PC Magazine Guide to Digital Video

List Price: $29.99 Discount Price: $5.99

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Book! [Posted on 2004-08-12]
This book is a must-read for anyone trying to create DVDs from analog videotape! His chapters on cameras, capturing video, working with audio, choosing software, and creating DVDs are indispensable!

Worth the money even if not perfect [Posted on 2004-08-13]

My impressions of the book:

(1) It was better than I expected. A lot of beginner material but he does cover some key concepts. I agree that his tone is not too novice-targetted, nor is it too technical. He uses Microsoft Movie Maker 2, Pinnacle Studio 8 and Ulead VideoStudio 7 for most of his illustrations. Unfortunately, although the book came out this year, as is common with software, Pinnacle is up to Version 9 and Ulead up to version 8. He does cover other prosumer editors like Vegas, Liquid Edition, and Premier, but the book is primarily focused on users of consumer editors and equipment, not the professionals. That was Ok with me.
His advise on equipment and technique was interesting to read although, in my opinion, he did not spend enough time on accessories. This is not the best book for advice on accessories. Most of his time is spent on video editing software. As is also unfortunately common, he did not talk about set-top stand-alone DVD recorders, which some people use for archiving. I found his advise on "The Basics of Shooting" to be quite helpful.

(2) The book can be a bit wordy and he overuses the adjective "lovely" to describe software features, effects, pictures, etc. It sounds a little odd sometimes.

(3) For equipment and software, his focus on Sony camcorders sound unnecessarily. Similarly, he sometimes sound like a salesman for Pinnacle Studio. Now, I happen to like Sony camcorders (I am on my third) and Pinnacle Studio (warts and all) but I would have preferred more balanced descriptions. So, if you do not have Pinnacle or Ulead VideoStudio (both of which I have) you may feel a little put out.

Overall, a useful book. It could be better, but for $20.39 on Amazon, I think anyone relatively new to digital video would find the book helpful and worth the money.

Nice introduction, for a general audience [Posted on 2004-08-22]
This is a field that spans both hardware and software. Unlike, for example, Photoshop, which is a pure software construct. If you're going into digital video, the hardware issues alone can be daunting. Important things like choosing an internal analog capture card. Who are the main vendors? What are the salient features to compare? Ozer gives you these data.

In software, you have to pick some video editor. These run the gamut from the entry level Microsoft Movie Maker 2 to more powerful and expensive alternatives like Pinnacle Edition, Sonic Foundry Vegas or Adobe Premiere Pro.

Many other issues are shown in the book. Along with simple editing techniques. Enough to get you started. Ozer's writing style should be clear enough to many. And he gives you a lot of material to digest. Including various utility programs on the accompanying CD.

Gosh, what a great book  [Posted on 2007-02-11]
Having already struggled with a little bit of filming and editing, I found many of my prior frustrations described and clarified in this wonderful book.

Jan Ozer, the author, is blessed with an ability to explain technical concepts clearly. (Where was he when I was studying physics in high school?)

The chief virtues of this book are:
1) superb graphics -- of equipment, of software screenshots, and of Mr Ozer's beautiful models (his small daughters)
2) explanations written clearly and concisely, and with a fine dry wit, as if Mr Ozer were at your home talking us through the process.

At this writing (early 2007), this book may appear a bit dated. However, the concepts Mr Ozer explains so well will be with us for years to come. I can't imagine there's a better introduction to amateur video than this book.

A Practical Guide [Posted on 2007-03-31]
If you are wanting to learn about digital video, get this book. The book is written lightly and personably--as if you are sitting there talking to the author. The most valuable part of the book is the section on creating DVDs. The author takes you through every aspect of creating a professional DVD with a menu, background music, and advanced authoring.
The author also has provided information on video editing and shooting techniques. I love his approach and the layout of the book. The book is appropriately written for the audience it addresses (beginner to intermediate videographer).
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that the CD that is included only has trial versions of commercial software on it. I would have liked for him to discuss and provide some free software for video capture and editing. No disappointments though. This is a good book and has been quite valuable to me.

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