Best, Simplest video software

[negon]

I'd like to know the best, simplest video authoring software to to cutting, editing, transition effects (music video maybe). Something easy-to-use, money is not a problem...

Thanks much!

[aubrey_q]

Pinnacle Studio 8, with the latest patch.

[DaveS]

this would be good software, but the current version 8.5.21.0 seems to have mixed results - some use it with no problem and others have problems (crashes, etc.)..My personal experience is that it is not stable in certain areas, particularly the otherwise really good title editing (titledeko). It also bogs down if you are working with Mpeg2 - editing AVI directly seems to work fine. DVD menus seem to get corrupted and need rebuilding (more than several people report similar). Some have had problems rendering / burning. although I haven't. See the posts in this site to get some ideas of where things stand or go to www.pinnaclesys.com->support->studio 8->forums then check out the posts. Granted, these are mostly from people having problems, so the 'no problem' people are way under-represented.

They are due out with a new beta patch soon which sounds very promising - and at this price point ($99) this could be a really great package. But, my own recommendation would be to wait for that version and check the posts on pinnacle for user feedback.

(note some people capture & edit the AVI in S8, render to mpeg2 in another package then add menus back in S8 and either burn in S8 or nero. )

[jsgrid]

I have to disagree that Studio 8 is easy. I took it back to the store. I too am looking for a video editing program that is as easy as using an audio wave program. There has to be something out there.

[HUPIKEK]

I can recomand the Ulead's Video Studio Ver. 7. It costs about 90 $ and worths any cent !! You'll love it. Try it !
This is NOT a commercial replay!!

[glenn71x]

Windows Movie Maker 2.0! It's free and it does all the basic editing features.

[jsnkc]

Pinnacle, Ulead, and Dazzle are all junk, don't waste your money. Go with Sonic Foundry...either video factory (cheapest) or Vegas Video 4 (more expensive)

[jaeshin]

Hi jsnkc,

You are on a crusade!

My two cents... Pinnacle Studio 8 is pretty easy. There are similar programs such as Ulead VideoStudio 7 (demo available), Puremotion EditStudio (I think demo available), Mainconcept EVE (demo), Sonic Foundry VideoFactory 2 (demo) Dazzle Movie Star 5 and tons of other easy video editing softwares from almost every video software company.

The new MS MovieMaker 2 is pretty easy too but I think it only capture in windows media format. I may be wrong. This one's free so you cannot go wrong with it. You don't even have to return.

I personally use Studio 8. I find Avid Xpress DV, Premiere and Vegas editors too time consuming to learn and Ulead VideoStudio too limited. If you are thinking about doing a semi-pro editing, please do with them.

Yes... Studio 8 from time to time gives you a crash but most of the time, it works fine. If you want the best resut go with 'daves' end comment.

[sklindell]

I would recommend Pinnacle Studio 8. It does have some bugs from time to time. I keep finding myself coming back to Studio 8. It is easy and does a lot of things that can produce a really good DVD.
BTW – Pinnacle just released (today) the new Beta version for testing Studio 8.7.7c

[ktnwin]

Pinnacle Studio 8 has a very user friendly, intuitive interface.
That's a good start. I have tried others and for video capturing / editing works, I still have to use PS8.
I had very little problem with this software over the years. For some serious problems (one so far), I just downloaded the latest rev and bingo it go away.
Granted that there are quite a few folks not that lcuky with this software. But without any knowledge about their PC setup, it's hard to tell where the fault is.

[aubrey_q]

The Pinnacle Studio series has been in my opinion one of the easiest video editing programs ever. It also gives you the most bang for the buck, provided you are one of the "lucky" ones that doesn't have problems with it.

I've been using Studio since it was called Studio DV. I've also tried Video Factory and VideoStudio but they are not easier, trust me. I have an old version of Video Factory in the box collecting dust.

Some video editing programs are more expensive and give you more control, but are more difficult to use. Trust me, negon. At least try to get Studio 8 cheap after rebates. That way you don't have to invest that much.

[glenn71x]

My biggest complaint so far (unless Im wrong) with studio 8 is that it doesnt support 16x9 video does it? My camcorder records in widescreen as most new ones can, I find it weird that they still have no 16x9 support. Even Windows Movie Maker supports 16x9, and for the most part is does almost the same things as Studio 8. I could be wrong there as I am still a novice.

[rsuave5]

i do 99% of my editing and transitions etc with moviemaker! its the easiest and best for basic editing and i capture as dv avi and save as dv avi so the vid is great res and will work in anything. if i do have a little more advanced wishes the i use premiere to do advanced effecting or for compositing.

pinnacle is good but i found myself using moviemaker exclusively so i got rid of it and premiere is not as easy but to me the easiest of the complex if that makes sense.

moviemaker 2.0 is the answer to world peace

ulead moviefactory to me is the easiest best authoring program out there for vcd or dvd

[negon]

thanks for all of your replies! i'll try some of these out.

[Rich927]

I would try Videostudio. Studio is too buggy. Videostudio will render faster, will do both type 1 and 2 .avi files and will will split your captured DV video into scenes without having to use a .stu file like studio.