Video editing software

[WhiteD3]

Up until recently I used VideoStudio SE to edit my videos, as this is what came with the Sony DV camera. When I upgraded to Vista I found VideoStudio won't run in Vista, so at the mo I'm stuck with MS MovieMaker, which is fine if all you want to do is basic editing.

So, what video editing software do you use, and more importantly, recommend?

I'm not after winning an Oscar but the ability to dub music/commentary, slow and speed up video, basic transitions and effects would be nice.

Cheers.

[dmdigital]

Adobe Premier Elements is very good.

[srowlandson]

i run macs, so i use imovie for the quick an easy and final cut express if i want something a little more fancy, but use imovie 99% of the time.

[disco2hse]

i run macs, so i use imovie for the quick an easy and final cut express if i want something a little more fancy, but use imovie 99% of the time.

I take it you haven't upgraded to Leopard yet the. If you're using iMovie HD it wont run on Leopard, you'll have to move to iLife 08 and believe me that is a major disappointment! Instead you'll need Final Cut Elements, at nearly twice the price of iLife 08 :mad:

[disco2hse]

I reckon Ulead is hard to beat in both simplicity and functionality. Don't be put off by the Corel label, it is cheap and good. If want you can even do production level stuff with it. It comes with DVD editing software too.

[WhiteD3]

I reckon Ulead is hard to beat in both simplicity and functionality. Don't be put off by the Corel label, it is cheap and good. If want you can even do production level stuff with it. It comes with DVD editing software too.

Thanks Alan. I also have an older version of Ulead which I have used but again it doesn't run on Vista.:(

[awabbit6]

Adobe Premier Elements is very good.

I agree. I use Premiere Pro and it is very good.
If you just want something that is easy to use, then Ulead Video Studio works well. As stated though, you have to upgrade to run it on Vista.:mad:

[Rosscoe68]

sony vegas , awesome software package and ultra easy to use

[81stubee]

My Wife and I use Video Studio 11plus.

We Have done some great videos of our trips with it. Has some good special effects and is reasonably simple to use. It also has a great online forum if you need help, which we have used many times.

Don't know how it goes with Vista but the box says its compatible.

Good Luck

Stu

P.S. Beware the dreaded file format issue, an avi is not just an avi.

[WhiteD3]

Beware the dreaded file format issue, an avi is not just an avi.

It isn't? What's the story?

[Mulgo]

I am quite happy with MAGIX Movie edit pro 12.

MAGIX - Movie Edit Pro - classic (http://www.magix.com/us/movie-edit-pro/classic/pr/)

[dullbird]

i use pinnacle studio 10 plus
on my comp which runs vista.....all works fine easy to use

i only dream of one day running avid liquid 7......when i can afford it:( which will probably be never:mad::BigCry::BigCry::BigCry:

[81stubee]

WhiteD3,

As we found out the hard way an avi is just a "briefcase or container". We found this out after we brought a new Hard Drive camera to replace our Mini DV.

An avi can vary in many ways, frame size, rate, audio, Frame Type. Most mini DV cameras record in Lower Field First while a HDD Camera records in upper field first. Don't ask me what these mean, but they're both Avi Files and can't be spliced together easily.

My wife is telling me that i'm not being exactly correct but you get the Idea, Forums save the day.

Please correct me if you want, she's the "expert" i'm the messenger.


Cheers

Stu

[disco2hse]

Thanks Alan. I also have an older version of Ulead which I have used but again it doesn't run on Vista.:(

I think you will find that has changed now. Looks like they've updated it here (http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/nz/en/Product/1175714228558)

[Ruslan]

IMHO, Premiere Pro CS3 is the best at the moment. I've tested some others such as Pinnacle, Ulead, Adobe Elements, (Movie Maker ;) ) for functionality and picture quality, nothing comes close. All programs use own algorithm, so picture quality is different on final result. I'd tell always remember you'll be watching your videos later (2-10-30 years), so try to avoid loosing quality today. Also the less effects, the better quality. If you really after some effects or video correction, cut movie timeline on smaller bits and apply effects only on frames you need.


...the ability to dub music/commentary, slow and speed up video, basic transitions and effects would be nice.
Adobe Encore DVD CS3 does it. Beauty is it eats most video compression formats. For example you can edit your old already created videos, cut and insert something in your movie from DVD, Youtube video etc. Also it is good for slideshows with motion effects (gives a life to your slideshow). And it builds DVD as final result.

Most Adobe software has downloadable trial versions, test them and you'll know what I'm talking about.

Do search, there are some good tutorials how to use those programs, don't worry if an interface looks complicated at first time; 5-10 minutes and you in ;)

Have a look here Video Editing: Software Problems and buying advice (http://www.videoforums.co.uk/video-editing-software-problems-buying-advice/) and here VideoHelp (http://www.videohelp.com/)

Cheers,
Ruslan

[Bushranger]

WhiteD3,

As we found out the hard way an avi is just a "briefcase or container". We found this out after we brought a new Hard Drive camera to replace our Mini DV.

An avi can vary in many ways, frame size, rate, audio, Frame Type. Most mini DV cameras record in Lower Field First while a HDD Camera records in upper field first. Don't ask me what these mean, but they're both Avi Files and can't be spliced together easily.

My wife is telling me that i'm not being exactly correct but you get the Idea, Forums save the day.

Please correct me if you want, she's the "expert" i'm the messenger.


Cheers

Stu

G'day Stu,

An AVI is an Avi is an AVI!

Don't argue with wife, just ask my ex-wife! or me for that matter.

What you stated about frame rates and so forth is correct.

The encoding you speak of is usually selectable in some type of user interface within the camera set-up.

AVI is simply a highly compressed audio visual file. The fields are peculiar to different formats of both digital and analouge video systems.

What sort of camera was the DV and the new HDD?

When you get a chance report back and I will have a squiz for you...i work in the TV game for Auntie here in Darwin and I don't mind helping out if you can furnish the model names and numbers of your cameras.

No promises...but it sounds like a piece of **** to sort out old chap...there are many many ways to skin a cat.

And to the original poster...Avid! or for the Mac, Final Cut Pro.

Both are professional high-end non-linear editing systems that can be installed on either machine respectively. Avid pro is f...ing expensive for the home shooter/cutter though, have a squiz at their website, just google AVID, as I believe there is or was a free demo version for download that lets you cut and save videoes but not burn to disk. After you cut and save you would export back to tape machine or HDD camera and then master onto a CD from there. Avid also provides useful tips and advice on their site.

Cheers,

Bushranger

[WhiteD3]

Hey Bushranger,

Had a look at Avid but couldn't find a trial version, but it's not Vista compatible anyway, as that update is "pending".

Cheers.

[Bushranger]

G'day again White D3,

I'll have a sniff around for you it may be on another site. Regarding the Vista concern, you could run XP or Win 2000/ NT on your Vista machine and select the OS you want at boot up.

I can PM you with more details if you wish?

Arigato,

Bushranger

[Bushranger]

Hello White D3,

Yes the software appears to be absent. Check out this link though, I did not read it entirely but it my help you.

Pinnacle Systems Introduces Free Video Editing For All With Its New VideoSpin Software (http://www.avid.com/company/releases/2008/080107_videospin_pinnacle.html)

Cheers,

Bushranger

[81stubee]

Thanks Bushranger,

Yeah, I was just trying to pass on the problems that we have had, that was the way I understood it.

We have only done about three vids so far using Ulead VS11+. We did a Hike last year using an old JVC Mini DV Camera that has since gone to heaven, But would possibly like to splice in stuff from our New panasonic SDR-H250. Very Busy at the moment with the joys of life etc..., so haven't been playing much lately.

The Pansonic is 3CCD and colour and definition on a 42" Plasma are fantastic. Very happy with it.

Cheers

Stu

[WhiteD3]

Hello White D3,

Yes the software appears to be absent. Check out this link though, I did not read it entirely but it my help you.

Pinnacle Systems Introduces Free Video Editing For All With Its New VideoSpin Software (http://www.avid.com/company/releases/2008/080107_videospin_pinnacle.html)

Cheers,

Bushranger


Sounds like the GO. Thanks, I'll give it a try.:)

[Ruslan]

AVI is simply a highly compressed audio visual file.
Sorry, Bushranger, you are not correct here. Let me explain :)

AVI is a container format. In simple words it can be uncompressed or compressed. There are a lot of compession formats (some popular: MPEG-1, MPEG-2, H.264, WMV).

Some other containers: VOB, ASF, QuickTime, RealMedia, and many more.

If you want to see what codec (compression format) is used in your avi-file download AVIcodec multimedia file analyser, for example, from here (http://www.free-codecs.com/download/AVIcodec.htm)

All professional (or pretend to be professional) video editing software capture video to uncompressed files, allow you to edit uncompressed and save as uncompressed. Also you can save (record) them back to your camera tape as backup in original quality. And as final result you have a choice to save just made movie into compressed file. It can be AVI, VOB, WMV, FLV (a-la youtube video), etc. -- your wish.

Hope this helps :)

Cheers,
Ruslan

[twigrx7]

I've used Pinacle systems for a little while - seems very good. I've also used an old Adobe Photoshope and found that to be good too....I haven't used any adobe stuff for movies though I'd imagine the movie editing would be good too.

That's the trouble with upgrading - only upgrade the op system if you have too. We still have a win98 machine, works fine.

...great filming on the last Mt Mee trip.....unfortunately I didn't know about it as my internet and phone has been on the blink until easter monday.

[WhiteD3]

Hello White D3,

Yes the software appears to be absent. Check out this link though, I did not read it entirely but it my help you.

Pinnacle Systems Introduces Free Video Editing For All With Its New VideoSpin Software (http://www.avid.com/company/releases/2008/080107_videospin_pinnacle.html)

Cheers,

Bushranger

Well, it sounded too good to be true, and it was:(. Have installed twice with no luck. Just locks up half way through start up:mad:.

[81stubee]

The other thing we found was that Ulead used to lock up, or just close when you were in the middle of something. To overcome this, we created a hardware profile in Windows which only loads basic hardware and software, ie no network cards/internet, no firewall etc..., we just select it at startup. Since doing this we have had no problems at all, and rendering etc is faster.

Video Editing on a home PC is a very complicated process, compared to a dedicated machine, and in my opinion is still very young. Vast strides are being made however, and it is fast coming of age.

you can see one of our videos here <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MRCn6QZOESg&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MRCn6QZOESg&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

Cheers Stu