I am currently PC based, but am seriously considering getting an Apple TiBook to do video work on.

I would call a quality camera store and inqire. Lens filters are often used on cameras for different effects.

I'd recommend a Mac for just about everything but that's just me! ;-) I have a friend who has Final Cut Pro for Macintosh and have seen some of his work. The end product looked exactly like it was filmed instead of videotaped. He has a digital video camera which might have something to do with it.

What is the "glossy" finish on video?

I use low-end programs (ULead Video Studio and MGI VideoWave.) I prefer Video Studio, but I have MGI's software because it has a "darkroom" that allows me to adjust brightness and contrast.

I have used Adobe's free trial (full featured) version of Premiere (v.7) and I did not like it enough to cough up the coin. I really liked the multiple video tracks (but MGI gives me that, too.)

Russ

...and HERE is a great source of information.

In other words you want your video that you shot to look like a 35 mm film right? There is nothing really out there for Windows, although I believe that Mac has a product that make video look like 35mm. There is a place called www.filmlook.com that most of the networks use making their videos to make them look like film. Unfortuniately they charge $95 a minute for the first 30 minutes. So your looking at close to $3 grand for 30 mins.

There's a few ways you could try to make your video look like film, though none will work 100%. First, the lighting. It's probably the most important but also the most overlooked aspect of shooting video. Proper lighting can go a great deal to achieving the 'film' look.

Second, shutter speed. If I recall correctly, a lower shutter speed would help your video get a smoother look, which might help.

And thirdly, there's the filmlook.com method metioned above. There's a few similar programs, such as CineLook or FilmFX that also work, the latter being a plugin for Adobe Premiere. I've used it and it works to an extent, though I use it more as an effect that's supposed to be noticeable.

Is you camcorder "firewire" equipped or analog?

Adobe Premiere supports plug-ins that accomplish the film look. You can also go in and adjust levels to achieve a close look... Rendering time is a bear tho...

Dual-processor Athlon boxes are now affordable for the truly serious.

Oh, I do so agree the lighting can go far into making your digital vidi look like film.

I've done it by lucky accident a few times, but I'd luv for you to expand & expound a bit on that if you can.

I think it's a way too little explored area.