Never edited video before! Need something idiot proof...

[bowyorang]

I just rented one of the GoPro Hero2 cameras and I am taking it with us to Destin in a few days for my sons first dive in the Gulf. I am wanting to take video of the dive and then get stills from the video for pics. I would like to find a real simple, and preferably free program to do this with.
I have no experience with video editing and my photo editing is very limited. If it doesn't have an auto-fix button...I am pretty much over my head.
Any suggestions?

 

[ElliottM]

You don't say if you use a Windows PC or a Mac (I am assuming you don't use Linux). If you use Windows then I woul suggest the Windows Live Movie Maker from Microsoft. I think you will find it easy to use - and it is free.

 

[bowyorang]

Yes, sorry, thank you, I do use Windows 7. I'll check that one out.

 

[robint]

Have you used your GoPro yet? If not, get on your computer and go to the GoPro website, you get their program for editing which is very basic. Start with that. Go outside, shoot a couple of video clips of your dog, or something, then plug it into your computer and PRACTICE editing.

robin

 

[diversteve]

You don't say if you use a Windows PC or a Mac (I am assuming you don't use Linux). If you use Windows then I woul suggest the Windows Live Movie Maker from Microsoft. I think you will find it easy to use - and it is free.

Yes, sorry, thank you, I do use Windows 7. I'll check that one out.

I'm fairly certain Movie Maker will not import the H.264 files that the GoPro records. I know the previous version did not, I haven't used the Live version. You'll need to convert them using the program on the GoPro website. http://gopro.com/how-to-prepare-source-video-files-for-editing-windows-pc/

Can't you take stills with the GoPro along with video? They'll probably be cleaner than if you grab them from the video later.

 

[Bratface]

The GoPro is compatible with Mac and PC. The website offers plenty of information about video editing. I have one but have only used it for still photos. They now have a LCD back so that you can view your photos while shooting and also view them in the camera.

 

[sharksdelight]

MPEG Streamclip is free and very dependable and will transcode your GoPro files into any codec you might want. Keep in mind, that for underwater, the GoPro is strictly b-roll footage. Don't try to make an entire movie from it. It is not meant to be an A roll cam.

 

[bowyorang]

Thanks for the help everyone! Just took our last dive for the trip and my son had a blast!
I did download the Windows Movie Maker and it seems fine for now and does play the GoPro clips. I may play around with others to see which I like better.
Here is one of the pics from down here in Destin....

 

[Soakedlontra]

MPEG Streamclip is free and very dependable and will transcode your GoPro files into any codec you might want. Keep in mind, that for underwater, the GoPro is strictly b-roll footage. Don't try to make an entire movie from it. It is not meant to be an A roll cam.

What do you mean by "the GoPro is strictly b-roll footage"?

 

[yarik83]

Think of it this way. Go pro is to honda civic is what a $10,000 camera to a ferrari.

You need to know EXACTLY what the limits of your camera are. For example if you drift dive and film in 30 frames per second then most of your video will be a blur as you fly above the reef. If you film in 60 fps and do the same, your footage will be twice as good. Likewise 120 fps is 4 times as good. Additional features like auto or manual focus, curvature of the lens, proper use of color lens etc etc etc.

For a beginner camera go-pro is a good camera. The more you film and the more you edit, the better your video footage will get.

Just remember that to make video footage better you will need to stabilize your camera (most people do that by using trays/handles of sorts).
You will also need to develop a steady hand and not point camera all over the place or else your footage will be blurry.
Also remember that more is better. It is better to have 2 hours of video footage that you can edit rather than have 2 minutes for your entire dive... get home and THEN find out that your camera was out of focus or something of that sort.