Hey, I'm hoping to get an HD camera soon, so I need a change of editing software. I previously used MAGIX Movie Edit Pro, which I found was too slow, so I'm looking for a good new software. I don't want something like FinalCut or Adobe, because they are hellishly expensive, but any software under £100 would be good (about $194). And it would need to be HD-enabled, of course.
I'm basically looking a good, powerful, and yet simple editing tool, that doesn't break the bank, but is good enough for a few amateur films.
So, can anyone help?
sony vegas is affordable. It's a bit more expensive than what you're aiming at, but it's got HD support, which is still a little rare, especially in the price range you're talking about
I highly reccommend Adobe Final Cut Pro, it seems to fit the specifications you want. Check it out at - http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/finalcutpro/
It's Adobe so you know its easy and professional.
But I assume it is Mac only, or is it not? 
Umm....I think someone is confused here! 
Adobe makes Adobe Premier Pro (part of Adobe's Production studio) package.
Apple makes Final Cut Pro (Part of Apples production studio package).
Final Cut Pro is Mac only. Premier Pro is PC only (although they just announced that the next version will be cross platform with the intel Macs)
In your price range maybe take a look at Adobe Premier Elements for PC or Final Cut Express for Mac.
Hope this helps! I believe some of the less expensive programs from say Pinnacle might support HDV, a specialized form of HD and most likely what you are looking for. But you'll need a fast computer too. 2 gigs of RAM and a Intel Core 2 Duo gives me decent speed when I edit but my P4 3.2 ghz computer with 1 gig of RAM struggled with HDV.
| Alaskacameradude wrote: |
Umm....I think someone is confused here!
Adobe makes Adobe Premier Pro (part of Adobe's Production studio) package.
Apple makes Final Cut Pro (Part of Apples production studio package).
Final Cut Pro is Mac only. Premier Pro is PC only (although they just announced that the next version will be cross platform with the intel Macs)
In your price range maybe take a look at Adobe Premier Elements for PC or Final Cut Express for Mac.
Hope this helps! |
Yes that's right! But I also think that you'd better save some money and buy either Final Cut Studio if you use Mac or Adobe Production Studio Premium if you use a PC. In my opinion it's better to get the good stuff and pay a bit more than to buy some second class stuff. But it of course much depends on what you are looking from the software. You better think carefully, because it's a shame if the cheaper software doesn't meet your needs! 
I'm not good at the middle-of-the-range kind of software but just replying to that comment about Final Cut Pro and Premiere...
Final Cut Pro is supreme compared to Premiere 2.0 but unfortunatly you are limited to editing it on a mac. To be fair anyone who is serious about video editing, music and artwork would buy a mac (I may point out I am and I don't have a mac, but that's due to money 
). i love adobe primiere 2.0 ,,,,,,,,but you have to have at least 512 mb of ram.......HD quality, sony vegas is my second choice
Yeah, 512mb to be fair is being phased out now as far as computers go. A lot of things are now demanding 1GB at least and I am fairly confident editing with 2GB is the safe option with Premiere. I say with abstract video editing step ONE specification up from what Adobe "recommends" - I've had projects on my single core processor that have actually started to lag the preview window pretty badly in draft quality.
I agree with the comment about buying software that can't grow with you. I wouldn't dream of using anything less than FCP or Adobe Premiere Pro....but that's just me....I'd rather pay my money and use something professional, but I do get paid for this after all.
I was just trying to give the original poster a couple ideas since maybe he can not expand his budget....
Sony Vegas 6.0 seems to be the best bet for you. A perfect example of great Vegas work is on a Sims 2 movie a person named Jaydee made. The movie is called Helena and is at www.jd-movies.com .....this shows how good of a program it is, and the price is around $80-$100.....I think it'd be a good investment, so if it was up to me, then I'd go for that program! I hope that helped! Ulead Video Studio! can you download here(trial version): www.ulead.com You could try Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0. I know you said "Adobe is too expensive", but this isn't Premiere Pro. You can pick Elements up for about 80USD.
| LostOverThere wrote: |
| You could try Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0. I know you said "Adobe is too expensive", but this isn't Premiere Pro. You can pick Elements up for about 80USD. |
Yeah! That's a pretty good price and if you're not planing on doing anything TOO-PROFESSIONAL then Adobe Premiere Elements should suit you well. Make sure though that it supports HD footage if you have an HD camera. 
I'd stick with either Adobe Lemements or Sony Movie Studio. Anything else just doesnt cut the mustard. I'd especially steer clear of Ulead products.
I have use a huge range of applications and Adobe and Sony are the reliables.
I'd stick with either Adobe Lemements or Sony Movie Studio. Anything else just doesnt cut the mustard. I'd especially steer clear of Ulead products.
I have use a huge range of applications and Adobe and Sony are the reliables.
