Video Editors - A specific sort of question

[Tolwyn]

Got TMPGEnc, TMPGEnc DVD Author, Nero Burning ROM 6 (Full Version), and a Plextor DVD-R/W Drive.

I'm not really happy with Ulead. I only have the SE version, though.
I like the simplicity of Nero Vision Express, but it can't smart render back out to DV so I can use TMPGEnc, nor can it frameserve to the encoder.

It's built-in encoder I'm not thrilled about either.

So... Looks like I'm in the market for an editor.

I'm doing basic fades, wipes, transitions, titles, credits, etc.
Frameserving to an encoder is a must. Or, in lieu of that, Smart Rendering back to Type2 DV to minimize recompression effects is a must.

I've heard a lot of great things about Sony Vegas, except the price.
I've also heard that there are robust and effecient freeware editors.

What might be a good recommendation? I'm doing my best not to ask a subjective question...

As an aside... does Windows Movie Maker (ugh) Smart Render?
I want to avoid compressing the video twice (with the exception of those parts with titles, wipes, etc.).

And to ask one more question, aside from Uncompressed, what might be the best intermediate format to render to before it hits TMPGEnc in the event Smart Rendering or Frame Serving isn't an option?

Thanks everyone. I'm looking into WAX, but wouldn't mind some reactions to that first.

[Tolwyn]

WAX is having a hard time with my Type2 DV files. I have to add the WAV and AVI separately, and then it won't even playback the sound.

[cdcox]

As an aside... does Windows Movie Maker (ugh) Smart Render?
I want to avoid compressing the video twice (with the exception of those parts with titles, wipes, etc.).

It will allow you to save as a DV.AVI but it is a type 1 avi which some editing program do not like, in which case you would have to covert it to a type 2 avi with something like this
http://www.ulead.com/download/dvconverter/download.htm
Tmpgenc will accept a type 1 avi.

I use premiere 6.0 and I now see they have come out with a stripped down version called "elements". Maybe give it a shot, it will do all you want and more.
http://www.adobe.com/products/premiereel/main.html
Good luck

[northcat_8]

For something simple like that I would suggest Pinnacles Studio 9.

I would still keep TMPGenc around to convert the DV-AVI to MPEG-2 and TDA around to author, but simple tasks should be alright with Pinnacle and it won't cost you a fortune.

With that being said...I have Studio 8, but I use Adobe Premiere 6.5

[Tolwyn]

Does elements frameserve?
My main goal is also to put TMPGEnc to good use.

Normally, you get poor encoders packaged with products.

[Tolwyn]

Also, are there encoding limitations if I wanted to output using DIVX?

Why is it these companies don't divulge the information that the end users TRULY need? I don't know about you guys, but I don't know many mom and pop non-computer people making too many DVD productions.

[tdan]

I really like Sony Vegas Movie Studio ($99). Meets all of your conditions and is a really nicely put together piece of software too.

[Tolwyn]

Thanks, tdan.
I couldn't find any information on Sony's site about its frameserving capabilities.
$99? That's cheap!

[cdcox]

Premiere Elements is only $99.00 and it is possible that Debugmode FrameServer (in the tools section) will work with it? Premiere elements is based off of pro. And I use it with 6.0 and it works great.

[Tolwyn]

yes. I'm looking at Premiere as well.
Thanks, everyone. Getting closer.

[TOMMO]

There is nothing wrong with either the Premiere Encoder or the Vegas encoder. Both use Mainconept and results are very good.