inif you have the available disk space, of course. You also have the choice to see a preview of your tape during capture. You might want to turn off this feature if you have problems with erratic playback of your captured videos.
4.	Click Next. You should now see the DV Capture in Progress page (see Figure 6.6). Figure 6.6. The DV Capture in Progress page. [View full size image]

You can stop the capture at any time by clicking the Stop Capture button on the DV Capture in Progress page.