How to Download Videos From a Camcorder & Edit With Music
Camcorders capture special moments and everyday events that you want preserved. However, the audio from camcorders is often garbled or the volume is either too loud or too soft--especially when you record with a camcorder that uses tapes instead of discs. So, how can the video be used when the audio is unclear? One answer is to add music.
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Things You'll Need
- Camcorder with USB port
- Computer
- USB cord
- Windows Movie Maker
- Music in WMA format
Instructions
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1
Connect your camcorder to your computer with a USB cord. When the camcorder is successfully connected to the computer, the "autoplay" dialog box will appear.
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2
Close the autoplay dialog box and open Windows Movie Maker.
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3
Go to "Capture Video."
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Click "Start Capture" to begin capturing the clip and "Stop Capture" to stop capturing the clip. While the clip is capturing, the elapsed time will appear and also the video will play while it is capturing. The captured clip will appear in the "Imported Media" folder.
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5
Drag the clip to the "Video" row in the timeline.
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Go to "Import audio or music." Navigate to the WMA music file on the computer.
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Drag the music file to the "Audio/Music" row in the timeline. Play the audio and video together to assess how well the audio complements the video.
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Tips & Warnings
If your camcorder uses tapes instead of discs or memory cards, there are software programs and equipment that can be used to download the video to the computer, such as Apple's Final Cut Studio (see Resources below).
When the music is downloaded, the audio track will be visible on the Audio/Music row. Right-click on the "Audio/Music" row to adjust the volume of the music, and use the "Fade Out" option to prevent abrupt music endings.
If the music was created by someone else, give the artist credit.
The audio track can be split in the same way that a video clip is split.
Do not rush through the editing process. Take frequent breaks to listen to the music and view the video with a renewed perspective.
