Recommendations for video editing software

[Clay Franklin]

What do you suggest for video editing software?

I asked Andy Jenkins and he suggested Final Cut Express for video and iwork for slide shows.

I have a little white Macbook, yet use a PC with Windows 7 64 bit for everything including Camtasia videos and MS office.

What do you recommend for video editing and making DVD's?

[glennsewell]

Clay

Look into Adobe Premiere Elements. I have few people in our office using it and they like it. If you are using an Intel Mac, I would say the new iMovie or Final Cut Express.

Glenn

[Clay Franklin]

Thanks Glenn,

Is Mac really better for editing video? I like Windows. Some folks like Sony Vegas. I have an little Intel Mac with 1GB ram.

How do you rate these 3 programs for video editing and making DVDs.
1) Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum
2) Adobe Premiere Elements
3) Final Cut Essentials
4) iMovie (not sure if it makes DVDs)

[glennsewell]

Clay

I cannot say whether Mac is easier to edit on or not. I have only used a Mac and Final Cut in the four years that I have been editing. I did forget about Sony Vegas and I have seen some good reviews of the new version.

Video editing software has come along way in the last two years but I would still stay with a major brand. There are some good reviews in one of the following magazines websites (can't remember which one), check them first.

http://www.studiodaily.com
http://digitalcontentproducer.com/

Glenn

[glennsewell]

One other thing. iMovie does not burn DVD. iMovie comes in the iLife suite off apps which has iDVD that burns the DVD. Not sure how professional the DVD menus look though. I can find out from a friend who just bought the new version a couple of weeks ago.

Glenn Sewell

[StephenT]

I use Corel videostudio pro. I tried Adobe elements and all it did was hang up my 'puter. If I were a Mac user, and someday I will be, I would use final cut. I checked it out at the apple store and it looks good if not a bit complex.

[Rachel Rofe]

My video guy uses Sony Vegas and absolutely adores it. :)

[deannatroupe]

I've been using video pad by NCH software for editing my videos. I'm not sure if it works on MAC, but I know you can use it on PCs. It's free and really easy to use.

[Ellen C Braun]

I really appreciate this thread.

Which programs are the most affordable- that is the other factor in my mind as I choose one.

I've had 3 videos created which I sell, and each time I needed editing was another nightmare! Either the video editor was cheap yet irresponsible and gave me code with errors, or he/she charged a boatload of money and nickel-and-dimed me for every little change!

If any of you want to do some video editing, pm me:)

Thanks,

Ellen

[ScottTousignant]

I use iMovie '09 and love it. As mentioned you can use iDVD that comes with it to burn your dvd. I've done it and it works well. I haven't had the need to make the big investment in Final Cut yet.

Have you tried making a dvd with Camtasia? Since you have it, you may as well make full use of it.

[glennsewell]

I agree with Adam. Get the free trials for the software and try them out. The biggest thing in getting into producing videos is to keep it simple. The cameras and software are getting better and easier to use each year. Dive in, try it and have fun because it can be a blast. The power, and money, is in the content not in the production value.

Glenn

[bar2k]

I have iMovie and Final Cut express. They both have their strong points. iMovie is quick and can turn out pro level movies in a few clicks. If you need to create a mulitrack video with multiple audio tracks, video tracks then you would step up to final cut express. iMovie should be all you need for making videos. If you want to do more advanced things like adding plugins then you will have to stick with final cut is the correct way to go. The cool thing about iMovie is that you can export an iMovie project into Final Cut for final editing. I think it really comes down to personal preference really and your level of skillset. For most people iMovie 09 is all they will ever need to create some excellent web movies, infomercials, dvd (via iDVD). One thing to note you cannot create HD / Blue ray with iDVD. You can export a movie as HD. I have heard great things about Vegas and Premier but don't see a need to explore them right now. I am focused on making more money in my company v.s. experimenting.

Most of my videos are done in iMovie 09.

[pmaior]

I like Sony Vegas. I have also used Camtasia and One that came with my video capture card which I can't remember the name of. Studio Director I think. I like Sony Vegas the best, but there is a large learning curve.
Windows Movie maker that comes free with Windows XP is pretty good for a free application.

The main thing to note is that any of them I have used with windows requires lots of RAM. I would recomment a minimum of 2GIG and 4gig being preferred.

As for MAC's being better at Video , I think they may handle memory usage better and be easier to set up (Intsalling Drivers and such) but as far as features and final product I think Windows does an equally good job.

Another thing I have noticed is that the .mov renders are much larger in size then the same render as a .wmv (windows media) This maybe because I don't use a Mac or Apples software, rather use the Windows program to create the .mov file.

Pablo

[Clay Franklin]

I am with Rick. I have been building computers since Intel PII were around in 1997. Then I build a PIII gaming machine just for fun, since I don't play games.
The computers would always slow down each year and usually a reformat and reinstall the operating system would bring back the speed.
Adobe Premiere would run slow in the machines back then.

I just bought a Macbook pro and it just runs and runs. I never turn it off have had 43 windows open at once.
I ended up getting Final Cut Express 4 for a Christmas present and have used iMovie before and it is easy to use.
I just bought iWork and pages is really a nice program.
I have not tried it yet it will produce a video on it's own.
I will post an update after I try Final Cut Express with a link to a video I made.
This is a great discussion.