Movie Maker - Downloading Video to your Computer

What you Need to Get Started Capturing Video to Movie Maker

Computer and accessories

Most modern computers are powerful enough for video editing. The following lists computer requirements and recommendations for using Movie Maker.

If one or more of your computer components does not meet the requirements, consider upgrading it:

• Windows XP and Movie Maker. Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) includes Movie Maker 2.1. To download and install SP2, visit Microsoft Update.
• i.Link/FireWire/IEEE 1394. The easiest way to connect your camera to your computer is with an i.Link (also known as FireWire or IEEE 1394) cable. If you don't have a FireWire port on your computer, you (or a professional at an electronics store) can install an i.Link adapter. Your digital video camera kit will include the proper cable. i.Link connection
• Memory. Having 512 MB or more of memory will greatly improve how Movie Maker performs. Memory is inexpensive and relatively easy to upgrade, so adding memory should be your first consideration if you want to improve the performance of video editing on your computer.
• Processor. Any processor manufactured in the last three years will provide great performance with Movie Maker. Older processors will work too, but the video-editing process will take a bit longer.
• Monitor. Any monitor will suffice for using Movie Maker. If you do a lot of video editing, a 19-inch or larger monitor can make the editing process easier by allowing you to fit more tools and clips on the screen.
• Hard disk. Have at least 2 GB of free disk space before editing videos with Movie Maker. The more videos you save to your computer, the more space you will need. If you begin to run out of free disk space, you can easily add an external USB hard disk drive. If you are buying a new computer for video editing, buy a larger hard disk drive to provide room for your home movies.
• DVD burner with writeable DVD media. If hard disk space is limited, you can also move your digital video files to writeable DVDs.
• Headphones. Consider using headphones during video editing. With headphones, you can hear subtle sounds more clearly than you can through speakers. 1

Connecting your Camera to your Computer

For a full accounting of how to connect your video camera to your Windows computer visit the Microsoft website at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/getstarted/camera.mspx

Download video from your camera to your computer

Published: August 8, 2006 and taken directly from http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/getstarted/DLmovies.mspx

The first step toward creating great home movies is to download your video from your camera to your computer. Once you download your video, you can edit it into an exciting movie that you can share with friends across the Internet or watch on your TV. Depending on your camera and connection, there are several different ways to download video from your camera to your PC:

• i.Link cable (also known as FireWire or IEEE 1394) connection
• USB cable connection and video footage on a tape
• Video footage on a hard disk or memory card

How to download video using an i.Link/FireWire/IEEE 1394 connection

An i.Link/Firewire cable is the quickest and easiest way to download your video to your computer.

1. Connect your digital video camera to your computer using an i.Link cable.
2. Turn your camera on, and set it to playback mode. When prompted, click Capture Video using Windows Movie Maker. Then click OK.
   
   
3. Microsoft Windows Movie Maker starts the Video Capture Wizard. On the Capture Video File page, type a name for your video. Then click Next.
   
4. On the Video Setting page, accept the default settings by clicking Next.
   
   
   
5. On the Capture Method page, click Next. It's easiest to capture the entire tape at once; if sections remain that you don't need, you can delete them later.
   
   
6. The Video Capture Wizard rewinds your tape and then begins capturing it. While the tape is being captured, you'll see it playing in the Preview window and you'll be able to hear the audio through your speakers. After the tape is captured (this usually takes about an hour), the wizard will stop automatically. It always scans the entire tape, even if you have just recorded a few minutes of video.
   
   If you reach the end of your recording before it reaches the end of your tape, click the Stop Capture button, and then click Yes. Movie Maker automatically breaks your movie into clips and adds the clips to a video collection with the name you provided. Now you're ready to edit your movie.
   
   

How to download video using a USB or analog connection

Though a USB cable or analog video connection is not as easy to use as an i.Link connection, you can still download video to your computer by manually rewinding your camera, pressing the play button, and then starting the capture.

1. Connect your digital video camera to your computer using a USB cable or analog video connection.
2. Start Movie Maker by clicking Start, pointing to All Programs, and then clicking Windows Movie Maker.
3. In the Movie Tasks pane, under Capture Video, click Capture from video device.
   
   
4. Movie Maker starts the Video Capture Wizard. On the Video Capture Device page, click your camera. Then click Next.
5. On the Capture Video File page, type a name for your video. Then click Next.
6. On the Video Setting page, accept the default settings by clicking Next.
   
   
7. On the Capture Video page, use your video camera to rewind or fast-forward to about five seconds before the start of the clip that you want to download. Then press the play button on your video camera, and immediately click the Start Capture button in the Video Capture Wizard. It's okay if you start capturing too early, because you can trim the beginning of the clip later.
   
   
   
   
8. Click Stop Capture at the end of your clip. It's also okay to capture the entire tape at once, because you can break it into shorter clips later.
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 to capture other clips. When you're done, click Finish. Movie Maker automatically breaks your movie into clips and adds the clips to a video collection with the name you provided.