Hi,

I was wondering if some of you out there could give me some advice.

I am currently looking for a program that will edit my home movies I take.
I am looking for something that will give me:

transition effects
add sound effects, background music
title's
picture slide show
pan&zoom

also looking for one that I can always download new effects and abilities in the future.

I currently have pinnacle studio 8 and Ulead Videostudio 8 that I got with my capture card. I have used Studio 8 and have made a few VCD's with it. I like it's 3d effects and transistions but dosn't seem to give me any more then the basics. it seems a bit buggy too seeing when I am scrolling through a video it may freeze for a second. and I am on a athlon 64 3200+ with 1gig ram.

I have made a few vcd's and DVD's with videostudio 8. This has more of the features I am looking for but I am not to fond of the interface. Video seems to go faster then I can scroll and I am not keen on using the little digital time display to scroll back and forth. Also I don't like the way it automaticially cuts the scenes. I was looking for something that had pinnacle's interface with videostudio 8's features. so I was looking and found

Pinnacle Studio PLUS 9
I thought cool it has everything I am looking for till I read some of the reviews onthis board. The reviews were horrible. Then looking closer at the reviews they were all talking about Pinnacle studio 8 not 9 or 9 plus. so I read some more and alot of people seem to point over to a program called VEGAS. although VEGAS full blown is way to advanced for my brain at the present time and way to much for the wallet I saw there is a version of VEGAS called VEGAS MovieStudio+DVD. I downloaded the demo and it seems pretty good and stable and I may be able to pull alot out of it if I give it a shot. Still trying to figure out how to split scenes where you want it in there though. Still may be a little advanced for my needs. I was wondering what you guys thought.

Have any of you used Pinnacle studio plus 9?
is it buggy?
will I have problems with it if I go down that path?
Can i download and add more effects?
Should I attempt to go with Vegas Moviestudio?
or do you guys have other suggestions on anything better?

I am also looking for a seperate program that will let me make my own DVD menu's and import my slideshows and video. any help would be greatful.

thank you in advance.