Video Editing Software

[Smudger]

If anyone feels that this thread is in the wrong cat. please tell an admin, as I had no idea where to put it :S

I'm looking to buy some Video Editing Software (hence title) but am a little stuck.

1. Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 9 is a contender.

Pros: my mate knows Sony Vegas well, alright price
Cons:due to the presence of a much more expensive ver, I'm worried whether this one will be somewhat....lacking

2. Cyber Link Power Director.

Pros:good reviews (http://video-editing-software-review.toptenreviews.com/) good price (bad thing?)
Cons:Not bothered to look at newer update, seems tacky, doesn't have mate's expertise.

Any other software suggestions
Thanks for yer help
P.S I got carried away with formating

[Rhys]

get a trial of both and see what u prefer.

ive got sony vegas 9 myself and i quite like it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSkzMjM7mKo (watch in 720HD)

does full 1080p HD and is easy to use but has some advanced features.

so yeh.

[Seanbond]

You could try something by adobe. Like Encore CS4

it also does full 1080p

http://screensnapr.com/u/fydtvy.png

[Smudger]

money is an issue, and I'm trying to download vegas trail, but my internet sppeds/connection are diabolically poor

[Rhys]

ohh and VJ on here i think uses after effects CS4 which looks really nice in some of the effects it has available to use.

[Seanbond]

Yeah, its really complicated too, i dont really use it tbh, out of the Adobe CS4 master pack i only use Photoshop lol :D

[iGoD ReleNtLeS]

Yeah, its really complicated too, i dont really use it tbh, out of the Adobe CS4 master pack i only use Photoshop lol :D

+1 for the masterpack. Very good but also VERY expensive, i usually use dreamweaver, photoshop, fireworks and flash, but have used encore and after effects. All very good programs and if you can afford it i would highly recommend.

How ever if you cant, Camtasia is a good one. Just like windows movie maker, but more advanced, same style layout and can produce upto 1080p videos, and its relatively cheap.

[InFiNiTy]

Vegas is sweet, final cut is (<3 Mac) so is imovie :)

720p
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2fRWhCDUv8

480p(different vid)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2fRWhCDUv8

[Kenman]

I use Photodex Proshow Producer from photodex.com. Been a user ever since they started it, on version 4.1 now. Have tried others, but for me, none compare. Not cheap though... But trial versions are available.

[mrgoose]

There's a new kid on the proverbial block you may wish to consider:- Heroine Virtual's Cinelerra. Very slick. 100% open source. Completely free.

Best wishes, G.

http://heroinewarrior.com/cinelerra.php
http://cinelerra.org/

[smifis]

I have done video editing for the last 4 years professionally and thought i should shed some light on this.

Just to clarify things...

You could try something by adobe. Like Encore CS4
Encore is a DVD authoring program, not editing.


ohh and VJ on here i think uses after effects CS4 which looks really nice in some of the effects it has available to use.
After Effects is for composition not editing.


Vegas is sweet, final cut is (<3 Mac)
While vegas is very good, i would recommend it. final cut is the biz


I use Photodex Proshow Producer from photodex.com. Been a user ever since they started it, on version 4.1 now. Have tried others, but for me, none compare. Not cheap though... But trial versions are available.
...no comment


There's a new kid on the proverbial block you may wish to consider:- Heroine Virtual's Cinelerra. Very slick. 100% open source. Completely free.
This looks more promising but it's trying to make itself look more advanced than what it really is and the interface looks too "clogged up".

What i recommend is premier pro.

It is very much suited toward the prosumer market, its simpler enough for someone starting out and is advanced enough to do the most complicated edits. This is what i use.

If you're on a mac, then try final cut pro, it's basically a step up from premiere but confusing to start with.

Sony vegas is starting to grow a large professional community and i would recommend it but i personally dont like the program. BUT if you have a friend who knows how to use it, this may be the right choice.

[Smudger]

There's a new kid on the proverbial block you may wish to consider:- Heroine Virtual's Cinelerra. Very slick. 100% open source. Completely free.

Best wishes, G.

http://heroinewarrior.com/cinelerra.php
http://cinelerra.org/

would you say it was the Paint.NET of video editing?


I have done video editing for the last 4 years professionally and thought i should shed some light on this.
What i recommend is premier pro.
It is very much suited toward the prosumer market, its simpler enough for someone starting out and is advanced enough to do the most complicated edits. This is what i use.
Sony vegas is starting to grow a large professional community and i would recommend it but i personally dont like the program. BUT if you have a friend who knows how to use it, this may be the right choice.

Yeah, I am drawn slightly to Vegas coz of my mate (http://www.youtube.com/user/greatislandprod (some are brilliant, some not so good)
Oh, and what is Premier Pro?

[smifis]

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

[mrgoose]

would you say it was the Paint.NET of video editing?

No. Paint.net is associated with Microsoft. lol. ;)

I would say Cinelerra is more the GIMP (http://gimp.org) of video editing. FWIW, I use GIMP as a 100% replacement for Photoshop - including for creating/editing all the graphic objects I use professionally. GIMP has become quite excellent in recent years - and its also GPL open source.

Best wishes, G

[InFiNiTy]

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

[Smudger]

im quite enjoying the vegas trail

[smifis]

Well then that may be what you should go with, but give the others a try too.

[Smudger]

I WILL, INCLUDING A MORE BASIC VER OF VEGAS (sorry for caps)

[Mr Grapes]

No. Paint.net is associated with Microsoft. lol. ;)

only because it's written in .net...
it was a university student project and i think M$ sponsored him, but apart from that the project is totally seperate from them, with continued funding through donations. it was also open source, but too many people started doing rip-offs with malware and other nasties, so he closed it for 3.5.

however, the earlier open source versions have been ported to MONO by Miguel de Icaza himself as one of the objectives of the mono project

[_Locke]

I used to use Vegas or Premiere. Only used Premiere when I was bored and could be asked to make something decent.. which was next to never xD

[Smudger]

Thanks guys.
While we are on Paint.NET and photo editing:
How would I get a 'chromed' effect on an image. If you dont know what I mean; check you user picture in w7 in start menu. it has a large highlight that cuts through it.

[Mr Grapes]

just a new layer, create the shape you want in white, then set the transparency til it's almost invisible

[mattk]

well if you like free and dont mind it being archaic,

then get old skool. Virtual Dub. you still need to buy the codecs from thier relevant locations.

used to use it in the old days

[smifis]

thats just an awful idea :)

Have you tried Premiere Yet?

[Smudger]

fraid not. I'm still mucking around with Vegas Platinum, and I have an annoyingly low Download Limit on my bradband, so not till next month.
I'll try the PDN tip, cheers.

[smifis]

If i find a disk somewhere, i'll burn you a copy of the DVD trial.