Video Editing for Windows - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

03/19/2005 09:31:06 AM · #1

Heads up for Adobe Premiere Elements - it's buggy as heck.

I bought it as part of a bundle for Photoshop elements, thinking it would be a miniature version of a professional quality video application -- much like Adobe Photoshop Elements was (at least vers 2) for Photoshop.

But boy is it buggy as heck. It hangs all the time -- requiring me to kill the process. The transitions, when rendered, are choppy, as are the special effects (speeding up a video). It's interface is pretty nice though.

The problem they claim is the mpeg codec they use--they say this happens if you install a program after theirs that installs it's own mpeg codec, but I followed their instructions and completely reinstalled it, and it still crashes often when I add mpeg streams to it.

I previously used Studio Version 7, and while that worked wonderfully when it didn't hard crash (which was often, until about the 6th service patch), I was hesitant to put out any more money to a company that sells software 5 months to a year before it's debugged. I still can use Studio 7 for my current project, but it doesn't use mpeg as an input format, and AVI (DV) format is too large to work with as an input format.

I also have Nerovision express, which seems to be the least buggy of the set, but it also has the least features.

I bought Sonic MyDVD too a couple of years back and that never impressed me.

Any suggestions for good PC video software? <$100 but takes MPEG as input, nice transition effects, titling, otherwise "powerful", but not buggy?

Canon EOS-60D

03/19/2005 09:38:25 AM · #2

I use Pinnacle Studio 8 (there's a version 9 out now) and it captures both DV and MPEG. I've had a problem with it crashing a couple of times, but not since I got a newer computer. Here's a link. It might suit your needs. It does have some really nice transitions and effects, and the DVD creator works really well. I find it to be very user friendly and easy to follow as well. Good luck in your search! :o)

edit...it was $79.00 when I bought my version.

Message edited by author 2005-03-19 09:38:52.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

03/19/2005 10:05:07 AM · #3

Originally posted by laurielblack:

Thanks Laurie. Yes, I really liked Studio Version 7, when it wasn't crashing. I have the deluxe version, which came with the extra HFX transitions, but unfortunately, my understanding is that you can't use these with Studio 9.

I probably will go ahead and upgrade, they are about 5 patches into Version 9 already, so it's probably almost ready to ship. ;)

A couple of questions:
1. Do you have any problems using MPEG-2 as the input sources?
2. My P. Studio 7 deluxe came with Pinnacle Express, which was the way you produced DVDs with DVD menus. This no longer comes with Studio, so am I correct in presuming they've now added this into 8/9 directly?

Anyone else have any suggestions before I drop yet another $70 on video editing software?

Canon EOS-60D

03/19/2005 10:12:06 AM · #4

Originally posted by nshapiro:

A couple of questions:
1. Do you have any problems using MPEG-2 as the input sources?
2. My P. Studio 7 deluxe came with Pinnacle Express, which was the way you produced DVDs with DVD menus. This no longer comes with Studio, so am I correct in presuming they've now added this into 8/9 directly?

1. I've only used it with DV, unfortunately... I've never edited with MPEG-2 so I can't answer that for you. Hopefully someone else has so you can get the info you need.

2. Yes, the dvd producer is added in with 8 and 9. And the HFX and other effects packages they offer work with 8 and 9 as well, but you have to purchase those seperately. I didn't, because the effects that were bundled with the software were enough for me.

Sorry I can't be of any more help.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/19/2005 11:30:25 AM · #5

Wow--I downloaded the 9Plus demo, but it say's it's limited, so I'm not sure I'll go to the trouble. Especially after looking on Amazon and reading the user reviews. Even though they are up to 9.4, it sounds like "Bad Business as Usual" for Pinnacle Systems:

See user reviews here before upgrading!

smokeditor

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

03/19/2005 12:02:21 PM · #6

I use AVID Xpress DV at home. It's a bit above your price range that you stated, but it is very good editing package. I think they offer something called FreeDV on the //www.avid.com website that is a very stripped down version of Xpress. But its free to use.

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

03/19/2005 12:09:48 PM · #7

Have you tried Windows Movie Maker 2 since it has been upgraded by WinXP SP2? There are a lot of changes since the initial release.

When working with Photos I use Photo Story 3 another freebie from Microsoft that is absolutely the easiest Photo Slide show to movie app around.

Both have the same transitions and effects...both are simple, One Free the Other include with Windows XP.

Then I use Sonic MyDVD that came with my Burner to put them on DVD.

ED: Sorry should have linked to the samples and not the download page...Movie Maker 2 Samples

Message edited by author 2005-03-19 12:29:36.

sfboatright

Canon EOS-20D

03/19/2005 12:58:19 PM · #8

1. Get Hammer.
2. Smash PC.
3. Buy a Mac.
4. Problem Solved.

;-)

oksamit

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

03/19/2005 01:46:03 PM · #9

Pinnacle 8 and 9 work good
Uled dvd factory work good
On PC ...........
What yours configuration and specification on PC
Fire wire card????????????