Video Editing Software

[nibblesandbits]

I am currently thinking about buying video editing software (I don't know the technical name for it...I'm pretty dumb with technology stuff) and I was wondering what you guys thought were the better ones. I want one that is not too expensive, but something that I can use to edit mini DVs and then burn them onto DVDs that works relatively well.

 

[sy278]

I would recommend pinnacle studio 9

 

[arcsbite]

I am currently thinking about buying video editing software (I don't know the technical name for it...I'm pretty dumb with technology stuff) and I was wondering what you guys thought were the better ones. I want one that is not too expensive, but something that I can use to edit mini DVs and then burn them onto DVDs that works relatively well.

If you use a PC I would reccomend Studio 9 Plus, a very easy to get used to, but quite powerful video editing and DVD producing software

If you use a MAC, I would say go for iMovie, or even VCD builder which is a free tool that is for making basic VCD's great to start out with.

there are others out there but it's 12:30am and my mind isn't working! any questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[Figment1986]

I use sonic DVD studio 6... (Sonic My DVD) About $70.... or $50 for upgrading....

Works well and helps burn DVDs prety fast... Before it was 2 hours.. now it is 45min...

 

[tk421-sw]

PM me, I'll talk to you about what I use.

 

[barnum42]

Pinnacle Studio products have a bad reputation for being buggy as hell. I know this from personal experience. I could not get Studio 8 to work without regular crashing and a host of other minor bugs. Pinnacle's solution was to tell me to buy version 9. I pointed out the legal implications of the admission they has sold me a product not suitable for the purpose intended and they sent me a free copy of Version 9, which was very stable but refused to burn DVDs!

However the latest build of version 9 has proven to be quite stable for me. It is very easy to work and has quite an intuitive interface. Now that it is behaving I can say that I enjoy using it.

 

[barnum42]

I would NOT recommend ANY Pinnacle product at all.

I have had NOTHING but problems with their software, and their tech support.

I had problems with V 9.X that would burn a disc, but it would be unplayable in THREE dvd players that I have, plus the DVD ROM that I have in my computer. Their tech support said it was my system (computer) or my DVD players could not play the format. However, they NEVER answered my question as to why I could burn a disc with Windows XP Movie Maker, and it would play on all three of my DVD players with no problems. They still claim it was my system.

If you do a google search for California BBB (Better Business Bureau), find the California BBB website, and do a search for Pinnacle Software (or Pinnacle Systems), you will find that they have had NUMEROUS complaints against them, and their record for resolving those complaints is poor at best.

I can't argue against this post. If you go for Studio, make sure the vendor is willing to give you a full cash refund if it does not work on your system.

 

[donaldduck1967]

I use Ulead Video Studio 7. I've burned many DVD's with no issues.

 

[barnum42]

I use Ulead Video Studio 7. I've burned many DVD's with no issues.

It seems to have a better reputation for reliability, but I'd miss some of the functionality of Studio. It's all down to what you want to do with it.

 

[sy278]

I would NOT recommend ANY Pinnacle product at all.

I have had NOTHING but problems with their software, and their tech support.

I had problems with V 9.X that would burn a disc, but it would be unplayable in THREE dvd players that I have, plus the DVD ROM that I have in my computer. Their tech support said it was my system (computer) or my DVD players could not play the format. However, they NEVER answered my question as to why I could burn a disc with Windows XP Movie Maker, and it would play on all three of my DVD players with no problems. They still claim it was my system.

If you do a google search for California BBB (Better Business Bureau), find the California BBB website, and do a search for Pinnacle Software (or Pinnacle Systems), you will find that they have had NUMEROUS complaints against them, and their record for resolving those complaints is poor at best.

I have to totally disagree with this, I have always found pinnacle to be a great piece of kit, and their tech support anytime which I have had to contact them - and it has only been 2 or 3 times - to be top notch problems were rectified quick style.

 

[donaldduck1967]

It seems to have a better reputation for reliability, but I'd miss some of the functionality of Studio. It's all down to what you want to do with it.

I first attemtped Pinnacle Studio 8 and had issuse and when I switched to Ulead the 1st thing I noticed was it didn't have all the bells and whistles Pinnacle did. For all the extras didn't really matter to much so I stuck with Ulead

 

[PhotoDave219]

I use Sonic Foundry's Vegas (4.0) w/ DVD Architect. Havent touched DVD architect yet. but Vegas seems to be a pretty good non linear editor. Just takes forever to rended video on my laptop. Nice stock of transitions and effects.

 

[barnum42]

I have to totally disagree with this, I have always found pinnacle to be a great piece of kit, and their tech support anytime which I have had to contact them - and it has only been 2 or 3 times - to be top notch problems were rectified quick style.

You've been lucky - I've lost track of the number of times I contacted Pinnacle support, they were unable to resolve the problems then quietly closed the calls in the hope that I'd off and stop bothering them.

Version 8 was almost unusable and the first builds of version 9 would not burn DVDs.

When it works it's great, but their tech support is a joke. I had to complain all they way up to the head of European support before someone assisted me.

 

[CSUFSteve]

Hello,

Maybe this is a bit out of the price range you're looking to spend, but I'm pretty partial to Premiere Pro. IMO, it's reputation is warranted. Sounds like you don't need the whole Adobe Video Collection suite, but Premiere Pro should suit your needs. Basic editing, effects, and DVD output are all there. Plus you can also output to WMV9, Realtime, Quicktime, etc. And with Adobe's recent acquisition of Macromedia, should be an interesting future down the line. And if you ever do decide to go further with this in the future, you've got a good foundation.

Me personally, I use Adobe Video Collection (Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, Encore DVD), PhotoShop, Scenalyzer 4.0, and TMPGEnc.

Steve

 

[tk421-sw]

I use Sonic Foundry's Vegas (4.0) w/ DVD Architect. Havent touched DVD architect yet. but Vegas seems to be a pretty good non linear editor. Just takes forever to rended video on my laptop. Nice stock of transitions and effects.

Yep, works for me! (But Vegas 5 right now, and DVD Architect 6)

And I think the video posts can express that...

 

[PhotoDave219]

Yeah..... i really should upgrade

 

[AKQJ10]

Having tried a number of them, and looking to balance ease of use with powerful tools, I agree that Pinnacle Studio 9 is far and away the best out there. I've been using Pinnacle since version 7, and continue to upgrade as they come out. I love it!

 

[PhotoDave219]

I like the sonic foundry stuff, despite being bought by sony.....