Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

Written by: PapaJohn • Edited by: Rhonda Callow
Updated Mar 30, 2011 • Related Guides: Windows 7 | Movie Maker | Windows Live

Windows Movie Maker has been in every version of Windows since Me... XP and Vista... but it's not in Windows 7. What does that mean to the community of Movie Maker users? They can download and install Window Live Movie Maker and MM2.6, add Photo Story 3, and continue making movies.

Installing Windows 7

The next version of Windows beyond Vista is Windows 7. The first beta version released to the public was in January 2009. A number of updates, along with the final release, were made after that. Windows 7 was formally released on October 22, 2009 - I and many others hosted release parties.

My installations went well. The first thing I did was confirm what I'd read about Windows Movie Maker not being included. Yup, it's not. Other than having Windows DVD Maker, it's a clean slate with regards to making movies.

The final Windows 7 release introduced two new issues for me:

1. The driver for the TV Tuner on my 5 year old HP desktop isn't Windows 7 compatible so I can't watch or record TV with it. The driver had worked fine with each of the beta releases but was turned off by the final.

2. Similarly, Photo Story 3 (PS3) had installed and worked on each beta release, but wouldn't install on the final... Microsoft resolved the PS3 issue but I'm still waiting for a Windows 7 compatible TV tuner driver.

I had also read that Windows 7 automatically provides enhanced choices when you plug in a device. I was curious to see my choices when I connect my Sony Mini-DV camcorder (TRV80 model) with a FireWire cable and turn it on in VCR mode. It was recognized, a driver was automatically installed, but no options were presented, not even one to import video clips from the camcorder. There wasn't any software to do anything with the camcorder.

It's an operating system with little to nothing on it for doing video work ... where do we go from here?

Adding Movie Maker

Microsoft recommends the free download of the latest Windows Live Suite, which includes Windows Live Movie Maker (WLMM) for Vista and Windows 7 (XP doesn't support WLMM). That gets you the newest version, but one considerably slimmed down in features from MM2.1 in XP or MM6 in Vista. It's good for quickly and easily making a video and uploading to YouTube, but not for anything close to the kinds of serious editing you can do with classic versions of Movie Maker.

Experienced users will want to continue with what they've become accustomed to. It turns out the special Vista edition MM2.6 downloads, installs and works fine on Windows 7. It was produced by Microsoft to help those who were having problems with the version 6.0 in Vista. Although stripped of many features, it's pretty much aligned with the familiar MM2.1 of Windows XP. MM2.6 is the only classic version of Movie Maker that's a stand-alone download from Microsoft and an easy installation ... get it at:

Movie Maker 2.6

MM2.6 has the features to fully edit and produce a video, but it doesn't have the importing feature of MM2.1. For that, you can use the import wizard in the Windows Live Suite. MM2.6 works well with the Pixelan Spice FX6 packages of extras and Wizards, and you can setup other custom effects and transitions to work with it.

I've copied MM1 and MM2.1 from my XP system and MM6 from my Vista system, registered the DLLs and they are working well. But I haven't yet added many of the thousands of extra 3rd party special effects and transitions that are on my XP and Vista computers.

It turns out installing MM2.6 also resolved some Issues I experienced with MM2.1 in Windows 7. It's not surprising as they are very similar with one made for XP and the other for Vista. The Windows 7 system is closer to Vista.

Importing Video

In addition to the newest version of Movie Maker, the Windows Live Suite includes a video import wizard that works with a mini-DV or digital8 camcorder connected by FireWire. MM1 and MM2.1 in Windows 7 also capture video from my mini-DV camcorder, when connected by FireWire.

Imported video clips can be browsed in the folders of the Windows Live Photo Gallery or imported into the collections of the classic versions of Movie Maker.

Starting with no version of Movie Maker in Windows 7, I'm now running with five of them.

Making Video Clips from Still Pix

Photo Story 3 is a favorite of many when it comes to making those neat Ken Burns style video clips from high quality still pictures. First developed for XP, the app downloaded, installed and ran fine on the beta releases of Windows 7. Clips produced could be used in Windows Live Movie Maker or classic Movie Maker projects. But, as I noted above, the final Windows 7 release had somehow turned off the ability to install or use PS3 on many computers.

Microsoft tweaked the compatibility checks that stopped PS3 and it now downloads and runs fine on Windows 7.

The Bottom Line

Movie Maker has been and still is a favorite video editing app for those learning about digital video editing. For advanced prosumers and professionals, other software is usually used instead of, or with, Movie Maker.

My overall experience with Windows 7 is positive. I have it on two 32-bit computers (a laptop and a desktop) and a new 64-bit desktop. I'm enjoying the added complexities to make movies in the Windows 7 environment.

Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

Starting with a clean slate, an operating system with no version of Windows Movie Maker included, I have 5 versions installed and running. This series explores how Movie Maker works in this operating system.

1. Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7
2. 5 Versions of Windows Movie Maker Running On Windows 7
3. Windows 7 - Record-Capture-Import Camcorder Video
4. Windows 7 - Editing with XP's Movie Maker 2.1... but in Windows 7

Comments

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PapaJohn Jan 25, 2012 6:08 AM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

Capturing from camcorders is often a trial and error process.... and over the years those connected by USB have worked less and less with Movie Maker. The path to get them into your projects might be to use the software that came with the camera and do file conversions as needed to get them into Movie Maker.

Dccachaca51hotmail Co Uk Jan 17, 2012 9:51 PM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

I also experienced this problem...acording to Microsoft later versions of Windows XP & Windows 7 are not compatible with the file extension .wmv

Dcchaca51 Jan 17, 2012 9:46 PM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

I used to have Windows XP v6 which was good for Movie Maker with both my Fuji & Samsung cameras. When I updated to v10, my Samsung camera Intelli-design programme would not work. I have gone back to Vista which I reckon is the best for Movie -Maker..It´s clear and simple, however my Samsung camera is still not recognized even tho´ there is no problem with my Fuji camera any ideas would be of use as my Samsung is my main camcorder. Thanks David

kottonkandy84 Nov 23, 2011 11:42 PM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

Thank-you so much, this really helped me out!

PapaJohn Nov 7, 2011 1:13 AM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

Hmmmmm.... maybe I'm the only one who likes WLMM. I'm writing an e-book about it... online and open for the reading as I put it together. The link is... http://www.papajohn.org/WLMM.h...<br><br>Thanks for the comment..

Chriscp Nov 6, 2011 7:08 PM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

I love these MM articles and comments. Been helping my father set up 2.6 on his Windows 7 laptop and couldn't remember how to shut off the automatic clip creation. Googled it and ended up here, just like I did way back when I went looking for a better MM to run on my Windows 7 laptop. Is there *anyone* who actually likes WLMM? Who at Microsoft thought that neutered thing was a good idea?

Guestuser21 Oct 28, 2011 3:05 AM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

simple but very informative... good job!

Slntbtddly Sep 12, 2011 4:05 PM

Win7

yep, the Final Version of Win7 seems annoying than its Beta Release...

PapaJohn Sep 10, 2011 1:58 AM

Hi Sonya...

thanks for your comment

Sonya Sep 9, 2011 7:02 PM

Thank you!

Just wanted to say thank you very much for the information!
Blessings

PapaJohn Aug 26, 2011 12:44 AM

Hi Peter...

The usual way to resolve audio issues with Microsoft's DV codec is by using WMA and WMV files. You could put the DV-AVI file on the audio track of MM2.6 and save it as an an audio wma file and then use it with the visual of the DV-AVI file.... if that's worth your efforts instead of just saving to WMV.

I don't have any references that explain why the DV codec runs into such issues.

Peter Aug 25, 2011 11:10 PM

win 7 64 bit and Movie Maker 2.6 - clicking sounds

I use WLMM to import from Sony Video Cam via firewire and no problem. The problems start when saving the now edited movie version (using Windows Movie Maker 2.6) as an avi file. When playing it back using Windows Media Player (or any other player), I get intermittent clicking sounds. However, when saving the same edited movie as a wmv file, there is no clicking. Any suggestions?

In the past, before getting the new PC with Win 7 64, I used Win XP's Movie Maker (dont recall which version - presume MS updated it automatically to the latest when I used their normal update website) and had no issues whatsoever. Same process, uploading via firewire, editing in Movie Maker and no problem.

Would appreciate any suggestions. Have searched the web but no solutions yet.

SC Aug 21, 2011 3:34 PM

xp vs Wins7

I totally agreed with you XP is better than Wins7. After I upgraded to Wins7, found out my video card was not compatible, too old. Microsoft only cares about more money for people to upgrade, they do not care about people who are not very technical, then find out many things are not working as good as before. I wish I had not upgraded. Very frustrating.

Bill Aug 20, 2011 2:34 PM

win7

xp was better than win 7

PapaJohn Aug 4, 2011 2:24 PM

Hi SiuSiu

I guess you'll just have to keep fishing.... as it 'should work'... try the camera and card with different computers, try another card that's formatted by the camera... use different USB cables.... until you find what works.

I recently ran into a 3 week string of occasional error messages with a 16GB thumb drive telling me I needed to reformat it, but it would work OK after the message. Finally, to get rid of the messages I purchased an identical new thumb drive and haven't had an error message since.

Siu Siu Aug 4, 2011 10:20 AM

Thank you to PapaJohn

Thank you for your response.
My camera is using a 8GB HCSD card, it came with the camera. I did try to use a card reader as well, it does not work neither.
According to the manual, the camera should be Winds 7 compatible. Someone suggests that I might have to re-format the card to SD in order to use with Winds 7.

PapaJohn Aug 3, 2011 1:15 PM

Hi SiuSiu

About your Casio EX-Z2300 camera... I downloaded the manual for the camera and see that it uses standard flash memory cards. If the camera to computer USB connection doesn't work, try the memory card with a memory card reader.... many computers have memory card slots built into them.

An upgrade from XP to Windows 7 gets you a pretty clean slate and you might need software installed to use pictures and video clips.... if you haven't downloaded and installed the Windows Live Essentials suite, you should do it to get the capture wizard and Photo Gallery... and Windows Live Movie Maker.

http://explore.live.com/windows-live-essentials?os=other

Keep fishing... it should work somehow.

SiuSiu Aug 2, 2011 11:43 AM

Casio EX-Z2300 digital camera

I recently upgraded to Winds 7. I wanted to upload photos from my camera to PC, nothing works. This camera does not required any software according to the manual. It keeps on showing: check connections. I don't understand what it means. It used to work when I used Windows XP. Please help.

PapaJohn Jul 22, 2011 2:52 AM

About the video to YouTube

The WLMP file is a project file, not a video. Only Windows Live Movie Maker can use it. With it open in WLMM use the Publish movie or Save movie option. The Publish one includes a plug-in for a fairly direct upload to You Tube. The save movie option would make one on your hard drive, which you can then upload to YouTube using its website.

PapaJohn Jul 21, 2011 3:32 AM

Anonymous

Your situation is usually due to the files you're using to make the moive no be sufficiently compatible with Movie Maker. Converting to other file types would be the usual work-around.

But you might have other reasons also.... it's best to post to the forums at www.windowsmoviemakers.net --- being sure to include which versions of Windows and Movie Maker you're using, and the type/source of your input files.

creativesarah Jul 20, 2011 4:41 PM

cant upload onto you tube

Hi I just made a movie which it says is in wlmp format how can i get it onto youtube it says it doesnt accept this format?

kmf Jul 15, 2011 8:59 AM

can't get it to publish

I have made the video i want, yet whenever i go to publish or save it, it does nothing. it will sit with the screen saying it is saving but will never move past 0%, even after half an hour.
i have tried to just save to the comp, to upload directly to youtube, i am logged in for everything
what am i doing wrong?

PapaJohn Jul 6, 2011 9:30 PM

Hi Anonymous

Assuming it's the Live Essentials suite you're installing (with Windows Live Movie Maker included), use the forums at

http://windowslivehelp.com/forums.aspx?productid=5

for help with installation issues..

satya Jul 6, 2011 3:05 AM

windows movie maker

i am not able to instal the windows movie maker my system details windows 7 home premiun sony. after downloading the file when i click the run a problem is comming saying that check the internet conection

PapaJohn Jun 26, 2011 6:20 PM

thanks for the note....

I do the same, wait for some confirmation before trying something new.

lookman Jun 26, 2011 5:20 AM

Thaks Letter

Thank you for the download link. at first, i was afraid to download it into windows 7 until i read this. i really prefer wmm instead of wlmm. tthanks.

PapaJohn Jun 10, 2011 10:58 PM

Hi Sven....

The user who is logged in and running the msi file needs to have full admin privileges... and when you run it, right click on the .msi and tell it run as admin. If that doesn't work, it's an issue for Microsoft at http://windowslivehelp.com

I havn't heard of it not installing.

Sven Jun 10, 2011 12:36 PM

Problems with installing MM2.6 in Win7

Hey,

thanks for that entry. I was editing a video with MM some 'moons' ago on XP, meanwhile have Win7, wanted to do it again and experienced that WLMM is rubbish.
Came up to here, but the install of the msi file (provided up there on the MS page) does not work. The alert says sth. like "the admin prevented this from installing".

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

PapaJohn May 30, 2011 1:34 PM

Hi Anonymous

I don't have any info about running Movie Maker on thin clients. From what I read you can't.

Maybe ask Microsoft at ...
http://social.answers.microsoft.com

twaambo May 30, 2011 12:01 PM

WMM 2.6 on thin clients

I recently downloaded WMM 2.6 for windows 7 to run on thin clients. when i try to run the application on the clients, am getting "WMM cannot run on thin clients/terminals or remote desktop". is there anything i can do to run it on the machines?

Miss. Andrea Borman May 21, 2011 8:04 PM

Windows Movie maker on Windows 7

I have got Windows 7 and you can run Windows Movie Maker on Windows 7. I have got Windows Movie Maker 2.6 for Windows Vista but it is running perfect on windows 7.Windows Vista and Windows 7 are very similar operating systems.Which is probably why Windows Movie Maker 2.6 runs so well. You can get Windows Movie Maker from the Microsoft website here http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=d6ba5972-328e-4df7-8f9d-068fc0f80cfc&displaylang=en

PapaJohn May 12, 2011 11:14 PM

Hi Anonymous...

you don't say enough about your situation for anyone to help.... do an internet search for your brand and model camera and find a help or support area that might help. Be sure to include how you're connecting it to your computer and what software you're using.

anindya acharya May 12, 2011 3:07 AM

capture from dv camera in windows 7

capture from dv camera in windows 7.i have some problems .i cant capture..

PapaJohn May 6, 2011 8:12 PM

Hi Patti...

MM6 in Vista was the first version of Movie Maker that didn't distort the frames to fill the frames, which MM2.1 in XP did.

MM2.6 was a release for Vista users that was based on MM2.1, so for those using MM6 who were not used to their source files being distorted, it was new to them.

In WIndows 7 they work the same way. When I want the distortions to fill the frames I'll use MM2.6. When I don't want distortion I'll use MM6 or WLMM. You can't change how they work so you have to roll with them.

Patti May 6, 2011 12:28 PM

MM 2.6.4038.0 changing aspect ratios

Hello PapaJohn!

I have tried to use MM 2.6 since I acquired windows7 32 bit. The problem that I have is that when I add a wmv file to add text subtitle on to the movie, the aspect ration changes from a normal: 1:1 actual, 3:2 displayed, 720x480 movie, to weird ratios like: 8:9 actual, 1.34:1 displayed.
I have the MM/properties/compatibility mode set to Vista service pack 2.
The settings on the MM for movie creation are: Video for local playback, bitrate; 1.5 Mpbs, 720x480, ratio 4:3, fps 30.
This process stretches the movie vertically and distorts it.
I have also tried the aspect ratio of 16:9 and get these results:
1.19:1 actual, 1.78:1 displayed.

I unfortunately have to use MovieMaker that comes with Win7, and the files are HUGE!

Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you for your help!
Patti

Russ Apr 29, 2011 11:28 AM

Thank you!

Thank you so much for putting this information on the web. Imagine my excitement while loading Windows 7. Now imagine my utter dismay to run 7 for the first time only to find out that WMM in 7 is a piece of junk.

What in the world was MS thinking when they stripped it down? (Asked rhetorically as a complaint)

Thanks again,

Russ

PapaJohn Mar 29, 2011 11:54 PM

Hi again Digi...

I prefer my new facebook group but either one works if you're more comfortable with one or the other. I get email notices from each and tend to respond quickly. Facebook comments show up quicker than some of those at Bright Hub.

You mention my Movie Maker forum.... I don't have a forum but hang around a few. I don't read all forum posts, don't get auto notices, and don't respond to all I read.

Custom effects and transitions for MM2.6 are the same as those for MM2.1 on XP. I have info about some of them sprinkled around my website. The most comprehensive info is at http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net. When you are looking for info about a specific effect or transitions the forums there are the place to ask, but I typically don't respond to them. For general pointers the facebook group is good, and for specific info the forums at www.windowsmoviemakers.net is better.

For WLMM 2011, there are no add ons available yet, except for what MovieMakerKid is experimenting with at www.windowsmoviemakers.net.

Digi Mar 29, 2011 11:32 PM

3rd party special effects and transitions

PapaJohn,

Thanks so much for the quick answer back.

I'm wondering if it would be better to ask other questions about available plugins and such for MM2.6 here or on your new Facebook forum.

I checked out the Pixelan.com site
to begin with, and it seems to have some nice packages. But I'm also wondering if there are any available gratis effects and transitions that I might want to know about out there for MM2.6 or WLMM2011.

I put in a request on your Movie Maker forum, so maybe I'll talk to you there.

Thanks again,

digi

PapaJohn Mar 29, 2011 9:23 PM

thanks Digi

Good comments!! I just tweaked this article to say that the Pixelan Spice FX 6 packs and wizards work with MM2.6 on Windows 7 (from www.pixelan.com), and custom ones work too.

Add-ons also work with MM2.1 and MM6 on Windows 7, but the installations are not provided or supported by Microsoft. If you have the skills and desire, you can set them up and use them.

I'll go to the other article to check on and update what I said about Photo Story 3... yes, it now works fine on Windows 7. My website has the link if you need it.

Digi Mar 29, 2011 9:04 PM

3rd party special effects and transitions

Hello Papa John,

You have given me advice on another forum, and I was referring back to this article, linked below, for some info on installing and using MovieMaker 2.6 with Windows 7.

You wrote...
"But I haven't yet added many of the thousands of extra 3rd party special effects and transitions..."

I'm wondering if any or all of these 3rd party special effects and transitions will work with WLMM 2011 or with MM2.6 on Windows 7, and if so, are they available as downloads?

Also, are these special effects and transitions "pay per" or are any of them free downloads? Where are they available?

Also, in your next article, you said that PS3 (Photo Story 3) does NOT work with Windows 7 after all. But in this article above, you wrote...
"Microsoft tweaked the compatibility checks that stopped PS3 and it now downloads and runs fine on Windows 7."

I'm wondering if I'm just misunderstanding or if Photo Story 3 does NOT work with Windows 7? If not, is there another alternative app that does the "Ken Burns" pan effects that does work with Windows 7?

Thanks for any input,

digi

Original articles:

http://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/video/articles/22658.aspx

http://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/video/articles/25282.aspx

PapaJohn Mar 24, 2011 2:10 PM

Hi Dida...

If you havn't used the Save Movie > for email option, try it. If you used that option and still have that large a file, you'll need to either make the movie shorter or use custom settings with the bitrate about 5 times lower than the email setting.

10 MB is a usual maximum file size for emailing.... but it varies by the provider.

dida Mar 24, 2011 1:47 PM

Windows 7 movie maker

Hi
I've made a video clip but it has saved as such a large file ( 41 MB)it won't send, how do I make it smaller?
thanks

PapaJohn Mar 24, 2011 2:08 AM

Hi Mike and Annie

Mike, the DVDate utility works on Windows 7. It's a free download from

http://paul.glagla.free.fr/dvdate_en.htm

Annie, there are lots of different Canon cameras and camcorders, and file types. If your files don't work in Windows Live Movie Maker you'll need to convert them to something like .wmv which should work. Use the forums at http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net for any help you need selecting and using a conversion utility... be sure to include the model number of your camera and any info you have about the file type.

annie Mar 23, 2011 6:17 PM

Annie

Hey i have tried uploading video clips from my canon onto the movie maker 7. But it keeps saying it doesnt support it and it wont allow me to upload the video onto it. Help?

Mike Mar 19, 2011 8:40 PM

Dazzle

Hi John, hope you can help.
I've used movie maker and dazzle for years to edit my movies which MUST have the analog date - time stamp on them. Windows 7 does not recognize Dazzle. Any ideas on downloading my mini DV tapes from my Sony camcorders with the date-time stamp?
Thank you so much for your time.

PapaJohn Mar 18, 2011 12:56 PM

Hi Adam....

Overlaying a scoreboard on a video can't be done with Windows Live Movie Maker but can be with MM2.6.

You would do it with a custom title overlay... see me website (www.papajohn.org) > Edit Movies > XML > Script Types > Custom Overlays page. Use the link on the page to download my 'Starter Kit for MM2.1 or MM2.6', and the other info on the page. If you need more help, the forums at www.windowsmoviemakers.net is a good place to find it.

It's a pretty advanced topic for Movie Maker. Be prepared for some learning time.

Adam Mar 18, 2011 4:01 AM

Overlaying a still image on a video

Hey i have recorded a local baseball game and have received feedback that i should place a scoreboard on the video just like in the MLB games. is this possible to do and if so could you please help me

PapaJohn Mar 8, 2011 4:33 PM

Hi Jenn...

MM2.6 and Windows Live Movie Maker are both easily downloaded and installed on Windows 7, and each can auto-publish to an email attachement... or you can save to your hard drive and attach it to an email yourself.

Your email provider and that of the one you're sending to has limitations about email attachment sizes. If it saves OK to your hard drive, and plays fine for you, then failure to transmit would probably be due to one or the other of the email size restrictions..... read the error message you get about failure to send and it might include the size issue.

All email restrictions are different so I can't comment more specifically.

Jenn Mar 8, 2011 3:30 PM

frustrated!

I have windows 7. I have been trying to upload movie maker and it's not as easy as I remember it on my old computer. If I am understanding this correctly, the only version that I can use is the windows live version...correct? I am old school and I want to send my videos via email. I do not use facebook etc. When I attemptd to send it email it said that it was too big. I saved it in the email format so I am not sure what the problem is. Any suggestions? What am I doing wrong?

PapaJohn Feb 28, 2011 1:29 PM

Hi Fred...

Not all wmv files are alike and those that don't work in Movie Maker need conversion before importing.

Microsoft's Expression Encoder is one app that helps in situations such as yours... See this page of my website for more info and a download link.

http://www.papajohn.org/ExpressionEncoder.htm

Fred Feb 28, 2011 7:27 AM

One horizontal line.

I have a .wmv file which plays ok in Windows media player. But importing the same video in movie maker gives just on horizontal line. Did i forget something? Do i have to take extra steps?

PapaJohn Feb 24, 2011 12:21 PM

Hi Alex...

the speed change feature was added to WLMM in the 2011 version. Download the the latest Live Essentials for it.... it's not a visual effect as it was in classic versions... look for it it the main menu where you edit video clips.

Alex Feb 24, 2011 9:50 AM

Question...

Hi. I have the Live Movie Maker that came with Windows 7. I have gone throu all the functions it has, but it's missing the tool to "speed up" the video.

I want to make the video go 2 or 4 times faster, and I cannot find the function. In "Video Tools - Edit - Adjust" part I only have "background color and Duration", nothing else.

Is there an update for this or why my version is missing the "video speed" function?

PapaJohn Feb 23, 2011 1:19 PM

Hi Sharron....

See the 'Other Editors and Making Discs' branch of my website (www.papajohn.org) for some links and comments.

As I specialize in Movie Maker and associated software I suggest you seek more suggestions from others who use and follow the other software closer than I do.

Sharron Tripp Feb 23, 2011 10:23 AM

grainy awful videos

I have wasted a lot of cds,dvds and videos on dvd maker and movie maker. They work fine in a little version but on a slide show or anything like that they are awful. Is there a better thing that I can buy to make some nice clear ones. I have windows 7

PapaJohn Feb 6, 2011 1:04 PM

Hi Zamboni....

There are 3rd parties who created installation packages for MM6. I don't directly recommend or link to them as they are not from Microsoft and there's no support for them if you run into setup or other issues. Some other highly reputable sources provide info.... Pixelan is one of them. Here' the Pixelan page that has the info.

Pixelan website page with links to setup MM6 on Windows 7
http://www.pixelan.com/movie-maker/windows-live-movie-maker-6.htm

Zamboni Feb 6, 2011 3:54 AM

Can I get the other Vista version?

I think it was MM6 that let me do HD videos. I wish there was an easy installer for that.

PapaJohn Jan 27, 2011 5:40 PM

Hi Sharan....

No, MM2.6 of PS3 wouldn't help you fix the issue.

As there are many possible reasons, I'd start by assuming it's your source files not working well with WLMM. For help determing what the issue and and resolving it use the forums at www.windowsmoviemakers.net... be sure to include info about what kind of source files you're using.

Sharan Page Jan 27, 2011 4:55 PM

Windows Live Movie Maker

Hi, I have Windows 7 and have downloaded Windows Live Movie Maker. The product worked until I went to save the project then I got an error. Do I download MM2.6 and PhotoStory3 to fix this?
Thanks.
Sharan

PapaJohn Jan 27, 2011 12:59 PM

Hi Runner....

There's no need to buy something... Microsoft has a free encoder that includes screen capture.

The Expression Encoder is part of the Expression suite, not free but the trial Encoder continues to function as free software after the trial period expires. See this page of my website for more info and a download link.

http://www.papajohn.org/ExpressionEncoder.html

Runner Jan 27, 2011 10:59 AM

video capture direct from desktop

Sorry to bother I just have a simple question. Is there a program available for Windows that can capture and record video directly from the screen? I dont have a camcorder so I can't just hold it up close to the monitor. I've been to stores and they have told me that there are no programs that can do that or that they are not sure but I don't want to buy something I can't return.

PapaJohn Jan 24, 2011 1:08 PM

Movie Maker versions in Vista...

WMM refers to any version of Windows Movie Maker....

Vista comes with WMM6.0 installed, and Microsoft released WMM 2.6 for users who had problems using version 6. Either one can be used to make a movie project.

WMM6.0 can open projects made with version 2.6 but 2.6 can't open those made by 6.0..... as usual for opening project files it's a one way street for versions of Movie Maker.

Version 2.6 is easily downloaded and installed to a Windows 7 system... version 6 isn't supported on Windows 7 by Microsoft.

john meyer Jan 24, 2011 10:14 AM

reply.

yes, I am referring to project files only. what I don't know is which VISTA program I used to make to movie. On my Vista machine it says I have two (2) programs:

1. WMM
2. WMM 2.6

what is the difference between the 2 programs? or more importantly what exactly is WMM? what version is that? thanks!

PapaJohn Jan 24, 2011 12:37 AM

Hi John....

I guess you're saying your movie projects made in Vista won't open in Windows 7.... the project files, not the saved movies.

My experience is WLMM in Windows 7 opens project files made in Vista's MM6, but not those made with other versions such as MM2.6 or MM2.1. If you made them in MM2.6 on Vista, try opening them first with MM6 (in Vista or Windows 7), and then with WLMM. Be sure to save backup copies first before trying to open them.

That's not much help... for more, such as getting MM6 on your Windows 7 system, I suggest the forums at http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net

If you still can't open the project, you may need to start it over in Windows 7 or produce a video from it in Vista, and bring the video into a new project in Windows 7.

Again, my assumption you're asking about a project file and not a saved movie may not be right...

john meyer Jan 23, 2011 11:20 PM

can't play MOVIE from VISTA on WIN 7. HELP!

just bought a new desktop with WIN 7 and plugged in my old HD from my VISTA pc. the movies I made on VISTA won't play on new windows live movie maker and I even tried downloading V 2.6 and it still won't open. help!!!

PapaJohn Jan 11, 2011 3:22 PM

Hi Alex....

Windows 7 doesn't include Movie Maker... I wrote the article to help you add it. The article includes links to get MM2.6 and Windows Live Movie Maker.

Alex Jan 11, 2011 2:56 PM

Help me !

Hello!
I have Windows 7 and how to find my windows video maker?
I do not find it.
please help me

stones_28@yhaoo.com.cn Jan 7, 2011 10:53 PM

Thank you very much

thank

PapaJohn Jan 3, 2011 8:36 PM

thanks Movieman123...

for your followup comment... it might help many!!!

Movieman123 Jan 3, 2011 8:15 PM

It works now!

PapaJohn, All it needed was a simple restart! Stupid question, its been resolved! Thanks anyway!

PapaJohn Jan 2, 2011 6:59 PM

Hi MovieMan123....

I wish I had a simple answer but don't. You're best off posting at the forums at www.windowsmoviemakers.net where I and others might help one step at a time.

When posting, be sure to start with info about which older version of Movie Maker you're using, where you got it from, and how you set it up.... the kind(s) of source files you're trying to use, as not all types work.... and any error messages you get in your event viewer after the crashes...

MovieMan123 Jan 2, 2011 6:00 PM

MM crashes on my 64-Bit Windows 7

Papajohn, I am trying to run this older movie maker on my Windows 7 computer, with 64-bit. It always opens fine, but whenever I try to do something, for example "add a file to the timeline", it sits there with the spinning circle and doesn't respond. I've tried messing with the compatibility options. How can I fix this?

ab Jan 2, 2011 11:44 AM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

PapaJohn Dec 25, 2010 11:08 PM

thanks for the positive comment pink floyd

I'd reinstall MM2.6 directly over the current setup...

If that doesn't resolve it, do an uninstall followed by another installation.

I've not heard of very many issues with installing and running MM2.6.

pink floyd Dec 25, 2010 12:24 PM

working with mm2.6 in win7

hi
MM2.6 does not work on my hp c2q system
which is running windows 7. i have tried
every possible compatibility setting but
the program just start and suddenly stops
running, any tip or suggestion will be highly appreciated,

and thanks for your wonderful articles :)

pink floyd

Lloyd Dec 24, 2010 1:31 PM

@ Adam

had same problem. clicked on Video Tools/Edit button and typed in the duration i wanted in seconds. the whole audio was there, and it repeated after the end of the duration, until i shorted the duration to end exactly after tyhe sone weas over. good luck

PapaJohn Dec 21, 2010 12:55 PM

yes Anonymous....

When you jump into making moives thinking it's easy to do, you can shortly run into lots of things that show you how much there is to learn.... Once you learn it's easy and fun.

Anonymous Dec 21, 2010 7:08 AM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

it 's hard

PapaJohn Dec 20, 2010 1:32 PM

Hi Steve...

mp3 files vary considerably in the settings used when making them. Some work in Movie Maker and some don't. I downloaded an album of mp3 files last week that didn't work well enough in MM2.6 on Windows 7.

When one doesn't work I do a file conversion, usually to a .wma file. And my preferred method of doing the conversion is to use Movie Maker. For the album I downloaded I played them fine in Windows Media Player and at the same time used the narration feature of MM2.6 to record them it to .wma files. See my website (www.papajohn.org) > Import Movie Source Files > Music and Audio page for more info.

Steve Dec 20, 2010 10:15 AM

Audio Questioin

I have imported music from a cd (mp3) into movie maker 2.6 (windows 7). The first song from cd works but is garbled, the rest don't. Also the audio from videos is not there. Please help!

PapaJohn Dec 16, 2010 12:02 AM

Hi Tekalign....

I don't distribute video editing software.

This article includes links to Microsoft's Windows Live Movie Maker and Movie Maker 2.6. Both of them are free downloads, easy installations and work on 64 bit versions of Windows 7.

Tekalign Asfaw Dec 15, 2010 11:37 PM

movie maker window 7

Please send me a free movie maker for window 7 64bit.

Anonymous Dec 3, 2010 10:29 AM

thanks

hi
thanks very for your website...

PapaJohn Nov 22, 2010 12:34 AM

Adam...

my website is www.papajohn.org

PapaJohn Nov 22, 2010 12:32 AM

Hi Adam...

Those issues are common and usually mean you don't have installed codecs that let WLMM work with the files. Playing OK in WMP doesn't mean you can edit them in Movie Maker.

I suggest you convert the files to ones that work - .wmv is often best.... see my website's Import Movie Source Files > Video > MPEG page.

If you need more specific help the forums at www.windowsmoviemakers.net is the best place to go.

Adam Nov 21, 2010 10:19 PM

Unable to import any video

I upgraded my Vista to service pack 2 and then installed WLMM today. I have tried to import two videos (MPG and MP4) and both videos were blank (black screen with no audio) for 7 seconds. I noticed that when I import pictures, the duration for those are also 7 seconds. I have no problems playing these two videos on Window Media Player.

Don't know what to do...

Thanks
Adam

PapaJohn Nov 20, 2010 5:54 PM

Hi Evie....

thanks for the comment

Evie Nov 20, 2010 4:21 PM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

This was great! Thanks for your help.

PapaJohn Nov 18, 2010 4:05 PM

Bradd....

yes, it says Vista but it'll work on 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows 7 also.... go ahead with that link.

Bradd Nov 18, 2010 3:18 PM

Dubbing for Windows 7 (is there a MM2.6 version for me?)

Hi Papa John,
You answered an earlier quesiton about which video editing software I should use if my interest is in dubbing over the soundtrack (adding narration). (See my comment on Oct 21). You recommended MM2.6. I looked at the link in the article but it requires Vista and my laptop uses Windows 7. Is there a version I can use? Thanks!
Bradd

Colin P Nov 18, 2010 8:07 AM

Publish Movie

Thanks for the advice.
I'll try the 2.6 download first then, If that does not solve it, I'll try the forum.
I'll let you know the outcome if I'm successful!

PapaJohn Nov 16, 2010 12:56 PM

Hi Colin...

We're all in unsupported areas when we do this, so Microsoft support isn't available, and issues can from from any of many corners. Here's a few comments.

I tend to stay away from the more highly protected folders such as those under Program Files.... my copy of MM6 is on a thumb drive in a q:\Copy\MM6 folder.

MM2.6 downloads and installs on Windows 7. Installing it resolved one issue I had with MM2.1 using jpg files. Whatever it did was more than my simply registering the DLLs.

There are a number of downloadable packages of MM6 that were made by third parties and comments about them are generally positive. There are pointers and links at the forums of www.windowsmoviemakers.net... a simple search there should lead you to them. As I havn't downloaded and installed any of them, I don't want to make any personal endorsements or provide support. The forum users are the best place for such peer support.

Colin P Nov 16, 2010 8:01 AM

Publish Movie

I've 'upgraded' to Windows 7 on my main computer and needed to get a working version of MM. I have a laptop that is Windows Vista so, as suggested on one of your numerous pages, I copied the entire Vista MM folder onto the upgraded windows 7 system and registered the DLLs as directed.
While all functionality seems to be there, and I can generate the project, when I try to publish a movie, the display goes pale and an error message pops up telling me that MM must close.
Have I missed somthing?

TechN9ne Nov 15, 2010 4:55 AM

WMM2.6

Thanks alot this was a great help. I like to make movie clips of me PvPing in World Of Warcraft, and was very disappointed when i discovered Win7 does not have a movie maker. Thanks again.

PapaJohn Nov 10, 2010 12:16 PM

Hello huma fahad....

This Sony website has downloadable files, including drivers.... I can't tell if a USB connection is supported.... as it's a mini-DV model connection by firewire (iLink) should work once you're installed the Windows Live Essentials. USB connections may not be supported on your version of Windows or your location.

http://esupport.sony.com/LA/perl/support-info.pl?template=&info_id=544

huma fahad Nov 10, 2010 11:40 AM

sony camcorder connectivity

im unable to connect my sony dcr-hc20e with hp laptop using windows 7. i have installed wlmm. im using usb cable provided with the camera for connectivity but my laptop does not recognise the camera.
please help me. i will be very greatful to you.

PapaJohn Oct 31, 2010 12:58 AM

Hi drwin

I don't know any other place to get it. Movie Maker and Photo Gallery go together as a package.... but you should be able to opt out of the other apps and settings that tend to take control of your work flow and computer resources.

drwin Oct 31, 2010 12:37 AM

Movie Maker for Win7

Is there any way to download MovieMaker for Win7 without the other junk that MS wants to attach? The link you provided ends up at the MS download site, which will not allow download of MM only, but forces some sort of photo album, plus "reorganizing" Mail and other features. No way! Their "improvements" always trash my setup.

PapaJohn Oct 25, 2010 9:51 PM

Hi Bill....

My usual is to not rant or rave about a product or feature.... but I have no qualms about passing along yours or others.

bill Oct 25, 2010 9:23 PM

w7 kick to curb

YOU talk like it's okay for windows todo what they did to moviemaker in 7 like it's a good thing. MICROSOFT blew it. I have no faith in this company anymore completely mismanaged joke. Things are supposed to get better in progressig versions instead they have taken many steps back. Papajohn you are joke you should be condemning this company. Slimmed down.. how about hiring programmers with 0% creativity and intelligence.

PapaJohn Oct 24, 2010 9:06 PM

Yes Vinny....

Be aware there are two kinds of discs.... data discs that only play on computers and video discs that play on any DVD player....

If a software app asks if you want a data disc or video disc, choose the video one. There are lots of disc making apps to choose from.

Vinny Oct 24, 2010 5:00 PM

Windows Movie Maker

Can I convert and save to DVD to play on any DVD player?

PapaJohn Oct 23, 2010 12:22 PM

Hi ranjit....

yes, yes.... you can install both. They don't conflict with each other.... use the links in the article to get them

ranjit Oct 23, 2010 2:57 AM

WLMM

can i install WLMM and MM 2.6 in windows 7

ranjit Oct 23, 2010 2:55 AM

windows live movie maker

can i install windows live movie maker and MM 2.6 in windows 7 home premium . pls give advice .

PapaJohn Oct 21, 2010 11:03 PM

Hi Bradd....

you can do it using the narration feature of MM2.6.... the link to get it is in the article.

bradd Oct 21, 2010 9:50 PM

which program should i download?

i am trying to figure out which version of movie editing software (freeware) i should download.

My objective is to be able to dub a video with a new voice-over. i have a windows 7 system on my laptop.

can you give me a recommendation for which software i should use. and where i can find it?

Many thanks in advance!.

PapaJohn Oct 19, 2010 1:30 PM

Hi Brenda....

I believe in having a large toolbox of software apps and getting to know which tool works easiest and best for a particular task. Mixing the clips together into the final movie is the easiest part of the process.

Go to my website (www.papajohn.org) and explore the Setup Movie Maker > Other Software and Conversion Utilities pages.... and the branch of the menu at the bottom named 'Other Editors and Making DIscs'.

Enjoy your journey!!

Brenda Oct 19, 2010 1:15 PM

Could you recommend other software for video production?

I have a new computer and will download MM2.6 and the Windows live suite to use. I love movie maker, but I want to really get into video production and was wondering what program/s most people purchase to use for this.
Can you make a recommendation?

PapaJohn Oct 18, 2010 11:43 PM

Hi Fred,

Windows Live Movie Maker includes a facebook plug-in that automatically saves a movie to a quality setting appropriate for facebook, and uploads it to your facebook account. I just did this one the other night, using the plug-in....

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=444093936189

If you're using a different version of Movie Maker, see this page of my website...

http://www.papajohn.org/MM2-Distributing-YouTube.html

Fred Oct 18, 2010 10:55 PM

Compress a video file for facebook

I have windows 7 and I want to compress a video file to put on facebook. Any recommendations?

Llewellyn Oct 14, 2010 4:35 AM

Movie maker 2.6

aah so glad i found this....i bought a new lap..and wasn't very impressed with the new slimed down movie maker..like you said it`s good for uploading vids on youtube but as far as editing go's not that great. I wasn't sure if one can install Movie maker 2.6 on windows 7.... Thanks for this .

PapaJohn Oct 9, 2010 11:19 PM

Hi Ivan....

Movie Maker doesn't burn DVDs.... at best it tosses a project or video file over to a DVD making app.

You need to look for tech support about the DVD making app you're using.

ivan Oct 9, 2010 9:31 PM

no sound

i burn severl movies using windows movie maker..it show a good picture and the menu i made but no sound what am i doing wrong...any help please

Jaymeeh-Leigh Oct 6, 2010 1:46 PM

Omg, iFail

haha, nope >.> its saved as Movie Maker Project & it uploads as WLMV... :( dude, where would i be without you.
thanks so much >.> i think it's unfixable :(

PapaJohn Oct 6, 2010 1:40 PM

Jaymeeh-Leigh....

'within seconds' seems pretty quick... some users upload the project file rather than the saved movie.... be sure it's a WMV file you're uploading.

Jaymeeh-Leigh Oct 6, 2010 1:16 PM

Thanks...

OK, so i've saved the video to my hard drive. and i've tried to upload again, however. like the first time i tried, the loading bar filled up within seconds and i went to 'my videos' which said 'could not be converted' that youtube doesn't support WLMV... sooo? i don't know what to do... OMG.

PapaJohn Oct 6, 2010 12:59 PM

for YouTube's website interface....

see this page of my website....

http://www.papajohn.org/MM2-Distributing-YouTube.html

Jaymeeh-Leigh Oct 6, 2010 12:42 PM

Sorry

Hey, thanks for the quick reply.
I've saved the video to my harddrive, but i was wondering what youtubes website interface is? haha, sorry.
i'm computer illiterate.

PapaJohn Oct 6, 2010 12:07 PM

to Jaymeeh-Leigh and Beto

Jaymeeh-Leigh.... WLMM only makes WMV files, a format that I've never had a problem with YouTube accepting and processing. MM2.6 makes the same type so you wouldn't be gaining anything. I guess you're having problems with the WLMM plug.... try saving the movie to your hard drive and uploading it using YouTube's website interface.

Beto.... thanks for the followup comment. I'll assume you've resolved the problem. Enjoy!!

Beto Oct 6, 2010 8:14 AM

File Conversion

PapaJohn, I found two simple programs that works great and free. Convert files (mpeg, mjpeg, avi, wav, etc, etc, etc) that can be play on a DVD player.
http://www.dvdflick.net/
http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download

Jaymeeh-Leigh Oct 6, 2010 6:43 AM

Question.

So, if i download MM2.6 for my Windows 7... does this allow me to upload videos to youtube? Because lately i have purchased a windows 7 and i tried using WLMM. HOWEVER; youtube doesn't support the format, and this is all i really need a movie making programme for...(to upload them to youtube)... PLEASE answer!!!! i'm sooooo confused, also... if M2.6 doesn't upload to youtube, is there a converting programme that i can download that will convert to a compatible format for youtube?
thanks so much!<3

PapaJohn Oct 5, 2010 3:42 PM

Hi Beto...

There's a critical piece of your DVD making process that's missing. No version of Movie Maker can make the files needed to burn a video DVD... the best they can do is hand off the project to something like Windows DVD Maker or other DVD making software. That's the part that isn't doing what you want and you need to explore the reason(s) why.

Beto Oct 5, 2010 3:02 PM

File Conversion

Hi, I convert and burn an avi file to a dvd format using Windows Movie Maker so I can play it in the PS3 an any other dvd player. I have windows 7. In the PS3 The video was perfect but no sound, any help?? Thanks guys!!

PapaJohn Oct 1, 2010 12:19 PM

FiQri and others who follow....

Help me understand why you're asking about where to get Movie Maker.... pick one of these and elaborate. Thanks!!

A - do you not read the article before checking the comments and adding one?

B - do you read the article and see the links to download the Windows Live Suite (which includes Windows Live Movie Maker) and/or Movie Maker 2.6?

C - do you try the links and they don't work for you? if yes, what happens?

D - are you looking for other versions of Movie Maker than those two? If so, see my website at www.papajohn.org.

E - is it for some other reason that you're asking? If so, what is it?

FiQri Oct 1, 2010 3:35 AM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

where i can download movie maker or video maker for Windows7?. can you help me how to do it?. Thanks before Papa

PapaJohn Sep 30, 2010 10:22 PM

Hi joey....

It's an easy and free download from Microsoft. Links to get it are in this article.... the Windows Live package and MM2.6.

joey Sep 30, 2010 9:23 PM

question

i just have a quick question. would i be able to purchase windows movie maker for windows 7 at my local electronics store? or would i have to download it from a certain website?

PapaJohn Sep 24, 2010 10:54 PM

Suzanne, Myojine and Jediiiiii....

.... thanks for the informative and good comments.

Myojine, as Microsoft doesn't endorse or support those of us who opt to setup MM1, MM2 or MM6 on Windows 7, the wave of requests for followup help rolls out to those who publish such info... there are a number of downloadable packs that, from comments, work OK, but I'll refrain from more actively endorsing any particular one(s) or I'd end up feeling obliged to offer followup tech support. When I search YouTube for the phrase you suggest I get over 100 results.

Thanks Jediiiiii... I didn't know that.

Jediiiiii Sep 24, 2010 8:22 PM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

i had xp pro 64 before i got windows 7. it had movie maker. installed windows 7, noticed moviemaker wasnt included, tried windows live movie maker, couldnt figure out how to organize a timeline or whatever. looked in windows.old (windows 7 moves all your old files to windows.old upon installation if you let it. went to program files, windows movie maker, clicked the exe and it works fine on win 7 ult. 64

Myojine Kaawasen Sep 24, 2010 7:54 PM

Windows Movie Maker HD 6.0 for Windows 7

Hey PapaJohn, I was here a long time ago trying to find a good place to get Windows Movie Maker HD 6.0(The Vista version) And ended up not being able to transfer the 6.0, but instead customed a 2 part installer and created an intruction video on youtube for my Build of WMM6.0HD for Windows 7. Long since then My video for WMM6.0HD has become one of the most popular and widely used solution methods and Proven methods displayed on youtube.
It can be found simply by searching
"windows movie maker for windows 7"
this is a kinda Thank you for the motivation to create and find a solution, as well as my want to keep video editors in the run of things with one of the most capable and powerful small time tools for video editing on the market.
If you'd Like you can Update your artical about the Windows Movie Maker 6.0 for Windows 7, as the video wont be taken down anytime soon, it just got applied for partnership! and for that I'm also thanking you.
Id like to continue to Supply updated and easy solutions to WMM users and Windows Users in general, Thanks for upkeeping this artical, i hope to see you around
Ciao~!
~Myojine Kaawasen~

Suzanne Sep 24, 2010 7:09 PM

Thanks

Just wanted to drop a quick, unoriginal line to say thanks for this. Too often when I get a new computer and discover I have "downgraded" from a previously-appreciated feature, it is difficult to impossible to find a suitable replacement for it. I dislike Windows Live Movie Maker VERY much, and was thrilled to learn that Windows MM was available for my Windows 7 computer. Thanks so much for the info!

PapaJohn Sep 22, 2010 11:10 PM

Hi April....

In June I installed Pinnacle Studio Plus - v11 on my 64 bit Windows 7 laptop. I use it occassionally for things that Movie Maker doesn't do, but I don't use it enough to comment one way or the other on it being your main editing app. Pinnacle software over the years seems to have developed more than Movie Maker but is coming from a history of being buggy.... so I'd do some internet searching to see what users think of it today.

Sync issues are common, especially with MPEG files. The possible reasons and resolutions are too many to get into here, and I don't have the same camcorder or setup as you, so I could be off-base with anything I suggest.... hate to do that. Posting to a forum such as at http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net would hopefully get you more and better comments from others.

April Sep 22, 2010 9:18 PM

File Conversions

Thank you for the conversion information. I will check it out. Do you know anything about Pinnacle Studio 12? Part of my video is also not syncing in Pinnacle Studio 12. It is doing the same thing in WMM as well as Pinnacle. I am wondering if it would be easier to purchase a new video camera instead of making file conversions. Do you have any video camera suggestions that work well with WMM?

tony comandao Sep 22, 2010 6:39 PM

5 Languages

Dutch, English, German, Portuguese, Spanish.

PapaJohn Sep 22, 2010 12:33 AM

Hi April...

When I have such problems with a source video file I convert it to another file of a type that typically works with Movie Maker.

My website page about conversion utilities has some pointers to general purpose apps. I convert the files to WMV format and then use them in Movie Maker.

http://www.papajohn.org/ConversionUtilities.html

April Sep 21, 2010 5:21 PM

Syncing

I am having trouble with a small portion of my video not syncing. When I play the raw footage from my Canon DV 10 cd disc on a DVD player it is fine. When I watch the footage that I imported into the computer, part of the footage doesn't synch. PLEASE HELP! I am working on a project that needs to be done soon. I appreciate all of your help Papa John!!

PapaJohn Sep 19, 2010 11:51 AM

Hi Chloe...

You don't need to search by Google. I included links in this article to Microsoft's web pages that take you to downloads of Windows Live Movie Maker, Movie Maker 2.6, and Photo Story 3.

Chloe Sep 19, 2010 6:36 AM

Help!!!

um can some one help me and tell mi what i type into Google to down loag movie maker?

PapaJohn Sep 18, 2010 7:19 PM

Hi April

Movie Maker was designed to capture DV from mini-DV camcorders via firewire connections... into DV-AVI files. Dazzle and other capture devices sometimes work with Movie Maker, but most of the time don't.

Trying it as you have is the right way to go... but if it doesn't work, then you'll need to use Pinnacle or other software to get it into the computer and then do conversions if and as needed to get it to Movie Maker.

If it doesn't work, it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your setup or anything you can do to make it work.

April Sep 18, 2010 2:29 PM

Having Trouble importing video footage from my camera to WMM

I am having trouble importing video footage from my video camera to WMM. I bought a Dazzle, it allows me to hook my camera up to my computer because my video camera doesn't have a firewire port. WMM is giving me a message saying that it can't locate a camera. I have the camera hooked up to my computer and turned on in play mode. I have done this before and it worked. If I try to import the video to another software program such as Pinnacle Studio 12 it works. I want to import my video right into WMM.

Nick Sep 18, 2010 10:14 AM

Awesome Help.

Thank you. I downloaded the vista version for Windows 7 and it works beautifully.

PapaJohn Sep 17, 2010 1:04 PM

Hi Barry....

I suggest posting to the forums at http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net to get comments from others. Be sure to mention the brand and model of your camcorder and computer.

Capturing from a mini-DV camcorder via firewire creates DV-AVI files, meant for editing and sometimes difficult to play smoothly. But a new computer with a firewire port should be able to handle it.

Barry Sep 17, 2010 12:43 PM

imported videos will not play smoothly

hi.thanks for the responce. My footage is fine when watched on camcorder or tv and preview screen when importing. There is no droped frames been shown. Hard drive is not fragmented and is only week old. I have tried othe camcorders to import from, problem still exists.

PapaJohn Sep 16, 2010 7:02 PM

Hi Barry....

Not knowing if the smooth playing is on your camcorder or in the monitor of MM2.6 during capture, or the type of file you captured to (DV-AVI or WMV) I'd suspect the condition of your hard drive... if it's highly fragmented, playaback won't be smooth.

To zero in on the issue, try the capture wizard of the Windows Live suite which reports dropped frames during capture(MM2.6 doesn't report it)... You shouldn't have any dropping ones. If you don't have any, then it's not the firewire card.

Barry Sep 16, 2010 5:46 PM

imported videos will not play smoothly

When watching the video footage of motorcycles while its importing its fine but watching it once imported its not smooth, its like now and again you fast forward it. Im using 2.6 with windows 7. It did it with last computer so i bought this one thinking that would sort it!! I am using same fire wire card, could that be the problem?

PapaJohn Sep 11, 2010 10:17 PM

Hi Christine....

The error message isn't always complete or accurate... if you can successfully save a test movie using just a couple of your pictures and music files, then the issue is probably one of the project being complex enough for Movie Maker to need more memory (your 38GB is hard drive space, not memory). See this page of my website for more info about possible reasons...

http://www.papajohn.org/MovieMaker-Issues-CantSaveMovie.html

... and if you need more help I recommend the forums at
http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/Forums/

Christine Sep 11, 2010 5:16 PM

Finalizing Project

I am currently running Movie Maker 2.6 on Windows 7, and have worked quite hard on a video with several songs and a couple of hundred pictures. There are many transitions and video effects. All the pictures and music files are saved in one folder. It plays quite well when I run through the whole video on Movie Maker. When I go to save the project as a movie file on my computer, it takes awhile, and then gives me a message that it wasn't able to save, and to check the source files, make cure there's enough memory and that the place I'm trying to save to still exists. I've tried saving in different locations and with different file types. There is plenty of memory (38 GB) available. I've tried going to the tech person at school, and he's stumped. Any ideas?

Rascal Lee Sep 8, 2010 8:10 PM

converting video ready for MM2.6

I have found this media convertor to work very well http://format-factory.en.softonic.com/ Nice! free Video Audio any Type Media converter thanks for all of your help PapaJohn

PapaJohn Sep 3, 2010 11:32 AM

Hi Steve...

You don't need to use Movie Maker but you need to convert the PPT to a video file that has a format that works in Windows DVD Maker. See this page of my website for some pointers about conversion.

http://www.papajohn.org/MM2-Importing-PowerPoint.html

Steve Crews Sep 3, 2010 10:00 AM

Converting PPT to Video

PapJohn
Can I convert PPT files to DVD to play on DVD players with Windows DVD Maker, or do I need to have Windows Movie Maker for Windows 7?

PapaJohn Aug 26, 2010 10:35 AM

Webcam capture....

Bruce, a webcam capture feature for Windows 7 users was included in the latest publicly released beta version.

PapaJohn Aug 26, 2010 10:11 AM

Webcam capture....

Bruce, a webcam capture feature for Windows 7 users was included in the latest publicly released beta version.

bruce Aug 26, 2010 4:29 AM

capturing from my webcam

hi john
sorry if you've already answered this but after a quick scan didnt see any.
can i make a video direct from my webcam with any of these like i believe one could with the xp version
i'm running w7 64bit

many thanks
bruce

PapaJohn Aug 26, 2010 12:34 AM

Hi Debbie....

It's something to do with codecs, an item it's best to get help from the forums at...

http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/Forums/

You'll need to include info about the type(s) of video files you're starting with.

Debbie Aug 25, 2010 8:33 PM

Windows Live Movie Maker Sound

I've been putting video into Windows Live Movie Maker, saving it and then importing it into WMM 2.6 (because WMM 2.6 won't recognize my videos in the form they are). This has worked well until I wanted to keep the sound on the video (rather than add music) and it won't save the sound. Any suggestions?

PapaJohn Aug 24, 2010 10:21 PM

Sam, You're Special....

for that I'll refer you to the forums at:

http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/Forums/

Where others can help you also...

Sam Aug 24, 2010 8:51 PM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

Okay, thanks - you've been a great help.

One more problem (cause I just can't get enough): once I close the program, I cannot open it again without restarting my computer. Have other people had this problem, or am I just special? Cause as much as I love compulsively restarting my computer...

PapaJohn Aug 24, 2010 8:40 PM

Yes, MM6.0 is the usual for VIsta...

And MM2.6 can't use projects started with it. And the default action of MM2.6 creating separate new collection folders can't be changed.

Sam Aug 24, 2010 8:02 PM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

No, I made the projects in WMM. Uh... 6.0 it says. Does that sound right? Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place.

Thanks so much. And is there a way that I can keep them from being assigned to separate files under collections?

PapaJohn Aug 24, 2010 7:51 PM

Hi Sam....

I'd guess you can't use your projects in MM2.6 if you're getting that message... but you don't mention which version of Movie Maker you created them in... certainly not if it's WLMM.

Auto clip subdividing is turned off in MM2.6 by unchecking the option on the import video window when you are selecting a file to import.

Sam Aug 24, 2010 6:51 PM

Opening old projects/speed

First of all, thank you so much for putting this up. I was so annoyed with what WLMM offered (which is zip) and though I would like to upgrade to some nicer software, this is the most affordable option right now.

I just downloaded 2.6 it and am excited, though from just trying to import a few clips it seems considerably slower than what I am used to from WMM. Not only that, but it is cutting my imported clips (already mostly within 2mins) into many parts.

Additionally, it will not let me open my partially finished projects from WMM, saying that they were created by a version that cannot be supported. Part of the reason I wanted to stick with this program is so that I can keep working on my partially finished projects. Is this going to be possible?

PapaJohn Aug 24, 2010 1:37 PM

Hi Anna,

The latest beta release re-introduced the 'Snapshot' feature.

Earlier versions of Movie Maker saved the snapshot to a .jpg file sized at the source video file frame dimensions. The feature in WLMM saves it to a .png file sized at whatever your current preview window shows.

For a larger sized snapshot you can use the full screen preview feature and use an image grabbing utility such as 'Print-Screen' or IrfanView.

Anna K Aug 24, 2010 1:13 PM

Taking stills out of a movie

Hello -

I see that in prior versions you could save a still shot directly from a frame of a video. I do not see that as an option in the version I just downloaded to Windows 7. Any help?

Evan Aug 22, 2010 5:50 PM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

Windows live movie maker is trash compared to windows movie maker. I cant use most of the editing tools that were available to me in wmm. I can no longer speed up or slow down a video, which ruined my videos on a monumental scale. My videos were able to be posted on youtube, and still are, but it didn't take 10 minutes to show a walkthrough for a level on a game. Windows live should not put greater focus on novices, and taking some away from others that are actually good with the software. Just because someone got stuck on something doesn't mean they can't google it and find help with their problem. If we keep making it easy for newcomers, they will always be just that. A newcomer.

miechan Aug 22, 2010 11:17 AM

thanks you

thank you papa john..thanks a lot

PapaJohn Aug 18, 2010 1:01 PM

Hi Ricky,

You shouldn't need to get into a situation where you need to manually register the DLLs for MM2.6. Download and install MM2.6 again, over your current setup, and its should do the registrations for you.

If that doesn't resolve it do an uninstall followed by a new install. It'll show up in the Control Panel list of software you can uninstall.... as Windows Movie Maker 2.6

ricky Aug 16, 2010 7:46 PM

how to register the dll of the movie maker 2.6? it dont work on my windows 7

how to register the dll of the movie maker 2.6? it dont work on my windows 7..

everytime I started the windows movie maker 2.6 it opens then it crashes..what im gonna do? help!!

PapaJohn Aug 11, 2010 12:51 AM

Hi Sid....

Start with the classic version of Movie Maker.... v2.6 which downloads and installs on Windows 7. There's a link in this article. It has speed-up and slow-down effects.

Sid Aug 10, 2010 6:35 PM

Speed

I hear there is no way to speed things up and it really does move too slowly between my picture slide. Can you recommend any other programmes for an amateur that will be compatible with Windows 7?

PapaJohn Aug 10, 2010 10:53 AM

serafin garcia....

Movie Maker and Adobe Photoshop CS5 are used for such different purposes that I can't compare them. Movie Maker is free and you can download a fully functional trial version of CS5 that runs for 30 days, so you can get both and check them to see which one works for you.

serafin garcia Aug 10, 2010 8:29 AM

movie maker

is moviemaker better to use rather than adobe photoshop cs5?

PapaJohn Aug 7, 2010 12:02 PM

Genesh...

There's a link to the 'Windows Live Suite' which includes the new Windows Live Movie Maker in the first sentence of the section 'Adding Movie Maker' in this article.

ganesh Aug 7, 2010 9:27 AM

how to download?

i bought new laptop it has window 7 .it has no movie maker program.i like to make a album with music can you help me? which is the web address please give some idea how to download?

PapaJohn Aug 6, 2010 3:31 PM

Christine....

I can't tell from your info what version of Movie Maker you're using and what's happening. I use Avast, not Norton, and don't get such security warnings about the site, but I wouldn't want to encourage you to do anything you're not comfortable with.

I suggest you post your comment to the forums at http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/Forums/ and get some help from others who use Power Point and Movie Maker.

Christine Aug 6, 2010 2:55 PM

Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

I went to your page, http://www.papajohn.org/MM2-Importing-PowerPoint.html
I saved my power point slides as "JPEG File Interchange Format (jpg)" and re-imported them. They came in as *.png.

When I click on them in the content pane, they show up in the preview monitor.

When I drag them down to the storyboard/timeline area, they do NOT show up in the preview monitor.

The audio will play and the indicator of the slide above the preview monitor changes as it goes from slide to slide, but the slide does not show up in the preview monitor from the timeline.

I went to the "Presentation to Video Converter 5.9" website you recommend, but I got a warning from Norton Internet Security that the site is unsafe, so I left.

Since you say that movie maker is not installed on Windows 7 and I was able to pull it up in Windows 7, perhaps it transferred from my old computer which ran XP. If that is the case, is there a fix or download I should try?

Thanks for your help.

PapaJohn Aug 5, 2010 12:38 AM

Hi Debbie...

MM2.6 is one of the classic versions of Movie Maker that preview the project in 'rough draft' mode, so you can't judge the final output until you've at least saved it to a video file with your selected final quality.

If it's worse than rough draft quality you might have an issue with Movie Maker or your source files.... if you're using high quality still pix and expecting the same quality, it could be about learning what to expect from videos.,,, which are far less in pixel dimensions.

Debbie Aug 5, 2010 12:02 AM

Picture quality

Hi, I just downloaded MM 2.6 on my Windows 7 computer. I began a movie but when previewing it, the pictures become very low quality, like the pixel setting is off or something. Who knows??? Can you help with this?

PapaJohn Aug 4, 2010 3:40 PM

Hi Christine...

Movie Maker cant use Power Point presentations without conerting the files before importing.... see this page of my website for some suggestions...

http://www.papajohn.org/MM2-Importing-PowerPoint.html

Christine Aug 4, 2010 2:12 PM

Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

I recently got a new computer with Windows 7. I did find Movie Maker on my computer. I imported power point slides and audio. The audio is matched to the slides. However, nothing shows up in the preview monitor when I play the clip, AND when I try to save it, I get an error message. It will not let me save the video.

What do I do?

Do I need to download anything to get it to work?

Thanks

PapaJohn Aug 2, 2010 1:48 PM

Hi Sebastian....

Different editing and playing software display videos differently... depending on file types, embedded display tags and pixel dimensions. Not knowing what software you're using to edit or play the files, and not being a user of MOD files or SDCopy, maybe you can get more and better comments from online forums or someone else who reads your comment.

An editing app might stretch the files during previews but publish them to movies that look right in the players. If not then some balance between file conversions, saving with custom profiles, and tweaking your viewing software/hardware is needed. It's a subject I enjoy exploring as in the digital world of bits and bytes you really can't see what you have without a player and the player might effect what it looks like.

Sebastian Aug 2, 2010 12:25 PM

Windows 7 stretching MPG files (previoulsy .mod)

I have been using SDcopy for a while to correctly set the wide-screen flag on my .MOD (then converted to mpg) files.This fixed the display on Windows XP.
The problem is that I moved to Windows 7 now and I don't need to set the wide-screen flag any more BUT what do I do with all the previous mpg files that have been processed through sdcopy to display them correctly on Windows 7?
At this point they are all displaying stretched.

PapaJohn Jul 28, 2010 1:52 PM

Hi Sheridan...

If you can make a test project.... import, edit, and save a movie.... using the sample files (pix, video and music) that come with Windows, then Movie Maker is working OK and the issue(s) are about your source files. If you have any problems using the samples, then your Movie Maker or Windows system needs repairing.

Files with extensions of .MP3, .AVI, .MPG, .JPG, .WMV differ considerably, almost as much as people with the same last name as SMITH, JONES, ROBINSON.... complexities in file settings and codecs used to open them are considerable.

My rule of thumb is... if a file doesn't import and work well, convert it to another file that does. The Import Movie Source Files section of my website at www.papajohn.org has suggestions for conversions.

SheridanFolger Jul 28, 2010 12:19 PM

Movie Maker Will not Import

PapaJohn thank you for all the expertise, I've found your info all over the web. Hopefully you can assist me.

I have a new HP Machine with windows 7 and windows live movie maker, however it will not import any of the file types it allegedly supports and I can not figure out why. I want to import some MP3's and other various files to mess around with and turn into movies etc, however no file I attempt to import will import. I am CLUELESS.

Thanks for the help.

PapaJohn Jul 26, 2010 8:49 PM

Hi Ashley.... about your crashing WLMM

if you have the same issue with the sample music that comes with Windows, then it's probably your WLMM app and you should uninstall/reinstall it.

If the sample tunes work OK, then it's your file types... which you should convert to other files before importing. See my website's (www.papajohn.org) > Import Movie Source Files > Music and Audio page for suggestions.

Ashley Jul 26, 2010 1:54 PM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

On my Windows live movie maker, as soon as i add a song it crashes. what do i do?

PapaJohn Jul 25, 2010 12:12 AM

peter... about reinstalling

there's a chance your collections would be lost.... if they are important to you, copy the collection database and put it back after the installation.... see this page of my website

http://www.papajohn.org/MM2-Managing-Collections.html

Clips in a project are no longer associated with those in the collections, so your project files will continue to work as usual.

peter Jul 24, 2010 11:36 PM

re-installing

thanks papajohn, i'll give re-installation a go, but will that mean my current video collections be lost, and hence projects will become 'meaningless' (ie red 'X' boxes everywhere)?

PapaJohn Jul 24, 2010 4:01 PM

Hi Vittorio....

If it's your first attempt at using MM2.6 in Windows 7, a reinstallation right over the current one might help as there may have been a hiccup in the first time.... If you've used it OK before now, then this page of my website might help as MM2.6 is a stripped down version of MM2.1...

http://www.papajohn.org/MovieMaker-Issues-CantSaveMovie.html

If you need help with specifics the online forums are the places to go.... http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/Forums/

Vittorio Jul 24, 2010 10:55 AM

Saving movies with Movie Maker 2.6 on Windows 7

Hi!
I'm experiencing issues in saving the movie to my computer.
If I choose a WMV format, the wizard stops me saying that there are issues in the content, if I choose DV-AVI format, it enter a forever loop, in calculation of requested time to perform movie creation.
Of course, I've tried to move the WMMK project file to a previous version, no way to make it owrking...
An ysuggestion?

Thanks

Vittorio

PapaJohn Jul 20, 2010 1:20 AM

Hi Linda....

The classic versions of Movie Maker didn't capture to MPEG files... but they did offer the option to end up with captured files in wmv format.... much smaller files than DV-AVI.

DV-AVI files are easier to edit and better quality than wmv files... and external hard drive space is cheaper today than mini-DV tapes.... and capturing takes just the time to play the tape... wmv files need a good bit more time than that to convert the captured file to a wmv.

You would need to install and use one of the classic versions of Movie Maker to have the wmv option.

To go from a DV-AVI file to a wmv file, Movie Maker is one conversion tool.

Linda Jul 19, 2010 9:44 PM

Help???

Hi Papa John! Me again!

I got my new laptop with firewire (the USB to express card to firewire thing for the other one is on order).

I was able to render a sample video from the camcorder to the laptop using Photo Gallery. There did not appear to be any way to choose the format like in the old Windows Movie Maker... no wmv or mpeg option. It came off as an AVI, which was HUUUUUUUUGE!!! 800 something mb for one song. Is there any way of choosing the size that it will render in???? If not, what would I use to change it from AVI to a reasonably sized MPEG??? Or to large wmv?

Linda

PapaJohn Jul 18, 2010 3:09 PM

Hi Martin....

In Windows 7, use the start button and type in the word 'movie' and the pop-up list will include all the versions of Movie Maker you have installed. The v2.6 one will include 2.6 in the name.

Martin Jul 18, 2010 2:55 PM

How To Check Wich Is The Current Version?

Hello! I'd like to be informed how can i check, in windows 7, wich version of Windows Movie Maker is installed. Too see if I need an upgrade to 2.6.!

PapaJohn Jul 18, 2010 12:34 PM

Peter....

Seems like your installation needs fixing.... you should be able to do it by using the Microsoft download page and installing it again over your current setup.

peter Jul 18, 2010 5:05 AM

problem saving movie

thanks papajohn, checked out that site.

unfortunately the info there does not seem to relate to my problem because the 'save movie wizard' doesn't even open up when i press 'save to my computer' - the text just does the normal flicker to indicate it has been selected, but nothing happens after that.

same thing happened with a much shorter/simpler file/movie creation.

any thoughts?

PapaJohn Jul 18, 2010 2:56 AM

Hi Peter....

As MM2.6 is a derivative of MM2.1 in XP, this page of my website might help.

http://www.papajohn.org/MovieMaker-Issues-CantSaveMovie.html

peter Jul 17, 2010 9:28 PM

problem saving movie

hi there,

i have made a movie in MM2.6.4038.0. I am running windows7 64-bit.

the creation of the movie has gone fine - using various video clips and an imported wav file for audio.

now i want to 'publish' the movie.

i go the the 'finish movie' category and i have 2 options in blue text. i press 'save to my computer', but nothing happens after that.

do you know what the problem might be?

thanks,

PapaJohn Jul 15, 2010 9:39 PM

Hi Megs....

Movie Maker is made to work well with DV camcorders that transfer files to computers as DV-AVI.

With other camcorders like yours that record to MPEG2 or MPEG4 files.... you need to copy the files to your camcorder using the software that came with it, and then use file conversion utilities to make files that will work in Movie Maker. It's often a trial and error process. My all-purpose converter is Xilisoft's Ultimate Converter.

Linda Jul 15, 2010 5:54 PM

windows 7 and older camcorders

This item you linked me to...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2324860&CatId=510&SRCCODE=LINKSHARE&cm_mmc_o=-ddCjC1bELltzywCjC-d2CjCdwwp&AffiliateID=TnL5HPStwNw-SvSuvJa1OD_QVjsFKT76gw

Is exactly the think that I've been using for the past 6 years with my laptops that have had those credit card size slots. I've never had a laptop with a direct firewire port. I've had 3 laptops that that thing has worked perfectly with on XP Pro and Windows Media Center. The first laptop only had like 356 RAM on it or whatever they came with in early 2004, lol.

So whatever you do.. DON'T buy a laptop that doesn't have either a firewire port or an express card slot!!! Looks like I"ll be stuck with selling this one unless the USB to express card thingie works!

Linda
(who hates change)

PapaJohn Jul 14, 2010 10:42 PM

Hi Natalie...

To troubleshoot it, try saving a movie make with a few of the sample files that came with Windows.... a picture, a video clip and a music clip.... if that works then you may have issues with the source files you're using. If it doesn't work then another download/install of MM2.6 right on top of your current setup might resolve it.

If it's your source files... the forums at http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/Forums/ are your best source of more detailed help.

Megs Jul 14, 2010 10:07 PM

wait, how do I...?

I have WMM 2.6 on my laptop with Windows 7. I use a sony handycam HCR-CX150 i think? The touch screen with the GPS. I can upload the video clips to the computer, but WMM only lets the files go into the Audio/Music part, and it doesn't play anything but a black soundless screen..

I've been using the Windows Live MM, but it doesnt have half of what I need.

I have a project coming up soon so any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Natalie Jul 14, 2010 9:28 PM

I can't save with Windows Movie Maker 2.6

It just says "Access Denied". Help?

PapaJohn Jul 13, 2010 11:44 PM

Hi Linda....

I've been thinking of that subject lately as just about all of the laptops I see don't include firewire ports. My last two laptops don't have them... I'm using one of my older desktops and getting the DV-AVI files onto my external hard drives that way.

I've heard about PMCIA cards with a firewire adapter, and assume I could get something to work with whatever adapter slot the laptop has (my newest one doesn't have a PMCIA slot but something similar - an express card slot). Here's a firewire to express card solution...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2324860&CatId=510&SRCCODE=LINKSHARE&cm_mmc_o=-ddCjC1bELltzywCjC-d2CjCdwwp&AffiliateID=TnL5HPStwNw-SvSuvJa1OD_QVjsFKT76gw

I'll get to the point of needing one someday, but by then I'll have all my mini-DV tapes copied to DV-AVI files on external hard drives. I'm interested in what you end up doing.

Linda Jul 13, 2010 6:13 PM

Windows 7 and older camcorders

Hi PapaJohn,

You seem to know quite a bit about Windows Movie Maker. Maybe you can direct me in the right direction. I have 2 camcorders, both Sony, both made before the existence of Windows 7 ( a 2003 TRV-33 and a 2004 PC-350. My old laptop with XP died. I used to be able to plug in the camcorders from the DV port to a firewire card and WMM would pop right up and was a snap to get vid transferred from the camcorder to the laptop.

I have a new laptop with Windows 7. This laptop unfortunately doesn't have firewire. I installed Movie Maker from the Windows Suite Live after reading your article and plugged in the USB cable. It was able in install the first and last USB items but couldn't find the driver, so nothing shows up when I plug the camcorders in. I tried running the CD that came with the TRV33 camcorder but it said it was unrecognized format because it was only made for XP.

Any ideas? I don't need to do any special effects... I just want to get the vid from the camcorder to the laptop!!!

Linda

PapaJohn Jul 12, 2010 11:42 PM

Hi Biljana....

Yes you have a lot to learn.... I suggest you install both the newer Windows Live version of Movie Maker and the classic MM2.6 which is more like other video editing apps.

You've started with a goal.... getting your finished movies to DVDs. Coming from memories on cassette tapes to discs means you're heading to standard definition DVDs, not High Def ones.

I recommend doing a really small sample project..... mostly to see what questions you'll have as you go and not spending a lot of time doing any of the steps. Your first learning steps are to see what works and what doesn't, and flush out your list of questions or items. Specific steps are:

1 - capture a minute or two of your footage from a tape, any tape.... I don't know what kind of tapes they are or how you're equipped to capture the footage to files on your computer.
2 - import the clip(s) into each version of Movie Maker and preview them.... play with cutting the clips and adding transitions, effects, text.... save your project every couple minutes
3 - save or publish the movie to your hard drive using a DVD quality setting
4 - import the saved videos into Windows DVD Maker (assuming it came with your version of Windows 7).... if it didn't come with it and you have a DVD burner, use the software that came with the computer.

Keep asking questions on forums as you flush out what you need to know or learn about.....

Enjoy!!!

Biljana Jul 12, 2010 5:46 PM

Movie Maker

Hi!
I have Windows 7 on my laptop and don't have Movie Maker. I want to put all my films from the cassettes on computer and later on DVD, but I dont know how to do that. I have to learn a lot, but I don't know where to start...
What version of Movie Maker to install? Do I need that and Windows Live Suite, too?
Please help, because I am not such an expert, only want to save my memories...
Thanks a lot!
Biljana from Belgrade, Serbia

PapaJohn Jul 11, 2010 3:03 PM

Laurel.... enjoy!!!

Windows Live Essentials is a work in progress.... it has it's quirks and issues as does most software, but I've found WLMM, reqardless of version to work pretty well after it's installed.

The new beta has a number of better features so it's better for you off the bat..

Laurel Jul 11, 2010 2:52 PM

Laurel

I tried downloading the beta and everything works now! Woo hoo! Thank you. I did go to the forums but none of their suggestions worked. So, I appreciate your help.

Movie Maker was on my old computer (Vista), but not on my new one (Windows 7). The version I had trouble with was whichever was on their main site:
http://explore.live.com/windows-live-movie-maker

Others on the forum listed similar problems with Windows Live Essentials in general.

PapaJohn Jul 11, 2010 1:30 PM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

Hi.... you don't mention your history of using any version of Movie Maker on your computer, or which version of Movie Maker you're trying to install. The issue is too much to explore here and you may need more help than I can provide.. If it's one of the Live versions, doing an uninstall first (if you've already setup any of the Live Essentials apps) is a good idea before doing the installation.

If you're having problems installing the last released version of WLMM, try the new bata from http://explore.live.com/windows-live-essentials-beta

For peer and some Microsoft support it would be better to post to the forums at http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/Forums/ and/or http://windowslivehelp.com/

Laurel Jul 11, 2010 11:57 AM

Movie Maker Instalation Failed

I tried installing Movie Maker on my computer (Windows 7), but every time I get an error message saying it couldn't install because I canceled the installation. But I didn't cancel it. The installation goes all the way to the end, says it's successful, and then gives me the error message.

I've tried about 6x. It's very frustrating. How to fix? I have a project due soon. thanks.

PapaJohn Jul 9, 2010 11:02 PM

Hi Hannah....

No to doing either one with WLMM....

See this page of my website for info about reversing a clip.... http://www.papajohn.org/MM2-Editing-Reverse.html

and search the forums at http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/Forums/ for 'mirror'.... you should find lots of info there.

HannahBanana Jul 9, 2010 9:56 PM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

is there a way to reverse on windows live movie maker- beta? like make the video clip reverse and go backwards? and is there a way to mirror it so make me like a twin???

PapaJohn Jul 9, 2010 12:33 PM

Speed Changes

The latest beta version of Windows Live Movie Maker has a feature to speed up or slow down a clip.... here's the link to get it....

http://explore.live.com/windows-live-essentials-beta

You can't run both the regular and beta versions on the same system. I'm using the beta on 3 computers and don't have any issues with it.

dtfghyjk Jul 9, 2010 10:22 AM

i can't speed up my videos...

how to speed up my videos ???

Don Jul 7, 2010 1:20 PM

Registering Dlls

PapaJohn,

I can appreciate your reluctance and am grateful for the info you did provide.

PapaJohn Jul 6, 2010 11:51 PM

Hi Michael

I suggest you post your situation on the forums at http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/Forums/

A forum thread would provide more help and let you continue the ongoing story until it's resolved. I don't keep running notes of the items posted here so I don't know/remember which version of Movie Maker you're referring to. Even if I did the forums are the better place to be.

Michael Jul 6, 2010 6:37 PM

System Requirement Issue

Good evening PapaJohn,

I am having trouble running Windows Move Maker. Whenever I start it up the outline of the window appears and then an error message comes up telling me to make sure my computer meets the system requirements. I have checked several times and my computer does meet all the requirements of Move Maker. I recently upgraded my laptop from Vista to Windows 7. When I ran Vista I had no problems using Movie Maker, ever since I've got Window 7 I have had no luck getting Windows Movie Maker to run. I told you of my problem before and you told me to uninstall and reinstall Movie Maker, I did that, but it still isn't working. Is there anything else you suggest I do?

Thanks in advance!

PapaJohn Jul 6, 2010 1:55 PM

Registering DLLs....

Don.... I'm always leery of providing such info and need to make a disclaimer. If you know how to register a DLL you don't need any further info. If you don't, then you can get into issues if you try or later find you need to unregister it.

See this page of my website.... there's a section about Registering DLLs about a third of the way down. You need to change your command line as needed to point to DLLs in different drives/paths/folders as I do with the 3 versions of Movie Maker that I run from a thumb drive.

http://www.papajohn.org/MM2-Setup-Software-2_1.html

There are utilities you can download that will help with registering.... I don't use one and don't have a reference. Seek help on forums if you need any.

Don Jul 6, 2010 1:09 PM

Registering dll Question

Hi PapaJohn

How does one go about "registering" dlls?

PapaJohn Jul 4, 2010 2:54 AM

Hi Ben....

Yes, it works for me too, but after copying it from another computer you need to register the dll's or things won't work well. I'm writing this on a Windows 7 laptop with 2 versions of Movie Maker installed on its hard drive and another 3 versions that work from a thumb drive.

Vista includes v6.0 and there's an optional download available for MM2.6.

PapaJohn Jul 4, 2010 2:50 AM

Hi Adam....

I'd go with the new beta version available from this Microsoft page...

http://explore.live.com/windows-live-essentials-beta

It's a good idea to uninstall your current version before installing the new one

BenB Jul 3, 2010 10:02 PM

Learned this the hard way.

So I was tasked to make funny videos for my church. Problem is I can't stand WLMM. but I had to deal with it. A few days ago I got a new computer running 7. my older com running vista died on me, so i salvaged the hdd and am using it as an external drive. the cool thing is I can run all my old programs off of it. including Movie Maker. I think it's version is 2.1.
i guess that means you could just copy it from an older computer...it works for me. =)

Adam Jul 3, 2010 9:58 PM

Re: User Profile

PapaJohn, the problem is that I can't log in to windows. You know when you start up windows, you have to click on which user you are, put in your password, and then you log in to windows - so it wouldn't let me log into windows, like i couldnt even see my desktop.
I will try downloading it again. which version do you suggest I download? should I try the same one (the link in my previous post)? If not, can you copy a link for me?
thanks so much papajohn

PapaJohn Jul 3, 2010 2:28 AM

Responses to Comments....

Ucok, I don't know what that says and my attempts at using translation apps didn't pan out.... but I think it's OK and approved the posting. I'll trust that others will help as needed.

Adam, once the app (Windows Live Movie Maker) is installed on your computer, there's no login process to use it... beyond your usual login to start up Windows. I guess I don't know what happened. You can try downloading and installing it again.

Adam Jul 2, 2010 4:18 PM

User Profile

I went to the website and I downloaded the WMM that is currently on their website (windowslive.com/desktop/moviemaker). It ran and everything was great. Then I shut down, and when I started up again the next day, when I tried to log in, it said that it can't start up my user profile. So i did a system restore to before I downloaded it. do you know what happened and how I can fix that/

ucok Jun 29, 2010 2:37 AM

iraq

ai sia ngomong naon

PapaJohn Jun 26, 2010 12:26 AM

Hi Delrine....

If I had a simple answer I'd tell you.... I recommend the forums at www.windowsmoviemakers.net for peer tech support.... you should include in the post which version of Windows 7 you have, along with which version of Movie Maker and the type(s) of files you're having problems with.

Delrine Billings Jun 25, 2010 10:02 PM

No sound

I've successfully downloaded the Movie Maker but there is no sound. Please help!!!

PapaJohn Jun 24, 2010 9:12 PM

Response to April...

How to convert a file to one that works in Movie Maker depends on the type of file... unless you're using a general purpose conversion utility.

See my website's (www.papajohn.org) Setup Movie Maker > Conversion Utilities page for info aboutall-purpose conversion utilities or the Import Movie Source Files > Video section for specific files.

April Jun 24, 2010 7:37 PM

Trimming a clip in Windows Live Movie Maker

Hello Papa John,
Thank you for replying to my post. I actually did do what you said. Sorry I couldn't list the exact steps I was using a freind's computer during a workshop that had Window Live Movie Maker (I thought it was Windows 7 but apparently there is no Windows 7) and didn't have it in front of me last night as I was typing how I went about trimming a clip. I am used to the Windows Movie Maker 2 Version (it is really different). I am guessing that I have a codec related issue that would need the source file to be converted to one that works. Can you tell me how to go about this? Thanks!

Craig Jun 24, 2010 5:30 AM

for anyone interested in add ons.,,

I found this site - http://www.pixelan.com/mm/intro.htm
they make add ons for WMM and they also have links to youtube videos of how to install the various different flavours of WMM too - which is nice and helpful :) There are links to places to get hold of WMM 6 on the bottom of the youtube vids too.. you just need to go look. You'll find it if you are beady eyed! Would be interested to find some free add ons though too!

PapaJohn Jun 24, 2010 2:07 AM

Hi April

Maybe you're not doing it the right way as I don't do anything to a time setting.... here's how I trim a clip in the project.

Select the clip you want to trim > select the Edit tab from the main menu > move the position indicator under the monitor to where you want the clip to start and 'Set start point'..... then position it where you want it to end and 'Set end point'.....

If that dosn't work you probably have a codec related issue that would need the source file to be converted to one that works.

April Jun 23, 2010 6:03 PM

trimming clips in Movie Maker 7

Help! I have used Windows Movie Maker for years. I am trying to trim clips and having a hard time. I tried trimming the clips by selecting the beginning and end of the clip I wanted changed, edited the time but it didn't work. Sometimes it would delete the end of my video. Also, after attempting to trim the clip the video keeps jumping to a different location???

PapaJohn Jun 23, 2010 2:28 PM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

Hi franchesca....

The easiest way to make a great slideshow with music is to use Photo Story 3, a free download from Microsoft.

The Photo Story 3 branch of my website (www.papajohn.org) has the link to get it and detailed info about how to use it

franchesca Jun 23, 2010 2:09 PM

i need help

i need help creting a slide show and music playing in the backgroud

franchesca Jun 23, 2010 2:08 PM

i need help

i need to make a slide show with a song playing :( i dont know how ?

PapaJohn Jun 22, 2010 4:23 PM

Hi Tim....

Recorded TV files are typically some flavor of MPEG2. Your symptoms are typical when using classic versions of Movie Maker that can't effectively handle MPEG2 files.

Your Hava PVR probably includes an MPEG2 codec. And higher end versions of WIndows 7 include Microsoft's new MPEG2 codec. That's probably why you got as far as you did in even importing it into MM2.6.

My standard suggestion is to convert the files before importing, not trying to find a codec that will support editing MPEG2 files in MM2.6. There are lots of conversion utilities you can use.... see this page of my website for some of them.

http://www.papajohn.org/MM2-Importing-Video-MPEG2.html

with Windows 7 you also have the option of installing Windows Live Movie Maker and using it to convert MPEG2 file to high quality WMV files that should work in MM2.6.

Tim Jun 22, 2010 2:57 PM

Question

I read somewhere that you were a Movie Maker Guru!!! I have a question. I have Windows 7, I used a Hava PVR to record some video game play. When I import them into Movie Maker 2.6, I get sound but no video. Which codec do i need and what settings?

PapaJohn Jun 21, 2010 7:34 PM

Hi Cheyenne....

'normal' Movie Maker is something different for each user.... MM2.6 is an easy download and install, and provides many of the features of classic versions of Movie Maker. Vista's MM6 is a download away but not from Micrsoft or myself.... search for it it on YouTube. MM2.1 from XP requires some techie hurdles to jump over to copy the files and register the DLLs.

If MM2.6 works for you, do the installation directly from Microsoft. For other versions seek local help as needed.... my articles provide sufficient pointers.

cheyenne Jun 21, 2010 7:20 PM

Windows Movie Maker

So there is no possible way i can download just the normal Windows Movie Maker on my computer? Because the Windows Live Movie Maker doesnt help me at all. It doesnt do half of the stuff that the normal movie maker does.

PapaJohn Jun 18, 2010 9:26 PM

Responses to jimmy and Ken

Yes Ken.... although originally made for Vista, MM2.6 downloads and runs on Windows 7 also. The Microsft setup will take care of registering the DLLs.

Hi jimmy.... I',ll assume you're asking about Windows Live Movie Maker, not classic versions like MM2.6. Start by jumping in and playing around with the software, and using the help info that comes with a press of the F1 key of your computer. Ask specific questions at the Movie Maker forum at the Microsoft Solution Center.... http://windowslivehelp.com/

Ken Jun 18, 2010 5:15 PM

MM2.6 on Windows 7

Am I understanding you correctly PapaJohn that I can use MM2.6 on Win 7 by just installing it or do I need to copy the files onto my Win7 machine & register the DLL's?

jimmy Jun 18, 2010 4:14 PM

to e mail home movie/vidio

as a new boy im at a loss running windows 7 i want to send mov/vids to family but how please(words of one sylable please)

PapaJohn Jun 15, 2010 4:34 PM

for tech support...

assuming you're using Windows Live Movie Maker... use the forums at http://windowslivehelp.com/ for specific issues.... be sure to note which version of Windows you're using... and version of Movie Maker

PapaJohn Jun 15, 2010 4:30 PM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

from the Start button at the lower left, type in movie and see what shows up in the list at the top.... whatever versions are installed should appear in the list....

unnamed Jun 15, 2010 4:26 PM

WMM

Ok I fixed now but when I have added a a song and a picture I cant hear anything. It only worked the 1st time

unnamed Jun 15, 2010 4:08 PM

WMM

I installed WMM but I cant find the program on my computer!

richelle Jun 15, 2010 5:52 AM

thank you

thank you for teaching me how to install a nice movie maker :D

PapaJohn Jun 14, 2010 8:13 PM

Hi Craig....

yes, lots of ideas... the issues from one version of Movie Maker to the next are the same or similar. See this page of my website.

http://www.papajohn.org/MM2-Issues-CantSaveMovie.html

Craig Jun 14, 2010 7:34 PM

AARRRRGgh!!

96% Publish... then nothing! For Hours it sits there!
Running WMM6 on WIndows 7 UltimateN 64bit. Any ideas?!

Sian Jun 13, 2010 1:20 PM

Tah.

Okies, thanks for the help.

PapaJohn Jun 13, 2010 1:16 PM

Sian....

I downloaded/installed MM2.6 last night on my new HP 64 bit Windows 7 system, and had previous done it to my 32 bit Toshiba laptop, and hadn't run into anything unusual. I've read about others have success but you're the first I've heard of who is striking out.

I'd check and post at either or both of these Windows 7 forums...

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/windows7
http://www.w7forums.com/

PapaJohn Jun 13, 2010 1:06 PM

Hi Nigel....

As running MM6 on Windows 7 isn't suggested or supported by Microsoft, I guess it's one of the features that doesn't automatically get setup. Save the movie to your hard drive and bring it into your DVD project manually.... at least until someone finds a way to connect the two.

Sian Jun 13, 2010 9:27 AM

WMM2.6

Hey, I bought a compaq laptop and it had windows 7 on it. The only movie editting program on it was Windows Live Movie Maker, but it's no good. I was searching the internet looking to download windows movie maker for my laptop, and i saw this. i read through it finding it helpful and when i clicked the link to download Movie Maker 2.6 .. i downloaded that and attempted to install movie maker but it won't install and when i click movie maker on the windows menu, it says "windows movie maker has stopped working. a problem has caused the program to stop working correctly. windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is available" after saying this, it closes down. i've tried to re-install the WMM program, clicked the repair option and troubleshooted it. it just doesn't work!! any suggestions?

Nigel Jun 13, 2010 8:36 AM

WMM 6.0.6000 on Win7 won't Publish

Hi All and Papa John thanks for your great tips. Having many WMM files made on Vista and in version 6 I have succeeded in loading it on Windows 7 64 Bit.

Only problem is I can't publish.

When I hit Publish, DVD I get the usual message "To burn your Movie to a DVD, Windows Movie Maker will save and close your project, and then open Windows DVD Maker.

I hit OK and the Movie appears to save as the window is no longer populated with my movie but the DVD Maker doesn't Launch.

I'd be ever so grateful for any suggestions.

PapaJohn Jun 12, 2010 9:24 PM

Response to Mike....

Hi Mike.... I'd uninstall and reinstall Windows Live Movie Maker and see if that resolves it..... I don't know who the Greg is that you're saying hello to.

Mike A Jun 12, 2010 5:13 PM

WMM 2.6 System Requirement issue

Good afternoon, Greg!

I recently upgraded my laptop to Windows 7 from Vista. I installed Windows Live Movie Maker on it and have a problem opening up Movie Maker. It says to make sure my system meets the system requirements for MM, but it does. I have no idea what the problem could be. I had no problems with MM when I used it when I had Vista. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

PapaJohn Jun 12, 2010 3:45 PM

Response to Ryan

Hi Ryan, yes you might be in codec hell where hundreds of demons enjoy playing with any torn out hair. Not knowing the types of video files you're using I can only make very general comments.

Few files today are easy to edit when doing it frame by frame. DV-AVI and Motion JPEG's are a couple. Most use much higher compression by having full frames every so often, with in-between frames being calculated. The high compression makes the fiies harder to edit or edit properly.

That makes the issue somewhere between WLMM and the codecs it's trying to use..... not easy to understand or resolve. Converting the source files to ones that work well is often the easiest path.

PapaJohn Jun 12, 2010 3:31 PM

Changing the Speed of a Video Clip

Rashida... the feature will be in the next release..... it's in the beta version I'm currently checking out.

Rashida Jun 12, 2010 1:34 PM

Speeding up/ speeding down videos

the window 7 version of movie maker doesnt have a "speeding up/ speeding down" option. I really fee lost wthout it...

Is there anyway of downloading such effects?.... or does this version have a speed regulator opton but ive just missed it?

Ryan Litchfield Jun 12, 2010 10:36 AM

Please help

I am ready to tear hair out. I am trying to edit and WLMM keeps mixing up the audio / video sync when I trim or Split. It seems to work and then when I play back it will mix up audio or else the clip I trimmed out shows up again minutes later. It seems possesed. Sometimes it works and then spazzoid!!! I am not stupid but there is not any helps to expliam exactly how to spit / trim etc. It sounds easy but it is possesed. I just want to cut and splice pieces of several clips together for a movie. Thanks Ryan

PapaJohn Jun 10, 2010 5:10 PM

hi Cassie.... about DVDs and MOV files...

MM6 in Vista could pass a movie project over to Windows DVD Maker.... not make the disc itself.

With MM2.6 you need to save the movie and then take the WMV file to Windows DVD Maker or other disc making software.

Using MOV files in a project has always been a spotty thing, dependent on onstalled codecs. I've always converted such files to avi or wmv before using in a Movie Maker project....

The step forward is Windows Live Movie Maker (WLMM).... not MM2.6 which was made for Vista users and happens to work also on Windows 7. WLMM has a menu option to save for a DVD, which auto-opens Windows DVD Maker as MM6 in Vista does.... but it saves the movie to a WMV file first rather than passing the project file to it.

For whatever reasons, Microsoft decided to rebuild Movie Maker from the ground up rather than take it to the next level from MM6. I don't know the reasons.

Cassie Fuller Jun 10, 2010 4:31 PM

Saving as DVD

I do not see an option in MM6.2 to save as a DVD. Also importing MOV files. I could do all this with MM for vista. Why is Movie Maker taking a step back instead of still going forward with their software.

PapaJohn Jun 10, 2010 2:15 PM

Hi Carolyn....

You didn't do anything wrong.... how specific files work in Movie Maker depends on the file type and codecs being used. There's a good chance you would need to convert files before using in a project.

Your best place to seek online free help is to post to the forums at

http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net

Be sure to include the type of files you're using and where they are from.

Carolyn Jun 10, 2010 10:01 AM

MM2.6

Hi, I just installed MM2.6 and Windows Live. I was able to import my video but when I review the clips they play as if they are slightly in fast forward mode. What did I do wrong? Thanks

PapaJohn Jun 10, 2010 3:15 AM

Responses to Greg and Will

Greg, MM2.6 is a derivative of MM2.1 in XP and handles fewer file types than Vista's Movie Maker 6 or WLMM... no sound would typically be a codec issue and my routine suggestion is to do file conversions of those that don't work OK rather than seeking codecs.

Will... I'd do like it said and try again, right on top of the previous installation... or you can uninstall it via the Control Panel if that's what you typically do and it made it that far. .... thanks for the comment.

Will A Jun 9, 2010 8:38 PM

WMM 2.6 won't load

I found your site because I was hoping I could install WMM in Windows 7 because WLMM is so limited. But when I followed your directions and tried to install WMM 2.6 I get a message that iwas interrupted and I should try again. Any idea why this is happening? Thanks for all the great tips!

Greg Jun 9, 2010 6:24 PM

no sound

After editing movie with mm 2.6 on windows 7 machine,movie has no sound.any suggestions?

Brandon W Jun 6, 2010 1:21 AM

bunch of add on crap

The problem with this version of movie maker is that you have to also install a bunch of garbage like "live messenger'...so you can get little pop ups every time you turn the computer on...
YEAH!!!!!!
Thanks Microcrap......
I hate that live "chat" garbage....I don't want people knowing I'm online cause then they want to send me little pop ups so I have to "chat"

PapaJohn Jun 3, 2010 1:29 AM

Audio files....

vary in file types and compression settings.... if Movie Maker doesn't handle it well, it's usually a good time to do a file conversion. The Microsoft wma format seems to work the best in all versions of Movie Maker.

Jeff Jun 2, 2010 6:42 PM

Sound

For some reason when I add certain sound files, it will play it normally if i play it from the start, however it messes up if I play it from where I left off.

PapaJohn May 31, 2010 12:19 AM

iefin....

yes you can do those things with Movie Maker. Save it to your computer and then use the YouTube interface to upload it.

I can't tell you in a paragraph how to make a movie.... press the F1 key in Movie Maker for help, or see this website page for links to online tutorials

http://www.papajohn.org/MM2-Online-Tutorials.html

iefin May 30, 2010 8:56 PM

movie maker

how do you like make a movie on movie maker and poste it on youtube like umm if you want to write ur own story on movie make and add music to it can u do tht? and how do u put it on youtube?

Don May 29, 2010 10:15 AM

Recommended Workflow for H.264 HD MOV Files and Movie Maker

Thanks for the tips PapaJohn!

Up until your reply, I had not seen any mention of WMV files and Version 3 Encoder as an alternative to produce MM-friendly files. I'm going to give that a try.

Don S.

PapaJohn May 27, 2010 2:39 PM

Hi Don....

I just watched a tutorial yesterday about using DSLRs for HD video... I see the depth of field advantages. I'd expect those editing it are not using Movie Maker.... I don't yet have an HD camera or camcorder.

As MOV is an Apple file type... even though WLMM can handle it with the right codec, I don't trust it and would first do file conversions from MOV to WMV. Start with the new version 3 Encoder.... the conversion feature is free forever, beyond the trial version. It'll get you high quality wmv files which you can then use in Movie Maker projects and it can batch your conversions on the sidelines as you do other editing projects....

http://www.microsoft.com/expression/products/Encoder_Overview.aspx

Beyond that are other conversion utilities, including WLMM itself.

Don Stouder May 27, 2010 1:54 PM

Recommended Workflow for H.264 HD MOV Files and Movie Maker

Hi Papajohn,

I have a Canon 7D DSLR. It takes 1920x1880p HD video wrapped in a .MOV file. I want to edit these files using Movie Maker.

I suspect among other issues, the fact that the file .mov, a workflow will need to deal with that first.

Can you provide the steps and/or software I will need to do this? Are some versions/platforms of MM going to be easier or not possible at all?

I suspect this question has come up a lot, given the the explosion of HD video in still cameras.

Any hints will be greatly appreciated.

Don S.

PapaJohn May 27, 2010 1:03 PM

Hi Anne and Paul....

Anne... WMV files usually align best with Microsoft software.... check my website's (www.papajohn.org) Import Movie Source Files > Video section for info and suggestions, which vary with the file types you're starting with. The Cameras and Capture Devices section of the website might also help.

Paul.... Windows DVD Maker does that.... it is included in some versions of Vista and Windows 7.... beyond that see the Other Editors and Making Discs section of my website for a dozen pointers.

Paul May 27, 2010 6:02 AM

DVD

Do you know of an add on program to author and burn a video_ts type DVD from moviemaker

Anne May 26, 2010 10:24 PM

No Audio with video transfer

Thank you...since I am not quite up to speed..what type of file do you suggest? And is that easily done?
Thanks!

PapaJohn May 26, 2010 9:31 PM

Hi Anne...

Losing the audio from the camera to Movie Maker usually means a codec issue... my suggested path is to to convert the file to something Movie Maker handles well before using it in a project.

Anne May 26, 2010 8:28 PM

No audio with imported video

When I imported my video from my camera to Movie Maker, I lost the audio. How do I get the audio?

Anmol May 25, 2010 7:28 AM

thanks

thanks it helped me very much

PapaJohn May 23, 2010 1:37 PM

Hi Helen...

My testing shows VOB files can be used in WLMM.... this page of my site summarizes my experience with different file types.

http://www.papajohn.org/WLMM-Importing.html

Success will vary from one computer to another, one project to another, and one DVD to another..... my rule of thumb is to quickly try it and if it doesn't work go straight to a file conversion. You could muck around in the world of codecs far longer and with too little success to be worth the attempts.

Even if I can get a vob file into a WLMM project, I still wouldn't trust it enough to not have done a file conversion first.

Helen Tomkins May 23, 2010 12:42 PM

VOB files in movie maker 2.6

HI ive just brought windows 7 and im pretty disappointed to say the least with the windows live movie maker. Ive installed the movie maker 2.6 for vista which run on windows 7, but i cant import and VOB files, which i could do no problem on my vista. Is there something else i should install? I dont want to convert the vob files in something else and then edit it in movie maker, i want to do it all in movie maker, but windows 7 doesnt seem capable of this???

PapaJohn May 22, 2010 2:20 PM

Hi Navid....

It could be your system, your version of Movie Maker, or the clip you're trying to use.... too many things to guess about without more info. Use the support forums at

Microsoft Windows 7 forums at http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx

Windows Live forums (if you're using WLMM) at http://windowslivehelp.com/

and the forums at http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/Forums/

You'll get more help than I can provide here. Be sure to say what version of Movie Maker you downloaded, and what kinds of video clips you're trying.

navid May 22, 2010 5:23 AM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

i download window movie maker to my windows7 but doesn't work. when i drop a clip it doesn't play

PapaJohn May 21, 2010 2:00 PM

Response to Luke

If you can save a shorter (like 2 minute duration) movie with the same mix of file types, then it could be a 'project complexity' issue which means it needs more memory to save than what you have. If you can't save the shorter file then it's likely about the file type(s).... MM2.6 is very similar to MM2.1 - this page of my website has all the info I have about the subject....

http://www.papajohn.org/MovieMaker-Issues-CantSaveMovie.html

Luke Rogers May 21, 2010 1:07 PM

saving in movie maker

Hi,
I'm having problems saving a movie project to my computer.
I am running version 2.6 on windows 7
I have crated a movie which is approx 1hr 20mins in length and has a large amount of video content as well as stills, music, and the usual transitions.
When I try to save to my computer, it says estimating time remaining for approx 45mins, and then has an error message saying it could not save!!
Please help!!

Many thanks
Luke

SueD May 20, 2010 8:05 AM

Thank you!

Thank you so much for this posting and the links. I was so disappointed when we got our new computer and moviemaker wasn't there and at the time I tried downloading it and PS3, neither of which worked... i've now downloaded both and they are working! Yay!

PapaJohn May 17, 2010 2:14 PM

Hi Michael...

I don't yet have an HD camcorder and there are eough posts like yours that nudge me into staying longer at the mini-DV camcorder level...

I havn't run into problems when testing with HD files, bus they are small duration projects.

Michael May 17, 2010 1:33 AM

Publishing HD w/ Live MM

Do u have problems w/ editing & publishing HD home video w/ Live MM?
I have windows 7 @ 64 bit, 10 gig RAM, dual QUAD Xeons.
Yet when ever I publish my HD video, I get error of insufficient memory! I have set virtual memory to 30 gig! Still, w/ the same problem.
I tried using Corel Video Pro. The same memory problem.
However, if I use the low quality HD and cut the video down from 25 min to 5 min, it works. Problem is, why buy a HD cam corder when u can't publish it high quality & longer time?

PapaJohn May 14, 2010 12:30 PM

Hi Bernadette...

Interesting.... I hadn't heard of a computer maker including MM2.6 on a Windows 7 system.

Microsoft often changes their terminology for the big steps of a movie-making project from one version to another. In MM2.1 and MM2.6 on XP or Vista, it's 'Save a Movie'.... In MM6 on Vista and WLMM it's 'Publish'. Vista users had both MM6 and MM2.6 options.

You need to save the movie to either a DV-AVI or high quality WMV file and use it as the source file for your DVD project.

Bernadette May 14, 2010 6:16 AM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

I have been reading forums for days and can't find an answer to my question. I have windows 7 home premium on 64 bit system and it came pre-installed with wmm2.6 from retailer (as well as wlmm). In every instruction that I read it says go to file menu, choose publish to.... Problem is that when I go to the file menu, there is no publish to option, only save movie file. Why is the option not there in windows 7 yet apparently it was there in vista. What I want to do is burn a dvd from wmm2.6. Can anyone help or explain? Thanks

PapaJohn May 11, 2010 12:40 AM

Responses to comments...

Natasha..., you don't need a disc to download and install Windows Live or MM2.6.... all you need is an internet connection and you've got that because you said you tried downloading it. If your internet connection isn't working or you don't have the admin permissions needed to install it, you need to get help from someone close to you.

jcinsa.... I don't know what version of Movie Maker you're comparing it to, or maybe you're comparing MM2.6 running on Vista to it on Windows 7.... either way I'd suggest you compare notes and seek help from the forums at http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/Forums/. Effects and transitions do work and look differently from one version of Movie Maker to another but I've not seen other posts similar to yours. If it's in the project preview, check it by saving the movie and watching it play.... the final might be much better than the preview.

jcinsa May 10, 2010 11:10 PM

Need help with transitions

When I downloaded WMM2.6 to my new PC with Windows 7, the transitions are no longer smooth (i.e. circle, diamond, sweeps) -- they are jagged and look like specks when the slides transition. I downloaded Photo Story 3, and those transitions work fine and look great in it, but I need WMM to work on some movies with music edits and such. I tried "repair" and I tried re-downloading, but the transitions are still messed up. Any suggestions on a fix? (and I'm not a techy).

natasha lawrinson May 10, 2010 5:34 PM

movie maker

i dnt have a disk drive its a mini netbook n dnt have no disk thing

PapaJohn May 8, 2010 12:05 PM

Natasha....

This article includes the links to get Windows Live Movie Maker and MM2.6, the easiest versions to get. I just checked the links and they work fine.... I don't know what version you're trying to get or how.

Use the Windows LIve Solutions Center for help needed with the Windows Live version....
http://windowslivehelp.com/default.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0

And the forums at Microsoft Answers or www.WindowsMovieMakers.net for help with MM2.6....
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx

natasha lawrinson May 8, 2010 5:29 AM

movie maker

heyah i just got a new laptop and it doesnt have microsoft windows movie maker do you no how i can get it ? iv tried downloading it but it wont

PapaJohn May 3, 2010 3:20 AM

Hi Jay,

Mini-disc DVD camcorders record the video as vob files... which are MPEG2 files with a different file name.

MM2.6 typically can't used vob files in a project.... or could run into lots of issues if you think it's working ok.... I recommend conversion to AVI or WMV files before importing. See this page of my website...

http://www.papajohn.org/MM2-Importing-Video-Discs.html

Jay P May 2, 2010 7:33 PM

video doesn't display

I installed MM2.6 and it opened up nicely. I recently imported video from a mini disc video camera and it saved on my laptop. Winamp is currently the default video player, so each cell has the lightning bolt logo over it. I selected them to get them into MM2.6 and when I click on any cell, I hear audio, but can see nothing. Is this just a matter of me needing to convert them to a different format or do I need a codec?

PapaJohn Apr 24, 2010 1:28 PM

comments....

Jesse, MM2.6 from it's beginning couldn't use project files created or changed by MM6. Although created for Vista users, it's more aligned with XP's MM2.1 than with Vista's MM6. You'll need to use MM6 to finish any projects started with it.... unless you luck out and find WLMM works well enough for the specific project.

Read the other articles in this series for info about adding MM6 to Windows 7. As it's not available from Microsoft I don't provide links or support beyond explaining how I copied it from my Vista system. Search the internet and you'll find downloadable packages from other places.

Stan, I remember some losses of audio of a DV-AVI file.... but that was years ago and resolved by doing the capture again. It might have been when capturing with other software than Movie Maker.... it's really a rare event for me.

Stan Apr 24, 2010 12:31 PM

Home video library

Thank you for the advices. You are right a 2T drive is so inexpensive it don'r worth my time to do the conversions.
Talking about audio of thecaptured video, One of the tape I captured last night with the WLPG lossing the audio for some of the the video segments. Is that a known bug or I have done something wrong? I don't seem to have that problem before.

Jesse4723 Apr 24, 2010 11:26 AM

Movie Maker: Vista to Windows 7

I've created a Movie Maker file in Vista using version 6.0. I would like to use the file in my laptop that uses Windows 7. Pedr your info above, I downloaded MM2.6 into my laptop. When I try to load the file, an error prompts me that the file is unable to open due to the it being created in a differnet version. What do you recommend I can do to use the MM6.0 file in my Windows 7 laptop?

Venu Apr 22, 2010 8:09 PM

Thanks for your information

Thanks

PapaJohn Apr 21, 2010 4:20 PM

Home video library....

As technology keeps changing and improving, I'm one who doesn't do any file conversions until needed. That has me keeping my mini-DV tapes in DV-AVI format on the computer.... yes, they are the same quality as the tape. I don't reuse my tapes as I've lost more hard drives over the years than tapes so they can serve as backups to each other, whichever you want to consider the masters.

If the DV-AVI files play fine on your media center machine, why convert? At the current Sams Club price of $159 for a 2T Western Digital MyBook... that's 140 hours of DV-AVI files... a bit over $1 an hour. If you need more room, add another 2T external.

Having said that, if you want another set of files, WMV is a good choice. MPEG4 might be next, then MPEG2... watch for audio sync issues if you use MPEG.

Stan Apr 21, 2010 2:07 AM

Home video library

I copied the VOB files from the DVD and renamed them according the the date taken scheme. The Windows Llive Photo Gallery can arrange them in file name sequence and also play the VOB files without problem. It really working well. I have the mechanism to build a Home video library now.

My plan is to put all my home video in a 2T external disk for save keeping.

For the AVI-DV file. Is the quality the same as the tape? Is there need for me to keep the original digital tapes any more?

If I want to compress the AVI files to store a complete home video library on my media center machine for easy access and viewing. What format would be good for both quality and size? Mpeg4, Mpeg2?

PapaJohn Apr 20, 2010 3:40 AM

Hi Stan,

You say WLMM can handle the DVD files... so you can either...

- copy the vob files to your computer without conversion, but by manually renaming them to fit in your storage scheme

- use WLMM it as a conversion utility and name the new wmv files whatever you want.

Maybe I'm missing something in your comment.

Stan Apr 20, 2010 2:58 AM

AVI conversion

PAPAJohn,
Thank you for the information.
I just count my tapes. I actually only have 100 hours of tapes that are in digital format. The rest of the tapes are analog. Over 100 hour of the VHS tapes were already captured with my VHS to DVD recorder. BTW WLMM can handle the DVD files as the source directly and power DVD can play the files in the harddrive.

I can capture all my digital video in the AVI format.
Copy the rest of the analog 8MM tapes either with my DVD recorder or with Vista in WMV format.

I hope there is a easy way to convert the dvd video files to WMV format or at lease give them a name with the taken date such the I can keep all the video together in time sequence.

PapaJohn Apr 19, 2010 1:43 PM

Hi Stan....

Once you start wondering, there's no end to it. WTV files use MPEG-2 video with audio of MPEG-1 Layer II or Dolby Digital AC-3. DVR-MS files are based on the ASF file format and the new WTV files are made using the Stream Buffer Engine DirectShow source filter. For more info see

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc963726.aspx

Your word 'noticable' is key.... better and better compression methods developed over the years result in smaller files with losses that are harder to detect

DV-AVI files are large as they contain full info about each frame... making editing easier than with MPEG2 and MPEG4 files which don't use full frames except at 'keyframes'.

Stan Apr 18, 2010 3:03 AM

AVI conversion.

I had done some experiments today. I captured the mini-DV video. It was 13 G per hour as you described. I just love the way that Window 7 uses the video taken time as the beginning of the file name.

I checked the HD TV video file I captured with the Windows Media Center. It is only 5 G per hour of HD content (Nova program-really high quality) . I drag one of the file to WLMM. To my big surprise It can be displayed the WTV file and allow editing. I find that I can right click on the WTV file and window 7 will convert it to a DVR-MS file too. The file is smaller but it can be played by media player. It also can be edited by the WLMM. As far as I can see there is not different in quality and It take only 2.5 minutes to do the conversion. What a good deal!

Armed with this knowledge. I start wondering:
(1) What kind of compression that WTV use to have such high quality video in such a small file.
(2) I think DVR_MS is only mpeg 2 how come there is no noticeable loss?
(3) Why don't I converse the big AVI dv file to one of this format to achieve high quality, small size and editing ability? Seem like a reasonable thing to do.
(4) Is Mpeg4 the best way to convert my video to and keep the size small and quality high?

I try to read some of the articles on net about the different codec and the quality and performance comparison. It hurts my novice brain!

Would you help demystified all this and set my straight? I am sure all these are stupid questions that only novice can ask. But there many novice like me out there that are really confused.

Thank you for your help.

Nonitto Apr 17, 2010 11:44 AM

Thanks!

Worked like magic for me, windows 7 home premium!

HITESH Apr 15, 2010 2:40 PM

its a

great thing

PapaJohn Apr 14, 2010 9:42 PM

Hi MistyEyes,

I'm sitting here at Barnes & Noble working on my Windows 7 laptop. I checked and it doesn't have a file named msacm.ac3filter.... ac3 are Dolby audio files, often the most difficult part of converting or using MPEG2 files. Some MPEG2 files have Dolby audio tracks and others don't.

Good MPEG2 codecs pay license fees and don't get passed around freely, so even if I had a good copy of your filter/codec file I might not be able to give you a copy.

When MPEG2 files don't work in Movie Maker, I don't go down the path of looking for a codec that will make them work. I use conversion software to get WMV or AVI files that import and can be edited. If you have issues with a specific MPEG2 codec, I suggest you get tech support from where you got the codec. If it's a free file and you can't get good support, give up on the quest and go down a different path.

MistyEyes Apr 14, 2010 8:04 PM

Not the muted audio, missing mpeg codec

Hi again ...
I figured out that is is not an audio problem it is for sure a missing mpeg codec. Probably the one I posted. Not for sure though.
I did a bit of troubleshooting and when an mpeg file was loaded, the audio would play for 1/2 second and stop, so I would move the 'cursor' and the same thing would happen, play and stop.
Then I tried a wmv and it played perfectly.
I made a list of the current coded that I have now, but I can not post it here.
Maybe, would it be possible to email that to you. I think from this post you have my email.
Win 7 makes it very hard to replace corrupt codec, so ....
I would greatly appreciate any help at this point as I am at a standstill :(

Thanks once again!

MistyEyes Apr 14, 2010 7:18 PM

What a mess :(

Hello PapaJohn,

"That's another nice mess I've gotten myself into"

Just when I got everything running beautifully .... BAM! ... I ran head on into a trojan (even with a major virusscanner) :(
It seems to have eaten some of my audio components, among other things.
I was able to fix mostly everything, I think, but in Live MovieMaker, the audio controller is muted out and can not be changed.
I did download Gspot and it is saying that I am missing this file: msacm.ac3filter ... Is it possible that this is the file causing the mute out, and if not, do you have any suggestions?
I am also using 'Sharks' codec pack.

Once again, thank you so much!

PapaJohn Apr 14, 2010 4:57 PM

some responses....

That's the way to go kisskisspoutpout.... I'm glad your feeling good enough about the whole thing to end with a smile.

Angel, as MM7 itself doesn't include Movie Maker..... if you're referring to Windows Live Movie Maker, add-on effects and transtions are not yet available and I don't know anyone working on them. The classic versions of Movie Maker continue to support the extras they supported in XP and Vista.

Eugene.... I gues you're saying your laptop doesn't have a firewire port. Firewire and USB are different technologies and I've not heard of a firewire to usb cable. Some combo cables have USB and firewire, but it doesn't move the firewire to a USB or vice-versa. A PMCIA card with a firewire port in it could work, if you're laptop has a PMCIA slot.

Eugene Magee Apr 14, 2010 4:27 PM

Sony camcorder

I am unable to connect my sony dcr hc18e camera to windows 7 on my laptop. sony told me to use a firewire to usb cable but this did not work . sony then told me to get windows movie maker will this work for me or will windows 7 still not recognize my camera?

Angel Rodriguez Apr 14, 2010 11:58 AM

Widows & MM

I have Windows 7 and it included MM. I have made several mini movies (less than 2 min) I woukd like to add additional effects. I find MM great becaaause I have no knowledge whatsoever on video making/editing etc. Any suggestions on simple to use add-ons? Oh I want to thank PapaJohn again for helping me perviously.

kisskisspoutpout Apr 14, 2010 9:28 AM

papa john-

i finally gave up and asked my father in law for help- he was able to get it to a dvd- thank goodness!
thanks for the advice-
i'll be sure to try another movie in the future :)

PapaJohn Apr 13, 2010 10:59 PM

kisskisspoutpout

Now that you have the video on your hard drive in DVD quality.... it's a WMV file.,... you open your DVD making software, import the file and burn a disc.

Not all computers have a DVD burning drive.... and not all versions of Vista include Windows DVD Maker. If you have both, open DVD Maker, import the movie and burn the disc. If you don't have DVD Maker, disc burners usually come with starter software. The details of making the disc will vary a bit with the software, as will the right place to get instructions and help. What do you have?

kisskisspoutpout Apr 13, 2010 4:41 PM

still can't figure out how to get my movie on a dvd

i've spent several hours making a memorial video for my father who recently passed away.

i'm using vista and movie maker version 6

i "published" the file to my computer as a windows media dvd quality. i'm confused on what to do now to get it on to a dvd disk so that i can send these to my family.

please help- i'm not super computer literate- so i'll need very basic lame-man's terms.

thanks!

becky taylor Apr 13, 2010 6:54 AM

i dont agree with mm (movie maker) being taken out of windows 7, i think it was a bad move. revenge!

PapaJohn Apr 13, 2010 2:32 AM

AVI conversion....

Movie Maker is what I use... to make wmv files.... there's really no one right answer.

If the wmv set is meant just for reference, not for editing, which you can do from the DV-AVI files for the best quality, a small size such as the WLMM choice of portable device or mobile phone would work fine.... it'll be smaller in size, mono instead of stereo and take hundreds of hours of computer time to render.... but you could tuck the whole library into the corner of a computer's hard drive.

If the set is for editing in future projects and high quality is desired... see my website's Save Movies > Custom WMV Profiles page and use the ones I have named 'Heading to DVD'. The files would be larger but still much much less than DV-AVI, but the rendering time would be considerably longer than real time.... many hundreds of hours.

Movie Maker doesn't have a batch conversion feature.... you would need to use something like VirtualDub (which produces AVI files instead of WMV) or conversion utilities such as Xilisoft's Converter. Microsoft's Expression Encoder s also an option. It's hard to advise.....do a short sample/pilot conversion using all the tools you have ...check the time it takes and the results. Be sure you have the right one beforetotally jumping in.

stan Apr 13, 2010 1:32 AM

AVI conversion

Good points on the price of storage is very affordable now.. I will keep my originally Mini DV tapes and may use an external drive to store the full resolution AVI captured by the WLMM as suggested.
If I want to keep a copy of the video on my computer for easy access and want to have a smaller AVI. size What would be the way to convert them?

PapaJohn Apr 13, 2010 12:18 AM

Hi Stan....

I have over 200 hours of mini-DV tapes on external hard drives. DV-AVI is a fixed size per minute and an hour uses 13+ GB (for NTSC... PAL might be different).

A 2 terebyte Western Digital external drive costs $179 at Sams Club.... and can fit 140 hours of DV-AVI. That's much less than the $3.50 per tape cost for mini-DV cassettes (140 of them would be almost $500). You could easily fit your full collection on two of the drives...

The DV-AVI file type is higher quality than WMV and the most universally accepted file type for video editing apps and utilities. You see where I'm heading....

Stan Apr 12, 2010 6:06 PM

250 hours of Home video to capture

PapaJohn,

Sorry for the confusion. My previous post was lost.

The situation is that I tried your instructions on using Windows Live Movies Maker (WLMM) to capture my home video on Windows 7. It works great ! I really like the way the WLMM names the files with the video taken dates.

The obstacle I am facing is that I have about 250 hours of home video on mini-DV, and VHS that I would like to capture and store in the Hard drive for easy access. One hour of Home video capture by WLMM AVI takes about 17G compare to 1.8G if I captured the video with Vista using the WMV format.

I think the best way for me to capture all my home video is capturing one tape each night with WLMM and convert all the files to a Windows compatible format that has good quality but take 2-3 G per hour of home video.

My simple questions from a novice are:
(1) What format would you recommend I convert the WLMM AVI to?
(2) What tool or procedure will allow me to convert a brunch of AVI file at a time?

I am sure you know exactly what to do. Thank you for your advise in advance.

PapaJohn Apr 12, 2010 4:25 PM

Stan....

I'm guessing you're referring to your posting here at BrightHub.... as you see I got and approved the one post. I didn't get another one.

PapaJohn Apr 12, 2010 4:22 PM

Stan....

.. ... I don't know what you're referring to. My website has info and links to lots of things..... can you be more specific about what page and items you're asking about. thanks

stan Apr 12, 2010 3:28 PM

test

I just send in test tiled 250 hour of home video to capture.
I don't know if you get it or not the verifiication code on your web site seem to give me trouble.

PapaJohn Apr 11, 2010 5:38 PM

Differences....

Differences in DVD video files might make you consider one as 'defective'.... so can differences in WMV files. My experiences are such that it's the differences that result in issues... defective files are much much less common.

NIce going!!

MistyEyes Apr 11, 2010 5:03 PM

CODEC AND MOVIES MAKER/S

Hello again!

Well it seems that the DVD I was trying to convert was defective, as I tried a few other DVD/s, and one way or another, they all converted!
I also saw something very interesting that might interest you. It is a forum topics about MovieMaker 2.6 stopping part way through. The same problem I am still having!:

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7programs/thread/181c5ce1-56e9-4f7c-a200-df20a2fce736
==
I tried the Live Movie Maker, and it basically did what I needed it to do, BUT the files size is twice a big as it should be as in MM2.6!
So I took the completed file for live MM and ran it through MM2.6 to get the size down to 1.5 Mpbs, instead of 2.99 Mpbs! It worked in THAT instance perfectly!

I have a funny feeling that something is missing as far as the windows codec for 7/8/9, as I have received errors in other programs saying it was missing and the files could not be processed. But when the file was processed in live MM and then MM2.6, the 2.6 saw the correct codec and was able to process the file.

Something to think about!

PapaJohn Apr 10, 2010 5:45 PM

Cyberlink software....

Late last year I studied Cyberlnk's Power Cinema, Director, DVD and Producer.... running them on XP and Wndows 7. They are good software apps.

MistyEyes Apr 10, 2010 4:38 PM

codec

Hiya!

Free is always good, but when all else fails, buy! So I did! 'Power DVD' from Cyberlink, and it is now ok with Win7 and recommended by Microsoft.
I'm going to install it and let you know.

Thanks!

PapaJohn Apr 10, 2010 3:41 PM

Hi Misty.....

Codec issues can be complex to understand and resolve... I don't see anything unusual about what you say but I'm too far removed from your details to offer anything more than general comments.

- I usually don't recommend trying to find the codecs that will let you work with a file directly in Movie Maker.... the quest is most often not successful.

- I suggest file conversion before importing.. using any of many different conversion utilities.... when one doesn't work well move on to try another, and another, until you find what works well for you.

- My website's (www.papajohn.org) Import Movie Source Files > Video section has info about what works for me.

Sometimes I'll separate the audio from the video, convert each indivually to video and audio files that work in Movie Maker, and then marry them back together in a movie project.

If I assume you're like most users of Movie Maker and want to resolve it with free software and free support, you're best bet are the forums at windowsmoviemakers.net.

MistyEyes Apr 10, 2010 3:08 PM

Codec Problems

Hi again,

I have a new HDD and a clean install of Windows 7 now. I tried that 1 wmv that I had created in MM2, and it still shut down part of the way through, so I tried to re-convert the DVD to MGEG2 format, and the program that I use to convert also shut down 1/2 way through. So I looked at the mpeg2 files that was produced, and it was very jerky, slow, and then the file ran like it was on fire LOL!
I checked in the properties for the movie and the FFdShow decoder was used for audio and there was nothing at all for the video!
I did get the gspot program, and it shows lots of different codec and filters and it also shows this:
DSH DIVX DivX Decoder Filter {78766964-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71} 0x00800000 ** File Missing:
--
Just to verify that there is a codec problem,
I checked one of the files I converted while on XP and it too is jerky, then runs like the keystone cops! (dating myself!)
I checked that file that used to play well, with the gspot and it shows on the #2, last line is pink and says "failed to create instance of Cyberlink Video/SP Decoder. CoCreate Instance () failed. Error: 0x80004005: [unknown]"
Then I checked the partial mpeg2 that I tried to convert and had the same error.
So I don't know if this is the cause of the main conversion problems and playback jerkiness or not. I just know that something is not right.

If you have any suggestions as to what codec I might need to get these going so I can use MM2 and any other program, I would be very grateful!

THANK YOU!!!

MistyEyes Apr 5, 2010 3:15 PM

Codecs

Hello Papa John!

I love sourceforge for drivers, as they
are clean!

I unfortunately am having 'freezing' problems with the install of win 7, so I have to reinstall it.
That might have been part of why I couldn't use the MM2.
Now that we know what to do, I will try it again with the clean install.

Thank you again for all of your assistance!
Misty Eyes

PapaJohn Apr 5, 2010 12:42 PM

Codecs

The last version I dowloaded was ffdshow_beta6_rev2527_20081219.exe.... which now is listed in the 'very old' group. Newer ones than that should be OK, even if they are beta versions. Just be sure you're downloading from SourceForge.... http://sourceforge.net/projects/ffdshow.

I use GSpot on Windows 7... http://www.headbands.com/gspot/ menu > System > List Codecs and Other Filters

Misty Eyes Apr 5, 2010 12:13 PM

Problems with MovieMaker and Win7... continued

Hi again,

I wanted to make 1000% sure that this is the correct file:
ffdshow_rev3342_20100331_clsid.exe

I don't load anything in my machine
unless I am totally sure!

1 last question ... In win7 where can all of the codec that are in win7 be seen?

Thank you again!
Misty Eyes

PapaJohn Apr 5, 2010 2:10 AM

Hi Misty Eyes...

thanks for the positive note...

MM.6 in Windows 7 is pretty much the same as MM2.1 in XP..... codec and other issues are still there, even with WMV files.

If you can successfully save a short movie using a couple still pix and a music file I'd have to guess the installation is fine and it's about the files you got from your conversion process. Playing OK in WMP isn't a strong clue that it'll work in a movie editing project.

Installing the latest ffdshow codec might help... see my website's (www.papajohn.org) Setup Movie Maker > Codecs and Compressors page for a link.

PapaJohn Apr 5, 2010 1:55 AM

Lee...

It sure seems like a codec issie. There are lots of codecs and conversion tools and I've not used the Essential Codec pack and don't own a Flip.

Go to www.FlipInFocus.com where the owner Darrell specializes in using HD from Flip cameras in Movie Maker.

See also my website's (www.papajohn.org) Cameras and Capture Devices > Brands > Flip page. Conversion is the right path, which is what you're doing. Keep trying conversion utilities until you find what works for you.

MistyEyes Apr 4, 2010 4:41 PM

Problems with MovieMaker and Win7 32bit

Hiya PapaJohn,

I found your site again, as I used it when I had XP, and I just installed Windows 7 32 bit.
I took your advise and downloaded the MovieMaker 2.6, as I love the quickness in which I can edit my movies, but I am having 2 problems!
1 - file 1 ... Can not save! No reason or anything.
It was originally a DVD that I encoded back to a wmv. It plays in movie Maker with N/P, just wont save.

2 - file 2 ... Same conversion process ... Then as soon a I try to add text to the movie, it greys out with an error window that says "Movie Maker has stopped working.
A problem has caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution becomes available"

Are there any special codec that are available for
windows 7 that do not come with the OS? Maybe this is one of the problems?

I appreciate all the work you have done to
help us LOVE Movie Maker!!!

Thank you!
MistyEyes

Lee in NC Apr 4, 2010 12:04 PM

Fast Audio?

Importing video from my Flip UltraHD results in fast audio - not quite chipmunk, but on the way there. I installed the CNET essentail CODEC pack - no improvement. Any insight?

PapaJohn Apr 3, 2010 6:57 PM

Slow or Speed up a video clip....

The new WLMM doesn't have the feature.... with other classic versions look in the video effects for 'Slow Down - Half' and 'Speed Up - Double'

A.j. Apr 3, 2010 5:33 PM

Slow Motion

I've clicked every god damned button there is on this movie maker..how do I slow the clip to half speed or more!!

kelly Apr 1, 2010 8:36 PM

great advice

Had vista and couldnt recognize camera upgraded to 7 and have no movie maker ...I miss my old tower with XP and MM2.......

PapaJohn Apr 1, 2010 2:12 PM

Julie.... about VOB files

Movie Maker shows only one frame to represent a clip.... so the full VOB file might be there. The overall duration of the clip and the ability to preview and move through it are key.

If a VOB file doesn't work directly, copy it from the DVD to your hard drive and change the file extension from .VOB to .MPG. That won't convert the file but Movie Maker will try harder to use it.

If the file still doesn't work right in Movie Maker, you need to convert it to another file before using in a project. Once in Movie Maker it's a matter of trimming the clip with start and end points to align with the segment you want to crop out.

Julie Apr 1, 2010 9:28 AM

what about VOB files

Hi, I'm trying to edit some video's(from a vob format) but WLMM only takes the first capture ( the vids were taken from different sports of two pupils but need to put individuals and their sports together), i.e its only 7 seconds of a 38min video is imported in to WLMM, any help please.

Simon Mar 27, 2010 7:31 AM

Thanks

Hey, thanks for posting this - I've recently upgraded to Windows7, just went to use WMM and realised it wasnt there!

Cheers!

StartingToPuff Mar 26, 2010 12:05 PM

Blind as a bat

Found it!!! Stop looking.

StartingToPuff Mar 26, 2010 12:01 PM

Where is the file saved?

Plugged in my DV Camera using firewire and it automatically rewound tape drive then saved file. Problem is where did it save it?

PapaJohn Mar 25, 2010 4:15 PM

Johanna.... no I pesonally don't provide

any version of Movie Maker.... my website (www.papajohn.org > Setup Movie Maker section) has links to the Microsoft sites you can download them from... MM2.6 and WLMM are easily downloadable.... other versions are incuded in the Windows operating system.

There are websites that provide hacked copies of Windows and other versions of Movie Maker, but I prefer not endorsing or passing them around.

johanna Mar 25, 2010 3:44 PM

huh

ok so you dont have the movie maker??
or you do??

PapaJohn Mar 22, 2010 4:24 PM

A couple responses...l.

Trev, it's usually one of your computer settings. Right click on the speaker icon with the red circle/X and check your settings. Or go into your control panel and check sound settings. Seems lke something outside Movie Maker.

Lori, no version of Movie Maker has a feature to make a DVD. Save your movie as a video file and then take it to your DVD software to make the menu and burn the disc.

If you have Windows DVD Maker, try it. If not, DVD burners usually come with something in the way of a DVD making app. Be sure you're picking a 'video DVD', not a 'data DVD'.

Lori Vincent Mar 22, 2010 12:40 PM

Movie Maker

Windows Movie maker for Windows 7 ... It does not offer to burn to dvd... any suggestions?

Trev Mar 22, 2010 9:39 AM

Audio Muted on WMM, how to turn it off?

I have gone to the other sites/quorums but I did not see a similar question. The issue is, I get to the point where I can see that the audio is muted (red circle with a line through it) when trying to edit the audio. On WMM (not WMM2.6) you can only edit volume up and down when you click on the speaker icon, however there's the red circle indication and I cannot figure out how to turn this off. Thanks

PapaJohn Mar 22, 2010 1:16 AM

Trev... if you hear the audio of other clips,

but not this one, I'd guess you're using a file that would need conversion to a different file before adding to your project.... for help on your issue or for file conversions, I recommend the forums at http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/Forums/

Trev Mar 21, 2010 7:08 PM

Audio is muted when imported to WMM

I cannot figure out how 'unmute' the audio so that ti can be heard once it is imported into WMM. Do you know how I can do this? Thanks

PapaJohn Mar 20, 2010 1:00 AM

Beckyson....

See my website's (www.papajohn.org) > Setup Movie Maker > Windows LIve and MM2.6 pages for links. The links in my BrightHub articles get wrapped in BrightHub paths and might not work. I'm seeing that now as I try the links.

Beckyson Mar 19, 2010 10:28 PM

Movie Maker

Hey, Erm.. I'm new to the site and well... I know Movie maker is not on my laptop, and well I need it for my projects (sorry to moan a little)
Well anyways.. Is there any way I can get it onto my laptop as I used to use movie maker on a day to day basis.
Or if not can you give me some names which are simular to movie maker as I don't fancy learning about something completely different.
Thanks :)

PapaJohn Mar 18, 2010 10:27 PM

yes Jean....

Movie Maker and other video editing software typically mix still pictues with video clips and music. Many use it as a slide-show generator.... sometimes to an extreme when other software such as Photo Story 3 would be a better choice.

Jean King Mar 18, 2010 7:06 PM

windows moveimaker

Hi, I am new at this sort of thing and want to know if I download movie maker onto my Wndows 7, will I be able to do still photos, or is is only for videos. Thanks Jean

PapaJohn Mar 18, 2010 3:29 PM

Hi sylvia....

I tend to go with the flow. As you say, MM2.6 has all the basics. The extra eye candy provided by MM6 isn't really needed to create content/inspiration based videos.

For great learning experiences you could have the students develop their own as MM2.6 supports custom effects and transitions using xml and associated graphics files.

sylvia Mar 18, 2010 2:55 PM

effects available on Vista WMM

I use WMM to teach basic editing principles to students. Up till now we've used computers with the Vista version of WMM which has been great. Now we're upgrading to Windows 7 and there are some problems.
Can't use WLMM because of the lack of timeline
Downloaded the 2.6 XP version, but it has far fewer effects than the Vista version and because we work a lot with stills these are important.
Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks

PapaJohn Mar 16, 2010 1:50 PM

hans and Wonkey Wizard....

hans... An overlay title in the storybard is use as a video clip and you can't remove it.... what you can do is switch to the timeline view and drag/drop the clip from the video track to the Title Overlay track. That'll keep the overlay text but put it over the video clips.

Wonkey.... your link didn't work for me... here's another one to get Pinnacle's Video Spin.... I haven't tried it yet on Windows 7. Good idea!!

http://www.videospin.com/Redesign/

PapaJohn Mar 16, 2010 1:29 PM

Matt and bilbo...

I let your first round of con and pro comments about Windows 7 get posted as they reflect the feelings of many and I appreciate such items, but I'll be filtering any further comments if they simply elaborate on your positions. Different users with different systems have different experiences. I'm currently running 3 Windows 7 systems, a few XP's where I do most of my work and a Windows 98.... notice, no Vista's.

Wonkey Wizard Mar 16, 2010 11:20 AM

Pinnacle Video Spin Software

Click The Link And Download
Link: http://rapidshare.com/files/202766968/jackycandy1412_Pinnacle.VideoSpin.2.0.0.669_downarchive.rar

Matt Mar 16, 2010 8:21 AM

What the hell are you on about?

bilbo before you flame W7, know that your system may not be up to scratch with running it..

Windows 7 from boot will take me under 20 secs easily and as soon as my desktop appears im able to use any application or software (Hence im using a i7 920) but vista by FAR is worse with all its glorious bugs and faults.

Simply put, you want quick load ups? go back to XP, problem is they are trying to get rid of XP and XP users if you check the newest software alot actually ISNT supporting XP now

hans Mar 16, 2010 7:15 AM

removing overlay title

how can I remover the overlay title from a clip inthe story board, without removing the clip?

bilbo Mar 14, 2010 9:51 PM

Windows 7 is worse than vista!!!!

I've used both windows 7 and vista. Windows 7 is by far the worst they've made yet! It's suppose to be faster, it's not; they claim to have taken all our ideas and put them in windows 7, but for some reason they left the windows movie maker out. How stupid can you get????

PapaJohn Mar 11, 2010 5:18 PM

Sorry Izzy...

This isn't the right place for us to go deeply into details... being alone and not here all the time, I'll help by pointing you in the right directions but keep things at the level of what's covered in the article.

My website at www.papajohn.org has lots of info and links to online forums where there are many who can help.... the Microsoft Solutions forums links on the main page are good places, as are the forums at

http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net

There are too many possible items you might run into as you go, all of which don't necessarily relate to the needs or interests of other readers of this article..

Izzy Mar 11, 2010 4:25 PM

Convert with WLMM

well, sorry to bother again... I just downloaded the WLMM, but i don't know how to convert the VOB files into WMV. There's not even a "help" section in the program! And how can i use the converted files in WMM 2.6 (after they've been converted in WLMM)? Thanks a lot for your great help!

PapaJohn Mar 11, 2010 3:37 PM

VOB files....

VOB is the file name extension, invisible to you by default.... turn on your ability to see the VOB

It's the first item in my checklist of computer skills when you're going into the world of video editing
http://www.papajohn.org/MM2-ComputerSkills.html

MM2.6 can't handle VOB files... get WLMM and use it as a conversion tool (assuming your system can handle them in WLMM). If it can't handle them then you'll need a file conversion utility.

Izzy Mar 11, 2010 3:21 PM

No VOB files!

Oops!
Sorry.. forgot to specify.. i'm using Windows 7, and the WMM version i have is 2.6 (not live).
I could not find how to convert the files in WMM.
2nd, when i opened the DVD, all the files i could find was: Video_TS and VTS_01_0 VTS_01_1 and so on. Some of them are Dvd movie, some say saved file, or info movie dvd.
I have no clue what it means, and which files i should use!

PapaJohn Mar 11, 2010 1:43 PM

Izzy.... you're DVD files might be easy to get into a movie project

I say 'might' because you don't mention which version of Windows 7 you're using or version of Movie Maker.

If you're using Windows 7 and Windows Live Movie Maker (WLMM), there's a good chance you can open the video files on the DVDs. They are the VOB files in the VIDEO_TS folder of the discs.

Make a working project folder on your computer and copy all the VOB files from the 2 DVDs....

If you use WLMM and find that working with the VOB files works OK, you're all set. As DVD files are not meant for editing you could run into issues in the middle of your project..... I'd suggest converting the files to high quality WMV files before starting your editing. Use WLMM to do the conversions, saving the VOB files to WMV... the DVD quality choice should be fine.

There are many ways to do what you want, and lots of choices at each step, so it's easy to be confused for a bit..

Izzy Mar 11, 2010 12:48 PM

Importing from a dvd-r

I've been reading A LOT on this site and others as well, but it seems all the more confusing. I'm very ignorant about computers / programs, etc.. so please keep simple.
I downloaded WMM to be able to edit my last trip movie. So far, so good.
My movie was taken by a camcorder (mini-DV), but it was lended to me, had to give back to the owner. I had my tapes put into a dvd-r (actually it is on 2 dvds).
Now, i don't know how to put the dvds into a format i can work with in WMM. I've read i had to rip the dvd, but have to download another program to be able to do so. So which one will be easier to use WITHOUT losing video quality (and one that will keep sound & image in sync). Also which file should i put them into? i've been suggested WMV, but i've also read about AVI, i'm very confused. Please help!

PapaJohn Mar 7, 2010 1:35 AM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

Thanks Juan,

3rd party effects and transitions started with MM2 in XP. I still use that version for my production work and have over 1,000 extras.

You don't need to have one or the other. Use as many video editing apps and utilities as you want. They don't conflict with each other. I use all the versions of Movie Maker (well, maybe not yet Windows Live Movie Maker).

Juan Ice Mar 6, 2010 7:00 PM

Oh Movie Maker Where Art Thou?

Really comprehensive and helpful entry. I really like XP and movie maker is such a breeze to use, so I was surprised to learn that the powers that be at Microsoft decided to exclude MM from Windows 7.
Now I'm debating whether to install MM2.6 or to just install some other video editing software...like Avid's Video Spin, for example.
I never knew you could add 3rd party effects and transitions to MM...is that only in the Vista version or XP as well?

PapaJohn Mar 5, 2010 5:26 PM

Hi Trudy.... Making DVDs isn't something that Movie Maker does....

I'll sketch it out.

All versions of Movie Maker are to make movies, video files in WMV or DV-AVI formats. You save them on your computer and then use other DVD making software to convert the movies to DVD files and burn the discs.

- some versions of Movie Maker include a menu option to make a DVD. In those cases Movie Maker passes the project or saved movie over to the DVD making software, such as Windows DVD Maker.... it's never the case that Movie Maker creates the files for the discs or burns them.

- the DVD making process has 2 main parts. First is the making of the files needed to align with DVD standards. Standard definition discs need MPEG2 files and a menu structure. Blue-Ray discs use MPEG4 files and a menu structure. I'll assume you're heading to standard discs. This part of the process is called 'DVD authoring'.

- Once authored the pack of files for the discs is on your computer and can be played as a DVD without burning them onto a disc. Most want a disc, which is the burning part of the process. That means having a DVD burner and the software to make a 'video disc' as opposed to a 'date disc'. A video disc plays on a stand-alone DVD player while a data disc simply has copies of files and plays on computers. And a video disc can play on a computer also, one that has DVD playing software such as Windows Meda Player.

This is the simple view.... there are many different varations.

Trudy Mar 5, 2010 8:00 AM

Saving Movie Maker to DVD

I recently bought a new computer with Windows 7. I then installed Movie Maker. I have put together a v"movie" that I would like to burn to DVD and also save on my computer.

What file save setting would I use for DVD when prompted? I have never had a DVD burner before and have always saved in my computer.

After burning a DVD, can I also use the computer save app for computer play or does the file change for only DVD save?

PapaJohn Mar 5, 2010 1:19 AM

Hi Jim.... I recommend converting

MOV files to an AVI or WMV format before importing and using in a project. See my website's (www.papajohn.org) Import Movie Source Files > Video > MOV page.

Jim Hagen Mar 4, 2010 10:21 AM

Import .MOV Files to MM 2.6

Can you import .MOV Video files from a Kodak Zi8 Video camera to MM 2,6

PapaJohn Mar 1, 2010 12:27 AM

Uninstalling MM2.6

is done as you do any software installed via the download/install process... it's in the Control Panel list of software as 'Windows Movie Maker 2.6'.

Susy Mar 1, 2010 12:14 AM

Uninstall..

How can I uninstall movie maker 2.6?

PapaJohn Feb 23, 2010 10:35 PM

Pixelated photos... are usually not problems

.... they typically mean you don't know enough about movie projects or editing.

MM2.6 uses a rough draft mode, showing project previews at 320x240 pixels....which is much much less than the high quality pictures from today's digital cameras.

Regardless of the preview, the final saved movie will have the quality you specify by selecting the 'profile'.... a high quality standard DVD is about 1/6 of of megapizel, and High Def might be as high at 2 megapixels in frame resolution, still well shy of a 10 megapixel camera.

Melanie Feb 23, 2010 8:53 PM

Pixelated photos

Photos look fine in preview but when I look at it in full screen photos are pixelated. I have Windows 7 and downloaded MM 2.6 for Vista.

PapaJohn Feb 23, 2010 1:24 PM

for Windows 7 camcorder driver issues...

Chandana, my camcorder wasn't detected by Windows 7 until after I downloaded/installed the Windows Live Essentials apps.... from http://download.live.com/

For help with issues beyond that I suggest the Windows 7 'Hardware and Drivers' forum at http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/windows7

Chandana Feb 23, 2010 10:36 AM

1394 port not woring for Windows 7

my lap Hp Dv7 3180us
OS- windows 7
But I cannot capture video from my sony or National Handicam
1394 port cannot understand camera

Austin Feb 22, 2010 6:59 PM

Windows 7

Windows 7 is one of the worst operating systems that microsoft ever made.

The best were Win98, Win2000 and WinXp
The rest are just garbage

PapaJohn Feb 21, 2010 4:53 PM

Yes Izy, MM2.6 will download, install and work.

Izy Feb 21, 2010 4:16 PM

MM2.6 with Windows 7,never had before

I want to download Movie Maker 2.6; i'm with Windows 7, and definitely not want the MM Live version. I never had that program before with my Windows XP. The microsoft download centre says: Movie Maker 2.6 requires a version of Microsoft Windows Vista that has the Vista version of Movie Maker already installed.
Is it still going to work with my Windows 7? what should i do?

PapaJohn Feb 11, 2010 2:08 PM

Shweta..... about your situation

I see that you posted to the forum.... which is what I was going to suggest.

Beyond that, my website's Problem Solving > Can't Save a Movie page might help.

Shweta Feb 11, 2010 4:59 AM

saving the movie

hey i downloaded movie maker for my windows 7. i m a frequent movie maker....but now when i m trying to finish the movie and save it to my computer...it fails to do so, asking me to check the drive for enough space, the presence of the original videos etc. i have checked everything n its all normal. but still i cant save any movie. what should i do now?

PapaJohn Feb 8, 2010 10:28 PM

RE: Windows Movie Maker in Windows 7

Hi Karl,

I wouldn't want to guess without knowing more... as this isn't meant as a place for tech support I suggest posting your case to the forums at
http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/Forums/

Include what version of Windows you're using... I'd guess Win 7 but maybe it's Vista.... and the kind(s) of source files, and your selected quality setting when saving the movie.

Karl Marx Feb 8, 2010 9:54 PM

pvmills

I have a problem.
It's Ok, While importing and viewing videos inside Movie Maker 2.6.

But when I save the video, The quality goes like all bad.
I don't know what it is, But it never happened when I used Xp's Movie Maker 2.1.

Could it be a problem with the codecs?

PapaJohn Feb 8, 2010 3:16 PM

Margaret.... Movie Maker saves 2 different files..

... the project file is used only by Movie Maker and works only on the computer you made it... it's the recipe for the movie

.... the movie itself (wmv format) is the finished video you distribute. It plays on all versions of Windows and even on Apples.

Margaret Feb 8, 2010 3:03 PM

sending movie files to other people

I edited a video I had made and was pleased with the results. I then sent it to two people who do not have windows 7 or movie maker and neither or them could open it because it was in a format there computers don't recognize or something. I also burned it to a disk but that didn't work either. Any ideas?

PapaJohn Feb 8, 2010 12:20 PM

Jeff...

WMVCORE.DLL should be in your c:\Windows\System32 folder

I have a couple notes on the Problem Solving > Software Modules page of my website - www.papajohn.org - that say it was resolved by a system restore in one case and reinstalling WMP in another.

For help with it, I suggest the forums at
http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/Forums/

Jeff Feb 8, 2010 10:02 AM

WMVCore.DLL is missing....

I tried downloading the 2.6 version for W7 though your recommended process, when I try to open the program im being told
WMVCore.DLL
is missing from my computor and to reistall to fix the problem, but to no avail. Any suggestions to getting an operable version?

PapaJohn Feb 7, 2010 12:12 PM

Don, yes you're forgetting...

.... that's how it works in MM2.1 in XP. It was changed to do what you expect in MM6 in Vista.

Don Stouder Feb 7, 2010 10:51 AM

Importing Video Clips MM 2.6 in Win 7 Problem

I'm not sure if this is the best place to add this question, but I'm having a strange problem with MM 2.6 on Win 7.

I make a new collection and then click on Import Video to import a series of video clips into the Collection as I've with other versions/op systems.

But instead of the importing the clips into the open Collection, each clip is a new Collection itself.

Am I forgetting something obvious or what?

TIA

PapaJohn Feb 6, 2010 1:39 PM

Susy, see the Setup Movie Maker...

section of my website - www.papajohn.org

Susy Feb 6, 2010 1:25 PM

Another One?

The Photo Story 3 didn't work. Do you know some other movie makers that are free to download on windows 7? If you do can you please give me the url? Thank you.

PapaJohn Feb 6, 2010 12:52 PM

Photo Story 3 link....

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=92755126-a008-49b3-b3f4-6f33852af9c1&DisplayLang=en

It says it's for XP, but it'll work on Vista and might or might not work on Windows 7.

PapaJohn Feb 6, 2010 12:47 PM

Dilip... check the other article in this series... the link is..

http://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/video/articles/25846.aspx

I'm assuming you're connecting by firewire, not USB.

Susy Feb 6, 2010 12:45 PM

Website or Url

Can you please give me the website or url to download the Photo Story 3 free from Microsoft?

DILIP Feb 6, 2010 7:26 AM

video capture from digital 8 video camera

I have SONY DIGITAL 8 DCR-TRV 285E PAL video camara. I am unable to capture/ transfer videos into my computer. i am using WINDOWS 7 OS. However it is captured in XP OS. please help me.

PapaJohn Feb 5, 2010 1:45 PM

haridas.... see my other article in this series

http://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/video/articles/25282.aspx

It includes links to download Movie Maker.

haridas Feb 5, 2010 1:25 PM

how can i down load a movie maker to produce a movie ?

i can't work with the movie maker' because i don't have a movie maker software, please send me the method of down loading the right type of movie maker

PapaJohn Feb 5, 2010 1:12 PM

about file conversion software....

As such software changes monthly I'll refer you to my website.... www.papajohn.org.... navigate to the Setup Movie Maker > Conversion Utilities page.

Unless you're into DRM protected material that precludes you from using it, you should be able to convert it to whatever you need.

Jason Feb 5, 2010 12:53 PM

Which file converter program do you recommend?

And is there a way to change the type of file when I import it from my Video Recorder? Thank you for your help.

kungfu Feb 5, 2010 6:47 AM

english

thank you

PapaJohn Feb 5, 2010 1:07 AM

Jason, Movie Maker often can't handle

MPEG2 files.... when it can't the route to take is file conversion. There are lots of conversion utilities... the best bet is usually to make the new files
WMV.

Jason Feb 5, 2010 12:30 AM

No sound to my videos in MM2.6

I am running W7 and downloaded MM2.6. When I import videos they have no sound. The video type is mpg. Can anyone please advise?

PapaJohn Feb 4, 2010 2:09 AM

yousaf.... I can't compare

previous versions of Movie Maker to the new Windows Live version. It was rebuilt from scratch with a goal of being much easier and more able to use different file types as sources.

yousaf Feb 4, 2010 1:55 AM

Thanks I have also read your review wof movie maker live, so I could also like to see what particular differences are there between this and older version of Movie maker.

PapaJohn Feb 4, 2010 12:16 AM

yousaf....

Yes, cut the clip just before and after the part you want to flip, then apply the mirror effect to that part...

You can do it in whatever version of Movie Maker you're using.

yousaf Feb 4, 2010 12:08 AM

Re:Flipping a Video

Oh sorry I meant WMM ( windows movie maker), I have as single cilp but some parts of it have been rotated upside down.

SO should I first cut out that portion and than apply the filp ?

PapaJohn Feb 3, 2010 11:44 PM

Yes, apply the mirror effect to any clip..

.... or as many of them as you want. To apply it to only the middle part of clip, cut it in 2 places first so the one you want to apply it to is a separate clip.

I don't know what you mean by MW.

yousaf Feb 3, 2010 11:23 PM

Re:Flipping a Video

Can I apply that effect only to a certain section of the video ? and which MW should I use for that in Windows 7

PapaJohn Feb 3, 2010 10:50 PM

Yes, Photo Story 3

is a free download from Microsoft. Some Windows 7 users have no problems installing and running it.. Others such as me can't get it to install. If it works for you, enjoy!!

Susy Feb 3, 2010 10:33 PM

Is It Free?

If i download Photo Story 3 on my windows 7 desktop would it be free?

PapaJohn Feb 3, 2010 1:57 PM

Yousaf... you can flip it 180 degrees...

by applying the mirror-horizontal or vertical visual effect. They are in classic versions of Movie Maker and in the new Windows Live version.

yousaf Feb 3, 2010 12:42 PM

Flipping a Video

How can I change the orientation of a video by flipping it 180 degrees ? Is it possible in Windows movie maker ?

Jesus Feb 2, 2010 3:13 PM

Thank you

Thank you for the information, i'm new in all this, of making video, but i was looking for tips to make a good video on youtube, thank you.

PapaJohn Feb 2, 2010 11:49 AM

To Glenn and Antero....

Photo Story 3 installs and runs normally on some Windows 7 systems, but not on others. Here's the link to try it on yours....

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=92755126-a008-49b3-b3f4-6f33852af9c1&DisplayLang=en

If it doesn't work for you, I don't know yet if there's an easy work-around.

================

The link to get WLMM is

http://download.live.com/

antero martinez Feb 2, 2010 10:55 AM

WLMM FOR WINDOWS 7

HOW CAN I DOWNLOAD WLMM ON MY WINDOW 7?

THANK YOU

Glenn Feb 2, 2010 9:57 AM

Photo Story Windows 7

Hi Papajon.

Do you now how to run Microsofts Photo Story in Windows 7

PapaJohn Feb 1, 2010 7:22 PM

no Adam....

but you can download/install the v2.6 from the link in the article... it has the classic timeline.

Adam Feb 1, 2010 6:49 PM

timeline

Hi. Is there somthing i can do to change the new windows movie maker in to a timeline like the old one?

PapaJohn Jan 28, 2010 2:25 PM

Responses to Heico and Niko...

Heico, yes WLMM runs on 32 or 64 bit systems.

Niko... it's probably the codec being used to produce the avi file from Sims... you're best bet is to get support at the www.windowsmoviemakers.net forums. In a nutshell, if a file doesn't work, convert it to something that does. If the file/codec isn't the issue, then reinstalling MM2.6 on top of the current setup might resolve it.

Niko Jan 28, 2010 10:22 AM

I can't publish my movie

I have Windows 7 and I recently downloaded Windows Movie Maker 2.6. I am trying to make a movie out of recorded videos I took in The Sims 3 (which happen to be in .avi). It seems that this version is allowing me to use this format but when I tried to publish my movie, it wouldn't work. It won't respond when I click "Save to my computer" under Finish Movie. Not even the menu appears. Got any suggestions? I really want to save this movie. It took me a few good hours to edit.

Heico Jan 28, 2010 5:39 AM

64 bit

Hi,

Wil WLMM run on the 64 bit edition ?
Thanks in advance,

Heico

PapaJohn Jan 26, 2010 12:22 PM

Fraps and other video converters....

Hi Matt.... working with video editing apps often leads to the subject of codecs. Video files are made by being compressed with codecs and then played back often with different codecs. There are hundreds of them on your system and you often don't get to pick and choose (at least not directly) which ones to use.... but the choice is critical.

Fraps FAQ info includes... "Once you have finished capturing you should convert the saved AVI into one of the popular compressed movie formats such as mpeg or divx. Recommended programs for doing this are tmpgenc (Tsunami Mpeg Encoder), and VirtualDub."....

As MPEG aand Divx encoded files often don't work well in Movie Maker, see my website's (www.papajohn.org) > Import Movie Source Files > Video > Video Codecs page for other options.

Matt Jan 26, 2010 10:08 AM

Playback issues

Heya, thanks for this awesome article -- it was mega cool to get WMM back.

However, I believe I have the same issue as Elijah. Playing from the timeline/storyboard seems very buggy. It seems to play the first quite well and then gets worse over time. It also only ever seems to want to play from the very start; I can't play it from like half way through.

I've tried running it in compatibility mode for the newest service packs of XP/Vista which only seemed to make it worse.

The videos I'm using are raw AVIs capped from Fraps.

Any tips on how to fix this would be massively appreciated. =)

PapaJohn Jan 21, 2010 2:39 PM

Hi Michelle....

The article and other info on my website provides an overview of what options you have. I don't expect to be publishing specific procedures.

For help you should turn to any local support you have, and post questions to online forums.

The Windows Live Essentials package with Movie Maker in it, and MM2.6 are both comaptible with Windows 7.

Michelle Jan 21, 2010 2:19 PM

i need help

ahhh how do i get movie maker onto my windows 7? can i just download anyone i want? or doesn't i have to be compatible with 7...PLEASE HELP

PapaJohn Jan 21, 2010 1:31 PM

responses....

Lark, I assume all versions I've covered in my articles would work on any version of Windows 7, including the Professional version.

I'd be interested in knowing that they don't. I havn't setup a Professional system and checked them.

========== jun, a movie frame has to have a duration. It's not like a still picture without a time element. Windows Live Movie Maker lets you go as low as 0.03 seconds which is a single frame in a usual 30 fps video. You can't have less than a frame or it's not a movie clip.

jun Jan 21, 2010 9:04 AM

help

can u help?the least duration is 0.00.00.15 in MM.can u help me reduce it?im trying to make it 0.00.00.00 but i don't know how.or any software u know dat that i can download to solve my problem. tnx a lot.

Lark Jan 20, 2010 9:45 PM

Windows Movie Maker

Hello: Is there a version of Windows Movie Maker that will function with Windows 7 Professional? Thank you.

Friendly Jan 20, 2010 7:21 AM

muchos gracias!

Thanks mate!

izaias Jan 18, 2010 9:28 AM

thanks

Thanks very much..

PapaJohn Jan 17, 2010 2:38 AM

Elijah... you don't mention what version of Movie Maker you're using....

and there's a good chance your issue has something to do with the type(s) of files you're using.

For now I'll treat your last comment as a rant rather than a question.

Elijah Jan 16, 2010 7:36 PM

phsyche

I take that back. I still have the same problem where it will playback my video while its being edited, but after one complete playback is over, it refuses to do it again. Also, once you close it to restart the program, it will not open more than once per restart of the computer. I'm seriously regretting buying this hunk of metal scraps... It seems they would've worked out a new version by now? We ARE the consumer, after all.

Elijah Jan 16, 2010 7:28 PM

:D:D:D

Thanks! This article helped me so much. I just purchased a Windows 7, and have been having the WORST time trying to make videos for youtube, etc. Now, if only I could get my webcam to work...

PapaJohn Jan 16, 2010 11:55 AM

Thea....

In addition to my articles on Bright Hub, see my website's (www.papajohn.org > Setup Movie Maker section.

PapaJohn Jan 16, 2010 11:51 AM

Magda.... about your green....

see http://www.bernzilla.com/item.php?id=884

Thea Collgnon Jan 16, 2010 11:09 AM

Movie maker windows 7

Ik heb nu windows 7, maar nu ben ik het pr. movie maker kwijt en daar kon je een leuke dia voorstelling in maken met je eigen foto's en muziek erachter zetten. Waar en hoe kan ik movie maker weer terug krijgen?
Vriendelijke groet Thea Collignon

Magda Jan 16, 2010 6:24 AM

film publiceren

Hoe komt het dat ik allemaal groene vlakken krijg in mijn film als ik hem publiceer op mijn computer?? Ik gebruik Movie Maker die op mijn notebook (2009) was geïnstalleerd. Graag een reaktie.

Arun Jan 16, 2010 3:58 AM

works fine.......

thanks dude......mm2.6 works fine on my windows7.... ur article was really helpful.....thanks a lot dude..........

RMichelle Jan 12, 2010 12:10 PM

Thank's so much!

Dude!
Thanks so much for this article. Absolutely saved my sanity. Was able to download the old version and now it seems to be working.

kilian Jan 12, 2010 11:33 AM

cheers!

Thanks alot so glad to have the old one back

PapaJohn Jan 10, 2010 5:40 PM

audio issues in MM2.6...

... and other versions of Movie Maker are highly dependent on codecs, which in turn are all about the type(s) of files you're using and what's available on your computer.

My rule of thumb is 'if a file doesn't work right, convert it to something else that is more apt to work'.... see the Import Movie Source Files > Video section of my website.

dave Jan 10, 2010 3:47 PM

wnn 2.6 on windows 7

Hi,

I downloaded wmm2.6 onto windows 7 following your advice. It runs and does the things i've tried BUT the audio (int or out) isn't working. The input files paly OK on wmp.

Any suggestions

Dave

Rocketeer Jan 9, 2010 10:45 AM

dll "success"

Well, I moved my MM 2.1 folder elsewhere, and still had no success in registering those dll's ... but did successfully install 2.6 (and apparently those [same?] dll's).

Now 2.1 works with seemingly all the features, as well as 2.6. I think I'll stop there - no need to install all 5 versions! ;-)

Thanks a million!!
Craig

PapaJohn Jan 8, 2010 11:53 PM

Rocketeer...

It's usually about permissions.... putting things into the Program Files folder takes higher authority than other folders. I run MM2.1 in Windows 7 from a folder on a USB thumb drive and have no issues with registering the 5 DLLs.

You could try it someplace outside Program Files and see if you get the same issues.

Rocketeer Jan 8, 2010 10:44 PM

Problem registering dll's in Win 7

Thanks John for your previous help (and also over at MS Answers!) ... but I've hit a bump on registering the dll's in Win 7.

I've got MM 2.1, copied it over to Win 7 Home premium 64 bit, put it in the Program Files directory [vs. "Program Files (x86)" - doesn't matter right?], then tried to register those 5 dll's.

wmm2ext.dll worked fine, BUT wmm2ae.dll, wmm2fxa.dll and wmm2fxb.dll all gave the error 0x80020009, ...and... wmm2filt.dll gave 0x80070005. ("Call to DllRegisterService failed")

Lovely. Must be something simple... I hope!

Craig

PapaJohn Jan 8, 2010 12:55 AM

Mini DV Device Driver...

Hi Brad, I just tested my new 64 bit HP desktop system with my Sony mini-DV camcorder and didn't have any issues. It installed the driver on the first turn-on. I restarted the camcorder and it then gave the pop-up of choices and test imports worked fine.

You don't mention Windows Live Photo Gallery, which has the video capture wizard, not MM2.6 or WLMM.... but assuming you have the Gallery installed also, it's then into doing detective work by trying your camcorder and firewire cable in other systems, and other camcorders in yours.

Yes, mini-DV is better and easier than USB options....

Brad Jan 8, 2010 12:17 AM

Mini DV Device Driver not Installed

I just installed Windows 7 Pro 64 bit and have been impressed until my attempts to connect my MiniDV via Firewire (1394b). It registers it's a "Sony DV-VCR", but puts it in the "Other Devices" section with "!" stating "Device Driver not Installed".

I researched the web and found many frustrated people, so then I contact Sony Support and they suggested getting WMM installed and it should be able to Capture my Video (even though they didn't address the Driver not installed issue. So I followed their steps and installed both 2.6 and WLMM and NOPE....nothing.

Do you have any suggestions for me to resolve this. I am under the impression that Firewire would be faster/better than USB or A/V but I am running out of options.

Sony's last suggestion was a different Cable.?.?.

PapaJohn Jan 6, 2010 3:36 PM

Hi Craig....

MM2.1 is included in XP's SP2 and SP3 packages.... the super big upgrades to the XP operating system. There isn't a stand-alone downloadable upgrade to go from MM2.0 to MM2.1. My website's Setup Movie Maker > MM2.1 has a link to get the full service pack.

Once you have MM2.1 on your XP system, it's a matter of copying the files to Win7 and registering the DLLs.

examples of differeneces.... MM2.0 can capture video from a mini-DV camcorder by firewire... and record narration from a microphone.... MM2.6 doesn't have the features.

Rocketeer Jan 6, 2010 3:11 PM

A couple quick version questions

John - thanks for the article! I just opened my new Win7 laptop yesterday - I'm so used to MM on XP!
A couple questions to clarify, please:

My current XP MM version is "2.0.3312.0" - but I can't seem to find a version 2.1 out there to download. I certainly don't see it via Windows Update.

Also, I DID download the MM2.6 install file. BUT I'm not clear on what the specific differences between 2.1 (or what I have) and 2.6 are. (i.e. what are those importing features unique to 2.1 - [and 2.0.3312?] ;-)

Thanks!
Craig

PapaJohn Jan 5, 2010 4:15 PM

3rd party extra transitions and effects....

Hi John.... not yet. I'm still figuring out the basics, not yet into the 3rd party extras from Adorage and Pixelan.

John Jan 5, 2010 3:37 PM

Adorage Special Effects

New computer, windows 7...Downloaded MM2.6, but Adorage packages for MM won't load with Windoiws 7, and recommendations?

PapaJohn Jan 4, 2010 3:39 PM

Hi Micky Dee....

Are all your video clips from the same source or of the same type? What type(s) are they? The codec used to play it in WMP is often different than the one used by Movie Maker.

If it's not a codec issue, then maye the audio mix setting in WLMM is pegged at full music and no video sound. One of the very last lines in a .wlmp project file (open it with Notepad) is the SoundTrackMix setting - a value of 0.5 means both play at the same level.

Uninstalling WLMM and reinstalling it might help, in case the installation is somehow broken.

Micky Dee Jan 4, 2010 3:14 PM

Win live movie maker

John,

Refferred across from John Inzer Microsoft answers.
I upgraded from vista to 7.
All former movie projects that were in progress saved in mswmm when opened in wlmp have no audio other than music which has been added to the video clip.
Other than having no audio only slight editing is required to the project.
Audio is not functioning on any imported video clip when starting a new project in wlmp either, however the same video clip when opened in media player is functioning ok.

Am i just so frustrated that i''m missing something simple here?
Trusting that you can provide some answers,
Regards Micky D

PapaJohn Jan 2, 2010 1:53 AM

Caitlin...

.... the speed up option isn't in the new Windows Live Movie Maker. As you're familiar with doing it in the old classic versions of Movie Maker, the downloadable version 2.6 might be your best bet. Speed up the clip there and bring it into your WLMM project already sped up.

CAITLIN W. Jan 2, 2010 12:29 AM

help!

HOW DO I MAKE MY MOVIE CLIPS FAST FORWARD
I NEED THEM TO GO FASTER
BUT I CANT FIND THAT OPTION ANY WHERE
IT WAS WAY MORE SIMPLE ON THE OLD WINDOWS MOVIE MAKER

PapaJohn Dec 27, 2009 3:57 PM

Ryuzaki... I hope it was you who wanted Windows 7 for a Christmas gift...

.... for other features than Movie Maker.

All I can say about getting MM6 back is in my BrightHub articles and on my website. It's not provided by Microsoft so all users have to go 'cold-turkey' when it comes to using any of the classic versions of Movie Maker.

Your options are to copy them from XP and Vista, with tech support as needed when doing unsupported software installations, or use Windows 7 as the time to switch to other video editing software from Adobe, Sony, CyberLink, Pinnacle, ULead, etc...

Ryuzaki Dec 27, 2009 1:00 PM

Confused...

My father got me Windows 7 for Christmas, and I'm a keen movie creator myself. I had Vista once and that version on Movie Maker was incredible, and I loved it. I had to go back onto XP, which was a disappointment because it had hardly any effects that Vista did, only ease in and ease out. Instead of the Vista's: scan, zoom in corner etc.

How do I get THAT version of WMM back? I downloaded the version you had given us and it's the old XP version which is rubbish to me. What do I have to download to get the WMM that was on Vista onto Windows 7?

PapaJohn Dec 27, 2009 1:57 AM

There wasn't a v2.5 Aimee. All versions of Vista....

.... came with version 6.0. Version 2.6 was issued for those having graphics card issues with 6.0.

There isn't a download of 6.0 from Microsoft or Microsoft-authorized sites. I've been seeing clues to downloads from non-authorized sites but I won't be passing around the URLs. My website and the articles on Bright Hub provide all the info I'm willing to pass along.

Aimee Dec 26, 2009 6:09 PM

2.5

Ok, I recently upgraded from vista home premium to windows 7 starter, I liked the wmm on vista, but it was not 2.6, i think it was wmm 2.5, however, I cannot find a free download of wmm 2.5, I do not like how you have to upload pictures from your files and to do this you have to save the pictures to your files. I think this takes too long and would prefer just copying and pasting the pictures, but you cannot do this with 2.6, do you have any websites or tips?

PapaJohn Dec 25, 2009 11:59 PM

Shelby.... yes if you mean

Windows Live Movie Maker and/or MM2.6.

shelby Dec 25, 2009 4:39 PM

Can u download it?

could u download it if you have windows 7?

bem Dec 22, 2009 3:16 PM

thanks

thaks alot sorted out i have version 6 wmm so its perfect on windows 7 but when i instal some new effects the timeline does not work again, so those who have windows 7 instal wmm 6 and it work perfect but not with 3rd partty effects and transaction may be those 3rd partty only works for wmm 2, 2.1 and 2.6. thanks again PapaJohn, to be honest window live suit version of wmm is just rubbish not many effects.

PapaJohn Dec 21, 2009 2:13 PM

Achim.... bemo....

Achim.... all I know about setting up the different versions of Movie Maker is on my website at www.papajohn.org and in these articles. If you need more help I suggest the forums at www.windowsmoviemakers.net

bemo.... if you copied the MM2.6 folders and didn't register the DLLs, you would have that situation... do a download and installation from Microsoft.

There are lots of 3rd party and custom effects and transitions for MM2.1... I've found the Pixelan ones to work but not those from Adorage.... not until I learn more about setting them up.

=========

Caution: Setting up various versions of Movie Maker on Windows 7 is a techie thing. If you have the skills to do it, you won't be seeking more help than the pointers in this article. If you don't have the knowledge, I recommend you not doing it as you can cause more issues than you want to have.

bemo Dec 21, 2009 10:07 AM

wmm

hi please i need to import all effects from clasical version wmm 2 and wmm 2.1 i have win 7 but wmm 2.6 dose not work on win 7 because the time line does not show or play any video or picture now i have wmm 6 its good but dnt have effects such as newspaer which available on the clasical version so please could u explain the step to import all effects from previous version into wmm 6, u said windows live suit have import wizard i didnt see any import wizard that import any effects, thanks in advance

Achim Dec 21, 2009 3:34 AM

movie maker

Hallo,
ich habe seit ca. 30 tagen windows 7 und bin mit dem mm auch nicht zufrieden.
bin kein pc-freak darum meine frage was genau muß ich tun ( runterladen ) um die alte version zu bekommen.
lg achim

PapaJohn Dec 20, 2009 7:59 PM

Karen, you might have a problem there....

If you made the project in Vista with version 2.6 of Movie Maker, you might be able to download and install the version in Windows 7. But, more likely you made it in version 6.0, which can't be added to Windows 7 without jumping through too-techie hoops.

Viewing slideshows with Movie Maker and a project file (.MSWMM) means you didn't publish the movie to a video file (.WMV). The project file is meant to help you get to a finished video, not sit there to by played and watched.

I don't know what you're trying to use in Windows 7 to open the .MSWMM file.... it usually won't work in anything but the version of Movie Maker you made it with.

Worst case is you still have the pictures themselves and can make a new slideshow with Windows Live Movie Maker or other software.

I don't know if this comment helps or hurts.

Karen Dec 20, 2009 7:45 PM

Movie Maker

I made some slide shows with Windows Vista Movie Maker and now have switched to Windows 7 and can not view them. It tells me it does not recognize extension MSWMM. How can I get my computer recongnize this so I can view my slide shows

PapaJohn Dec 19, 2009 1:12 PM

Gavin's points are very much valid.....

As much as Windows 7 is great on my little Toshiba laptop that I bring to Barnes & Noble every evening for a couple hours, at home with about 7 computers running... my primary computer is still an XP. To scan things with my SCSI device, I turn to a Windows 98 system.

For those getting their first ever computer, and not having to bring forward years or decades of work, Windows 7 might be the perfect choice. But for those like Gavin and myself, there are many things that make computing more difficult and sometimes impossible.... the world of XP is 'good-enough'.

Back to my inbox of emails... in Outlook Express, which is not supported by Windows 7.... :)

Clay H Dec 19, 2009 10:29 AM

awesome !!

This is great information on Win 7 and Movie Making. EXACTLY what I needed to know . Thanks very much PapaJohn !!!

Gavin Dec 19, 2009 7:26 AM

Well It's not great for me

I bought a new rip snorting HP PC with windows 7 already installed. I was previously an XP user and quite happy in that zone. My conclusion is that 7 is very fast - but fast at doing nothing useful. It can't run many of the programs I have been used to using, it won't let me install a dual boot system with XP, and it won't talk properly to my windows 2000 print server so I can't use any of the older but perfectly useful printer and scanner hardware currently running on my network. The change of networking to this strange 'homegroup' idea also has me baffled. It sounds more like a pentecostal revival than a computing concept. 7 seems fine for typing word documents, sending emails, and browsing, so most average joe blogs users will love it - and it will run photoshop (CS2) OK so I can edit pics - but for website editing it's a nightmare (I can no longer easily ftp to my sites via networking but have had to instal a seperate ftp program). I frigd around for ages and managed to get everything set to a more useful state. Even getting to the point where I could change file extensions was a mission - but it still falls short in many of the basic uses I previously had for my PC. The number of times I have to fire up my old PC to get things done is amazing. It seems to me its a case of Microsoft dictating how people will use computers in the future rather than providing ways for people to use computers as the would like. If ever there has been a reason to change to MAC microsoft have just provided it. 7 gets the big thumbs down from me!

Ray Dec 17, 2009 9:29 AM

Thanks for the info

Found this article from google after wondering about windows movie maker in windows 7 and found your download link. This will work perfectly for me. Thanks much!

MJ Dec 16, 2009 4:55 PM

Thanks

Thank You! PapaJohn!

PapaJohn Dec 15, 2009 9:08 PM

MJ... I'd start with MM2.6 from Microsoft...

it's an easy download/install, is easily uninstalled if needed, has most of the features of classic versions of Movie Maker, and is a great one to learn with.

Windows LIve Move Maker doesn't conflict with MM2.6 so you can use that one too....

They are both 'safe' in that you can get them directly from Microsoft.

MJ Dec 15, 2009 8:40 PM

Which?

Thanks for answering my question/comment. I would also like to ask. I like to make lyrics for songs and stile pix movies, ive never used a real video, video. But was wondering what version or program you sajest for me for making videos.

steve Dec 15, 2009 4:01 AM

tnx PJ

i have confrenced called with both companys twice! even had them remote in t check everything all seems ok just will not print from win7. yes the scanner and all other functions work fine

PapaJohn Dec 15, 2009 2:45 AM

keep going Steve....

hardware gadgets need software drivers, which are made by the hardware manufacturer.... check Epson... maybe from

http://esupport.epson-europe.com/ProductHome.aspx?lng=en-GB&data=lkuCfcvA9cx1YHMbsmmOlAMgncRf2goT+Vm8XSCf7j0U003D&tc=6

steve Dec 15, 2009 2:33 AM

any idea about printers?

i have epson rx585 it does not work on win7 but works with anything else microsoft say its hardware epson software? any1 able to point me in the right direction?

Aden Dec 15, 2009 1:08 AM

PapaJohn Dec 14, 2009 6:48 PM

.... comments about comments....

charles - yes, using stuff on Windows 7 that wasn't meant to go oin it should be done with appropriate caution.... and, if done, with knowledge and skill to do it right or resolve issues that arise.

SurvivorDude... yup, lots of alternate good products out there and more rolling out regularly. I've stopped long ago trying to keep up with them all. Check reviews as you go as there's also lots of things to avoid.

artur... thanks for an easy post.... hi back

Sam... while you wait a long time to forever for Microsoft to add a reverse effect, check my website's Edit Movies > Video > Reverse Effect page for 4 ways to do it.... with other software. Bring the reversed clip into your Movie Maker project.

MJ.... as an installable item, you can turn around and uninstall Movie Maker if you want. You won't get any compelling arguments from me. For editing video projects I'm still using MM2.1 on an XP system.

MJ Dec 14, 2009 3:51 PM

Upset about the Windows change

When i just got my laptop yesterday i was very disapointed to see it doesn't have Windows MM (Movie Maker) i was very fond of making videos on my old HP, i would like to have windows mm, but don't think its a good idea to dowload anything im not sure of, plus my laptop is only an 3GB and as a computer owner knows memory space is very vaulable. Is there anything special thing about this version of windows movie maker to convines me?

Sam Dec 14, 2009 1:28 PM

overall

I do like movie maker- it's the easiest thing to use. The only critisism (sorry if I got the spelling wrong- I'm only a teenager) is a specific one. PLEASE can we have a reverse effect. The other effects are quite good but I would LOVE to have a reverse effect.

artur ferati Dec 12, 2009 3:28 PM

turi

SURVIVORDUDE Dec 4, 2009 7:23 PM

MOVIE MAKER FOR WIN 7

I was able to access MM7 but found it lacking in alot of different avenues. It does work but takes a bit of playing around to find their features. I couldn't get a different font for titles and importing audio was a pain but it did work. Also, cutting video clips was awkward but it still works. I'm still really ticked off at SONY for not supporting their products. I've have to use a lower end camera for my vids. Good luck with this FREE software....I've found AVS products work GREAT!!!!....check them out, they have any unlimited product which includes audio, video, mixing, and a whole slew of other products for only $49...and no I do not work for or receive any immunerication for them. Just thought I'd pass this along

charles Dec 4, 2009 12:25 PM

Didn't work just froze

I installed it imported a file, then it just froze when I tried to edit the clip. Then it would even open again. It's not a good idea to use this on windows 7. I think Microsoft left it out for a reason.

PapaJohn Nov 29, 2009 12:20 PM

.... steven....

This isn't the right place to vent to Microsoft or look for help about MSN issues. Try the Windows 7 forums at...

http://answers.microsoft.com

steven Nov 29, 2009 3:40 AM

dum windows

hi all i have tryed to remove msn and all coomponents 1st i selected the repair option no joy then uninstalled and mannually reinstalled no joy either, so i uninstalled again and allowed win7 to find the software gues what no joy?
microsoft say they will look into it b4 i die
going to try removing the card and seing if it will work then perhaps its a hardware incompatability thing?

PapaJohn Nov 28, 2009 1:25 PM

Ty.... MM2.6

The link in this article goes through some BrightHub stuff and takes a while. It might be causing you a timeout of some sort.

Try the link on my website's Setup Movie Maker > Vista-MM2.6 page. It doesn't go through any added steps.

Ty Nov 28, 2009 12:50 PM

Can't download-HELP!!!

I've tried everything I can do to download 2.6 for my version of Windows 7. It just won't download. A new window pops up that says either broken link or Internet Explorer cannot display this webpage!

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