Downloading FREE video ripping and editing tools ——————————-

[1a] Download “Handbrake” (rips video from DVDs) from http://handbrake.fr/?article=download

• Be sure to download the GUI version for Windows 2000/XP/Vista

[1c] Download “Avidemux” (simple video editor) from http://avidemux.berlios.de/download.html

• download the latest windows install

[1b] Download “WinFF” (video converter–optional) from http://winff.org/html_new/downloads.html

• download the MS Windows Installer (latest version)

[2] Install all of the above on your machine (WinFF is optional). They are free and legal for personal use.

Ripping a video from a DVD —————————————————————

[3] Open Handbrake (FREE video ripping software)

[4] Select your DVD as the source

[5] Select the Chapters you wish to rip.

[6] Set the video bitrate to 1200.

[7] Select 2 pass, turbo and fast deinterlace.

[8] Select .mp4 as your file extension (easiest to convert).

[9] Create a file name to save to.

[10] Hit the “GO” button. A progress window will appear, letting you know where you are in the process.

Clipping/editing the video —————————————————-

[11] Open Avidemux (Windows PC. Mac computers come with a free editing program — iMovie)

[12] Select the file created in steps 3-10.

[13] View the video.

[14] Set marks in the video, and save the clipped video. You can either save as a different name, or save over the top of your old video.

Post video to your profile page! ———————————————————

[15] Login and go to your personal profile page

[16] In the video area, click on the “+” button and follow the simple posting instructions

[17] Your video will be posted within minutes!

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Converting to flash (if needed) ———————————————————-

If you have trouble posting your video, try to converting it to a Flash video file (.fla) using the Free WinFF program.

[1] Open WinFF

[2] Add the file from steps 5-12, or the clipped video from steps 13-16 to the WinFF panel by clicking “Add” and selecting it

[3] In the dropdown boxes select “Websites” and “Full Screen Flash” as the conversion formats. Select the “Options” button from the top of the page. Set the video bitrate to 1200. Click on the “Convert” button. A progress window will appear, and will be there to monitor the conversion. A file with the same name as your MP4 file, with a FLV extension.

[4] Upload your .flv file using the Steel Uploader.