Windows Me

The first release was included with Windows Me in 2000. However it was not acquirable for Windows 2000, which was released in the same year as Me (2000). Version 1.1 was included in XP in 2001.

Windows 2000

While Windows 2000 does not come with Windows Motion picture Maker, it is still doable run the Windows Me version of Motion picture Maker on Windows 2000. If the Motion picture Maker program files are copied from Windows ME and transferred to Windows 2000, the application will run perfectly.

Windows XP

Version 1.1 was included in Windows XP a year later, and included support for creating DV AVI and WMV 8 files. Version 2.0 was released as a free update in November 2002, and added a number of new features. Version 2.1, a minor update, is included in Windows XP Service Pack 2. Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 introduced a new version of Windows Motion picture Maker, 2.5, with more transitions and support for dvd burning.

Windows Vista

A WPF version was included in some builds of Windows “Longhorn” (now Windows Vista), but was removed in the development reset.

Version 6.0 of Windows Motion picture Maker in Windows Vista includes new effects and transitions, and support for the DVR-MS file format that Windows Media Center records TV in. The HD version in Premium and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista adds support for capturing from HDV camcorders. The capture wizard will create DVR-MS type files from HDV tapes. However, the Windows Vista version of Windows Motion picture Maker no longer supports importing video from an analog video source such as an analog camcorder, VCR or from a webcam.

Some systems might not be healthy to run the new version of Windows Motion picture Maker. Therefore, Microsoft has also released an updated older version 2.6 for Windows Vista on the Microsoft Download Center. This version includes the old effects and transitions, and is basically the same as Windows Motion picture Maker 2.1, but without the capability to capture video. Installation requires Windows Vista and is only intended for use on personal where the hardware accelerated version can't be run.

Windows 7

In Windows 7, the latest iteration of Windows, Windows Motion picture Maker is no longer included in favor of its counterpart Windows Live Motion picture Maker, which is based on a different code base and has different functionalities. However, users have unofficially ported Windows Motion picture Maker from Windows Vista to Windows 7. This method works for all versions of Windows Motion picture Maker including the Windows Vista version if a computer’s hardware supports it. Windows Motion picture Maker 2.6 also works in Windows 7:

Layout

The layout consists of a storyboard view and a timeline view, collections for organizing imported video, and a preview pane. When in Storyboard view, the video project appears as a film strip showing apiece scene in clips. The storyboard/timeline consists of one ‘Video’ (with accompanying ‘Audio’ bar), one ‘Music/Audio’ bar, and one ‘Titles/Credits’ bar. In apiece bar, clips can be added for editing (e.g., a .WAV music file will belong on the ‘Music/Audio’ bar). Still images can also be imported into the timeline and “stretched” to any desired number of frames. The Video and Music/Audio bars can be “cut” to any number of short segments, which will play together seamlessly, but the individual segments are isolated editing-wise, so that for example, the music volume can be lowered for just a few seconds while someone is speaking.

Importing footage

When importing footage into the program, a individual can either select to Capture Video (from camera, scanner or other device) or Import into Collections to import existing video files into the user’s collections. The accepted formats for import are .WMV/.ASF, .MPG (MPEG-1), .AVI (DV-AVI), .WMA, .WAV, and .MP3. Additionally, the Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate editions of Motion picture Maker support importing MPEG-2 Program streams and DVR-MS formats. Importing of other container formats such as MP4/3GP, FLV and MOV, MIDI, AIFF, AAC and SWF are not supported even if the necessary DirectShow decoders are installed.

When importing from a DV tape, if the “Make Clips on Completion” option is selected, Windows motion picture Maker automatically flags the commencement of apiece scene, so that the tape appears on the editing screen as a collection of short clips, rather than one long recording. That is, at apiece point where the “Record” button was pressed, a new “clip” is generated. However, the actual recording on the hard drive is still one continuous file. This feature is also offered after importing files already on the hard drive. In the Windows Vista version, the “Make clips on completion” option has been removed the clips are now automatically created during the capture process.

The efficiency of the importing and editing process is heavily dependent on the amount of file fragmentation of the hard disk. The most reliable results can be obtained by adding an extra hard disk dedicated for scratch space, and regularly re-formatting/defragmenting it, rather than simply deleting the files at the end of the project. Fragmented AVI files result in jerky playback on the editing screen, and make the final rendering process much longer.

Although it is doable to import digital video from cameras through the USB interface, most older cameras only support USB version 1 and the results tend to be poor “sub VHS” quality. Newer cameras using USB 2.0 give much superior results. A FireWire interface camera will grant recording and playback of images same in calibre to the original recordings if the video is imported and subsequently saved as DV AVI files, even though this consumes disk space at about 1 gigabyte each five minutes (12GB/Hr). Alternatively, most DV cameras grant the final AVI file to be recorded back onto the camera tape for high calibre playback. Some standalone DVD recorders will also directly accept DV inputs from video cameras and computers.

Editing and output

After capture, any clip can be dragged and dropped anywhere on the timeline. Once on the timeline, clips can be duplicated or split, and any of the split sections deleted or copied using the standard Windows keyboard shortcuts or clicked and dragged to another position. Right-clicking any clip brings up the range of editing options. An AutoMovie feature offers predefined editing styles (titles, effects and transitions) for swiftly creating movies.

Like all non-linear editing systems, the original camera file on the hard drive is not altered in any way; the current project file is really just a list of instructions for re-recording a final output video file from the original file. Thus, several different versions of the same video can be simultaneously prefabricated from the original camera footage.

Windows Motion picture Maker can only export video in Windows Media formats or DV AVI. It includes some predefined profiles, however, users can create custom profiles which utilize newer codecs using Windows Media Profile Editor (part of Windows Media Encoder 9 Series) and copy those profiles to the %Program Files%Movie MakerSharedProfiles folder for them to be used in Windows Motion picture Maker. ‘In order for the custom profiles to show up, users must go to File > Publish Movie. Tasks > Publish Motion picture will not show any custom profiles.

Earlier versions of Windows Motion picture Maker did not support direct burning of dvd-Video to a disc. The project had to be first saved as an AVI file and then run through a separate authoring program, such as a basic authoring program included with a DVD drive, to produce and burn the dvd. The Windows XP Media Center Edition version bundled the Sonic DVD Burning engine, licensed from Sonic Solutions, to author and burn the DVD. The Windows Vista version of Windows motion picture Maker passes the video project to Windows DVD Maker.

Video can be exported back to the video camera if supported by the camera. Motion picture Maker also grants users to publish a completed video on video hosting websites.

Windows Motion picture Maker can also be used to edit and publish audio tracks. If no video or image is present, then it is doable to simply export the sound clips as a .wma file.

Effects and transitions

Versions 2.x included in Windows XP includes 60 transitions, 37 effects, 34 title and 9 credits animations. The Windows Vista version includes a different set of transitions, effects and title/credits animations while dropping a few older ones. There are in all 49 effects and 63 transitions. They are applied by using a drag and drop interface from the effects or transitions folders. Titles and credits can be added as stand alone titles or overlaying them on the clip by adding them onto the selected clip. Titles range from static (non-animated) titles to fly in, fading, news banner, or spinning newspaper animations. And, because of the flexible interface, programming custom effects and other content is doable for version 2.0 and higher using XML. The Windows Vista version supports Direct3D-based effects. Microsoft also provides SDK documentation for custom effects and transitions. Since the effects are XML based, users can create and add custom effects and transitions of their own with XML knowledge.

Reception and criticism

Movie Maker 1.0, introduced with Windows Me, was widely criticised for being “bare bones” and suffering “a woeful demand of features”; and saving movies only in Microsoft’s ASF file format. However, critical reception of versions 2.0 and 2.6 has been more positive.

In June 2008, a memo purportedly by Bill Gates from Jan 2003 was circulated on the World wide web in which he heavily criticized the downloading process for Motion picture Maker at the time. The memo was originally prefabricated acquirable online as part of the plaintiffs’ evidence in Comes vs. Microsoft, an antitrust class-action suit, and was submitted as evidence in that case on Jan 16, 2007.

Releases

2000

Windows Motion picture Maker 1.0 in Windows Me

2001

Windows Motion picture Maker 1.1 in Windows XP

2002

Windows motion picture Maker 2.0 for Windows XP

2004

Windows Motion picture Maker 2.1 in Windows XP SP2

2004

Windows motion picture Maker 2.5 in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

2006

Windows Motion picture Maker 2.6 for Windows Vista

2006

Windows Motion picture Maker 6.0 for Windows Vista

2007

Windows Motion picture Maker 5.1 for Windows XP SP3

See also

Comparison of video editing software

References

^ LiveSide.net: Getting ready for Windows Live Wave 3

^ Miss the Old Motion picture Maker? Get it Back on Windows 7: Channel 10

^ “Longhorn” Professional Build 4093

^ Windows Motion picture Maker no longer supports analog capture or webcam capture

^ http://www.betaarchive.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11125

^ Motion picture Maker file format support

^ File formats supported by Windows Motion picture Maker in Windows XP

^ Creating custom profiles for Windows Motion picture Maker 2

^ Windows Motion picture Maker Forums

^ Windows Motion picture Maker and Windows DVD Maker SDK

^ The 20 Worst Windows Features of All Time, computer World

^ a b Microsoft Windows Motion picture Maker HD review, TechRadar

^ Windows Millennium Edition, computer World

^ An epic Bill Gates e-mail rant, Seattle P-I

^ Bill Gates’ memo on criticized the downloading process for motion picture Maker

External links

Create digital home movies with Windows Motion picture Maker

Creating Custom Effects and Transitions MSDN Article (covers writing XML scripts)

Free training videos on using Windows Motion picture Maker by Microsoft MVP

Windows Motion picture Makers Forum

Windows Motion picture Maker 2.0 download

WMM Problem/Error Help

Edit DVD in Windows Motion picture Maker

FLV to Windows Motion picture Maker

Review of pic slideshow software

v  d  e

Microsoft Windows components

Core

Aero  AutoPlay  AutoRun  ClearType  Desktop Window Manager  DirectX  Explorer  Taskbar  Begin menu  Shell (Shell extensions  namespace  Special Folders  File associations)  Search (Saved search  IFilter)  Graphics Device Interface  Imaging Format  .NET Framework  Server Message Block   XML Paper Specification  Active Scripting (WSH  VBScript  JScript)  COM (OLE  OLE Automation  DCOM  ActiveX  ActiveX Document  COM Structured storage  Transaction Server)  Previous Versions  Win32 console

Management

tools

Backup and Restore Center   cmd.exe  Control Panel (Applets)  Device Manager  Disk Cleanup  Disk Defragmenter  Driver Verifier  Event Viewer  Management Console  Netsh  Problem Reports and Solutions  Sysprep  System Policy Editor  System Configuration  Task Manager  System File Checker  System Restore  WMI  Windows Installer  PowerShell  Windows Update  WAIK  WinSAT  Windows Simple Transfer

Applications

Calculator  Calendar  Character Map  Contacts  DVD Maker  Fax and Scan  World wide web Explorer  Journal  Mail  Magnifier  Media Center  Media Player  Meeting Space  Mobile Device Center  Mobility Center  motion picture Maker  Narrator  Notepad  Paint  Pic Gallery  Private Character Editor  Remote Assistance  Windows Desktop Gadgets  Snipping Tool  Sound Recorder  Speech Recognition  WordPad

Games

Chess Titans  FreeCell  Hearts  Hold ‘Em  InkBall  Mahjong Titans  Minesweeper  Pinball  Purble Place  Solitaire  Spider Solitaire  Tinker

Kernel

Ntoskrnl.exe  hal.dll  System Idle Process  Svchost.exe  Registry  Windows service  Service Control Manager  DLL  EXE  NTLDR / Boot Manager  Winlogon  Recovery Console  I/O  WinRE  WinPE  Kernel Patch Protection

Services

BITS  Task Scheduler  Wireless Zero Configuration  Shadow Copy  Error Reporting  Multimedia Class Scheduler  CLFS

File systems

NTFS (Hard link  Junction point  Mount Point  Reparse point  Symbolic link  TxF  EFS)  FAT32FAT16FAT12  exFAT  CDFS  UDF  DFS  IFS

Server

Domains  Active Directory  DNS  Group Policy  Roaming individual profiles  Folder redirection  Distributed Transaction Coordinator  MSMQ  Windows Media Services  Rights Management Services  IIS  Terminal Services  WSUS  Windows SharePoint Services  Network Access Protection  PWS  DFS Replication  Remote Differential Compression  Print Services for UNIX  Remote Installation Services  Windows Deployment Services  System Resource Manager  Hyper-V

Architecture

NT series architecture  Object Manager  Startup process (Vista/7)  I/O request packet  Kernel Transaction Manager  Logical Disk Manager  Security Accounts Manager  Windows File Protection / Windows Resource Protection  Windows library files  LSASS  CSRSS  SMSS  MinWin

Security

User Account Control  BitLocker  Defender  Data Execution Prevention  Security Essentials  Protected Media Path  Mandatory Integrity Control  User Interface Privilege Isolation  Windows Firewall  Security Center

Compatibility

Unix subsystem (Microsoft POSIX   Interix)  Virtual DOS organisation   command.com  Windows on Windows  WoW64  Windows XP Mode

v  d  e

Video editing software

Free software/Open source

Avidemux   Blender (VSE : Video Sequence Editor)   CineFX   Cinelerra   Kdenlive   Kino   LiVES   OpenShot Video Editor   Open Motion picture Editor   PiTiVi   VirtualDub   VirtualDubMod

Freeware

Pinnacle Videospin   VideoThang TM

Proprietary

Adobe Premiere/Premiere Pro   Adobe Premiere Elements   Avid Xpress Pro Studio HD   Avid Liquid   Avid Media Composer   Dayang Montage Extreme   Cinestream   Edius   Final Cut Express   Final Cut Pro/Studio   Free DV   CyberLink PowerDirector   FORscene   iMovie   MainActor   Media 100   Mpeg Video Wizard   Mpeg Video Wizard dvd   Pinnacle Studio MediaSuite   Pinnacle Studio   MoviePlus   Sony Vegas   Ulead MediaStudio Pro   Ulead VideoStudio Plus   VideoReDo Plus   Windows Motion picture Maker   MAGIX Motion picture Edit Pro

List   Category   Comparison

Categories: Video editing software | Microsoft Windows multimedia technology | Windows Me | Discontinued Windows components

No related posts.