updated 3/112/11

For producing video, you have to

(1) create the elements  (e.g., video clips, separate audio)

(2) import the elements into software

(3) edit the elements, which may including editing the video or still images separately from the audio, and then combining them

(4) export the product into the correct format and quality, depending on what you are going to do with it  (e.g., a small file for sharing online vs one for burning to DVD), and possibly

(5) burn to DVD, upload, etc.

Sometimes you have to combine different software to do different parts of this process.  E.g., with Mac software you’re likely to need iDVD to burn the product to DVDs.

Software

iMovie isn’t bad for editing video and combining soundtrack with video or still images.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 have Windows Live Movie Maker, which I haven’t used.

Final Cut Pro: probably the most used by professionals. $$$! Educational discounts.

Final Cut Express: seems to have the most-used parts of FCP.  $180 or so. No trial version. Slight educational discount.

Adobe Premiere Pro – good and expensive. When I last used it, it was similar to but not as intuitive as Final Cut Pro.

Camtasia: describes itself as screen recording and video editing software:  “Turn screen recordings into polished videos that train, teach, sell and more.” Haven’t used it but I think it’s supposed to be good.

Hardware

Newer dSLRs also do video. However —  important to know about dSLRs that also record HD video:

(1) they overheat and turn off! You generally have 15 minutes or so before that happens

(2) the sound is uniformly crappy, and there’s little you can do about it (other than record audio separately)

However, this is a rapidly-developing area so expect steady improvements and maybe some leaps in functionality.

Tutorials

http://vimeo.com/videoschool LOTS of tutorial videos!