Video Software

[Tripps]

Having decided that free software I've got from various devices is rubbish - I think its time to spend some money on something decent, as I've a mounting pile of tapes I need to do something with.

I've got a Sony DC130E MiniDV unit with 1.5mp resolution and two PCs with plenty of space and P4 3GHz processors to run in on?

What's the current flavour of the month and what does our resident video maestro use?

[ErnestM]

What's your budget...?

LOW END: Pinnacle Systems Studio 9 Plus

HIGH END: Adobe Premier

===

If you are just getting started in video editing, try using MS Movie Maker 2 (built into XP).

If you are looking for a DVD burning solution, the best on the market (IMO) is Adobe's Encore 1.5(.1).


ErnestM

[luca brazzi]

I use Pinnacle Studio 9, and got an update which does picture in picture, plus 2 video editing channels. Good features are in built DVD authoring, surround sound and dolby 2.1/5.1 ability.

Very easy to learn, and use, and relatively great value.

The pros on here say Adobe Premiere, but I could handle the price or the learning curve.

There are others similar in price and spec to Pinnacle Studio (squarely aimed at an enthusiasts market).

HTH
LB

[Plotloss]

Soundforge Vegas...

[neil.b]

Plotloss said:

Soundforge Vegas...

Proper name is Sonic Foundry Vegas (Sound Forge is its audio editing relation) until they were bought by Sony.

Been using this for years (in conjunction with Sound Forge) for audio-to-picture work.

Absolutely unrivalled, first-class user interface. So intuitive you'll probably never need to look at the manual.

[piquet]

do you have your mac mini yet? have you tried using imovie, it really is laughabley easy, just plug your dv on your camcorder into the firewire of the mac and hit play and import, it goes straight onto your hard drive it even automatically converts each section of filming into a clip, then just cut and paste. i had never done anything before and after the first time i used it, i had people asking what software i'd used, my sister does video editing at work on her pc and was shocked just how easy it was on the mac.

failing that, there's always final cut express

oh and griffin do somehting called the powermate which is so useful for editing

if you need any further advice, let me know

pk

[Plotloss]

neil.b said:

Plotloss said: Soundforge Vegas... Proper name is Sonic Foundry Vegas (Sound Forge is its audio editing relation) until they were bought by Sony. Been using this for years (in conjunction with Sound Forge) for audio-to-picture work. Absolutely unrivalled, first-class user interface. So intuitive you'll probably never need to look at the manual.

Thought I may have got the name wrong.

Its a truly wonderful bit of kit as is Acid.

I could literally play with Acid, Reason and Vegas for hours...

[neil.b]

Plotloss said:

neil.b said: Plotloss said: Soundforge Vegas... Proper name is Sonic Foundry Vegas (Sound Forge is its audio editing relation) until they were bought by Sony. Been using this for years (in conjunction with Sound Forge) for audio-to-picture work. Absolutely unrivalled, first-class user interface. So intuitive you'll probably never need to look at the manual. Thought I may have got the name wrong. Its a truly wonderful bit of kit as is Acid. I could literally play with Acid, Reason and Vegas for hours...

Many a hour lost twiddling knobs on Reason. Never got to grips with producing a full track on it, always used it to make unique loops and export for use in Cubase etc.

Ever tried Ableton Live Matt? Aimed more at live performance than Reason, new version is just awesome. Lovely interface too. Its not as immediate as Reason but once you make sense of what they're trying to do, the old lightbulb goes on and you understand what a diamond it is....

Uh, just realised, severe thread hijack. Sorry.

As you were....

[Tripps]

Pinnacle Studio 9 Plus - £59.99 inc
Adobe Premiere - £525 exc
SoundForge Vegas - £450 inc
Vegas+DVD - £548 exc

Methinks I might be looking at Pinnacle...

Amazon do it for £59.99, but for £79.99 they do a MediaSuite package that includes v9 Plus, Corel Photobook, Steinberg WaveLab Lite, Pinnacle MediaManager and some DVD duplication software, as well as a 5' x 6' green chroma key background!

Any thoughts on whether it is worth it?

[Tripps]

piquet said:

do you have your mac mini yet? have you tried using imovie, it really is laughabley easy, just plug your dv on your camcorder into the firewire of the mac and hit play and import, it goes straight onto your hard drive it even automatically converts each section of filming into a clip, then just cut and paste. i had never done anything before and after the first time i used it, i had people asking what software i'd used, my sister does video editing at work on her pc and was shocked just how easy it was on the mac.

I have been thinking about that, but its stricly not mine, and I may be doing the video work on my laptop at times...

Mind you, its free, so perhaps worth waiting to see...

[luca brazzi]

If you're likely to use the other software and the chroma screen, then yes.

The Plus edition adds the picture in picture, animated stills, and dolby sound. If I was starting from scratch, I'd get the Plus package.

LB

[Tripps]

ErnestM said:

If you are just getting started in video editing, try using MS Movie Maker 2 (built into XP).

I'd forgotten all about that, last I remember of it was the splash screen when installing windows...

Will play with it tonight and see how good it is...

Thanks for the advise everyone

[neil.b]

Tripps said:

Pinnacle Studio 9 Plus - £59.99 inc Adobe Premiere - £525 exc SoundForge Vegas - £450 inc Vegas+DVD - £548 exc Methinks I might be looking at Pinnacle... Amazon do it for £59.99, but for £79.99 they do a MediaSuite package that includes v9 Plus, Corel Photobook, Steinberg WaveLab Lite, Pinnacle MediaManager and some DVD duplication software, as well as a 5' x 6' green chroma key background! Any thoughts on whether it is worth it?

*cough* blimey, slight price difference.....i never realised Pinnacle was so cheap.

That media package is probably a good bet then for 80 quid, Wavelab is a half-decent sound editor too.

[ErnestM]

Tripps said:

ErnestM said: If you are just getting started in video editing, try using MS Movie Maker 2 (built into XP). I'd forgotten all about that, last I remember of it was the splash screen when installing windows... Will play with it tonight and see how good it is... Thanks for the advise everyone

You can't burn DVD's with it, so you may have to get a stand alone DVD burning program (maybe Nero, etc)

ErnestM

[Tripps]

ErnestM said:

You can't burn DVD's with it, so you may have to get a stand alone DVD burning program (maybe Nero, etc)

I've got Nero around, but I'm getting the impression Microsoft have provided the bare minimum as ever.

Will play a little more and see how I get on, but I can see me buying Pinnacle or using the Mac software...

[Plotloss]

*cough* emule *cough*

As you were...

[neil.b]

Plotloss said:

*cough* emule *cough* As you were...

Didn't want to suggest that, but yes, you can certainly get hold of "demo" versions of any of the Sound Forge suite of programs.....

[Plotloss]

No no, you misunderstand, I was merely clearing my throat...

[neil.b]

Me too, but mines a particularly nasty cough

*cough* Didntwanttosuggestthatbutyesyou *cough* cancertainlygetholdof"demo"versions *cough* ofanyoftheSoundForge *cough* suite *cough* of *cough* programs *cough* *wheeze*

Another exciting day at the office

[Plotloss]

Hang on, arent you the boss?