Pinnacle Studio 8 question?

[louthewiz]

I recieved pinnacle studio 8 as a father's day gift and I was wondering if it's any good to use for backing up dvds like instant copy 7 that I have already. And if it's full of bugs like instant copy 7 is so any help would be a great help for me thanks for your help in advance ... P.S. this site is the best!!!!

[falberni]

Pinnacle Studio 8 is used to capture video from a camcorder, edit it, add transitions to it and, burn the edited video to DVD. Or, you can copy it back to tape on your camcorder. Sudio 8 is not used to back up DVDs.

I use Instanct copy 7 with update 3. I don't use all the features, like backing up with menus and extras. I usually use a free software, DVD Toolbox, to get the main movie only with one audio stream and one subtiltle stream. Then I use IC7 to encode. The results are pretty good and it runs pretty fast.

[GaryW]

I recieved pinnacle studio 8 as a father's day gift and I was wondering if it's any good to use for backing up dvds like instant copy 7 that I have already. And if it's full of bugs like instant copy 7 is so any help would be a great help for me thanks for your help in advance ... P.S. this site is the best!!!!

I don't think you'll be backing up any DVD's with studio 8. I tried the trial to see if it captured better than my native ATI software and was gravely disappointed. I managed to make 1 DVD after numerous tries and gave up on the program.

[lbeck]

As a heavy user of S8, I agree with everything that's already been said. The software is for a different application than copying DVDs.

As I said, I use it a lot. So let me give some advice -- Unless you're willing to work on getting it right for your system, give up now (like GaryW did). I got into using Studio DV as a bundled item with my 1394 card, then upgraded to Studio 7, now am using Studio 8. It has taken me hundreds of hours (yes, I said hundreds) of troubleshooting/upgrading my machine, the software, and posting to their forum.

So... Why am I still using it? Glad you asked.

I think that for the money S8 is the best video capture/editing software around. Not being a professional videographer I didn't want to spend several hundred dollars for capture/editing software (like Adobe Premiere), and I don't think that there's anything that can touch S8 in the same price range. Also VERY IMPORTANT I have this wierd characteristic of actually enjoying the troubleshooting process if it yields results. We users of Studio capture/editing software have formed somewhat of a cult. Initiation is simple. Just register on the forum. I think that you'll find the help sincere and helpful.

Again, don't start the process unless you're prepared to put in some personal effort. I suggest (if you've already opened the box) that you install the software and give it a first shot. If you can make a simple video project, then continue. However, if you can't even capture from your camcorder or somethng major like that, then you've been forewarned.

BTW, I'm assuming that you have 1394 capabilities on your computer and a camcorder with firewire output. If not, or if you don't plan on getting into video editing. All of the above is totally irrelevant and you need to sneak it back to the store for a refund if you can do it w/o your kids finding out.

[EricB]

Studio8 has a ton of potential, and you may be fully satisfied with the package (my brother likes it). I found two key issues. First and foremost, the encoder is not very good. So with all the great titling, transistions, and authoring it provides, the basic quality is quite limited. If you are burning DVDs, then this is less of an issue because even a marginal encoder can look pretty good with enough bitrate and framesize.

The second issue is just the basic reliability. It lulls you into thinking everything works, and then fails in a final process.

Its a real shame that Pinnacle doesn't just license a good encoder, work out the bugs, and get some good support people. Then Studio8 would be very hard to beat for most beginner to intermediate applications. When you get serious, you need the power of more video and audio tracks, composting, keyframing, motion control, etc. that you find in Premiere and Vegas.

[lbeck]

When you get serious, you need the power of more video and audio tracks, composting, keyframing, motion control, etc. that you find in Premiere and Vegas.

I agree with Eric on technical grounds. However, keep in mind that you're holding a gift and comparing it with some fairly expensive software purchases (Premiere/Vagas).

Studio will work if you put the time in. Eric is right in that it is buggy. You may need to find some workarounds for your applications. For example, I currently can't burn a DVD with the latest patched version of S8. The software compiles a video_ts folder fine. So I just use Nero for the burn part.

"Quality" is subjective. I can tell no difference in the DVD from the original DV tape (my source material). Whether you need the power of more video and audio tracks, composting, keyframing, motion control, etc. is up to your personal judgement.

Probably your most important consideration is how deeply (or even if) you want to get into video editing.

[Bob W]

"The second issue is just the basic reliability. It lulls you into thinking everything works, and then fails in a final process."

That is so true. I can't tell you haw many times the POS program failed on me in the last 10% after ten hours of encoding. I finally gave up and removed it from my computer and my life.

[lbeck]

Yep. I have to agree on the reliability issue. Been there, done that. My only reason for posting is to let louthewiz know that:

1. The software is a good value based on its potential utility.

2. The learning curve is not very steep to understand how it works

3. It will likely require a lot of work to get it operating properly on your equipment

4. There is a lot of help on Pinnacle's webboard, which is very active and well-run

I think we're all saying the same thing, just from different perspectives.