When it comes to utilizing software, I am just about as useful with those types of tools as Tara Reid is useful in picking good movies. Any suggestions for editing software for a complete novice?

My obejctives are to be able to add music, maybe tweak the visuals so they match up and a number counter in some of the scenes.

Any recommendations?

PC or Mac?
iMovie for Mac, Windows Movie Maker for PC. Reason: It comes with the computer. From there you can get Final Cut Express for Mac, Pinnacle or perhaps Premiere Elements for PC. From there you an go to Final Cut Pro or Avid or Premiere.

In terms of ease of use, learning the workflow quickly, you can't beat Sony Vegas.

Adobe Premiere Elements. Very user friendly.

I agree with Bill on Sony Vegas. I have Premier CS3 and have attempted to use it but even with the help of tutorials it seems to take more steps to get the same thing done in Premier than it does in Vegas. I really want to learn Encore CS3, and have that on my list of things to learn.

Sony Vegas Studio products have built-in automated self-help tutorials which are really nice. Vegas Pro does not have the built automated tutorials.

I'm with Ed. iMovie or Windows Moviemaker. Everything else is decoration.

Download all the freebies (and there's freebies for just about all of them) and try 'em yourself.

Nobody else can possibly make your mind up for you.


CS