Seeking editing software recomendation

[username_5]

Hi,

I am hopelessly confused as to what software I need for my editing wants. I have tried pro packages like Vegas Pro and Pinnacle and they are much more than I need and they confuse me in just trying to do basic stuff.

So, here are my requirements, would you please recommend software that meets these criteria?

Cost: Free is wonderful, but I would be willing to spend up to $100.

Source video: small videos from cell phone up to .mts files from HD camcorder. I put all files on my HD so it doesn't matter if the software imports from these devices or not.

Editing: Simple stuff. I want to be able to drag and drop clips on a timeline to reorder them. I want to be able to intuitively insert titles and transition effects. Nothing fancy, just basic stuff.

Output: I want to be able to output in the same format as the source (basically just stitching multiple clips into one clip. This would include .mov .avi and .mts. I also want to be able to burn to DVD/Blu Ray and be able to create a menu so I can burn multiple videos to the same disc and select which one to play.

Currently I am using Vista 64 bit, but will be going to Windows7 64 bit in a few months.

I can't stress enough that I don't need super fancy/pro editing options and find these pro packages involving a much steeper learning curve than I want. Thank you in advance for taking the time to assist me.

[Baldrick]

If you don't like vegas movie studio maybe Magix Movie Edit Pro would be something to try.

[edDV]

Source video: small videos from cell phone up to .mts files from HD camcorder. I put all files on my HD so it doesn't matter if the software imports from these devices or not.

That is a tall order. Most likely you will need to convert some of these formats before import. AVCHD mts narrows the field to a few.

[jagabo]

You're not going to find one program that does everything you want.

[budwzr]

Vegas has a timeline, you throw everything on it, you make your edits, and you render out. What could be simpler?

[edDV]

Vegas has a timeline, you throw everything on it, you make your edits, and you render out. What could be simpler?

So long as Vegas accepts the import formats but the recent versions have among the widest support and most of the rest can be accessed through "Video for Windows" codecs.

Timeline performance is another matter. Many highly compressed formats will grind to a stop. This is directly related to CPU performance. You can speed performance by first converting troublesome formats to more editing efficient codecs. These are called "digital intermediates".

[Rudyard]

I recomend Corel Video Studio (used to be ulead video studio). Takes a wide range of formats and smart renders (meaning where you just want to join multiple clips into one, if they are the same format it doesnt reencode them or will only reencode transitions).

Very easy to use and I think it would suit your needs perfectly.

Cost was somewhere around $150 AUD but even though we are dollar for dollar with the yanks atm we are still normally reamed on prices so it may well be $100 USD.

Try the demo and see if its what you need, its based at the novice end and drags and drops transitions and things just as you mention.

[jagabo]

Many places sell Corel VideoStudio for about US$60. Buy.com appears to have it for US$30.

[chowmein]

Look on website, only $60 atm.

[username_5]

Thanks everyone. I installed Vegas Studio Platinum and it seems to be a good fit for me. It had a learning curve, but I suppose being a novice to editing, any software would. I am currently burning a DVD of some older videos right now.