Editing Software
 If
you are considering buying an editing program, take some time to do
Internet research that includes user feedback and reviews.
Even so, it's difficult to go wrong with one of the
following reasonably priced and proven "name brands."
-
Adobe Premiere Elements (About $100)
-
Apple Final Cut Express (About $300)
-
Unlead VideoStudio 10 Plus, (About $100)
-
Pinnacle Studio Plus 10 (About $100)
Abobe Production Studio has more features than any of
these, but at $1,700 it also has a much larger price tag.
Ten Features You May Or May Not Need
Although
the editing systems listed above all have excellent features, a particular
system may or may not have what you are expecting.
1. Do you need to edit HD (high definition
video)?
2. Do you need to download video
directly from your DVD camcorder? If so, what type of interfaces
and connections are supported?
3. Do you need to take video directly
from a PVR, such as TiVo? Some systems let you do this; others don't.
4. Do you want a wide range of special
effects?
5. Do you need a range of image correcting
options -- white balance, contrast and brightness control, etc.
6. How many audio tracks do you need?
Three is considered a minimum, but elaborate audio projects will
require more. Not unrelated, what level of sophistication do you
want in audio editing and manipulation?
7. What computer operating system
do you plan to use -- Windows, Apple, or possibly Linux? Some programs
only work on a specific operating system; some have files for multiple
systems.
8. Do you need DVD authoring?
9. Do you need iPod and Sony PSP
output?
10. What types of data conversion
to you need? Do you plan to go from camcorder DV tape to DVDs, for
example?
Recommended By PC Magazine
The top editor selected by PC Magazine in 2006 was
Adobe Premiere Elements 2.0+ (officially at $100, but you can probably
find a reliable dealer on the Internet offering it for much less).
You can read their review on the program here.
Adobe Premiere Elements has almost all of the impressive
features of their more expensive professional version (Adobe Premiere
Pro). Although Elements 2.0+ has DVD authoring and is considered very
stable (not prone to crash), the on-screen interface has a bit of
a learning curve and the program lacks an audio mixer.
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