Real time video mixer software needed

[nite_monkey]

I am looking for a program that I could select several video sources (webcam, portion of my desktop, video clips, etc.) and I could combine those sources into one. For example, I could put my webcam as one source, and then put a video in a small window on top of that (like picture in picture on a tv), or I could fade from one source to another. One example of this is medialooks video mixer, but I am not paying $500 for this, so I was wondering if someone could show me an alternative that is hopefully freeware, or not as expensive.
I would like to be able to select this program as an input in another program (eg. use it as my webcam source in msn), or record to an avi video.

[justice]

look for veejay / video jockey / vj software.
I'm sure there's stuff available for free or little cost and it aims to do just that. I don't know what are the good choices in this software but it should get you started.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_VJ_Software for example.

[Carol Haynes]

Not sure what is around for free - but generally you seem to get what you pay for in the video world.

One program that can do all you require very well and easily (and isn't ridiculously expensive) is Sony Vegas Movie Studio ($80) which is the cut down home user version of the full blown Vegas software. Note that it also includes DVD Architect studio which is excellent DVD Authoring software (the home version of the full DVD Architect).

There is a trial download here

There is also a platinum version. See the product comparison page here

[nite_monkey]

I kind of decided to go a different route. All I need is either a webcam program that strictly lets me choose my video source and shows just the webcam, and not the menu area (the titlebar, the file, edit, etc area) that I can resize, or a program that will let me hide the title bar, and the file, edit, etc. area of a program of my choosing. I hope that isn't too confusing.

[cmpm]

Have you tried Windows Movie Maker?

[nite_monkey]

I'm not sure how windows movie maker would work for what I am wanting.

[cmpm]

Ok, just thought I'd suggest it.
One can choose multiple sources and it's configurable interface is not too shabby.
Sometimes we overlook the obvious, at least I do.

[nite_monkey]

well it is a start, but I am right now looking for a webcam program that only has the webcam video and not the title bar or the file, edit, etc. bar

[cmpm]

vlc can do it with skin 2 but still a bar at the top
no file edit and the rest
for my webcam that is....

might be a setting in an appearance program to kill the bar

[nite_monkey]

vlc suports webcams? Hmm, I'll have to try that out and see what I can do.

edit: thanks cmpm. I found a skin for vlc that separates the video window from the controls window, so now I can select my webcam, and just move the video window up to the top right of the screen to where the title bar isn't showing.

[cmpm]

You are welcome,

The KMPlayer supports webcams also, but I couldn't figure out how to get the right look you are looking for. And it seems to 'stay on top' of other windows.

http://www.kmplayer.com/forums/

[Jimdoria]

...right now looking for a webcam program that only has the webcam video and not the title bar or the file, edit, etc. bar

Look at CapTV2 from http://www.micromediaenterprises.com. It is free & does exactly this. You can also toggle the window between 2 different sizes just by double clicking. Also lets you capture stills, video, etc. Neat, general-purpose webcam app I've been using for years.

[helim]

You should take a look at VCam - Virtual Camera at http://www.e2esoft.cn/vcam . It installs a virtual webcam driver (similar to Fake Webcam), and allows you to use video files and input from real capture sources such as webcams. It also allows overlay of these varying sources (or images and even flash files, if you prefer), all of which will be streamed to the installed virtual driver. Then the driver can be accessed as if it were a webcam by any applications that can access webcams.

I've been playing around with it during a trial period, and seems pretty cool so far, and is less than 30 bucks, to boot...

Hope you find it useful...

[nite_monkey]

SWEET! Thanks Jimdoria capTV2 is exactly what I wanted.