Hey Mag...no, no...not at all. I was listing my "arsenal" to make a point about the futility of over-specifying equipment and software...especially to someone whose needs may be very modest. My thousands of dollars for gear would out-perform anything mentioned here, but they wouldn't really improve the end-product, on a simple project. In recent years, I've seen elementary school kids create mind-blowingly awesome videos, using the basic, free stuff that came with their PCs and Macs.

Per your second question, I actually utilize 4 different HD cameras, depending on the situation. My JVC camcorder has the most flexible, all-purpose optics and best production-quality shooting features. (Ex. a nice zoom lens, stabilizer, big LCD preview screen, timecode, XLR audio connectors, bars & tone, etc., etc.) It's great for a shooting interviews, stand-ups, and chasing action. My Canon DSLR also has a respectable motion video capability. (They once used this model to shoot an episode of E.R..) But, DSLRs are a bit awkward to shoot handheld stuff with. They are also optically limited by glass (lens) that you are using, at the time. My DSLR is most useful for doing static shots (such as time-lapse) on a tripod. I also found myself using the HD cameras in my phone and tablet to catch candid/covert shots in places where I don't want the subjects to react to a camera. (I'm also thinking of buying one of those mini HD action cams, like the GoPro.)

As far as what I prefer, it really depends on the job that needs to be done. The best quality is achieved through the camcorder and DSLR, but they are the least portable; most noticable; and most cumbersome. For just plain fun, I love shooting on my Android tablet, but it doesn't deliver full 1920 x 1080 HD.

The bottom-line is that absolute emphasis on quality gear is really over-rated...at least for most non-professionals. The most important things are good composition, decent lighting, and a steady shot. It's best to take your time on these things. Also, to enjoy yourself. :)

Since this seems to be a pi**ing contest.
I am not a salesman but an editor of about 9 years. I learned on Premiere and Avid which both are still the best in the world.
And I am already taking under consideration the stuff that Shayam doesn't.

Plus you couldn't be more wrong about crashing or about equipment. No need for expensive equipment. I have a computer with similar specs and paid only 500US$ custom made.
Pinnnacle crashed importing, exporting, rendering (stalls), and tons of other situations. On my computer on the studio computer.

Also you can;t just calculate the money spend on a software preofessional or amateur. If you want to keep the fun you have to be sure that it doesn't crash, that you learn fast and know how to use your stuff.

Vegas is easy compared to WMM and the other crap because when you peak your learning curve you don't have to download or switch to another program, that's why I called it Semi professional, becasue you can still use Vegas and learn and learn and learn. When you mastered Vegas switch to Avid and Premiere and move to a place with a movie industry because then you are officially and editor.lol

Most prob Mike is not planning to become and editor geek any time soon. But that doesn't mean that you have to send him a painstaking road of suckitude just to save a few bucks or let him lose interest in editing software before it starts to be fun.

Plus Pro's still use it, not as their main station but it's for quick fixes. So if you don't like it, that's your problem. We all used in our studios more than we should have because you can learn it in a few hours to have very good results. But as I said you have never worked with it so I understand your frustration.

The biggest frustration is time wasted on small tasks in the editing process and fumbling and trying effects and corrections and Vegas is just the easiest to do so. Movie Make is ok but it's very limited in the range of effects, time lining them and change them in the effect timeline.

Going back to the OP
"What's your suggestion for a decent HD video editing program? Not making a full length motion picture, just fun stuff. Free would be nice but pay is ok."

............There is no decent free HD editing software!!!

Yes some bored kids with too much time maybe able to use it for some fancy stuff but I assume as adults with reson. We want to have results within a realistic amount of time.

Plus since you work with different lenses and cameras I wonder how you are not color correcting, especially in Yunnan with strong changes in lighting.

Or are you just using auto correct.

From what I read you are not very experienced or adequate in editing software. No offense but it sounds like it to me.
Nor that it matters but if you claim that this is your pair of shoes here, you should more fastuff under consideration.

Sorry I disagree, buying an editing software for the price of a good night partying is not a bad choice. IF you wanna go the hard way buy Premiere or Avid (basic suite) and learn from the pro's. Or buy a cheap editing software with support for free downloads and add-on's it saves you so much time and trouble that you couldn't pay with money.

Amateur or Pro makes no different that you shouldn't try to be stingy to get a quality product.

Depends all on the level.
I suggest Sony Vegas if you intend to make something good and quick.

If it's just clips from a trip or holiday you want to put to some music, you could technically even get apps on your i-pad or i-phone and edit it.

It all depends what you want to do with it and how long / intensive the video is.
Good luck!

Silvio is quite correct. It depends on what you want to do.

@Dude...if this is a "pissing contest", its between you and yourself. This thread began as an information request from a guy who wanted to edit small, basic projects for the minimal amount of money. For my own part, that is what I've supported him on. (I didn't try to jam my own preferences and supposed quals down his throat. Instead, I provided options that were in line with his request.) Unlike you, I actually provided him with definable options.

The only thing that really confuses me here, is why anyone would discourage evaluation of free software...especially when failure carries no penalty.

Back in 1982, when I got my first college degree - in video production technology, there were just no cheap options around. Everything was hardware/appliance-based. Minimum cost for a basic editor was $4000...and that was for cuts only. Today, people are winning major TV and film awards with cheap cameras and a laptop. In the 90s, when I was designing, engineering, and building TV production facilities, even the new, computer-based NLE systems were many thousands of dollars. We must also remember that while computers have exponentially increased in power, basic editing systems (at least those built around 32-bit architecture) are not significantly more resource-intensive. Therefore, making absolute statements about system performance is a bit suspect, on its face.

Mike, I'll say again that Dude's (and Yank/Silvio's) recommendation of Vegas isn't a bad one. But, if you are new to editing; want something basic; and don't want to spend a lot, there are many other options. Like Silvio and I have said, it comes down to what you want to do with it.

Why is don't recommend free software is, because it isn;t free or so limited that you could barely call it editing software. Magix for example will let you play to a certain amount and then will ask you to buy add-on's or you are screwed.

They are advertisements in software form. I tired it before for my boss and there was not one that would't ask you to buy or die. You couldn't save the progress or export or add-on's were blocked. That's why.

HArdware I won;t disagree you need a certain minimal requirement of hardware...it ain't need to be expensive but it has to be able to handle the processing and not to forget the rendering.

But even there is room to fumble...For example phone cam movies, there is this famous Korean director who films with i-phones and uses homemade tripods and dolleys.

If you go with freeware you have to sit there and hope that it will work/ finish before the trial period is up or other hassles.

If you buy one you will have less stress and most important support hot lines, access to downloads and other stuff.

WMM is not generally bad but it has very little room to play with and enjoy editing. It's really just for cutting and putting cute filters on.
The old one was much better I used it quite a bit in 2007 (dunno what version that was)

that's my point going for free editing software will cost you more in cash, nerves, and frustration.

And Vegas is the easiest to use than most free programs but has the range of effects and possibilities of a professional program. It's a good compromise, for a few bucks.

What Mike chooses or other think I don't really mind, but I trained editors and they found Vegas is an easy powerful tool to learn in a day and I agree. I promise that Mike would know what he is doing in a day while with other programs he would still have no idea what he is doing and that means without the tutotrial. And if he even wants to speed it up check the key mapping on google for Vegas and in a few hours he got the heck of the most vital functions.

I don;t say that the freeware is crap or the other choices are bad, but they will take much longer to get used to and figure out and will not get quick results. Freeware is a gamble...that's what I opine .

Thanks you Dudeson, Shyam and others..

Good point on the freebees, long term will cause problems.
"For fun" isnt much of a description for my needs, it would be for editing Paragliding clips for promo use..
I looked at vegas and was wondering about the learning curve as I've owned Sony products in the past, the old Sony interface was terrible but is much better on my handy cam.

Lots to consider, it's cold out so time to learn.

thanks, shyam!

@ mike4g_air
Vegas is not much different than other software in terms of interface. i had a sony cam as well and wasn't to impressed with it except the z1 camera. plus you can customize the interface by drag and drop windows or using the view/windows scroll options. there are some advantages using sony cams with Vegas....i don't remember since we didn't use sony's often but i remember it allowed of a few extra functions.

if you have problems with Vegas let me know, i doubt it though as yankee said a 10y old can use it. PM me and i may be able to show you the basics.

Wise choice with going with a paid established software. Plus you are being offered kind help from someone who knows the field.

If you know how to use torrents, you can use any software you want without worrying about the cost.

+1 for Powerdirector though. It's quite intuitive and probably the most economical in terms of usability to features. I learned how to do a lot on that before moving on to Premiere pro and found it excellent. I highly recommend it for any basic stuff.