Alternative to Pinnacle Studio 8

[IndyUK]

I was wondering if there is an alternative to Pinnacle Studio 8. I am really p***ed off with PS8. I mean don't get me wrong, it's got some real kick-ass functions, but when it comes down to easy of use and user-frendiliness, it's 2/10.

The real main features I need are

1. Automatically creating scenes
2. Able to reduce (or cut-out 100%) sound at certain points in the video.
3. Dub audio with a different music track.
4. Create industry standard format i.e DVD,VCD,AVI etc

I think that more or less covers what I need.

Thanks

[donpedro]

Are you looking for authoring tool or editing+authoring ?

If you think that PS8 is hard to use you should try Adobe Premier (editing only). You give it -20.

So why are you so p***ed off ? What can't you do in PS8 ? I think that all your steps can be done in PS8. Maybe I can help you.

[ktnwin]

Here are what Studio 8 can or cannot do to answer your needs:

1. Automatically creating scenes
CAN'T DO THIS.
This function seem to take forever and did not seem to work for me. I just CANCEL the automatic scene detection and do it manually.

2. Able to reduce (or cut-out 100%) sound at certain points in the video.
Pretty easy to do this: split video at both ends to have a scene where you want to cut out audio. Reduce the audio of this scene to 0% and you end up with no audio for this section of vide.

3. Dub audio with a different music track.
Same as above, but add a music track to the music track section.

4. Create industry standard format i.e DVD,VCD,AVI etc
Studio 8 can do all that, except the VCD quality sucks. DVD is nice. To make VCD, export to AVI format, encode with TMPGEnc and burn with Nero to get decent quality VCD.

Studio 8 is the only software I used to capture, edit, author, burn DVD these days.

[donpedro]

IndyUK, I was waiting for your answer, but since ktnwin post his info, I would like to add something.

1. Studio 8 can do that. Of cource it takes a lot of time if you have big file since it is judging based on video content. On the other hand if you capture from camcorder via firewire it will do it as time code changes without additional time.

2. There is easier way than ktwin described. You don't have to split video. I can explain it more if you are instersted. For now... just read Help.

3. Very easy and you have actualy 2 more tracks. One for music and one for "voice over".

4. I can confirm that DVD produced by it can be played on 3 different DVD players. You can also export into any AVI that is available on you computer. Only problem is if you are not exporting to DV AVI that it will take time to re-encode. But exporting to DV AVI is more than good because it will nor re-encode parts that are not edited and you can encode your output file with TMPGEnc if you like.

So please post answers and questions if you need some help.

[jtor]

but when it comes down to easy of use and user-frendiliness, it's 2/10.

..actually, Studio software is one of the most user-friendly out there.

The real main features I need are

1. Automatically creating scenes
2. Able to reduce (or cut-out 100%) sound at certain points in the video.
3. Dub audio with a different music track.
4. Create industry standard format i.e DVD,VCD,AVI etc

I think that more or less covers what I need.

...you'll have to spend a little more time into this hobby, as everything you've mentioned can be 'EASILY' done in Studio (whatever version). The manual should give you all the details you need to do what you want.

hope this helps.

[IndyUK]

Guys - thanks for your help. The reason I want to move away fom PS8 is because it takes too long to load a project. I am working on a project to create a DVD of my trip to Switzerland. Yesterday I though I better continue with the project as I hadn't dubbed the sound. I waited 25 minutes for it to load the project file. I mean come on, surely it can't take that long. It's not as if the harddrive isn't doing anything. I can see the light frantically flashing.

I appreciate it's a DVD quality capture, therefore twice as much information to load in, but 25 minutes is ridiculous. I have taken all the steps outlined in PS8's manual to combat slowness. I've used EndItAll to shutdown all un-neccessary background and foreground activity, including access to my broadband USB modem. Drive C: is fully de-fragged. So what's missing?

I have been experimenting with various other packages and unfortunately I've not come across one that does what PS8. I mean don't get me wrong, PS8 is a very good and professional looking piece of software, but surely this is an issue that could be addressed.

Maybe one of you guys can give me some hints what to do now you know the situation. BTW, one I should mention is that my captured mpg is not on drive C:\...not sure whether that may have something to do with.

Thanks

[k5oz]

IndyUK,

I have a similar problem when I use MPEG-2 files. You mention that you are importing DVD quality videos. Do you mean MPEG2 files?? If so this is your problem in S8. If they are DV.avi's or uncompressed avi's then I can not help you, S8 should bring the project up within seconds. S8 does not handle MPEG2 files for me very well. It will "seek" for 15 to 20 minutes on a 4 GB MPEG2 file before I can do anything (S8 appears to be frozen). Once the seek is over I can view my project, but if I make a change to the file I must wait the 15 minutes again. Needless to say, with this response, I cannot work with MPEG2 files.

Dave

[donpedro]

Well, I guess that's it. MPEG-2. I work with DV AVI capture too and loading project is right in. No waiting.

Why did you capture in MPEG-2 ? Is your camcorder DV ? What brand an model is it ?

Please update your computer info in your profile so you don't have to post it in signature.

[bertmartin]

Ulead Video Studio does most of what you want. I don't know if its more user friendly than Pinnacle Studio. The new version 7 now has scene detection. I found Ulead Video studio to be more stable that Pinnacle, at least on my machine. It took me a little time to get used to the interface. Not recommending either one but just comparing the alternatives. They both do about the same functions.

[ktnwin]

Loading big MPEG-2 in Studio 8 is a joke, it takes forever to load the project file for me too. So, I will never do it again.
I have tried a few other video software, VirtualDub, Adobe Premiere. I did not have time to get Adobe Premier to work for me. It's so user - unfriendly. Studio 8 is one of the best user friendly software in my opinion.