[Fireskull]

FRAPS free version is excellent. Limit of 30 second captures, but in any decent movie you seldom want any scenes/cuts of more than 4-6 second duration anyway. Multiple 30 second Fraps clips give you more than enough to work with.

Virtual DUB is totally free, full version. Superb editing/filtering application.

Latest version of Windows Movie maker is very good, with included and free add-on filters, special FX, etc.

These provide more than enough tools to make beginning level youtube videos.....and the sophisticated tools of the Expensive specialized Applications don't help videos/movies which violate basic cinematography and editing and screenplay techniques. imho.

Saipan and Doolittle81: It sounds as if you guys have experience getting smooth YouTube videos published which use Windows Movie Maker, yes?

If you would like to post a link to your videos that are smooth, then please post here with them.


I actually have the full version of FRAPS, Virtual Dub, and Movie Maker, so I should be good to go, at least to get started.


Would anyone like to post a step-by-step from start to finish on all the basics of using the free programs? Can you include any information that we need to know about using the YouTube system, sychronizing the video with sound-especially with Virtual Dub, and some little techniques for better effects?