good beginner video editor

[dfisher052]

My Grandson just bought a used Canon Vixia HV40. (No install disk). He is a novice and asked me what would be a good editor for a beginner.

[pepegot1]

Corel VideoStudio Pro X8, powerful and simpler than most others. Good forum at : http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewforum.php?f=1
for more info and help.

[smrpix]

Vegas Movie Studio is an excellent choice, quite powerful -- and the skills are upgradeable to Vegas Pro if he stays interested enough to outgrow it. can usually be found for about $50.

Resolve Lite 12 is supposed to be good and free -- but it hasn't been released in the wild yet.

[_Al_]

But whatever editor I recommend using HDV Split to capture video from tape to computer, it will give a time and date into captured clip name.

[newpball]

Alternatively you could wait for Avid Media Composer First, release is imminent!

[budwzr]

The free stuff is going to be extremely crippled. Except for the free open source programs, they're hard to learn though. Watch out for buzzwords like "Pro Grade".

Somebody already mentioned Sony Movie Studio. That's about your best bet.

[vkmast]

The free stuff is going to be extremely crippled. ----
Somebody already mentioned Sony Movie Studio. That's about your best bet.

Sony Movie Studio was indeed mentioned and linked in smrpix's post. Luckily the link takes you to Sony Movie Studio Platinum, as it should be. The basic Sony Movie Studio is, if not extremely, rather crippled anyway.
And take note of _Al_'s post as well.

[transporterfan]

VideoPad Video Editor is a good tool to play with. Very limited free version available (and it's time limited and will expire on you).
http://www.nchsoftware.com/videopad/index.html

[pepegot1]

Stay away from Vegas unless you want a steep learning curve. VideoStudio Pro X8 will do what you want more simply. Vegas is a powerhouse but, you can do very well with VS Pro X8 Ultimate. In addition, there is a first class users forum to help you out as alluded to above. You can try it for free and see for yourself.

[smrpix]

All of the editors mentioned here have a free trial period -- different folks work in different ways.

[dfisher052]

Thanks for all the good ideas. Will forward the info on to him.