Sound and Video Software

Teach Me

If you have spent any time surfing the Web, you are probably familiar with digital audio and video formats such as MP3, Real Audio, and MPEG. These formats are used to add sound to Web sites, to allow users to share music files, and to broadcast news and sporting events and even movies. Home computers are increasingly used to create home movies and personal music collections. To create these digital files, you need digital audio and video software tools.

Audio editing software is used to record, edit, and compress digital audio. Some common audio formats include WAV (Microsoft), WMA (Windows Media Audio), RM (Real Media), and MP3 (MPEG, audio layer 3).

Video editing software is used to capture and edit digital video files. The editing process includes adding transitions and special effects and text elements like titles and credits. Video editing software also saves the video in a compressed format which can be read by a computer. Some common video formats include AVI (Audio Video Interleave), MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group-three standards 1, 2, and 4), MOV (QuickTime), and RealVideo (from Real Networks).

Player software is the application which plays back the audio and video formats. You can listen to audio or watch videos in these programs. Audio players can usually play regular audio CDs as well as computer files. You can usually download basic versions of player programs from the Internet for free.


If you want people to be able to view your movies from the Internet, streaming software makes it possible to view large files with a slower Internet connection by delivering the files one small piece at time. These files are saved in special streaming formats (such as Real Audio's .RM format or Microsoft's .WMA format). When the file is downloaded, it is buffered (put into temporary storage for smooth playback), and then displayed by the player.

Capturing video from an external source to your computer can be complicated. There are many elements to consider. Before purchasing new equipment, consult with a knowledgeable person (perhaps an expert at an electronics store) to make sure you are buying equipment that is compatible with your source (video camera or VCR), your computer, and your software.

Audio editing software

  • Sonic Foundry (Sound Forge)
  • iTunes (included with Apple's Mac OS X operating system)
  • Windows Media Audio and Video 8 (available for free from Microsoft's Web site)

Video editing software

  • Vegas Video (Sound Forge)
  • Adobe Premiere/After Effects
  • ULead Media Studio
  • iMovies (included with Apple's Mac OS X operating system)
  • Windows Movie Maker (included with Microsoft's Windows XP operating system)

Player software

  • Windows Media Player
  • RealNetworks RealPlayer
  • Apple QuickTime Player

Show Me

How to produce a digital movie:

  1. First, connect your video source to your computer. If you are using a digital video camera, and if your computer has a built-in Firewire port, you can connect the camera directly to your computer with a Firewire cable. The Tell Me More in the Teach Me section gives more information about connecting external video sources.
  2. Capture the video.
  3. Edit the video, including rearranging scenes, adding special effects and transitions, and adding text elements like a title and credits.
  4. Save the video in a special compressed format so it can be played on computers. Good video editing software will not only allow you to save in multiple formats, but has documentation to help you select the right format for your audience and distribution mechanism.
  5. Finally, distribute your video. If you want the video to be available via the Internet, you'll upload it to a Web server. If you have a CD-ROM or DVD burner, you can create CD-ROMs or DVDs to give to friends and family.