Apple Graphic Design :: Get a Mac


	Get a Mac / Making Movies Email to Windows PC users touting one of the many benefits of owning a Mac. Created by: Apple Graphic Design

Home movies: PC vs. Mac. Hard vs. easy.

From:		Apple
Subject:		Home movies: PC vs. Mac. Hard vs. easy.
Date:		September 26, 2006
To:		Windows PC users

1. Connect your video capture device. (What's that? A video capture device is what some software companies call your camera.) Your video capture device doesn't magically communicate with your PC. You'll need a compatible cable, compatible video card, compatible display, compatible sound card, compatible pointing device (that's PC for mouse), and compatible memory. If you don't have compatible devices, add external ones and make sure you have compatible cables and connectors for them. Great. On to the next step.
2. Open your movie-making program. Your PC didn't come with a movie-making program? Visit your local technology store or purchase a movie-making program online. The good news is that there are about 1000 third-party movie-making programs to choose from. The bad news is that there are about 1000 third-party movie-making programs to choose from. Once you've installed the program of your choice, you'll want to follow these steps for most movie-making programs.
a) With the proper capture hardware ready, download your footage. To start downloading your footage, go to File and choose Capture. (Keep reading. Mac filmmakers are finished, but your PC movie-making experience still has a way to go. A long way.)

1.	Connect your camera.
2.	Open iMovie (included in every Mac) and watch your video import automatically.
3.	Drag clips, music, and photos into the timeline.
4.	Take a bow. Don't forget to thank the Academy.

Hollywood-style movies.
Another great reason to own a Mac.

b) Go to the Video Capture Device menu, choose Available Devices, and choose your camera type.
c) In the Enter a File Name for Your Video box, enter a file name for your video. Then, in the Choose a Place to Save Your Video box, choose a place to save your video. If you are unsure where to save it, click Browse, and browse through the hundreds of places you can save your video.
d) If at any moment you need help, use the Device Capture wizard, the Device Connection wizard, the Device Compatibility wizard, or the Device Requirement wizard. If you can't locate the wizard you need, refer to the Help wizard.
e) If you can't access the Help wizard, call tech support, cross your fingers, and hope you get someone who actually works at the company.
3. After your movie-making program has downloaded the footage and created video clips, you can finally start to make your movie. Is your computer running a little slow now? Did you remember to make room on your PC for this massive video project? Yes, of course you have to. You can always reinstall what you remove. Make sure your PC is equipped with a 600-megahertz processor, 128 megabytes of RAM, and 2 gigabytes of space on your hard drive. However, a 1.5-gigahertz processor, 256 megabytes of RAM, and 4 gigabytes of space on your hard drive is recommended. Why didn't we say that in the first place? Well, we like to give you options. Make sure your computer is up to par, and let's move on.
a) Arrange your video clips in the order you'd like them to appear.
b) To trim video clips, open the Clip menu, choose Trim, then click on your footage and edit away.
c) You want music in your movie? You'll have to import that using a different program. Refer to your program documentation.
d) Photos? Now you're pushing it.
e) Add all the effects (available in a separate program), titles, and credits (available in a separate program) you need to complete your movie. Now you're on your way.
4. In order to play the movie you've just created, you may need special software. Refer to your program documentation for ways to play and share your movie.
5. Take a bow. Wasn't that easy?

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