I thought I would mention to folks an experience I had recently with my computer.
I went to the local pool hall and shot some instructional pool video footage so I could make some clips to put on my websites. Things went pretty well and I did some segments on choosing a cue stick, how to do bridges, how to rack the balls, etc.
My video camera comes with a USB cable to hook it up to the computer. Since Movie Maker software comes with Windows XP, I figured I would use it to make up the individual video clips. I hooked the camera up and used Movie Maker to download the raw video.
When I went to play back the video, the audio would begin immediately, but the video portion would start about 15 seconds later. Needless to say the voice didn’t sync up with the picture of me flapping my mouth! Nothing I did would make the two elements play in sync.
As is the case in my job as a computer tech, when all else fails go to Google and do a search right? I happened to come upon a Windows Movie Maker forum and posted a question as to why I couldn’t get my clips to play right. Some nice gentleman responded back that Movie Maker wants to work with video that is captured with Firewire and not USB. Oh.
I searched again and found the following Firewire card at SewellDirect.com – http://sewelldirect.com/FireWirePCICardwithUlead.asp It includes the card, the cable to hook it up to my video camera, and some video editing software, all for $21 and change. I ordered it and it came to my door in about 3 days. I popped it in the computer, rebooted, and Windows came right up and installed the card effortlessly.
I hooked up the cable and downloaded the video footage again and BINGO!, my mouth goes with my words. Much better. Now I am able to edit the clips and will soon have them on YouTube and on my Pool For Beginners and Pool and Pocket Billiards Resource sites. I haven’t even tried the editing software yet since Movie Maker is doing what I need to do.
The main reason I mention this is to save people some money if they ever run into this situation. When I went to my local Staples to buy a Firewire card they wanted $60 for just the card and $30 for the cable! Instead of $90 I ended up paying $27 with shipping. Quite a difference.
