Digital Video for Dummies

Rating:
Summary: Really for dummies
Review: And I must be a dummy. I learned nothing from this book. It was too basic for me. However for a beginner it may be useful. I think it could have been written with the tieele Beginning Digital Video for dummies.

Rating:
Summary: The Bible for the Digital Videographer
Review: Digital Video for Dummies is really a Book for Smart People. This Book covers all the points any video producer needs to know about. You might be disappointed if you get offended if the actor does not use your favourite machines or brands as examples but he uses examples that proved to be a reference in the video business. This actor writes not only with knowledge on the topic but also with a strong feeling and well-defined opinions that sometimes might be controversial. Even if you do not agree with everything, the book is very complete, very organised, very clear and easy to understand. As a video producer going into the digital world, this book is exactly all I needed. I do not use the most recommended camera and card, but the examples where very helpful in my purchasing decisions. From creating you business to producing your videos this book covers all. To me this Book can be considered a Bible to the Digital Videographer.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good
Review: I really meant to give this book a review earlier. If you are new to digital video, then this book is a great place to start. I think the people who have said they learned nothing from this book are either already well versed in the workings of digital video, or are being overly critical (perhaps a bit of both?). If you are wondering what the difference between DV and Betacam SP is, what all the hype is about NLE or how you can use programs like Photoshop and Illustrator to enhance digital video, its all in the book. However, its not a manual for every aspect of digital video. Instead, its an overview of digital video's potential, and will give you ideas to get you going in the right direction. The CD ROM that comes with the book is actually very good, but again, only if programs like Premiere and After Effects are new to you. The tutorials are fun and practical, and very easy to follow. Like any good book, this one will leave you asking even more questions than when you started, but you will be asking better, more specific questions!

Rating:
Summary: Shooting VS Editing: A hit and a miss.
Review: I want to start by telling you that this is a good book. I am a computer professional but DV novice, I was looking for a fast-track book to DV. This book nailed it. Many things I needed to learn about lighting, camera function and composition are to be found in this book. The book speaks in general terms about all things pertaining to cameras and shooting. However, the book begins to fall short when it comes to editing. It is too focused on Adobe software that it shifts from conceptual knowledge to simplistic tutorials.

If you are looking for a gentle introduction to digital video concepts this book is for you. But, if you are looking for an education in digital editing I would look into some other book.

Rating:
Summary: Not just for dummies!
Review: i was amazed at how little content this book manages to squeeze over such a large space. if your idea of digital video is tips on how to film a wedding as one of the chapters, then this is for you. there is absolutely nothing in this book to reccomend it.

Rating:
Summary: A good start for beginners
Review: I'll keep this short: The first half of the book is great with tips for shooting and general techniques. The second half is all about three different editing programs on computers. Of course, the program I bought (Pinnacle Studio 8) wasn't covered. I would have prefered to have seen more on the shooting tips, and less on the programs. I'd buy another Dummies book all about the program if they made one for Pinnacle. Overall though, it was worth the price for the first half I suppose.

Rating:
Summary: Being a Dummy is not always a prerequisite...
Review: Kudos to Martin Doucette! I've been waiting for a recognizable personality to write a good beginner's book for Digital Video.

I always try to use the "...for Dummies" books in my classes because I think that they talk in plain English and lay a basic foundation for learning to take place. It's easy for the beginner to start at the beginning of the book and for the more advanced student to jump to what they need.

Digital Video for Dummies is no different. I'm using the book for the included software and its explanation of non-linear editing, but it is also a good refresher for my students on shooting and lighting.

Anyone that teaches digital video production should give this book a second look as a text. People who want to break into digital video production should use this as their bible.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent beginner's book
Review: Some people are turned off by the title "Digital Video for Dummies," but if you have ever used one of the "for Dummies" series, you will find that perhaps the title should be "Digital Video for People Who Don't Know Anything About It." That doesn't scan well on a book cover, though.

The book covers everything from equipment to technique. It is quite thorough, considering its size, barely over 300 pages. There is some truncated software included to get you started on digital editing.

Simple clear explanations of the differences between digital and analog video are included, as well as the different formats that exist and the relative merits of each.

You could definitely save money on your first purchases of equipment by getting this book before you decide what to buy.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent beginner's book
Review: Some people are turned off by the title "Digital Video for Dummies," but if you have ever used one of the "for Dummies" series, you will find that perhaps the title should be "Digital Video for People Who Don't Know Anything About It." That doesn't scan well on a book cover, though.

The book covers everything from equipment to technique. It is quite thorough, considering its size, barely over 300 pages. There is some truncated software included to get you started on digital editing.

Simple clear explanations of the differences between digital and analog video are included, as well as the different formats that exist and the relative merits of each.

You could definitely save money on your first purchases of equipment by getting this book before you decide what to buy.

Rating:
Summary: Good and Bad
Review: This book is divided into two main parts.
Part one is about cameras lightning and general hints and tips when filming with a camcorder. This part of the book is very good and informative.

Part two of the book is about digital video editing software. The software covered here is Adobe Premiere 5.0, Windows Movie Maker and iMovie. Also Adobe Photoshop is covered! The coverage are a bit too shallow on the software. The information given on Adobe Premiere is so general that maybe it should have been left out. I know this book is supposed to be a helping hand for novices, but this is not enough info!

The main problem with digital video software is tweaking and setting preferences. The rest is possible to learn by doing. I think the author could have focused more on spesific hardware, and ways to hook them up on the PC.

In addition there is some information on useful equipment, and a demo CD. Overall not a bad book to purchase, but I believe there is better books out there, even for us novices!