Beginner-friendly video editor for combining photos and clips with transitions, effects, credits, and simple exporting
Beginner-friendly video editor for combining photos and clips with transitions, effects, credits, and simple exporting
Vote (1,032 votes)
Program license Free
Developer Microsoft Corporation
Version 12
Works under Windows
Vote
(1,032 votes)
Developer
Microsoft Corporation
Works under
Windows
Program license
Free
Version
12
Pros
- Easy enough for anyone to use
- Features a number of transitions for use with photos and videos
- Lets you change the format
- Works with all the content on your computer
Cons
- Doesn't come with many advanced features
- Only works on older operating systems
Windows Movie Maker Vista is a version of the popular Movie Maker program designed by Windows for computers running Vista. If you have a Windows 7 or Vista operating system, this program comes already installed and as part of the Windows Live Essentials package. Computers running a newer version of Windows can download a copy separately.
This is a nice program for beginners and those who want to make some basic videos at home. It works with most formats of videos and photos and allows you to change the format you use before exporting videos. The program is very easy to use too and is suitable for both adults and kids.
You have the option of searching your computer to find the video that you want to edit, but you can also use Movie Maker to capture a new video. The Edit Movie option lets you select from different video effects to give your work a professional look. It comes loaded with a number of transition effects for transitioning between different videos or photos.
With this program, you can even add your own credits to the end or title credits at the beginning to let others know that you created the video on your own. Though you can use Movie Maker with just one video, you also have the option of editing together videos to make one longer piece.
If you aren't familiar with video editing, you'll love that this program comes with some video tips for beginnings. Those tips teach you how to save your work and how to share it with others. You'll also learn how to edit shorter videos together and how to capture new videos. This section also includes practical information on adding transitions and special effects as well as credits.
The options menu includes a feature that lets you add your name as the author to each video that you make, which is helpful when uploading content to the web because it stops others from taking credit for your hard work. You can also set an auto save feature and tell the program how often you want it to save your work. This prevents you from losing a video during a power failure or a computer crash. You can also tell the program to open your most recent project each time that you launch it.
Windows Movie Maker for Vista and similar operating systems is one of the top programs for beginners who want to edit videos. It doesn't come with all the advanced features and fancy settings that others do, but it will help you create great videos with effects, transitions and even credits.
Pros
- Easy enough for anyone to use
- Features a number of transitions for use with photos and videos
- Lets you change the format
- Works with all the content on your computer
Cons
- Doesn't come with many advanced features
- Only works on older operating systems
Pros
- Intuitive and Simple to Use
- You Can Export Files into Several Formats
- Can Work with the Videos and Images
- You Have A lot of Video and Transition Effects
Cons
- Advanced Users will Find the Simplicity to Be Limiting
Designed for Windows 7 and Windows Vista, Windows Movie Maker is included in the Windows Live Essentials. If you have a computer with the XP version, Windows Movie Maker can be automatically installed so that you will have it on your computer. The advantage of Windows Movie Maker is how this useful tool can both create movies and edit them all at once. Ever think that creating a video with photos will be too complicated? The advantage of Windows Movie Maker is how much easier the process becomes.
Introducing Windows Movie Maker
An easy-to-use movie making software that will let you customize your multimedia presentations, and it will not just include your best pictures, it can also be made to include your favorite video clips. In addition, you will also have some video and transition effects that add a great professional touch to the software. The biggest advantage of Windows Movie Maker is how simple it is to make use of, and you can import all the media that you want to use. This includes video files, images and videos that you captured in real time. With this system, you can add as many of the effects as you want, you can see how everything looks in the preview window, which saves you from wasting time.
With Windows Movie Maker, you will also have a special tool that lets you add both credits and titles to your movie. If you want your movies to have a more professional appearance, this can go a long way.
Additional Features of Windows Movie Maker
After you have finished your work, you can export your video into a few various formats. You should choose a format based on how you plan to use it. Some of the possible uses, for example, include recording it to a CD, publishing it on a website or saving it to the hard drive.
Intended to Help Beginning Film Makers
With all the positive stated, you have to understand that Windows Movie Maker is a software with the purpose of satisfying the people who have little to no movie-making experience. In other words, if you are a more advanced user, you might find this software too limiting for your taste. However, for a beginner, all those advanced features might be too confusing to figure out. Windows Movie Maker lets you create presentations with video clips, photos and transition effects. Windows Movie Maker for Windows Vista can be downloaded, and it will also work for Windows 7. However, the Windows XP users will have to download the Windows XP Service Pack 3 if they will successfully use this software.
All About Simplicity
This software was all intended for greater simplicity. You have almost no better way that you can combine digital movies with background music, titles, transitions and effects. In fact, in the past, the developers of Windows Movie Maker made it so simple that it could not do the basic things that people needed it for. As time progressed, things like voice-over recording and anti-shake were added to it. It has become a free app for digital video editing. Before anyone assumes that this software is perfect, it should be made clear that there are other entry-level video editors that have more effects and tools. For example, iMovie from Apple is great, and there are other video editors like CyberLink PowerDirector and Adobe Premiere Elements. If you just want Windows Movie Maker for meeting your basic movie requirements, this software should hit the mark.
Learning about the Interface
Windows Movie Maker for Vista has a striking similarity to iMovie's simplified version, and you have the standard video editor timeline. You will also have clips that are represented with, "long thumbnails." In the first frame, it is shown with full contrast, and the following thumbnails are faded. This draws similarities between that and iMovie. With the thumbnail, it will track the audio wave forms as an option closer to the bottom. As a result, you can see where the louder and quieter parts are at.
Similar to other video editors, Windows Movie Maker for Vista can be started and stopped using the playback button on the space bar. You will have access to three different control buttons, and you can play or pause or step back and forward your frame. One of the really nice things about working with Movie Maker is how the transitions, effects and themes will preview automatically when you put the cursor over the buttons. You can also undo and redo toward the top. Video editing becomes a highly trial-and-error process, but the history window will give you a simple application.
Easiest Way to Get Movie Clips into the Editor
One of the best ways for transferring your video clips over to Movie Maker involves clicking on the button that you will find in the main area of the timeline. You can also add photos and videos on your home tab, and every button will open the pictures library. You also have an import over from the device option, which you will find near the menu for files. Another nice feature of Windows Movie Maker is how you can apply your keyword tags as you need them, and you can save clips and images to your organized folders. With this new system, you can capture video using the webcam of your PC. Adding the first clip into Movie Maker, you will notice a clock icon that is over the entry for the timeline. Windows Movie Maker for Vista also has video fixes like you can adjust the lighting control under visual effects, and you have rotation, which lets you adjust your smartphone to face upright.
Pros
- Intuitive and Simple to Use
- You Can Export Files into Several Formats
- Can Work with the Videos and Images
- You Have A lot of Video and Transition Effects
Cons
- Advanced Users will Find the Simplicity to Be Limiting
