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[CoriDavis]

So I have my new computer now, only the 7 version of WMM is impossible to use. I can't even see what I'm doing!  I know I can download an older version, but I kind of want something better.  I downloaded this thing called "Wax" because it looked like it would be what I wanted, but it only works with AVI files and I REALLY don't want to go through and convert everything!

I need good, free, high-rating software. Suggestions?

[TheBlackHole]

I use WMM2.6. There's plenty of addon effects and titles here: http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/Forums/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=28
Although 2.6 is designed for Vista, only XP effects and transitions will work.

[davdud101]

I use WMM6, it's perfect. But I also use/have used VideoSpin, another free editor by Pinnacle. Works in about the same way as a combo of Live and 2.6/6, but a tad bit better. Give it a try!

[CoriDavis]

I'll take a look at them. What I want though is something that can add more layers to a video, and can do Greenscreen effects.  I'll keep looking around to see what I can find and keep watching for recommendations.

[siragin]

I don't know of a good free one anymore but a good cheap one is Sony vegas studio and Ulead media studio. Both intro packages start around 50 to 80 bucks. Buy ultras has more effects and can add 10 layers and don't can only do 4 but Sony is easier.

[ENSONIQ5]

The thing to look for in any video editor is the ability to handle multiple video tracks.  Most of the cheaper systems can only handle a single video channel, they might have a hundred tricky transition effects (most of which are just distracting and you will never use) but without multi-tracked (non-linear) video you can't effectively green-screen, overlay, inset etc.  I use Magix Movie Edit Pro which is a reasonable functionality/cost compromise, it can render to HD, has professional-level control over compression methods, but there is some room for improvement in some aspects (particularly screen format control which is temperamental at best).

As in all things, you get what you pay for, so I would recommend you get the best multi-track video editing software you can afford.  This Wiki article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_video_editing_software attempts to compare the most popular non-linear video editors, which you might find useful.

[CoriDavis]

Yeah... the problem is, I can't afford anything.  I have money on a game account from commissions and things, but I would need to get a paypal account to use it in anything other than the game, and I have to wait until I'm 18 which is about another year.  So I can't really buy anything.

That Wax program could make multiple tracks, but like I said, it only takes AVI files

[Raxx]

Never used it, but you could try http://fixounet.free.fr/avidemux/

Don't know if it allows multiple tracks or not though.

There is also avisynth: http://avisynth.org/mediawiki/Main_Page but it's almost entirely script based, which may be too much of a headache to deal with.

http://www.freemake.com/ Freemake video converter makes file conversion relatively painless

[captaindrewi]

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-video-editor.htm
pinnacle video spin[some codecs disappear after 15 days but as long as you use it uncompressed still works]

[CoriDavis]

OMG thanks Raxx! that video converter was just what I needed! Everything I found online was either to buy, or a free trial that would only convert so much percent of the video for free.  Now I can try it out!

[Raxx]

Glad to be of service. I was pretty surprised by its functionality when I first tried it out, I'd recommend it to anyone who works regularly with video files.

[CoriDavis]

Yeah, but after working with it, I discovered that it can't click through the individual frames like WMM can, which makes timing impossible!  Unless I haven't figured it out yet. I've been playing around with the settings with no luck

[Raxx]

Are we still talking about the Freemake converter? After you right-click a clip that you loaded into the converter, go to edit, you can splice it however you want by cutting out the stuff you don't need. The left and right arrow keys on your keyboard move the selection frame-by-frame if you need exact navigation.

[CoriDavis]

No, I was talking about Wax.

I actually just downloaded Videospin that davdud mentioned. It is pretty much just like WMM, but I'm definitely keeping Wax for that particle effect it has. That will be useful someday.

[TheRetroZombie]

Since Wax 2.0 only works with AVI files as you said you can always convert your video files to a AVI using Format Factory which is free or you can put on your pirate hat and get Sony Vegas or After Effects.