Ulead Movie Factory 2 - What doesn't it do?

[Womble]

I'm fairly new to video editing and started off with Movie Factory 2 which I use to edit camcorder footage and create my own DVDs.

The one thing I'm conscious of though is that I don't know what I might be missing out on in the more advanced packages.

Would it be possible for anyone to give me a rough idea as to what type of features (that might be useful to a dabbler like myself) that the higher end packages provide above and beyond the Movie Factory stuff.

Am I restricting myself too much by sticking with the software I have, or would the higher end packages prove useful even within my own fairly limited requirements?

[q1aqza]

I don't know too much about Movie Factory 2 but if it's editing capabilities are similar to version 1 then you will find that your editing is very basic and limited.

You don't need a high-end package to achieve some good edited camcorder footage. With an editing package you can achieve great looking transitions between your cuts, fade to blacks, audio dubs (voice-overs for example), titles and credits, etc

The lower end packages are ones like Pinnacle Studio or Ulead Video Studio, which are both very good for beginners. The higher end packages are Adobe Premiere or Vegas Video.

[Womble]

I don't know too much about Movie Factory 2 but if it's editing capabilities are similar to version 1 then you will find that your editing is very basic and limited.

You don't need a high-end package to achieve some good edited camcorder footage. With an editing package you can achieve great looking transitions between your cuts, fade to blacks, audio dubs (voice-overs for example), titles and credits, etc

The lower end packages are ones like Pinnacle Studio or Ulead Video Studio, which are both very good for beginners. The higher end packages are Adobe Premiere or Vegas Video.

I've been on a few web sites looking at these and other packages but because I'm only familiar with the basics I'm finding it difficult to assess the actual real world benefit of the additional features offered.

Can anyone advise if there are any "must have" features on the more mid range packages and why?

Are these mid range packages overkill for someone with basic needs like myself who just wants to compile DVDs of camcorder footage?

[tumbar]

Personally, I use the lower level stuff. I have vegas...too complicated...yeah it can do all kinds of stuff, but in reality for me it's like driving a race car around the block...it can do so much, so many features but I don't use them. Your mileage may vary, some restrictions apply, void where prohibited, genuine imitation leather.

regards

[FT Shark]

I used to use Movie Factory 2. Very limited menu capabilities. If you want to get more advanced but still easy to use try upgrading to Ulead DVD Workshop. This program has alot more menu options. Your not stuck using templates for menus. You can creat your own from scratch, plus it has fully animated menu options.

[Womble]

I used to use Movie Factory 2. Very limited menu capabilities. If you want to get more advanced but still easy to use try upgrading to Ulead DVD Workshop. This program has alot more menu options. Your not stuck using templates for menus. You can creat your own from scratch, plus it has fully animated menu options.

Actually this sounds quite tempting. I like the thought of creating my own menus and presumably I'd find the new software fairly intuitive given that I'm familiar with the other Ulead package.

Thanks for your assistance, I'll check this out.

[MachineMan]

Ulead Video Studio 7 -
Capture, Editing, Rendering/Convert, Buring. Very simple has all basic features.

Ulead Movie Factory 2 -
Capture, Author/Convert, Burn. Very Simple has basic menus but gets the job done. Can make multiple video and slideshow combonations.

Ulead DVD Workshop -
Much more advanced Authoring software then Movie factory 2.

If you wan't to mess around with editing then I suggest geting VS7 and create video files and Author them with your MF2.

[Gregg]

Nice entry level program, very easy to use but does not support AC3 and switchable subtitles and audio.

Enjoy!

[energy80s]

It's unlikely that you will need subtitles and AC3 audio. Videostudio will give you perfectly fine MPEG's (or better still DV AVI's that you can encode with TMPG). Movie Factory will allow you to author and burn these wonderful creations without any further hassle.

[LanEvo7]

Its a simple tool for simple tasks.