How to get started.....

Ok....I really want to try my hand at making vids in SL....but I have no idea what I need or where to begin.

I run on windowsXP.... Dell XPS410 lots of memory....nVidia card that's been fantastic with SL and my internet connect is high speed cable...so....I'm assuming I 'can' do the video thing...I just need some direction on what tools/software I'll need. If you guys would be so kind.

Here are the six steps that will get you started:
http://www.thinkerer.org/Studios/StuCamEd.htm

There is also a FAQ page that will answer some questions that yo uwill have. If you need more help, IM me inworld.

Thinkerer Melville

As you are using Windows, the choices for video/screen capture programmes are perhaps greater than for most platforms.

Personally I prefer HyperCam over Fraps. It allows me to draw on the screen the capture window and move it dynamically, Fraps limits you to full or half screen in landscape format only. Using this feature, I can capture only what I need in whatever format (Portrait, square or landscape) and at any size upto and including full screen/window.

Having a seperate HD on its own controller is a good feature, for capturing, keeping it seperate from the OS and Programmes. We use eSATA II controllers (the 'e' standing for Hot swappable) allowing us to insert new HD's into the raid array, using the removed ones as archives, which is cheaper and less time consuming than backing up onto Dual Layer DVD's. You can acheive the same thing using a IDE controller, having your OS and Programmes on one IDE controller and your storage HD's on the secondary. Try using fast HD's (10,000 rpm) and 16mb cache. This will reduce the potential bottle necks capturing hi-resolution data.

The Editing/Rendering programme is a matter of personal choice. I prefer Sony Vegas as it suits my workflow. There is a prolifercation of programmes out there, try playing with free trail versions. A true editing programme, will allow you to edit on a timeline, let you use Ken Burn techniques (pan/crop/zoom to a timeline), apply masks etc. Some of the cheaper programmes only let you apply transitions and basic predefined masks.