Video editing software

[shotlighter]

Just spent all Sun playing with Pinnicle Studio 11 (arm still too knackered for caving) & suddenly layers etc. in photo editing software seems easy!!!
I know there are a lot of folk out there making underground videos, but compared with the editing, shooting & lighting the stuff seems (fairly) easy.
What are you using for editing - what do you think of it?

 

[bubba]

I've always used Adobe Premiere which is excellent.

 

[Ian Adams]

I use "Magix" and find it very easy to use (very similar to the free thing you get with Windows XP but with much more to it) although the help instructions are utterly useless.

I have not tried other software packages and it would be great to know if anyone has tried multiple packages and has come to a conclusion (based on first hand comparision) which is best .....

Any one for starters ....... ?

:blink:

Ian

 

[Dave H]

I bought Tenomichi 3D Edit *Gold* roughly ?37

I nearly set it back as it constantly crashes on my high-spec XP box if you try to do any of the fancier things.

For simple editing it is quite capable.

I don't think that I would recommend it to anyone, except for price!

 

[davema_irl]

I'm also a premiere fan. Premiere elements 3.0 now has HD support, if you
are into that sort of thing.

I'd recommend picking up a tutorial book as well, for showing you how to get
around the s/w, which can seem daunting at first. I have this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adobe-Premiere-Elements-Teach-Yourself/dp/0672328534

I find it very useful as a how-to referance.

 

[shotlighter]

Thanks all for the replies. Must admit to being tempted by Premier as I known of two prolific U/G videophiles who swear by it.
There were 3 things that swayed me towards Studio, cost (for the full version of Premier), not being sure of just how stripped down the "Elements" version is & Studios out of box support of MPEG4 as input format.
I now know that this is not ideal as it is too compressed to give a good quality output from an editing package, which uncompresses/ recompresses the data. Above 2 mates only use AVI cameras for the above reason - however I've got an MPEG4 cammera, buy in haste etc!!

 

[francis]

I have read that some people recomend Sony Vegas. I don't do video editing, but thought I could mention it.

Francis

 

[footleg]

I bought Sony Vegas Premier from Amazon for around 40 quid at Christmas. You can download a free 30 day trial before you buy from Sony's website, so check it out to see if it is right for you. I found it very easy to use and powerful. I also wanted something which would handle HD video as I bought an HD camera. Not taken it underground yet though.

 

[SamT]

Got full version of Premier - and was indeed "daunted", so daunted infact - I couldnt even begin to work out where to start. (I didn't spend too long - and indeed could do with spending some time with a tuturial.

then I tried Windows movie maker, Happy days.

I have new found respect for hobbyist film makers such as the Slackjaw guys.  :bow:

 

[Andy Sparrow]

I have used Premiere for several years and found it particularly excellent for editing and building soundtracks.  The the problem with the more basic movie editing packages is that you can seldom have more than two audio tracks.

 

[Basher]

Still using Adobe Premiere 6.01, maybe old now, but used to it, and it works admirably.
If editing something really interesting & informative, the need for more fancy transitions & effects is the last thing to think about.
Editing is the hardest part though, and the most time consuming, "a bucket full of ripples to start with, getting them to make a river that flows to please the eye, takes time, patience & perseverance!"  Oh, and the odd re-take of a few "ripples" if possible.
Video & audio tracks in the editing program though, you do need more than two, simple edit about five of each, and then some external audio clean up or enhancing software, only my experience, others will differ in opinion?
cheers
Bash

 

[Hatstand]

When I was at Uni Premier was the tool of choice, not least because it had the same functionality as the industry standard Avid.

I don't know if this is still the case?