Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack Review

Average Reviews:

(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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Dazzle Multimedia DM-12000 MovieStar 5 Video Editing Review

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(More customer reviews)I've had nothing but trouble with this product. The XP version is very buggy and virtually unusable. Even with the latest patches, the software simply does not function. I cannot recommend this product to anyone.

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Dazzle MovieStar 5 Easy ansd Powerful Video Editing Software.Easy "3 Click Editing"Cool 3D Transitions, Titles & Special EffectsFlexible Storyboard & Timeline ViewsPowerful Background Rendering TechnologyOutput to Video CDs, Video Tapes, Web and more...System RequirementsCPU: 500 MHz ProcessorHARD DISK DRIVE:5400 RPM Minimum7200 RPM Recommended50MB for software InstallationOPERATING SYSTEM: Windows 98SE, 2000,ME, XPRAM: 128 MB minimum, 256MB recommended

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Corel DVD MovieFactory 6.0 Plus Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I used this product for a month on the recommendations of a video forum group. It was for the specific purpose of burning HD-DVD compliant videos onto standard 4.7GB DVD's using a standard DVD burner.
The biggest problem with this product is that importing files take a long, long, long time. Whether you choose your desired file from a dialog box, or drag and drop it onto the open Ulead DVD Movie Factory window, the program basically locks your computer up for the next hour. Note that this is BEFORE you do anything with the file.
It's not just with high definition videos either. Standard definition files also take a long time to load.
Technical support from the Corel website is basically non-existent save for some FAQ's and a users forum. Even if you click on the so-called "Technical Support" link it takes you directly to the FAQ's. You can't even get email support. I at least got that with Microsoft.
Looking through those forums I realize that others who use this product with Windows Vista have the same issues. The label on the box says "Works with Windows Vista", just not how well.
Hopefully I'll have better luck with Nero.

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Corel DVD MovieFactory 6 PLUS Windows

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Pinnacle Studio Ultimate Version 11 Review

Average Reviews:

(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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Serif MoviePlus X3 Review

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(More customer reviews)After reading reviews here and having many problems w/ Nero 9 program I tried Serif's MoviePlus X3. It worked great out of the box and easily burned 2 DVD's for me. After that I was asked to register the program at Serif's site- it shut the program down if i did not register. Once I registered I could not operate anything in this program: I consistently got a Runtime error that shut down the program. Tech support is online only, so I sent a detailed email to them: the Serif site says usually a 2 day reply to support requests. After 5 days I got a reply, but only after I sent an email to customer service complaining about not hearing from tech support. I followed the tech's directions to the letter (the tech told me I was his top priority and he'd be available to get this program running for me) only to get the exact same Runtime error message. 4 emails to "Dom", the Serif tech, have gone unanswered still from my first reply to him 7 days ago. So, I've spent $60 over 2 weeks ago on a program that doesn't operate, I've gotten no help from tech support or customer service and I can't return the product since it's been installed and registered. I've tried calling the Serif US office several times over the last week: no answer, no voice mail message, just endless ringing of the phone.
When I did get to burn a disc the program looked good- easy to follow and nice options for menus, etc. but now it's worthless after I did the required registration and 2 weeks of non- tech support or service.
At least the Marketplace merchant has offered to refund 1/2 the purchase price.... something they didn't have any obligation to do.

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Start your movie projects by grabbing source video from your camera, from a file on your PC, from DVD - with great compatibility. Piece together your movie marvels without headaches. Edit your movies quickly and easily with powerful tools and unlimited creativity. Add polish and dazzle - fast - with a massive range of easy-to-use, customizable, professional video and audio effects. Share your video with anyone, anywhere. Get your video online with YouTube, fast. Save in all popular formats and even burn straight to DVD.MoviePlus X3 gives you:
Storyboard Mode
'How To' Guides
YouTube Upload
iPod & PSP Exports
Narration Recording
Built-in DVD Authoring
New Easier Interface
Amazing Special Effects
Title & Text Animation
Powerful Audio Effects
Improved Pan & Zoom
Accurate Scene Detection
Enhanced Media Pane
MPEG-4 Technology
New Text Styles Gallery
AVCHD Cam Support
Digital CD Ripping
Device Download Wizard
There's almost no limit to what can be achieved with MoviePlus X3 thanks to amazing flexibility and power.

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PowerDirector 9 Ultra - 64 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've used a lot of consumer (20 to 120 dollar) video editors. Many of them have been buggy and difficult to use. I used to like the Ulead editor. It was decent and no frills, but very low end without many features. I tried upgrading to Corel VideoStudio (which seems to be what the Ulead product evolved into), but had trouble even installing it. Apple's video editor is great, but only if you use a Mac. Adobe's video editing software is good, but the interface is pretty complex and they seem to be lagging on some features. I ended up using CyberLink's video editor because a trial version came pre-installed on an HP computer I bought recently. I really liked the limited version. It has a good feature set, a clean interface, and automatically uploads videos to sites like YouTube. I liked the trial version enough to look into the full-blown product (PowerDirector) and found that the software got very strong reviews (e.g., see the cNet review). So, I coughed up a hundred bucks for the full new version (PowerDirector 9 Ultra). Installation was a breeze, and it seems to take advantage of the processing power of higher end systems (with 64-bit O/S and separate graphics card). It's very fast (rendering times are much shorter than what I'm used to), but still with a fairly simple interface. You can do reasonably advanced editing, or pop a simple video onto YouTube. At this time (early 2011), this is my favorite video editor -- it hits the sweet spot in terms of features, performance, stability, ease of use, and price.
Update 1/16/2011: As another reviewer noted, the legitimacy of some of the reviews for this product may be suspect. I'd encourage you to check out the reviewers as well as the reviews to help you make an informed decision.
Update 1/18/2011: As mentioned in the initial review, rendering is much faster with PowerDirector 9 Ultra than with other video editors I've used (including previous Cyberlink products). However, for reasons I still haven't figured out, YouTube uploads are noticeably slower. I'll post an update if I figure out a solution. If you do lots of YouTube uploads, you may want to try a trial version first to see if this is an issue on your system.

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PowerDirector Ultra64
Create Spectacular Videos at Blazing Speed
Turbo-charge HD video production speed with world's first native 64-bit consumer video editor
New TrueVelocity Technology speeds up entire video process
Professional productions with 100 video tracks and powerful editing tools
Instant video enhancement with TrueTheater Technology
Download free effects & templates on DirectorZone

The latest version of CyberLink's award-winning video-editing software, PowerDirector 9, is designed with high usability for consumers and powerful, pro-like features for prosumers. Unleash your full creative potential with performance-driven technologies including CyberLink's new TrueVelocity Engine.

Video Production at Blazing Speed
Maximizing System Memory -- TrueVelocity 64 takes advantage of PowerDirector's 64-bit OS support utilizing the entire system memory to process multiple HD video files efficiently.
Optimizing CPU Utilization -- TrueVelocity Parallel makes video processing smoother and faster by splitting tasks into smaller segments and simultaneously processing them across all available CPU threads.
Harnessing the Power of the CPU/GPU -- TrueVelocity Accelerator taps into the power of Intel, AMD and NVIDIA video processing technology for hardware-enhanced video decoding and encoding.

Powerful Editing Tools
Timeline Interface -- Up to 100 video and audio timeline tracks for a flexible workspace, easier media management, and more creative projects.
Video Enhancement Tools -- PowerDirector's suite of advanced TrueTheater technologies improves the video quality, offering SD-to-HD quality up-scaling, video noise removal, color and light adjustment, smooth slow-motion playback, and more.
Advanced Audio Editing -- New WaveEditor allows users to edit their audio tracks with effects and includes VST plug-in support for third party effects.
Full HD Previews -- Preview your video in real-time with full HD quality like never before

Maximized Creativity
MagicStyle Movie Wizard -- Select existing photos and videos; choose a built-in 3D template and audio track, and MagicStyle puts it all together into an amazing 3D movie in seconds.
Customized Particle Effects -- Unique Particle effects that are customizable for that special touch to your video creatives.

Sharing on all Media
100,000+ FREE Effects -- provided to you by the PowerDirector community on DirectorZone.com. Including customized effects, templates, tips, tutorials and DVD menus that grow in amount every day.
Publish to Social Networks -- Users can choose to upload to Facebook or YouTube in Full HD quality directly from PowerDirector.
On-the-Go Media -- Output videos directly to the iPad, iPhone, iPod, BlackBerry, PSP, Zune and many other mobile devices. Simply select your device type and PowerDirector does the rest.

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