Making videos is easier now because of the consumer availability of advanced digital technology for audio and visual media. Today most music is digital, and the latest models of camcorders record in digital video. The easiest way to bring the two together is by using a personal computer and video editing software.
1. Install video editing software on your PC.
Video editing software can manipulate video and audio media. One of its features relevant to the purpose of adding music to previously recorded footage is that it can split the video and audio data of the footage into separate tracks. Once in separate tracks, they can then be edited. There are various types of video editing software commercially available, and there are also some that can be downloaded for free. The important things to consider when choosing one is: 1) its compatibility with your system, and 2) its ease of use. You don't want to pick one that's so 'professional' that only video editors and other specialists can use it. Step-by-step guidelines will usually appear during installation to guide you through the process. Once installed, you can start familiarizing yourself with its features, particularly with how to load or import video and audio material into the program, and what tools are available for editing the material.
2. Capture the camcorder footage onto your PC.
Digital camcorders can be linked to PCs through a firewire, which is a specific type of port and cable connection that can speedily transport large amounts of data. Make sure that you have such a port on your PC and the necessary cable (this is often an accessory that comes with the digital camcorder). Most video editing software has the capability of capturing video from external devices linked to the PC. Link the camcorder with the PC, open the video editing software, and run its video capture tool. The footage will load directly into the program, and after the capturing process is done you can see the video data displayed (usually as thumbnails) on the video track and the audio data separately displayed on another track.
3. Import the music into the video editing software.
Choose the music you want to add to the footage and import it into the video editing software. Make sure the music is in the appropriate format. When importing, assign it to load into another audio track; otherwise, it might replace the audio that came with the footage. (Unless that's what you want to do)
4. Edit the video and audio tracks.
You will see on the video editing software's interface that there is usually a time ruler on top of the tracks, which indicates the video's timeline. It's a point of reference for synchronizing the audio material with the video. Editing the material is usually a simple matter of 'drag-and-drop' or 'cut-and-paste'.
5. Export the final output.
Once you're satisfied with how the additional music blends with previously recorded footage, you can save this file and then export it into a playable video format. You can then burn this final output onto a disc or keep it in your hard disk. The kind of device or media player that can playback this new video depends on the video format you chose to export it in.
The days when highly specialized knowledge or training is required to make the simplest of videos is gone. Most video editing software and video recording equipment has been designed for use by regular consumers. With a little familiarization and tweaking with the software and gadgets involved, anyone can make a video.
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