Video editing software

mynamesnotdave

Hi,

I've just bought a mini-dv camcorder and wanted people's opinion on the best video editing software to get?
I don't mind paying a reasonable amount for the software. What are considered the best, easiest to use?

Thanks

Mr_Skint_2

Sonic DVD http://www.sonic.com/products/consumer/mydvd/
also Windows Movie maker with XP its free and bundled...

spookmeister

I have used a few but I like the "Studio" range published by Pinnacle Systems.

Not sure whether you one but you will probably need some kind of capture card. You can often get this bundled with software.

https://www.pinnaclesys.com

skiddy2k

in terms of best one to use- i would personally recommend using 'Adobe Premiere Pro' software for use with video editing.

it lets you edit films and cut out scenes to adding sound and titles.
difficult to get the hang of to start off with because of its professional features, but once you get grips of it, it definately pays back!

http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/main.html

Skiddy

newfoundglory

Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5 if you have a PC, and Apple Final Cut Pro/Studio 5 if you have a mac. Definitely two of the best available, if not the best.

Both are on the pricey side (haha), and you will need system with a lot of memory.

Canopus Edius pro 3 is also good, and comes with ProCoder 2 express... but again isn't cheap.

I've played with all of these.

"Cheaper" alternatives are premiere pro elements or final cut express hd. I can't imagine you'd need the advance features of the others... i didn't!

martyfarty69

Personally i use Ulead VideoStudio 9,
I got it recently and it must be fairly simple to use as i didnt read any of the instructions and I ended up capturing a movie from my vid cam and editing it with titles and music in about an hour and a half with just a little trial and error, and im certainly no computer whizz !!!!!
Once used windows movie maker to try to make a VCD with some photo's and ended up having a nightmare trying to burn them to CD .

Anyway good luck

itsfrommark

I agree with the above that Pinnacle is excellent; but the key is to use it on a pc with a good spec. Windows XP / 1Ghz minimum and minimum 512 Mb RAM. Remember that downloading just 5 minutes from your mini-dv in full dv format will eat up 1 Gigabyte of your hard drive.
It hasn't been easy - with teething problems - but now I have a good specification pc it runs beautifully. I've progressed to Studio Plus (£80?) which is more than adequate with lots of semi-professional features.
Mark

Poppycat

I use ulead video studio 9 too, its great, my dv camera supports usb 2 and firwire some software I tried couldnt pick up the DV in usb but worked fine in firewire, depsite having teh right drivers installed. Firewire is the best way to go tbh.

gerretl

I have used Pinnacle, and its great. Dead easy to use. Don't even bother with Windows Movie Maker.
Also, if you are doing editing, consider picking up a cd of sound effects, or looking on the net for them. Pinnacle studio 10 has a stills feature as well, where you can move around a photo, like in the history documentries about the Norman conquest, where they try and reenact the Battle of Hastings by moving around the Bayeuax Tapesry to the sound of sword fighting.
Oh, and buy a big hard drive. You will need it.

mynamesnotdave

Thanks for all your advice. I've got the firewire card and cable on its way from ebuyer, looks like I might have to invest in a mighty mighty hard disk!

Looks like 2 votes each ofr ulead, pinnacle and adobe.....anyone one to make a deciding vote?

NickMidgley

I used to use Pinnacle Studio 8 and it was so unreliable and buggy I ended up ditching it. (If anyone wants my copy, you're welcome to it).

I then switched to Ulead Video Studio 8 and didn't have a problem with it, but I currently use Adobe Premiere Elements, which has a few extra features.

You can download trial versions of both programs at Ulead and Adobe's websites - I think they're both full versions but limited to a month's use. That way you can see which one works best for you. I think the current version of Premiere Elements has pretty high minimum system requirements, so you'd need a relatively new/high spec pc. The website will give you more details.

It's certainly worth adding a second "slave" hard drive to store the video files. I'd recommend getting at least 120Gb, which you can pick up relatively cheaply nowadays.