Connect your video camera to your computer using the cables provided with your camera. Plug one end of the cable into the camera and the other end into the computer. Turn the camera on in playback mode.
Double click the PowerDirector desktop icon.
Click on the "Capture" button located at the top of the window; then select "Capture from HDV Device" in the new window.
Select the section of video that you want to import into PowerDirector 5 by using the playback buttons. Click on the "Record" button to import the selected video; then click the "Stop" button once your chosen section has been imported.
Click "Edit" and drag the icon representing your imported footage onto the timeline at the bottom of the window. Your footage is ready to edit.
Click the "Split" tool to remove unwanted footage. The tool lets you split your footage into smaller segments, allowing you to delete any parts you no longer want by pressing the "Delete" key.
Drag and drop the separated clips along the timeline to organize the footage however your desire.
Click on the "Transition" tool from the left hand panel before. Click a transition type such as "Fade" from the drop down menu. Drag the transition symbol over your timeline by clicking and holding the left button on your mouse. Drop the symbol between two separate video clips by releasing mouse button to insert the transition. Play the video to watch your added transition in action.
Add effects to your footage by clicking the "Effects" tool from the left hand panel. Click an effect and then drag and drop it onto the timeline in the same way as you added the transition.
Experiment with the different effects, transitions and other tools available to add your own style to your footage.
Click "File" then "Save" to save your completed video.