Best editing software?

[Balliol]

As I said a few weeks ago I have a lot of elderly VHS tapes that I want to get onto DVDs and then put into some sort of chronological order with titles and a voice over. I finished up with DVDs carrying two primary folders marked, Video_TS and Video_RM. The Video _RM did nothing but the Video_TS had a number of files marked BUP IFO and VOB. The VOB files being the important ones.
I then attempted to import the VOB files into MS Movie Maker and it told me to sod off or rather that I needed to convert the VOB files into MPEG or AVI and that was a tortuous process. What was even more tortuous is that MS Movie Maker will not burn a new DVD so there is another process to go through.
I was then told the Nero will do the lot including edit but as a novice I found the process difficult but at least I did not have to convert the VOB files.

Having picked the brains of this forum I had started to understand the process I wanted to use so I keyed in "Best Editing Software" and variations of that theme into the web which came up with a number of suggestions:

http://www.filmmaking.net/faq/answers/faq24.asp came up with Adobe Premiere Pro

http://video-editing-software-review.toptenreviews.com/ came u with PowerDirector

http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/top-7-video-editing-software-review.html came up with Ulead VideoStudio9

Pinnacle Studio Plus (Titanium Edition Special Anniversary Pack)

This forum also came up with a number of suggestions so bearing in mind that I am a novice would anyone care to pick what they consider the most appropriate package for me to use.

[Baldrick]

It depends what kind of editing you want. If you only need to do cutting,joining and then reauthor to a new dvd then is TMPGENC DVD AUthor probably the best, use the add dvd-video to add the video.

If you want advanced editing I would use mpeg video wizard, it can import mpeg2 video.

Or use vob2mpg and get a mpg file that you can edit in some advanced editing tools.

And read our sticky topics, https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=257114

[Bjs]

For simple start , it's ulead video studio .

Perform's better than the rest , and packed with alot of feature's .
Filter's / transition's
Import's a few format's
Strip and replace audio
Clip video into seperate segment's
Own dvd burning engine
And more ...

Just make sure the version supports ac3 as both input / output type ... 9 se dosent .

Of course , that's simple too get past using a few freeware tool's .

Super (convert to suitable format , if ulead say's no)
Pgcedit (Simple menu replacement , and more)
Besweet (convert audio to ac3)
Dvdshrink (in case a little room is required to fit media)
Dvdauthorgui (simple , better menu generation)
Gimp (menu background design)
Imgburn (burn the sucker when ready)

Supporting kit : vdub / vmod / bbmpeg / avisynth / batchdemux / vobedit / rejig / muxman / ifoedit .

Anything can be created with these few tool's ...

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Nero ... for burning anything it's fine ... but as for the rest ... in comparison ... it stink's .

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The rest ... consider ulead video studio 9 se in ebay might cost you about $18.00au , and the supporting tool's are freeware ... then the other's dont even come close ...

All "all in one" tool's contain bug's or drawbacks ... atleast ulead video studio 9's lack of ac3 support is easy to fix .

Atleast the freeware are usually well covered by guide's , found here in the forum .

[fredfillis]

You don't mention how you got from tape to DVD.

As Baldrick suggested, I would download VOB2MPEG. With this you can load your VOB(s) containing your video (now probably split among several VOB's) and join them back into one mpg file. Normally you want to do your editing and voice over work after the capture and before you author / burn the DVD.

I've found that VideoReDo is handy for simple stuff like cutting out bits BUT, for a few more bucks you can get Vegas Movie Studio Platinum which has all the stuff you're ever likely to need.

The reason I think VMS would be best for your needs is:

• 1. Accepts both avi and mpg video (at least!).
  2. Reasonably easy to use,
  3. Has LOTS of features / filters / effects etc that you can grow into as you become more ambitious.
  4. Very easily allows you to record your voice over as a separate audio track and / or drop in some muzak as well.
  5. It's cheap(ish). I just paid $65 (after rebates).
  6. Has a wide range of output options (mpg, wmv, avi etc)
  7. The platinum version comes with DVD Architect Studio

Of course, the freeware is perferctly capable but is a lot more work for us noobs.

[A_51]

There is a new editing program that feature a much easier learning curve that the traditionals ( Ulead, Adobe, Vegas) and is a lot less expensive. I have seen it available for as little as $35. Magix Movie edit pro . I personally have Premmiere 6.5 with the plug in to import mpeg but I rarely use it 99% of the time I use Magix.

[Balliol]

I got from tape to DVD by playing the VHS tapes through a TV and recording them with a DVD recorder thereby finishing up with VOB files. I now recognise that I need to use a different method to get different files that can be edited. A friend who is about up to my low level of expertise has given me an Xpert DVD Maker USB 2.0. There is a device in the box that allows one to connect a VHS player to a computer. There is also two discs. The first one has DVD Maker USB 2.0 on it. The second has Cyber link Power Producer 2 on it. He suggested that I could use this software and hardware to play a VHS tape on the VHS player that is connected to the computer using the V-Stream device and that the computer would capture the result and it could be edited using some editing software but all I can see when I open the software up is what appears to be the facility to copy files to DVDs and not to the computer. Perhaps I don’t understand it. Do you have any knowledge of this Xpert DVD maker or do I need to look for another capture device?

[sherman01]

If you are looking for Magix Movie Edit Pro for cheap, check out Frys.com (a.k.a. Outpost.com). In their Winter Sale/Weekly Specials area they have v11 for $35 with a $35 rebate so it is FAR. Expires on 1/18. Shipping is about $6 to my zipcode, but if your good with sending in the rebates that's not a bad price. I already have the Vegas Movie Studio Platinum v7, but at this price I am considering getting it just to check it out. Plus there a few other FAR softwares that don't seem to increase the shipping.

[fredfillis]

I got from tape to DVD by playing the VHS tapes through a TV and recording them with a DVD recorder thereby finishing up with VOB files. I now recognise that I need to use a different method to get different files that can be edited.

Hmmm ... your problem is not that you got VOB but that you didn't get them on the PC. If we are just talking about home video / VHS captures, the content of the DVD you already made can be copied to the computer just like any other disk and the VOB files can be converted by VOB2MPG to mpg2 files that can be edited on the computer.

A friend who is about up to my low level of expertise has given me an Xpert DVD Maker USB 2.0. There is a device in the box that allows one to connect a VHS player to a computer. There is also two discs. The first one has DVD Maker USB 2.0 on it. The second has Cyber link Power Producer 2 on it.

For your other tapes, the key is the hardware device that your friend provided. This will allow your video to be captured on the computer using any software capable of capturing.

My guess is that the disk with DVD Maker USB 2.0 on it has not much more than USB Drivers for the device.

He suggested that I could use this software and hardware to play a VHS tape on the VHS player that is connected to the computer using the V-Stream device and that the computer would capture the result and it could be edited using some editing software but all I can see when I open the software up is what appears to be the facility to copy files to DVDs and not to the computer. Perhaps I don’t understand it. Do you have any knowledge of this Xpert DVD maker or do I need to look for another capture device?

I think the hardware device is fine for what you want to do, the key for you is the software to Capture, Edit, Author and Burn.

I found this blurb online describing CyberLink PowerProducer 2.

This wizard-based program comes with complete functions to capture and edit videos, produce multimedia slideshows, customize menus and burn on DVDs or CD. Even novice users can produce movie disks that can be easily shared with friends and families on TVs or PCs

Have you looked at all the menus etc? Did you do a full install? Given the purpose of the device, it's hard to imagine there is no capture capability in the product. Unfortunately, the "free" software that comes with hardware products is often reduced functionality stuff. If you don't have the capabilities in the software you have I suggest looking at the recommendations already made in the thread. The hardware WILL work, you just need software!

One last note, once you get everything sorted you will find the process is slow, especially if you edit your video once captured. What you are proposing to do will take several hours, at least, per tape.

Good luck!

[bertmartin]

Just a note. I tried Magix Movie Edit Pro and found many problems. I gave up on this software and upgraded to Ulead Video Studio 10. Version 10 is much improved and very stable for me.
Bert

[MrSpeed]

So you want to narrate over the videos ...correct ?
I use Sony Vegas Studio and it will do just about anything you want and it does not crash. There is a free trial.

I have heard good things about Ulead Video Studio and there is a free trial for you to try.

If I simply want to import a DVD to the computer and do simple trim I use Ulead DVD MovieFactory. I don't think you can add titles and narration though with this product.

[Balliol]

The question that I started this thread with is currently the least of my worries. I have been in contact with Mesh to ask them why I was not able to transfer files from my VHS to my computer desktop. They advised me to try the ATI software that came with the computer but had not been loaded so I did that and the computer promptly crashed and it kept crashing. I then took it to a local computer workshop a week ago and every time that I telephone them they say that they are still working on it. So, it looks as though not only did I use duff software but I also picked a duff workshop.
I'm so fed up with all this that I'm seriously thinking about buying a dedicated computer to use with video and photographs but I wonder what spec.
I'm answering this thread using a laptop with a 3G Data Card set up.

[ntscuser]

You might be better-off using a standalone DVD recorder to copy from VHS to DVD and then use the PC just for editing and copying. Alternatively you could give the VHS originals to a friend with a DVD recorder and get him to do the transfers for you.

[JohnnyMalaria]

So you want to narrate over the videos ...correct ?

FYI, Windows Movie Maker has a narration function - you record your narrative in real time while Movie Maker plays the video...

[Ron B]

I'm in the market for a lower end editing program as well. I use Adobe Premiere for more advanced stuff, but for short internet clips and quick videos for DVD, I've been using VideoStudio6. It's done a good job, but is showing it's age. I tried VideoStudio10, but didn't like the way it was set up. Also, Ulead support is pretty lame. If I want to upgrade to VS10, I have to install VS5, then install the VS6 upgrade, then the VS10 upgrade. The serial numbers for all these products are listed on the Ulead website, why don't they just give me the upgrade price and let me install VS10 straightaway? Lame-O.
I've been thinking about Vegas MovieStudio Platinum. Downloaded the trial, but haven't tried it yet. Does anyone know if it has the realtime voiceover narration feature? Have it on VideoStudio, it comes in handy from time to time.

[Bjs]

The question that I started this thread with is currently the least of my worries. I have been in contact with Mesh to ask them why I was not able to transfer files from my VHS to my computer desktop. They advised me to try the ATI software that came with the computer but had not been loaded so I did that and the computer promptly crashed and it kept crashing. I then took it to a local computer workshop a week ago and every time that I telephone them they say that they are still working on it. So, it looks as though not only did I use duff software but I also picked a duff workshop.
I'm so fed up with all this that I'm seriously thinking about buying a dedicated computer to use with video and photographs but I wonder what spec.
I'm answering this thread using a laptop with a 3G Data Card set up.

The software was NOT the issue .

Mesh tech's are the idiot's that caused your current system's stuff up ... I'd give them a blasting via phone for that stunt .... they know their product only ... not your pc .

Local computer workshop ... considering the system repeatedly crashed after the event of the ati package being installed , it should not have taken more than a few day's to have the system up and running ... seek a second opinion ... in fact , hard you asked here , I might have been able to sort it out for you without the pc having to go anywhere ... all you need is a second pc for net , so I can talk you though it .

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I personally receive pc's transported from 1400 km's away to my place after the user's have got sick and tired of being constantly ripped off ... my only problem is I am so damn good at it ... I might not see this pc return for 12 month's ... normally after kazza has got back in or they want something updated .

Some tech's charge $200 to travel 50km's , or $80 for <30km's before doing anything ... me , I charge $0.22c per km both way's , which is a lot cheaper ... I dont even mind call out's at 2am in the morning ... It's when I get call's from perth / darwin for help that start's getting hard ... I have no idea who told them about me in the first place .

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As for the "DVD Maker USB 2.0" unit .

You need to take precaution's with these device's and how much power the need in order to function ... usually from the system's usb supply .

If it rate's above 500ma , then I would use a self powered hub that has a supply of 2amp's to act as a powered interface between the device and the pc ... if you ever get "warning , usb reset" from xp ... you might as well replace the motherboard cause the video capture will go south in quality ... also noting that the apic chipset on the motherboard will have been affected ... rip the agp card out before it's killed by over voltage ... they get hot after this event appear's .

Belkin make's a good self powered hub with 2amp supply ... I use one myself with my avertv usb2 device (it need's 2amps) .

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As for install :

Install the software first for the device ... shut down pc ... taking notice of what I said before about the power consumption used by the device .
Connect the device to hub ... power up hub ... connect hub to usb on pc ... startup pc .

This is the safe way , as these device's are not "plug n play" safe ... on small blip in current flow , and your in trouble .