when to use an image stablizer and how to judge the center

I am looking at a shot that is pretty wild due to a hand held cam and a lack of experience in filming. the zoom is being used so this problem is exaggerated. i am looking to use the image stabilizer. i have tried to use this b4 but never really was able to get the desired effect.

so against doctors orders i got ta thinking.

1. how do i make the image stabilizer work?
2. how do i judge the center? ( is the center the object that i want to stay in the middle or a reference point in which to somewhat constrain the motion of the camera?)
3. what is scan range?


pre-thanks

Damn if I know. I could never get the thing to work myself. I've heard good things about CHV's Image stabilizer. There are other ones out there too I think.

[www.chv-plugins.com]

The FCP image stabilizer has a bad reputation, for sure. It lacks a rotate function. I've heard that multiple copies of the filter works somewhat better.

Lyric.com makes a good one. Download the demo here:
[www.lyric.com]

Cheers,
Kevin Monahan
Author, "Motion Graphics and Effects in Final Cut Pro"
Take My FCP Master's Seminar in LA Next Weekend!

Ive never been able to get it to work eather

I did see a demo where it was made to work--
I think the trick is to select something in
the middle of the frame that dose not move-
Like a spot on a wall or something--

If you get it figured out let me know--Jay--

I've tried it so many ways, too, and could never get decent results!

I'm very happy to hear that it's not just me!!