Editing software for a beginner

[jedolley]

I'm in the process of testing out a Sanyo CG10 and Kodak zi8 to be my first camcorder. I'm primarily going to be using it for home videos of my dog and my first child (due 10/31). I'm looking for a video editing program that will be easy to learn as a beginner, but also has enough features that I will not feel limited as I grow in experience. I appreciate any suggestions you all may have.

I'm running Windows 7 Professional (x64).

Thanks,

Jason

[guns1inger]

Vegas Movie Studio or Premiere Elements or VideoStudio

[jagabo]

Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 9 on sale at Fry's:
http://www.frys.com/product/5700722
US$30 after rebate.

[jedolley]

Damn! This sounded so good at first.

Unfortunately the $20 rebate requires proof of owning one of their competitor's products.

Submit proof of previous ownership of the stand alone, full retail version of the following video editing products: Cakewalk, Music Creator 3
software or Magix Music Maker 10 Deluxe software by providing one of the following:
A. Original CD from the original competitive product or
B. Original cover from competitive product box

Also, Tax + S/H kills the deal. For me atleast.

I appreciate the help, and it looked like a great deal, too bad it doesn't work for me.

[aedipuss]

sanyo's bite. they refuse to pay royalties to use normal codecs and end up being a pain in the arse to use with any editor. the kodak at least comes with pc compatible playback codecs from arcsoft, but it's overall performance is terrible.

[jedolley]

sanyo's bite. they refuse to pay royalties to use normal codecs and end up being a pain in the arse to use with any editor. the kodak at least comes with pc compatible playback codecs from arcsoft, but it's overall performance is terrible.

Thank you for your input. I'm aware of both units' limitations, but I choose them based on their overall performance < $200 price range. I'm more interested in the video editing options out there and wouldn't mind some user feedback.

[edDV]

sanyo's bite. they refuse to pay royalties to use normal codecs and end up being a pain in the arse to use with any editor. the kodak at least comes with pc compatible playback codecs from arcsoft, but it's overall performance is terrible.

Thank you for your input. I'm aware of both units' limitations, but I choose them based on their overall performance < $200 price range. I'm more interested in the video editing options out there and wouldn't mind some user feedback.

Look at the Kodak and ArcSoft extensions if you can't afford the above. Unfortunately ArcSoft is a small company and never seems to finish anything. You will outgrow it quickly.

[lowellriggsiam]

A second vote for Sony Software. Vegas Movie Studio & Vegas Movie Studio Platnium have good functionality for the price.

[jedolley]

sanyo's bite. they refuse to pay royalties to use normal codecs and end up being a pain in the arse to use with any editor. the kodak at least comes with pc compatible playback codecs from arcsoft, but it's overall performance is terrible.

Thank you for your input. I'm aware of both units' limitations, but I choose them based on their overall performance < $200 price range. I'm more interested in the video editing options out there and wouldn't mind some user feedback.

Look at the Kodak and ArcSoft extensions if you can't afford the above. Unfortunately ArcSoft is a small company and never seems to finish anything. You will outgrow it quickly.

I actually figured that I would be spending around $60-$80. I guess I was trying to say that the Sony Vegas deal doesn't end up being much of a deal (for me at least) since I can only qualify for the $30 rebate and half of that gets eaten up by tax and shipping.

I think I have narrowed my choices down to Adobe Premiere Elements 7 ($40 after rebate), Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 9 ($65), and Cyberlink PowerDirector 8 Deluxe ($70).

[hech54]

Also look at the Magix Movie Edit products. I bought the cheapo $50 version and really like it.
http://www.magix.com/us/movie-edit-pro/?partnerid=9015