Premiere® Elements 8 For Dummies®

Chapter 3. Introduction to Moviemaking

In This Chapter

• Mastering the basics of digital video and movie editing

• Comparing camcorder formats

• Understanding video codecs

• Shooting better video

High-def camcorders and Blu-Ray discs are the hot video technologies today, but home movies aren't exactly a new concept. Portable hand-cranked 16mm film cameras first appeared in the 1920s, and in 1932 Kodak introduced the 8mm film format. By the 1950s, 8mm film cameras had become downright affordable, and the milestones ticked by with every passing year. Home movie cameras sprouted zoom lenses in the late 1950s; in 1964, Kodak introduced the Super 8 format, with its easier-to-handle film cartridges; in 1973, a magnetic audio recording system was added to Super 8 cartridges.

Despite many advances, film-based movie cameras still had important disadvantages. The film had to be developed before it could be viewed, and watching movies required special movie projectors and a projection screen (or a big blank wall). In 1976, JVC introduced the VHS videotape format, and by the 1980s most home movie enthusiasts had replaced their antiquated film cameras with video camcorders. Digital video camcorders appeared in the 1990s, and the rest, as they say, is history.

While movie camera technology has evolved steadily over the last 85 years or so, home movie editing is still a relatively new concept. Sure, you could always "edit" your old film movies by cutting and splicing the film with a razor blade and cellophane ...