Best video editing software?

[elgy]

What is the best video editing software? According to this site, PowerDirector is the best editing software, but it doesn't allow one to customize the output file and format totally, like into 720p/1080p and customized audio. So, which application should I use for video editing then, besides Sony Vegas Pro and PowerDirector. Any suggestions?

Sorry if this was posted in the wrong section.

[lowellriggsiam]

Depends on what you're intending to achive.

[elgy]

Well, I will be mainly working .ts-format files (AVCHD), so a program that lets one edit the video and audio of that kind of format would be nice. PowerDirector does the video work, but it is not possible to adjust the audio output settings the way I want and Sony Vegas Pro doesn't seem to work properly when opening a .ts with 2-3 or 4 different audio tracks... so now I am considering to try out Adobe's Premiere Elements to see if that will be better or not...

[poisondeathray]

None of those editors work with transport streams that have multiple audio tracks. You usually have to import the audio separately . You could demux with tsmuxer for example, then import separately

[elgy]

I see. Yeah, that's an alternative. However, PowerDirector does import the video streams with all the audio tracks, so you can just drag the desired video with the correct audio track to the timeline and edit. The problem is that PowerDirector does NOT allow the audio to be fully customized! Like, I have to choose from a pre-made set from a list and there are literally almost NO audio editing options either, so that's a bit sucky. I always end up getting the audio to be way more massive sizewise than the video itself... like, a 20min clip ends up having about 250mb total size where 130mb is the video and the rest is the audio.... a pretty huge audio file that is... So yeah, I am not sure which out of those programs I should use or who would do the job for me.

[lordsmurf]

According to this site, PowerDirector is the best editing software, .

According to who and where, now?
PowerDirector is amateur consumer software at best.
If you want high quality software, then look instead to Premiere or Vegas, either pro or home editions.

[elgy]

Sorry, I meant according to this site, not that the site matters, but it had an overview, so yeah: http://video-editing-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

Ok, I will try out the Adobe Premiere Elements 9 and see how that works out, so hopefully it's worth the money and time...

[elgy]

According to this site, PowerDirector is the best editing software, .

According to who and where, now?
PoewrDirector is amateur consumer software at best.
If you want high quality software, then look instead to Premiere or Vegas, either pro or home editions.

It's funny how those 2 video editing softwares both got a disfunctional ability; PE9 does not support .ts, so i have to change about 3000 .ts files to .m2ts in order to get them into the program, and that's out of question! SVP9 and 10 doesn't support import of .mpa, and it doesn't co-operate well with the videos i add to my projects. i must first extract the audio from the original .ts file, but somehow i only get .mpa audio and nothing else.

so yeah, i am kind of stucked..

[budwzr]

So you need an editing software that handles funky formats?

[budwzr]

According to this site, PowerDirector is the best editing software...

That's a hoot, the name doesn't even sound like it's good. A director doesn't normally do their own editing.

[lordsmurf]

http://video-editing-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

Let me put this in no uncertain terms:

That site is complete bullshit that only "recommends" software that pays affiliate commissions.
And then #1 suggestion pays the highest dollar amount.
Garbage sites like that are biased junk and will also lack any freeware suggestions.

I hope that clears up "top 10" websites.

[lordsmurf]

It's funny how those 2 video editing softwares both got a disfunctional ability; PE9 does not support .ts, so i have to change about 3000 .ts files to .m2ts in order to get them into the program, and that's out of question!

Sorry, but you're mistaken.
.ts is a not a valid extender -- .m2ts is the standardized file naming convention.
The problem is with your files, not the editor.

SVP9 and 10 doesn't support import of .mpa, and it doesn't co-operate well with the videos i add to my projects. i must first extract the audio from the original .ts file, but somehow i only get .mpa audio and nothing else.
so yeah, i am kind of stucked..

This is because MPEG Layer II audio is intended for final output/distribution -- in other words, what you have AFTER editing a video. So you'll have to extract and convert to a format expected by an editor.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The problem here is not with the software, but with your unusual workflow and sources. Sorry.

[elgy]

lordsmurf (nice nick, btw): yep, you're absolutely right. I found out about the site quite randomly, and yes, it sure looks like what you described it as. And yes, you're also right about that i've got an unusual workflow and filesources, but hopefully i'll be able to clear that up today or something since i've gotten all the needed help from videhelp's users. Much appriciated that, i say. And yes, i didn't realize that .mpa was about the same as .mp2, so as soon as i "converted" .mpa to .mp2, it worked importing the stuff to those editors.

And yep, PD9 _is_ a pretty straight forward & easy video editing software, but with a lot of limitations and lack of customization options that cannot be compared to either SVP9-10 and/or PPCS4-5. So yeah, i am currently switching between those. Will probably use the editor whoever works best for me and my editing requirements.

Again, thanks for the inputs, smurf!

[kr236rk]

Am also looking for [Win7] edit software - straight dv & HD - I see Premiere Elements 9 is recommended here? I started out with Pinnacle software, that used to crash a lot and one day folded. Then I used PE3 for several years (still impressed) until it folded. I have used Roxio Creator which is okay but difficult to coax dvd's from - PE much more straightforward, any reason why Roxio not recommended here please? I will probably go for PE9 though, if this is cool with HD capture and dvd authoring?

Thanks