Video Editing Packages

[Info Freak]

Hi all, I have recently bought a DV in and out camcorder. I am currently using Windows Movie Maker, however I want a stronger more powerful package to perform better, transitions, and special effects and features. Does anyone konw of or use any other packages with good features please let me know what and where to look or get them from.

Thanks in Advance,

Info Freak

[charlieroker]

Adobe Premiere is a very good package although can be pricy.  It really depends on how serious you are about the movies...

[meta]

There are a few out there.  The main ones for home users are:

Adobe Premiere Elements (a cut down version of the professional one - www.adobe.co.uk)

Ulead Video Studio (www.ulead.co.uk)

Pinnacle Studio (www.pinnaclesys.co.uk)

They should all have trial versions you can download and try out.  I personally like Ulead VideoStudio as it has a couple of little features that the others don't have.  Still it's all down to personal preference in the end.

Also have a look at www.amazon.co.uk and read any customer reviews of the above software, it might help you decide.

[Ralph]

Premiere is one of the best, but it is "semi-pro" to professional type software, with a price to match at around �400. There is a Premiere Elements version which has a lot of the fancy stuff that you probably wouldn't use anyway, which weighs in at around �70. I currently use Pinnacle Studio 9 which was around �50 and does everything you need.

It might be an idea to go out and buy the latest copy of Digital Video Made Easy. It has a review of all the major titles in every issue and usually has demos of most of them (even Premiere) on its cover DVD.

[Ralph]

What I meant was "has a lot of the fancy stuff that you probably wouldn't use anyway CUT OUT of the program"

[jock]

If you get a chance to have a play on a Mac, try Apples iMovie HD/iDVD combo, and if that's not high end enough for you there's Final Cut Pro. (again by Apple).
http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/
http://www.apple.com/ilife/idvd/
http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/finalcutpro/

[Info Freak]

Thanks all i'l have a little butchers at all of them