How to Create Video Content Using a Computer with a Windows

How to Create Video Content Using a Computer with a
WindowsⓇ Operating System
A Report for Atlanta Legal Aid’s Video Sharing Project
by Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.Ⓡ
2011
Executive Summary:
Legal aid programs can easily create video content using software that is already
installed on most workstations. Most legal aid programs use computers with Microsoft
WindowsⓇ operating systems, and our testers found that Windows Live Movie Maker created
perfectly functional videos. It is reasonably easy to use, and we had no trouble uploading the
final video to our YouTubeⓇ channel.
Windows Live Movie Maker (WLMM), despite the annoying lack of a “timeline” feature, is
a simple and sufficient tool, readily available for any computer using Windows XP Service Pack
2 or higher. The Adobe PremiereⓇ software is available to nonprofits at a fraction of its normal
cost as part of the Creative Suite, and is much more powerful and more sophisticated than
WLMM. Due to this power and complexity, however, Premier involves a much steeper learning
curve.
Other free tools exist, but LawNY testers found them less optimal for video content
creation than WLMM and Premier. For example, the predecessor to WLMM, Windows Movie
Maker, although more user-friendly than its “Live” successor, has been replaced by WLMM in
current Windows distributions. There is no guarantee of ongoing support or availability for Movie
Maker, and installation of WMM on newer Windows machines seems apt to create confusion for
the user, if not the software.
JayCut, although the most intuitive of the editing tools, is offered by a small Swedish
company. Since the content users create is stored on Jaycut’s servers, our testers worried
about the risk of losing access to created content.
Lightworks, the most powerful of all the programs, is intended for motion picture and
broadcast production, and uses a strict set of industry file-type standards and jargon not wellsuited to short, simple Internet video production.
Contents:
Tools
Windows Live Movie Maker
Windows Movie Maker
Adobe Premiere , , Part of the Adobe Creative Suite tm
YouTube Video Editor
JayCut
LightworksⓇ
Legal Services Organizations - Example Videos
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York
Illinois Legal Aid
Legal Services NYC
Montana Legal Services Association
YouTube Formatting Suggestions
File format
Aspect ratio
Resolution
Bit rate
Frame Rate
Audio specifications
Tools
Windows Live Movie Maker
Source
Windows Live Movie Maker is included in installations of the Windows 7 operating system. It
can also be installed on machines with Windows XP Service Pack 2 or higher, or Windows
Vista, by downloading it from the Windows LiveⓇ website: http://explore.live.com/windowslive-movie-maker?os=otheren&id=34.
Screenshot
Price
Free
Formats
WLMM supports the following formats:
Video files: .wmv, .asf, .wm, .m2ts, .m2t, .mov, .qt, .avi, .dvrms, .wtv, .mp4, .m4v, ..mpeg, .mpg, .mpe, .m1v, .mp2, .mpv2, .mod, .vob, .m1v
Audio files: .asf, .wm, .wma, .aif, .aiff, .wav, .m4a, .mp3
Picture files: .jpg, .jpeg, .tif, .tiff, .gif, .bmp, .png, .wdp
Pros
WLMM has more file support than its predecessor, WMM (supports .mp4, .mov, and .aiff
formats). Easy to use, especially for those familiar with Microsoft Office (tm) software. It
has a similar layout to Office, with the work appearing in a main window below, and the tools
appearing in several drop down menus, spanning several tabs, above the workspace. Our
tester was able to make a test movie in a few minutes. Despite comparing unfavorably to its
predecessor (see “Cons” below), WLMM is still highly usable, and capable of creating edited
movies quickly.
You can get started faster with this video tutorial: http://explore.live.com/windows-live-moviemaker-get-started
For more specific information (such as importing video or photos, adding transitions or text,
publishing, etc.), follow this link: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Gettingstarted-with-Windows-Movie-Maker
Cons
Compared to Windows Movie Maker, the software it replaced, WLMM is not as intuitive.
Noticeably missing is WMM’s “timeline” feature, which allowed for simple dragging, dropping,
and resizing of files to see their relationship to one another. Instead, files appear in a more
traditional Windows directory-style view, as a series of discrete icons. While each discrete icon
can be edited to achieve the same outcomes as WMM, and the methodology is more similar
to general Windows use than WMM, the intuitive simplicity of WMM is lost. Additionally, video
clips with sound appear the same as video clips without sound, so it can be a surprise when a
clip has sound.
Windows Movie Maker
Source
Windows Movie Maker is included in installations of the Windows ME, XP, and Vista operating
systems. The ME version can also be installed on Windows 2000. The Vista version can
also be installed on Windows 7 by downloading from http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/
details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=34
Screenshot
Price
Free. Included in Windows ME, XP, and Vista. Also available for download at the following link:
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=34. Although the link
indicates the program is for Vista, it will work in Windows 7 as well. This program was replaced
in Windows 7 by Windows Live Movie Maker.
Formats
Video files: .asf, .avi (special profile for windows movie maker), .wmv
Movie files: .mpeg1, .mpeg, .mpg, .m1v, (and .mp2 and DVR-MS in Windows Vista Home
Premium and Ultimate)
Audio files: .mp3, .wav, .snd, .au, .aif, .aifc
Windows Media files: .asf, .wm, .wma, .wmv
Still images: .bmp, .jpg, .jpeg, .jpe, .jfif, .gif
Other formats, such as .MP4, 3GP, .FLV, .MOV, MIDI, AIFF, AAC and SWF are not supported,
even if the necessary decoders are installed.
Pros
Windows Movie Maker is very easy to use. Audio and video files can be readily split into pieces
so other information can be inserted in between clips. The “timeline” feature makes syncing
audio and video information very straightforward. The drag-and-drop interface allows for simple
addition of files into the program, and onto the video’s “timeline.”
Cons
Windows Movie Maker is no longer included with the current version of Windows (Windows
7). Although the software can still currently be downloaded and installed onto Windows 7
machines, there is no guarantee of ongoing future compatibility, availability, or support. Since
Microsoft has officially switched to Windows Live Movie Maker, there is likely no long term future
for this software.
Adobe PremiereⓇ, , Part of the Adobe Creative Suite tm
Source
Nonprofits can get the Creative Suite from TechSoup.org
Screenshot
n/a
Price
$150 Admin Fee for non-profits (TechSoup)
Formats
You can output in nearly every format under the sun using Adobe PremiereⓇ, but you’ll need
a how-to manual or some time watching how-to videos just to get started. Premiere allows you
to tailor your output to DVD, Youtube, and many other media. When you open a new project
you have to choose a set of specifications based on your output. A lot of the options cannot be
changed later, so take the time to make sure you choose the right parameters. Our initial tests
used 16x9.
Pros
It is clear why some professional filmmakers use Adobe Premiere to edit movies. The features
available are amazing and once one gets the hang of it, the software is not difficult to use.
The timeline makes it very easy to see where all video and sound clips are placed. The editing
features are also useful. For example, when a video clip is uploaded you can edit the clip an
infinite number of ways and place all the different edited clips in the timeline. The overlay effects
are also very easy to use, once you learn Premiere’s buttons and jargon; you simply drag and
drop clips on top of one another to get the effect.
Overall, once the learning time was put in, the process flow just “clicked” for our tester. She
assembled a video from scraps to finished product in about four hours. Mastery can take hours
of learning, of course, but it is possible to make a basic video that employs interesting effects
without too much effort.
Cons
Adobe Premiere is beautiful software and makes first-rate videos but its downfall is a daunting
lack of user friendliness. Few could sit down and simply learn how to use the software;
guidebooks such as Adobe Premiere for Dummies and how-to videos from the Adobe website
are highly recommended.
The workspace can be very confusing, and once something is deleted from the workspace
it can be difficult to get back. Additionally, the functions are not intuitively named so it is very
helpful to have a book with you. Memorize the undo function. LawNY’s testers estimate that
to use the basic features of Adobe Premiere, users will need about an hour of learning time
and will spend an hour or so editing your first 5-minute “Hello World” test video. Our testers
estimate that you will have to spend about six hours on your first finished-quality 15-minute
video, including tinkering with the software and learning its functions.
Our second tester watched the first tester, who had spent many hours learning the software,
put the final touches on a video. For him, watching a video being made using Adobe Premiere
saved enormous amounts of time. Consider watching Adobe’s videos or a home-brew basic
video on YouTube, like this one, to get started faster.
In addition to a time investment, the Adobe Premiere software might require a new investment
in hardware. Adobe Premiere runs best on a machine that likely exceeds the specs of a typical
legal aid workstation. Any programs running in the background impact Adobe Premiere’s
performance. Our testers experienced a few hard freezes.
YouTubeⓇ Video Editor
Source
http://www.youtube.com/editor
Screenshot
Price
Free
Formats
Supports all files supported by YouTube in general.
Pros
Since it is provided by YouTube, it is seamlessly integrated with YouTube. A limited set of
effects allows for contrast and brightness modification, eight transition choices, and black-andwhite video. Finished videos can be immediately placed in one’s YouTube account.
Cons
There is no way to upload raw footage directly into the editor. Instead, footage must be found
on existing YouTube accounts. This means that prior to editing one’s own raw footage, one
must upload that footage to one’s account. Although such raw footage can be kept private,
meaning only the account holder can view it, this is an extra step that may clutter one’s account.
Further, the editing tools are limited: raw footage cannot be cut into two pieces, but instead
multiple instances of the same entire video must be used, with only parts of each showing,
to simulate cutting. The effects are more limited than those offered by other free alternatives
(WMM, WLMM, Jaycut), and the timeline only contains video and audio; there is no obvious text
tool.
JayCut
Source
http://jaycut.com/
Screenshot
Price
Free to edit videos on Jaycut.com. Jaycut also offers licensing of their editing program to other
websites, so those websites can offer movie editing to visitors. *JayCut was purchased by RIM,
and will stop offering free editing in 2012*
Formats
Videos can be published to mobile devices in 480 x 360 resolution in the following formats:
MPEG-4 - H.264, MPEG-4 - XviD, Avi - XviD; to personal computers in 640 x 480 in MPEG4 - XviD and Avi - XviD, and in 512 x 384 in Flash Video - H.264; and directly to the web via
Facebook, Youtube, Jaycut Media Gallery, and blog embedding (Flash).
Pros
Very simple to use due to an intuitive, user friendly interface. Quick web publishing: new
users can have movies built-from-scratch and online within 30 minutes. Substantially similar
to Windows Movie Maker in functionality: users can seamlessly integrate text, audio, video,
and still images, and add transition effects to make changes in visual content more interesting.
Movies stored on Jaycut’s servers, so no need to store them on user’s PC.
Cons
First, don’t forget to save! Navigating away from the movie will cause user to lose unsaved
work. Second, downloading movies to a PC is time consuming. Jaycut has to convert the
movie to your chosen format, and informs you it will email you a download link when conversion
is finished. It asks users to “be patient” because this can “take a while,” without any progress
indicator. After I requested to download my brief (5 second) test movie, it took twenty minutes
to be emailed a link. Further, since the program is offered by a very small Swedish business
(a staff of 7), there is no guarantee it, or content saved on its servers, will remain available
indefinitely.
LightworksⓇ
Source
http://www.lightworksbeta.com
Screenshot
Price
Free
Formats
Requires QuicktimeⓇ 7.6.6 or later, and Matrox codecs. Quicktime can be downloaded
here: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL837. Matrox codecs can be downloaded here: http:/
/www.matrox.com/video/en/support/windows/vfw_software_codecs/downloads/softwares/
version1.0/. Native support for MXF, Quicktime (MP4, MOV), AVI, RED R3D, DPX, Avid
DNxHD, ProRes and “many more formats.”1 Does not currently support WMV and ASF file
1
http://www.lightworksbeta.com/; see also http://www.lightworksbeta.com/index.php?
option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=1277&Itemid=269 (listing all compatible codecs
and formats).
formats,2 or DivX, Xvid, or x264 formats.3
Pros
Sophisticated toolset allows for motion picture quality editing. Films edited using Lightworks
include Braveheart, Goodfellas, and Pulp Fiction.4 Autosave feature saves every keystroke, so
no work will ever be lost due to computer crashes.
Cons
A steep learning curve due to the vast tool set, and use of movie-industry jargon. Further, since
the software comes out of the broadcast/film industry, it uses strict industry standards regarding
what types of media files it can import. For example, only movies with frame rates of 24, 25,
30, 48, 50, and 60 frames-per-second can be imported.5 Further, Lightworks can neither import
nor export several common movie file types, including WMV, ASF, and DivX. This means a
transcoding program (one that changes files and their characteristics from one type to another)
would likely be necessary to work with Lightworks.
After working with the program for 30 minutes, LawNY’s tester experienced several crashes,
and was unable to produce even a simple video (whereas with Jaycut, YouTube, WMM and
WLMM, this task was easy). This program is geared toward a much higher level of editing than
short, simple, internet videos, and the program’s high level of complexity reflects this.
2
http://www.lightworksbeta.com/index.php?
option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=23&id=11939&Itemid=269
3 http://www.lightworksbeta.com/index.php?
option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=23&id=11119&Itemid=269
4 http://www.lightworksbeta.com/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=107&Itemid=260 (listing many well-known motion pictures
edited with Lightworks).
5 http://www.lightworksbeta.com/index.php?
option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=26&id=11924&Itemid=269 (see video 2)
Legal Services Organizations - Example
Videos
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
Type of use
Topical videos as well as office intros. Very well done and interesting.
Link
http://www.youtube.com/trlegalaid
Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York
Type of use
LASNNY published an artful video introduction to the organization.
Link
http://www.youtube.com/user/DreaLeanza
Illinois Legal Aid
Type of use
Uses YouTube to present staff highlights and fundraising info; does not present legal
information.
Link
http://www.youtube.com/user/IllinoisLegalAid
Legal Services NYC
Type of use
Legal Services NYC has a Youtube channel to which it has uploaded three videos.
Each video is a well-produced, emotional, client narrative connected to a yearly
organizational event called “Jazz for Justice.”
Link
http://www.youtube.com/user/LegalServicesNYC
Montana Legal Services Association
Type of use
MTLSA has a Youtube channel to which it has uploaded six videos. One video was for
a grant proposal for new communications equipment, four are regarding general legal
information, and one (entitled “Leah”) is an emotional narrative regarding a client MTLSA
assisted.
Link
http://www.youtube.com/user/MTLSA
YouTube Formatting Suggestions
Ⓡ
Since YouTube is the most visited video site in the United States,6 the following suggestions are
for the purpose of conforming with YouTube’s standards.
File format
YouTube supports the formats listed in the screenshot below:
Hence, for maximum compatibility with YouTube and ease-of-uploading, videos should be
created in .mp4, 3gpp, .mov, .avi, .mp2, .wmv, or .flv formats.
Aspect ratio
YouTube’s default aspect ration is 16 x 9.7 However, videos can be stretched by users, or
embedded by webmasters onto their sites in different aspect ratios. In these cases, YouTube
automatically adds letterboxes (horizontal black bars) and pillarboxes (vertical black bars) to
videos as needed. Since YouTube’s current default aspect ratio is 16 x 9, videos should be
created in this aspect ratio. Further, YouTube recommends never uploading videos which are
already letter or pillarboxed, because this can cause formatting problems.
6
http://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/US (listing YouTube as the fourth most-visited site in
the U.S., behind only Google, Facebook, and Yahoo).
7 http://www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/answer.py?answer=132460
Resolution
YouTube supports the following resolutions: 240p, 360p, 480p, 720p, and 1080p.8 The
former three are standard definition, while the latter two are high definition. YouTube states
that in general, the higher the resolution the better.9 YouTube does warn, however, that on
computers with less-than-optimal hardware or internet connections, high definition videos may
play poorly.10 Hence, high definition 720p and 1080p videos should be uploaded in most cases,
unless the intended audience is likely using older PC hardware or a slow internet connection.
Bit rate
YouTube suggests focusing on optimizing resolution, aspect ratio, and frame rate rather than
bit rate, because bit rate is highly dependent on codec.11 However, YouTube users have found
the maximum audio bit rate at which videos play is around 128kbps, even if the bit rate on the
original movie prior to upload was higher.12 Users have also noted that 96kbps is an acceptable
bit rate for YouTube audio. Hence, movies should be made at as high an audio bit rate as
possible, since YouTube will automatically scale it down to 128kbps. By making original movies
at a higher bit rate, the option for increasing their online counterparts’ rate will be left open
should YouTube later increase the maximum.
Frame Rate
YouTube suggests keeping the frame rate of the original video, whatever it is, unmodified. It
discourages using “frame rate re-sampling techniques.”13 YouTube notes the standard frame
rate for film is 24 or 25 fps.14 Further, YouTube users have noticed when they upload videos
with very high frame rates (e.g., 60 fps), YouTube automatically scales them to a variable rate
averaging around 30 fps.15 Hence, a video recorder that has an option to record between 24
and 30 fps would be ideal for current YouTube compatibility, but the option for higher frame
rates would also be useful in case YouTube later increases capacity.
Audio specifications
Codec
MP3 or AAC preferred.
8
http://www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=153665
http://www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/answer.py?answer=132461
10 http://www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/answer.py?answer=132461
11 http://www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/answer.py?answer=132461
12 http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/youtube/thread?tid=578b663403c8733e&hl=en
13 http://www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/answer.py?answer=132461
14 http://www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/answer.py?answer=132460
15 http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/youtube/thread?tid=229f155410f96fcd&hl=en
9
Sampling Rate
44.1kHz
Channels
2 (stereo)
LawNY, Inc. is a trademark of Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.
All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners, including:
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.
Windows Live is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other
countries.
YouTube is either a registered trademark or trademark of Google, Inc.
The YouTube logo is a either a registered trademark or trademark of Google, Inc.
Adobe, the Adobe logo, and Adobe Premiere, are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems
Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.