Digital Video for Dummies

Rating:
Summary: Really for dummies
Review: And I must be a dummy. I learned nothing from this book. It was too basic for me. However for a beginner it may be useful. I think it could have been written with the tieele Beginning Digital Video for dummies.

Rating:
Summary: The Bible for the Digital Videographer
Review: Digital Video for Dummies is really a Book for Smart People. This Book covers all the points any video producer needs to know about. You might be disappointed if you get offended if the actor does not use your favourite machines or brands as examples but he uses examples that proved to be a reference in the video business. This actor writes not only with knowledge on the topic but also with a strong feeling and well-defined opinions that sometimes might be controversial. Even if you do not agree with everything, the book is very complete, very organised, very clear and easy to understand. As a video producer going into the digital world, this book is exactly all I needed. I do not use the most recommended camera and card, but the examples where very helpful in my purchasing decisions. From creating you business to producing your videos this book covers all. To me this Book can be considered a Bible to the Digital Videographer.

Rating:
Summary: Does not measure up to other Dummies books
Review: I am a big fan of Dummies books and own 21 of them, but this one does not measure up. This book tries to cover too much ground and does not do any of it well. It is more a plug for Adobe software than a basic coverage of digital video. There are so much more reasonably priced hardware and software packages for capturing and editing digital video, than are covered by his brief examples. I would like to have seen more about digital video basics and less about trying to sell Adobe software.

I was shocked to see that someone of Mr. Doucettes background really did not understand the relationship of depth of field and focal length. He has it exactly opposite of reality on page 40 and the figure on page 41. Makes me wonder.

This book will leave you a "dummy".

Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good
Review: I am surprised this book didn't get better reviews. I found it very helpful. I am trying to learn more on the subject of DV and it was packed with important information on things like lighting and equipment. Things you wouldn't know unless you studied DV post production. I would definitely recommend this for the aspiring beginner videographer.

Rating:
Summary: Dummies book for intelligent peoples..
Review: I generally shy away from "Dummies" books because they are steep with inconsequential humor and sparse with actual practical content. This book proved me wrong. Completely new to the Digital Video world, this book spoke to my level and without insult or time wasted. I would recommend this book for newcomers to this growing field.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed Reader
Review: I purchased this book with high hopes based on my previous experience with the "dummies" series. Unfortunately, the author seemed to deliberately avoid helping Mac users, and concentrated too much on Adobe products. I am a beginner, with lots of VHS-C tapes that I want to digitize and clean up. I have had some early success with the XLR8 "Interview" digitizer, with Strata's Videoshop on my Mac G3, and wanted to learn more. When the author sticks with basics, it is fine, but when he concentrates on PCs to the neglect of Macs, and on Adobe's Premier to the neglect of others, he has lost me.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good
Review: I really meant to give this book a review earlier. If you are new to digital video, then this book is a great place to start. I think the people who have said they learned nothing from this book are either already well versed in the workings of digital video, or are being overly critical (perhaps a bit of both?). If you are wondering what the difference between DV and Betacam SP is, what all the hype is about NLE or how you can use programs like Photoshop and Illustrator to enhance digital video, its all in the book. However, its not a manual for every aspect of digital video. Instead, its an overview of digital video's potential, and will give you ideas to get you going in the right direction. The CD ROM that comes with the book is actually very good, but again, only if programs like Premiere and After Effects are new to you. The tutorials are fun and practical, and very easy to follow. Like any good book, this one will leave you asking even more questions than when you started, but you will be asking better, more specific questions!

Rating:
Summary: Great introduction to digital video...
Review: I really meant to give this book a review earlier. If you are new to digital video, then this book is a great place to start. I think the people who have said they learned nothing from this book are either already well versed in the workings of digital video, or are being overly critical (perhaps a bit of both?). If you are wondering what the difference between DV and Betacam SP is, what all the hype is about NLE or how you can use programs like Photoshop and Illustrator to enhance digital video, its all in the book. However, its not a manual for every aspect of digital video. Instead, its an overview of digital video's potential, and will give you ideas to get you going in the right direction. The CD ROM that comes with the book is actually very good, but again, only if programs like Premiere and After Effects are new to you. The tutorials are fun and practical, and very easy to follow. Like any good book, this one will leave you asking even more questions than when you started, but you will be asking better, more specific questions!

Rating:
Summary: Shooting VS Editing: A hit and a miss.
Review: I want to start by telling you that this is a good book. I am a computer professional but DV novice, I was looking for a fast-track book to DV. This book nailed it. Many things I needed to learn about lighting, camera function and composition are to be found in this book. The book speaks in general terms about all things pertaining to cameras and shooting. However, the book begins to fall short when it comes to editing. It is too focused on Adobe software that it shifts from conceptual knowledge to simplistic tutorials.

If you are looking for a gentle introduction to digital video concepts this book is for you. But, if you are looking for an education in digital editing I would look into some other book.

Rating:
Summary: waste of money
Review: i was amazed at how little content this book manages to squeeze over such a large space. if your idea of digital video is tips on how to film a wedding as one of the chapters, then this is for you. there is absolutely nothing in this book to reccomend it.