Is expensive software needed at all?

[jammer20002]

This might sound a silly question... but is the more expnsive software needed at all?

Through this website, I've found a goldmine of mostly free software that can be used to do almost anything.

So... what are the more expensive software like the Adobe offerings, Avid and others have that the free software doesn't have?

I'm only asking because I don't know.
What software that is used by most professionals?

Thanks,


Jam

[BJ_M]

What software that is used by most professionals?

to do what ?

[redwudz]

If you don't need professional output, then you may be able to do with non-professional software. If you are backing up DVDs, then the free DVDShrink may suit you. Encoding, you don't generally need $1000US software. Still, you need to spend a few dollars. The authors of good software rarely work for free, they have to make some sort of living like the rest of us.

There are a lot of good freeware programs out there. I use a bunch of them. But I don't hesitate to spend some money on good products. TMPGEnc encoder, even Nero are worth the price, IMO, for their convenience at times. There is no free software that can do what Adobe Photoshop does, or Avid, AFAIK, or some other high end products.

Freeware is good, but may take more time on your part to utilize it to the full extent. Spend a few $ for some software and the rest use freeware. 100% freeware may do the job, but at a price for your time, whatever that's worth.

Don't mean to philosophize, but this is a general question.

[vhelp]

Here's my take on this topic ...

There are plenty of briliant developers on this forum here
at vcdhelp and doom9 for instance, and many many other forum
websites. I can not go on record saying that I am one of
those, but I do have a good imagination, and lots of dreamful
ideas. And, I do develope a few tools of my own. Anyways.

Those so called, profesional software you refered to, are just
like the developers I just mentioned above. They are no
different. And, we all develope good (or great) software
tools. I usually refer to software applications as 'tools'
because that is just what they are.., tools.., to get a job
done.

But, when it comes to a non-developer or casual user looking
for a tool to get a certain job/task done, and they don't fully
understand both sides of the coin (the user with a task to
complete, and a tool developer) its not easy to realize that
there is no serious difference. True, so called, profesional
software tools will have features not found in (shall I say)
freeware software tools. And, as far as price differences
(and there are quite differences at times ie, CCE vs. TMPGenc
price) that is about the only fact to consider as difference.
That, plus you get a guarentee w/ proffesional software tool
purchases. There is where you pay up. (ah, I just threw that
one in for kicks)

I will say this though, and based off my long experience in
the video field ...

The less knowledgeable one is, in this field, the harder it is to
understand this. The more knowledgeable you become, the sooner
you realize that in most cases, so called, professional software
tools is not always necessary. On the other hand, this is not
always true. There are some features of a given software tool
that may not be found in freeware tools. Some profesional tools
have an arson of features. So, I guess its a gamble at best with
Freeware/Shareware vs. Professional software tools.

But, for most general video work, professional tools does not
always have to be sought. Four plus years ago, I would have
made a purchase of such a profesional softare tool (I did, in
the form of VideoWave II/III/IV) before my eyes opended up
and I became aware of my own abilities as well as my skills, and
embrased freeware (and shareware) tools. My needs would have
to be very feature specific, and if not found in freeware/shareware,
only then, would I resort to making a purchase of professional
software tools. So far, that has not happended since VideoWave
four years ago
.
I guess you could say that the VideoWave tool I used back then, was
the professional tool at that time. But over the years, I have
become a craftmens in my own right. And as such, I no longer
depend on profesional tools.

And lets not forget that with both options (freeware/profesional)
there is the learning curve to consider.

In my early days of video, the tools I started out with in addition
to VideoWave, was virtualDub; AVIsynth; TMPGenc; and a handful of
other extint items I can't remember. Today, I pretty much use
freeware and/or shareware tools in my video endeavor. These, plus
any tools I develope on my own via Pascal programming. Heck, with
a little more time, I may be even close to developing my own MPEG
encoder. That'll be the day for sure. But as we speak, I am
currently studying the process ..who want's to be the first
BETA tester ? hehe

-vhelp 3426

[lordsmurf]

In general, since you didn't say what you wanted to do, pro software is usually, but not always, better than the low-end stuff or freeware. A lot of the pro software is already listed here on this site. I have a mix of both, using what fit my needs. While I have Adobe Premiere and Procoder, I also have Rejig and VOB Edit. The situation and need determines what I use, as well as available funding (have to set up a budget for myself).

And then there is professional hardware to consider, and everything in between.

Also, there are different levels of "professional": broadcast, corporate, "hollywood", etc. They all tend to use different hardware/software from what I have seen and heard about.

[VideoTechMan]

So... what are the more expensive software like the Adobe offerings, Avid and others have that the free software doesn't have?

Avid is the industrial video standard that a good portion of post production companies and broadcast facilities use. And such systems like Avid Symphony and others are pretty much out of reach for those tho dont have $100K to drop on the spot.

In most cases, the more expensive software like Adobe, Avid and FCP tend to have alot of advanced tools that takes alot of time to master, and in some cases, requires some training to get the most out of them. Simpler tools that are noted as freeware doesnt have as many advanced features and doesnt take a steep learning curve as much as the more expensive software does.

And keep in mind that some of the high-end software also uses dedicated hardware for some of its functions as well. You dont see too many regular people using Sonic Scenarist now do you?

Basically the more complex and expensive the program, the more control and flexibility of the output you can have on the production of your video or audio.

Whatever tools you may need now depends on how much time you want to spend on your projects and what kind of video you want to create. As time goes on and your skills are more advanced you may find that you may need more expensive tools to get the job done what the less expensive/free software tools fall short on.

VTM

[Redd]

What software that is used by most professionals?

to do what ?

Ah, thank you, ah thank you very much. 8)

[thecoalman]

More options.... a lot more. Just for starters if I wanted too I could could layer 99 video clips simultaenously with the same amount of audio tracks. I'll never have a need to do that but I can if I wanted too. Another example would be the type of images I can import directly into my editor, there's about 30 tpyes listed, some I've never even heard of. It's the same for video, I can even import a .gif animation.....

All that is before you get to what you can do with those files in the editor, most of it just a right click away. Essentially if you can think of it you can do it. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen a question asked on here for a task that could easily be accomplished using a editor such as the one I'm using that was either impossible to do or required the user to jump through twenty hoops to accomplish the same task in another.

There's nothing wrong with the freeware, if it does what you need so be it. The higher end editors open up a world of possibilities.

[jammer20002]

thanks for all the replies.
i wasn't referring to any piece of software to do one particular task.
just wanted a few opinions.

thecoalman, what do u use then?

[thecoalman]

thecoalman, what do u use then?

Currently Ulead Media Studio Pro which is in the same bracket as Premier or Vegas. Right now it can be purchased pretty cheap compared to those two as the current version is 2 years old or better. The newest version should be on the market shortly and from some of the rumors I've been hearing is going to be quite a large step up in it's abilities.

BTW I don't consider myself a professional but I'm getting there. I mention that because I see you asked what the professionals are using. Most aren't goping to take a second look at MSP but it's one of those apps that is a hidden gem. It does what I need.

[edDV]

Further to the above,

Pro software is meant for ground up production of video from high quality sources rather than amatuer's focus to repurposing exising low quality video.

Pro software is intended for collaborative workflows where project elements are split to various experts or separate software and then collected into a final edit. Project tracking of video elements (management) becomes a major focus.

Pro software is intended to be used with a central server and database as the focus of project communication. If tapes are used, inventory tracking is applied.

Pro software takes a no compromise workflow for final video quality. This often requires use of expensive hardware that is shared among users. Amatuer software assumes user has a PC only and minimal I/O such as a capture card or IEEE-1394 port.

Pro software splits the concept of user specialist (editor, colorist, inventory controll data entry clerk, graphics artist) and system administrator (system analyst, hardware maintenance, database manager). Amatuer software assumes a single person will be doing all of these "jobs".

Pro software most importantly is focused on speed and overall productivity. Investment in hardware and software is assumed in order to make the most productive use of more expensive labor and capital. While it may be possible to achieve a similar result with entry software for a given task given enough time and effort, pro facilities cannot afford the overall cost of using such software. Time is money.

The above analysis can be applied to many pro vs amatuer comparisons. Bottom line, if you are a beginner, stick with the basics first. If you intend to work in the industry, you need training and apprenticship (internship) to begin to understand the various workflows and jobs.

[lordsmurf]

Another well-written gem edDV.

[edDV]

Further to the above,

The above basically describes the AVID type professional environment.

There is an intermediate type of editing/effects software that can operate as a specialized node in the pro system described above or can be used as a "one man band" solution for the independent video producer.

Adobe Premiere Pro
Apple Final Cut Pro
Canopus Edius
Pinnacle Liquid
Sony Vegas
ULead Media Studio Pro
etc.

Each of these offers a productivity solution for the individual practitioner.

[BJ_M]

but to be clear - a LOT of major work is now being created on those products listed above instead of the big bucks avid systems.. even major release movies, a LOT of advertising and music videos...

just like what happened in music studios years ago (big buck music studios have been going under in droves) , a lot of the audio production went to small studios who with some of the powerful DAW s were able to underbid studios with million $ consoles and millions in overhead and staff - with the same or nearly the same quality (sometimes even better).

Most production and post houses - while still retaining their AVID systems (which take about 1 to 2 years or more to pay back) have added FCP and other NLE systems to their stable of tools ...

Vegas is being used by one major networks even.

[edDV]

So true, It all depends on the size of the project. AVID is still strong in Film, major TV show, news and big ad agency production.

FCP has staked a firm position as a pro editing node.

Vegas has rapidly grown to #1 with the independents and Sony has a high priority to merge Vegas into the pro environment to compete with FCP.

Each product has a focus and a following.

The growth in the market is not coming from the top, it's coming from new types of small budget local production.