by
Tina VelgosiMovie: The Missing Manual
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A guest review by The REVIEW ZONE's webmaster, written by David Pogue ISBN: 1-56592-859-8 |
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The subtitle of David Pogue's iMovie: The Missing Manual reads: "The book that should have been in the box".
But before you fault Apple Computers for just such an omission, consider this:
While those of us missing that virtuous delayed-gratification gene lust for the newest rev of the latest killer app or toy, talented technology writers like Pogue have joined in an elegant symbiosis with the manufacturers.
Here's how it works: Instead of software and hardware makers wasting time and money on bad documentation (you know the kind I mean), they provide previews of their wares to the gaggle of starving writers who are pounding the keys in a frenzy to have the first "How to" on the bookstore shelves. Ideally, we get our toys a little quicker, we can read something actually meant to be read, and one less writer goes to bed hungry.
Granted, it doesn't always work that well, but in this case, Pogue deserves a dinner on us for his efforts.
iMovie: The Missing Manual is actually not so much a manual as a junior college degree in television production--and all for $19.95 (this missing manual also features a "missing CD-ROM", saving us $5 by providing additional files on his web site instead of the typically included CD).
Emulating the style of publishing partner O'Reilly and Associates, this Pogue Press volume has packed every page with useful information. For 80 pages before we even think of loading video into a computer, Pogue and his friends share a wealth of information ranging from important features to look for in a camcorder, to valuable tips for getting that professional look when taping a special event (I was tickled by the list of things to shoot - and not to shoot - when asked to videotape a wedding!).
Part two of the book covers every - and I mean every - detail of using iMovie to digitally edit video, whether it's from a digital camcorder (the ideal), an analog camcorder, VCR or live video source. There's also a great amount of detail on audio editing, including what you can and can't (but actually can) do with the documented (and, till now, undocumented) iMovie functions.
For those users whose basic DV iMac has only 64MB of RAM, Pogue thoughtfully includes a list of the minimum Control Panels and Extensions necessary for iMovie, and instructions for using the Extensions Manager to reduce System memory, allowing more RAM for editing video. Very helpful!
The third section of iMovie: The Missing Manual is called "Finding Your Audience", which actually describes how to format the results of your editing effort for optimal presentation as an e-mail attachment, on a web site, a CD movie or back to videotape. This section includes an excellent overview of QuickTime and several higher-end editing applications that you, too can lust for.
The book ends with two appendixes: iMovie Menu by Menu (which explains, not surprisingly, each and every menu) and Troubleshooting iMovie, which explains (you guessed it) each and every error message you may get. But wait, there's more - at the end of this second appendix is the secret preferences document that Apple didn't want you to find. But you can find it, and even change it if you want. What power!
And as a perfectly thorough ending to this wonderfully thorough book, it concludes with a very thorough index which we found very helpful when referencing those particular nuggets of editing wisdom.
All in all, a wonderful book and highly recommended by The REVIEW ZONE.
See our companion review - "Editing Video on an iMac DV".