Topic: video editing software

[rastasean]

So I know what computer I want. I know what OS I want, Windows 7 64 bit probably home but now the issue is what video editing software to get.

I hear a lot of good things about sony home movie but i know avid has been making video editing software for a long time. I don't need anything PRO but I don't want something too simple like imovie or windows movie maker. I would like something with the ability to import more videos easily.

who has used what? who likes what?


http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/moviestudiope/features
http://shop.avid.com/store/product.do?product=288894176160400


sony is slightly cheaper but both are priced good. i can't afford something like $600 so please be reasonable.

[ballerusk]

I would recommend Final Cut (Express-version for $199 on apple.com) or Adobe Premiere as they are both the "easiest" editing programs to use but are still considered not too amateurish. I have not tried Sony's program and Pinnacle seems to be for wedding videos and such. Avid is a bit tougher on the userfriendliness but also works good when you're used to it.

[rastasean]

I would recommend Final Cut (Express-version for $199 on apple.com) or Adobe Premiere as they are both the "easiest" editing programs to use but are still considered not too amateurish. I have not tried Sony's program and Pinnacle seems to be for wedding videos and such. Avid is a bit tougher on the userfriendliness but also works good when you're used to it.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB278Z/A?fnode=NDQ4OTY4OA&mco=MTA5MDg2Mzk

that software? Looks like it only works on mac/apple computers per system requirements....

[beatkilla]

Sony 9 Platinum is very good.But is limited to 4 audio tracks and 4 video tracks.So depending on what you want to do you may not have enough tracks.Vegas PRO has unlimited audio and video tracks.Even if you only have 1 video source you probably want to add text on other tracks above it,you could run  out of tracks.You could easily keep rendering to avi. and continue on and on with more text etc.

[ballerusk]

Ah, my bad. Then perhaps Adobe Premiere is your best bet.

[rastasean]

thanks for the heads up on the difference between those two sony products.

Ah, my bad. Then perhaps Adobe Premiere is your best bet.

thanks for the recommendation. I like the premiere elements and I'll check it out.

[rastasean]

look what I found out about adobe premiere elements:

Adobe claims Premiere Elements 8 can support up to 99 video tracks and 99 audio tracks. This is only partially true. We found that there is nothing that prevents adding track 100, 101, 102, etc.
http://video-editing-software-review.toptenreviews.com/premiere-elements-review.html


edit;
i second thought, look at all the poor reviews of the software:
http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-65045377-Premiere-Elements-8/product-reviews/B002IJA1DM/ref=pr_all_summary_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

[mmadd29]

I'll add my two cents....

I used Adobe Premiere 6.5 for about a year...it ran fine and did what I needed.   I then decided to upgrade to CS4.  I downloaded the demo to determine how much of a learning curve there was.  I never got the software to run on my desktop, laptop, or work computer.  All machines well exceeded the minimum requirements.  I then talked with a friend who does this work for a living.  He told me that Adobe has had numerous stability issues, and recommended Vegas 9.  I download Vegas Platinum and loved it.  Very stable.  I purchased a copy for $80 or so, and have used it since.

I would recommend Vegas....

[mattmiller]

I'll add my two cents....

I used Adobe Premiere 6.5 for about a year...it ran fine and did what I needed.   I then decided to upgrade to CS4.  I downloaded the demo to determine how much of a learning curve there was.  I never got the software to run on my desktop, laptop, or work computer.  All machines well exceeded the minimum requirements.  I then talked with a friend who does this work for a living.  He told me that Adobe has had numerous stability issues, and recommended Vegas 9.  I download Vegas Platinum and loved it.  Very stable.  I purchased a copy for $80 or so, and have used it since.

I would recommend Vegas....

Ditto.  Adobe Premiere has always given me problems.  After trying Premiere CS4 briefly last year, I switched to Vegas 8 Pro and have had no problems at all.

[kbergend]

I've been using CyberLink Power Director on my Win 7 x64 PC and like it a lot.  Imports most formats directly including mpeg VOB files, supports up to 16 tracks, provides a very nice selection of output options including Blu-Ray, very intuitive editing controls, fast rendering, high quality output, very rarely crashes.  I've used Premiere Elements and Corel VideoStudio Pro X2 and I like it much better than either of them. No experience with Vegas or Pinnacle, however.

[manitouman]

^^^That's what I've been using at work for the development of training videos. Nothing fancy but it is user friendly. I learned most of what I needed for this project in a month. And that's coming from someone who knew absolutely nothing about video editing. I'm sure there are more things to the software but for what I needed it did the job. I think I paid $70 for a licensed copy.