Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack Review

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(More customer reviews)I researched movie editors for months, before buying Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack. Did I make the right choice? Yes, however this product is only usable if you have good general computer skills, and have the ability to learn through trial and error. I would not recommend this product if you expect to produce a masterpiece in one day.
What do you get in this package?
Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 9 - program to edit digital movie, add soundtracks, voice-overs, and fancy text, rolling credits, etc.
DVD Architect Studio - program to author DVD's, so you end up with professional quality DVD menus with all the bells and whistles
Sound Forge Audio Studio - a music editing program, with the added ability to convert all your L.P.'s and cassettes into digital format, so that you can then make CD's or load them onto your IPod.
Cinescore Studio 1.0 - free music of various genres, to add to your productions to give them a professional sound
There was one major problem with this software when I first loaded it, that I only managed to fix by pure luck. The problem was quite a major one. In the version which comes on CD-ROM, there is a bug which stops the soundtrack from MPEG2 files from loading into the editior program. This is incredible considering that almost every digital camcorder on the market uses the MPEG2 format, including Sony. However!!! Once you have loaded the program and registered, you need to go to the Sony update software web page. Here you will find a download that fixes many bugs in the program, including the MPEG2 problem.
There is another problem with the program if you are going to buying this to upload videos to You Tube. In the last couple of months You Tube has upgraded there video screen to Widescreen (16:9 ratio) format. There is no template in Vegas Movie Studio to handle this. So if you intend on uploading video to You Tube in 16:9, then you will need some advanced computer skills to create your own template. I'm sure Sony will work on this and provide an update to the program in time. At the moment, the program handles traditional 4:3 format for upload to the internet.
There are many cool features hidden within Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack. Only the basics are discussed in the instructional booklets that come with the program. If you explore all the alien like buttons and features, through trial and error, you will be more than happy with this software.
6/10 for ease of use
9.5/10 for cool features
All the best with your movie editing and DVD production.
Regards D.
UPDATE AS OF 28th JUNE 2010
GREAT NEWS!!!!
Sony Creative Software has just released a brand new version of the software featured in this review.
The NEW VERSION is called Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10 Production Suite.
All the bugs that I had reported in the above review have now been FIXED! Yeah!!
This is FIVE STAR Software Package now. I give no hesitation in recommending this.
Dex :)

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Vegas Movie Studio Platinum Pro Pack takes HD video and audio production even further with tools for professional-level sound design and more video effects and transitions. Use the included Sound Forge Audio Studio software for precise audio editing and CinescoreStudio software for soundtrack creation. Upload movies to YouTube, burn to Blu-ray Disc, or author DVDs.

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Adobe Premiere 7.0 Professional Review

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(More customer reviews)Adobe Premiere Pro is as sophisticated and advanced software package as any other Adobe project, designed for professional and "prosumer"-level users. You have to go through a certain learning curve, invest hours in learning, but once you are through, you will be fully rewarded by the flexibility of the program and its nearly endless possibilities. A good way to learn is to buy Adobe's book "Premiere Pro classroom in a book", which is essentially a sequence of hands-on lessons which walk you through different features of the program using an extensive set of tutorial movies which come on a disk enclosed with the book.
I've been using this program for a couple of months, and had very positive experience. The program is very stable, has a logical and convenient interface, can render edits in real time, and allows to make as sophisticated edits as one can imagine. In fact, I cannot think about a single feature which is not included in Premiere. One can capture videos from a DV camcorder from Premiere, edit them in any way, add transitions, analyze the color balance of the movie, correct contrast, brightness, color balance, mix or record sound (5.1 surround can be edited, but a plugin to encode it in dolby digital format is included as a demo version only, one has to buy a full version for extra money; with regular stereo sound there are no problems), and export the edited footage in a variety of formats for DVD or internet. There is an extensive selection of audio and video filters and plugins, a title generator, and a means to generate effects such as split screen, moving logos, etc.
Adobe has a 30-day trial version of Premiere on its web site. The difference between the full and the trial version is that the trial version does not include Media Encoder (i.e., the edited file can be saved only as AVI or exported back to a DV tape) and, I think, has some limitations in audio editing. I highly recommend everyone shopping for a video editor to download the trial version, get a good book on Premiere, and make an educated decision on how good this program is.
I also tried several other products, such as Sony Vegas and Ulead Video Studio. Vegas, in my opinion, has less capabilities (e.g., does not support multiple/embedded timelines (sequences)), has somewhat counterintuitive interface (which for instance applies to what happens when you left-click or right-click somewhere in the timeline - although at first glance its user interface appears to be more friendly), and is much slower on the rendering/encoding stage. Ulead is infamous for its instability (see Amazon reviews); in my case, it crashed 15 seconds after I started the program, after which I decided that I better try something else. In contrast, Premiere has been very stable and did not crash a single time on me.
In my opinion, it is the best product on the consumer market in the price range under a thousand dollars, and I can highly recommend it to those who look for a high-end video editor with a wide range of capabilities. (Of course, a very basic editing can be done even with Windows Movie Maker, which comes free with Windows XP).
Note that Adobe Video Collection, which includes Premiere, Encore, Audition, and After Effects, is a full video editing suite which offers much more for almost the same money than the Premiere alone.
Premiere Pro is available only for Windows, Mac is no longer supported.

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Corel Ulead VideoStudio 11.5 Plus Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought the Canon Vixia HF100 and shooting exclusively in HD mode. My Computer is a Pentium Core Quad processor with 4 gigs RAM, SATA drive of over 500 gigs, plus an external Firewire drive. I bought this software with high expectations however the following issues are present, even with all the current downloads:
Extreme Choppiness in video editing. After uploading my video files (.m2ts files), I incorporated into the time line and noticed extreme latency making adjustments, rendering and playing back temp editing. This is totally un-useable. I made a number of adjustments including checking that DMA was enabled, Disk Caching was disabled, and increasing swap file size (Bizarre since I am running over 4 gigs of memory), Plus I also enabled the smart proxy service which should assist in making such noticable delays go away. Not so. Nothing worked here. I imagine all the positive reviews were from users not using HD format.
Unless I have some type of fix for this issue, I am forced to find another software replacement. I am looking into Sony Vegas pro 8 as an alternative and will test the trial download.
Stay away from Video Studio 11.5 if you are using a High Def Camcorder.
UPDATE: I've since tried Sony Vegas Pro 8. Absolutely no latency with importing and editing Hi Def files. Sony has it right. It is more expensive, but you get what you pay for, ULEAD has a nice interface, but it can't handle the Higher Def files. This is the selling point. If you sole mission is to put highly compressed video onto the internet, ULEAD may be ok. If you want to do more in-depth editing and work with higher definition files go with Sony Vegas Pro 8 period. Save the hassle

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Ulead VideoStudio 11 Plus is video editing and DVD authoring software for anyone who wants to easily produce professional-looking videos, slideshows and DVDs. Capture video from the latest HD camcorders and create amazing High-Definition Blu-ray and HD DVDs. Work quickly with timesaving template-based Wizards, or express your creativity with powerful hands-on tools. Fix common video problems with one-click corrective filters, generate Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround audio tracks, and add pro-quality titles and transitions. Share your movies everywhere, from iPod to DVD to YouTube to the latest Home Theater systems. Award-winning VideoStudio sets the standard for powerful features and ease of use.

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Pinnacle Studio Ultimate Version 12 Review

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(More customer reviews)Let me start off by saying that I'm a Mac guy and I do a lot of video. I generally work with Final Cut Pro but often drop into iMovie '08 for projects that need to be done quickly without the need for precision editing. After spending a few hours with Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 12, I'm almost ready to boot my Mac into Windows for those tasks I'd normally edit on iMovie.
PROS:
1. Awesome plugins: It's funny, but what I like best about the Studio Ultimate are the parts of it not made by Pinnacle! Included on a second CD are titling effects from Boris and professional-grade color correction from Magic Bullet. Magic Bullet adds a 'film look' to your video as well as a number of other color related effects. Everything renders quickly and looks great.
Those two features alone usually cost several hundred bucks a piece (on top of the editing software), so their inclusion in the package certainly adds to its value.
2. Instant conversion from AVCHD. One of my complaints on the Mac side is that AVCHD video needs to be converted to an Apple codec prior to being edited. This usually adds a considerable amount of time to the workflow, as the video is 'ingested' at a rate usually double that of the length of the file (i.e. a ten minute clip takes twenty minutes to import). All Studio Ultimate needs is the drive letter for your card reader and the video is ready to be edited. Very cool.
3. Fast performance and mixed formats: Editing performance is very fast and responsive with fast render times too. Studio Ultimate also allows a mix of formats on the timeline. I tested editing a high definition AVCHD clip along with an included DV movie and all mixed together perfectly.
4. Green screen is included: Pinnacle even throws in a free green screen! It's large and can easily fit two people in front of it. A nice and thoughtful addition to the product.
5. Many export options: Outputting the video to something playable beyond the PC is very smartly implemented. Presets for basic exports (like YouTube and DVD) are available as well as fully customizable advanced settings into a variety of formats.
6. Multi-track video editing: Unlike iMovie '08 there are two video tracks that can be used for video overlays, etc.
CONs
1. Slightly complex: The developers tried their best to keep it simple and organized, but there is some complexity involved with doing anything beyond the basics. It's nothing that's not impossible to learn, but there are a few layers of menuing necessary to accomplish some effects tasks (like chroma keying or using a plugin). Additionally, the plugins (like the magic bullet software) all have their own interfaces separate from the studio interface. They also don't install themselves automatically, so you'll need to insert the second disc on your own to get access to them.
2. File management is confusing: Studio Ultimate forgoes the standard Windows file management routines and adds a multi-paged navigation to find items on your hard disk. Not very efficient and sometimes difficult to navigate back to where you started. It would be much easier to find files based on the standard windows file open dialog. When I did import an AVCHD file, it did not show up on the 'my movies' option on the file navigation window. I'm not sure exactly where it ended up!
3. AVCHD import follows a different workflow: The developers spent a lot of time with three simple top level tabs: Capture, edit, and "make movie." Unfortunately bringing AVCHD video in does not follow that same convention. It would be nice to have the AVCHD import options in the same place as the DV/HDV imports.
CONCLUSION:
Video editing is a very complex task and many products have tried and failed to make the process fast and easy. Pinnacle Studio Ultimate is probably the best of breed for consumer video editing apps on any platform. It is a little more complex than iMovie on the Mac, but it also adds considerably more creative options that rival professional-grade applications. It will import footage from cameras as old as Digital 8 (and even VHS with added hardware) and mix that footage with the latest AVCHD offerings very efficiently.
Overall Pinnacle has an impressive offering that I highly recommended to Windows users. This Mac user is just a tad bit jealous.


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Pinnacle Studio Ultimate Version 12 Pinnacle Studio™ Ultimate version 12 lets you take advantage of the latest HD video editing technologies, including Blu-ray and AVCHD. All new Pinnacle Montage theme based editing - designed by professional producers and artists - puts incredible creative power at your fingertips. Simply drag and drop your video clips and still images to preview your movie – and watch your content come alive, complete with Hollywood style multi-layered effects, animated graphics, titles and Hi-Fi audio. Edit and polish to your heart’s content with the sleek new video editing interface. When you are finished, archive your video memories, publish them on YouTube™, or enjoy them on DVDs and portable devices.Pinnacle Studio™ Ultimate version 12 includes professional software tools for titling, color correction, lighting and special effects, plus a green screen backdrop. Pro video tools Pinnacle Studio™ Ultimate Version 12 includes

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Pinnacle Studio Ultimate Version 11 Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been a studio user since version 9. I have upgraded each time and have continually been searching for one of the programs that will convert my video for use with Flash. Magix I tried (see my review there). When Studio 11 touted it would convert to Flash, I was happy. I promptly ordered.
Initially, I could not even make a video. It would lock up on the rendering process. They recently released an upgrade (if you purchase, ensure you download all the upgrades before trying to use) which finally allowed me to complete a video.
When I went to save my movie as a Flash file, I found, once again, that you have to upload it to a website. Pinnacle offers such a site "free of charge." However, READ THE FINE PRINT before you join.
If you upload videos to their website you are granting them free, unrestricted use of your video without compensation to you. If you don't mind that they may use a family reunion video in something they do, etc, then knock yourself out. However, by law anyone who creates something owns it. If I shoot a video of my pets and then edit it with titles, etc, it is my intellectual property. Nobody is allowed to take my work and claim it as their own or use it for their purposes without my permission. To get that permission, you may need to pay a fee. Pinnacle is offering you a place to post your videos online as compensation I guess. If you sign up for an account, you are granting them use of your property and work with no further contact from you. You don't even get to state if you accept the manner in which they intend to use it.
I opted to decline that even though I am still searching for a way to convert to flash files. Guess I will have to learn how to use flash.
As far as other aspects of editing, it works fantastically. Unfortunately, if you are upgrading from Studio 10 and earlier and have purchased SmartSounds tracks, they won't work in Studio 11. You will lose access to all of those audio enhancements with the upgrade. This was not mentioned in the upgrading either. They do mention an audio track component but DO NOT state that SmartSound no longer is usable.
The three star rating would be higher except they don't state up front that the only way to convert to Flash is by uploading to a website and don't say that SmartSound is no longer used and not compatible. I have purchased over 20 discs from SmartSound and now they are useless and ended up being a waste of money with the upgrade. Scorefitter is the new audio track software integrated with Studio and the selection is pathetically small with no upgrades available.
Also, if you are not familiar with Studio, bear in mind a limited menu and such are available with the program you purchase. Additional menus, etc are available for extra money and can cost several hundred dollars more the get them all if you wish for a variety.

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The newest edition of Pinnacle's best-selling video editing software, Pinnacle Studio Version 11, combines automated and powerful editing with ease-of use. This full-featured, Windows Vista compatible application lets video enthusiasts archive their vi

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Final Cut Express 4 Upgrade from Final Cut Express 1, 2, 3, or 3.5 Review

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(More customer reviews)I also own Final Cut Pro 5.1, but since I had Final Cut Express 3.0, I thought I'd spring for an upgrade.
I'm most pleased with this--so far it's very stable, I love its new filters, and the features it has are almost equal to Final Cut Pro in all the important features that prosumers are most likely to use. For most prosumers, it has everything we need. I am continually amazed with how much you get with Final Cut Express.
Because I had Final Cut Express 3.0, I was able to load up the media from that version of LiveType and make it work with the version of LiveType that shipped with FCE 4. I never used Soundtrack that much, so I can't say I miss it, but if I needed it, I could always use the version that came with version 3.
Like many other Mac users, I was a little surprised when I saw that LiveType shipped with less media, and Soundtrack was no longer included (apparently the audio capabilities are now available in Final Cut Express 4, as well as Garageband). But, in all fairness, I had to consider that the cost was $100 less than the previous version which had Soundtrack and the extra LiveType media. After thinking about it a while, I think I am glad that Apple took this route--a $200 pricetag makes Final Cut Express very tempting for many more Mac users than before, as well as making many Windows users envious! (Where is their $200 prosumer video application with equivalent features and reliability?)
I've done a lot of research, and so far I'm not finding anything on the Windows side that offers as much as Final Cut Express, for a similar price. I'm not knocking the many affordable $100 programs that Windows users have, because for many people that's more than enough and there are many wonderful choices available. But from what I've seen, each one of them lack some capability that I have come to enjoy or rely on in Final Cut Express. (But of course they are less expensive, so this is to be expected.) There seems to be no "middle ground" for video enthusiasts on the Windows side (either it's an affordable $100 program with crippled features, or a pro-level app with a pricetag to match).
A big thumbs up for this upgrade to Final Cut Express! I am happier than ever to have switched to Macintosh!

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Discover powerful video editing for DV, HDV, and AVCHD*. Final Cut Express 4 delivers a single, open format Timeline where you can edit all three, mixing formats and frame rates using the same pro-level editing tools available in Final Cut Pro. Import video projects directly from iMovie '08. Take advantage of LiveType to create dynamic, animated titles. Built-in audio controls let you mix up to 99 audio tracks-even add a narrative voiceover. Perfect your movie with professional transitions and effects, including optional third-party FxPlug plug-ins. *AVCHD video requires a Mac with an Intel processor.

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