More fluff than content and they are using a product that is popular I guess but hardly video editing standard. If you know anything about digital video you don't need this. If you are a complete newbie and using Pinnacle products, I recommend reading your manual before you buy this.

I didn't notice that this book was two years old when I ordered it to learn about DV camcorders.

Sadly, there's almost nothing in the book about DVD Camcorders -- which I bought before I found that there were more desirable formats out there. It mentions Adobe Premiere, but spends most of its time on other video software products.

Mac users may like this book a lot as it devotes several chapters to Mac movie making -- which is not what I do.

The "Dummies" book on the subject is more current -- I bought it at the same time and started reading it after I finished this one -- and I have learned more from half of the Dummies book than this entire volume.

In summary: it needs updating.

If you want to learn the basics, and beyond, of filming, editing and rendering your video, home or semi-professional, buy this book. The guys, mostly Dave Johnson, that put this together write in a style and format that is fun, entertaining, and easy for a novice to understand. They have done an excellent job of producing a book that carries you step by step through the wonderful world of videography. I read a lot of books to gain knowledge about different subjects and I wish everyone wrote the way these guys do. Their title explains exactly what you can expect. Buy it!

...beginners and intermediates.

I found this book very useful, full of technical details and practical information. It covers items from preparing your computer to preproduction (story boards, etc.), editing, using slideshows, sound, titling, and post-production. Information about the technical qualities of digital video cameras was also very helpful.

After a year, this book may be out of date, but for right now, I think it will help beginners and intermediates. I found it more useful than Ed Gaskell's The Complete Guide to Digital Video, because Johnson et al. were more practical and direct.