Best Video Editing Software for Newbie

[pastorsam]

I am looking for video editing software that has some transitions (fade in, out, etc) effects (slow mo, etc), editable titles, voice track, music track...

Would also like something that accepts a wide variety of formats. Although I could convert before importing...does that affect quality??

I am using windows Vista and will have a system with plenty of power (4 gig mem, super fast processor).

Is there something out there for free that can get me in the door? What's the easiest to learn?

Right now, I am doing mostly basic stuff, but find WMM very limiting. I have tried Pinnacle before using Vista, but the program crashed, froze...basically sucked!

Anybody got some suggestions?

[edDV]

I was going to suggest Adobe Premiere Elements for ease until you mentioned multi-format. What do you mean by that? If your source is mostly camcorder and TV tuner then look at ULead Video Studio.

I like Virtualdub as a format converter but not as an editor.

[fredfillis]

You don't really give a lot of info so I'm going to assume we're talking digital video.

As far as "free" is concerned, have a look at Avid Free DV. If you're up for some learning, you could also go with virtualdub / avisynth.

I ended up paying for something and using tools from videohelp periodically for peculiar tasks. I downloaded and tried out Adobe Premiere Elements and Vegas Movie Studio Platinum + DVD.

I ended up buying Vegas Movie Studio and I've been very happy with it.

[spanky123]

I think you're after something like Adobe After Effects.

It's not free.

[edDV]

I think you're after something like Adobe After Effects.

It's not free.

I wouldn't call Adobe After Effects easy to learn. And it isn't multi-format friendly.

[spanky123]

I think you're after something like Adobe After Effects.

It's not free.

I wouldn't call Adobe After Effects easy to learn. And it isn't multi-format friendly.

You're right - missed the 'newbie' part. My bad!!!