Imovie 2: The Missing Manual (Missing Manuals)

For an example of how this book is technically precise in an engaging way, consider how it explains the purpose of the "QT Margins" checkbox, which is to do with compensating for a margin-cropping characteristic of televisions. Pogue proposes an equivalent label: "'QT Margins' means 'Assume this movie will be shown as a QuickTime movie, and therefore won't have chopped-off margins.'" The meaning of a fairly cryptic label becomes absolutely obvious.

Further kudos go to the book's designers for their liberal inclusion of illustrations. Where multiple frames are needed to illustrate a point, they're included. Tips and notes serve a valuable purpose, and are likely to introduce even seasoned iMovie editors to features they've missed on their own. --David Wall

Topics covered: Capturing video with a camera, then editing it on the Mac to include appealing transitions, effects, titling, and audio. The process of exporting edited video from the computer (such as for videotape or Web publishing).

From the initial teething troubles that trip all of us up - to the fine tuning that separates a good movie from a great move: its all here. Technical editor on the book is Glenn Reid - the architect and lead engineer for both iMovie1 and 2 so there are plenty of undocumented features and workarounds for when you're really elbow deep in the program and things maybe aren't going the way you planned.

I can't recommend this book highly enough for anyone using or planning to use iMovie2. Whether you're making the next Blair Witch Project or maybe just putting some still photos onto tape with some background music. This book will help you with the planning and execution and then hold your hand through all the steps you'll need to edit your masterpiece. It also covers in detail how to publish your finished film - on tape, CDs or the web, with full details for the various codecs.

The only thing really missing is Apple's new iDVD - and that's because it was unveiled too late to make this edition of the book and I understand it will be covered in the next edition.

For just the cost of a couple of DV tapes, this could be the best film-making investment you'll ever make.