If you want video, I would get a Digital Camcorder, either DV or Digital 8. You will need one with analog input. A lot of camcorders out there no longer offer this. I would also look at one with either a firewire connection or USB. A firewire card doesnt cost much. The Sony TRV-120 Digital 8 camcorder I use uploads thru firewire. It can either store the video in MPEG or AVI. I prefer AVI as it is the prefered format for Studio 9 which is the software I use. Studio 9 is a decently priced program that does some pretty impressive stuff and is pretty easy to learn. All my website videos are edited with it. I have sprung for some of the extra Hollywood FX plug-ins but the included effects are pretty neat.
Probably the most effects loaded video I have is:
[link=http://fubar1.net/movies/wireless/No%20Escape.wmv]No Escape[/link]
Unfortunately, the wireless system itself was going bye bye so the quality was a lot less than I usually have.
ORIGINAL: rajul
OK guys, I finally have some "budget" to get myself a decent video camera or recorder. My needs are mainly to capture videos that can be saved in wmv format and edit them, and of course still pics in jpg format. I need some inputs here to help me make a better decision:
1) Is it better to get a digital camera with video capability OR to get a digital video recorder with still pics capability ?
2) Can Sony cameras and recorders save videos in wmv ? I have an older Fuji finepix digital camera that only saves in avi video format.
3) What is a good and easy-to-use video editing software ? Is there any that can be downloaded free ? What are some "tricks" that can be done with the software ?
Thanks guys !