Which DV editing package?

[Chris Frost]

I’m interested in using my PC to edit the footage from my DV camera. My computer is a 700Mhz Athlon.

I know there are PC card/software packages to do this. Can anyone give advice on which are the best products to consider under £250?

Thanks in anticipation.

Regards

Hi Chris,<br />this is something I was 'into' for quite a while. Managed to put together some fairly entertaining little movies of hols & stuff. I intend to upgrade to a DV myself soon. This'll need a completely different capture card & editing suite than my present package that I've been using with Hi8 material. <br />Ideally, apart from the capture software/hardware you'll need a 2nd large fast HDD to work on. (I use 2 especially for this) It'd be a mistake to try VE on your system disk. <br />When I started anyway (about 4 years ago) PC video editing was a very steep learning curve. Hopefully the newer software/hardware is more 'user friendly'. Anyway, sorry for waffling on. The best place to ask this question is the forum at <a href="http://www.computervideo.net" target="_blank">www.computervideo.net</a> Some very helpful/knowledgeable people there.<br />Also, buy the Computer Video mag & do lots of homework on the subject. It could save you a shed load of grief, believe me <img src="eek.gif" border="0">

Hi Chris,

Try <a href="http://www.digitalorigin.com" target="_blank">www.digitalorigin.com</a> (i think).

they offer a free download of EditDV, which is basic but good. Failing that Adobe Premiere is great, but not £250!

By the way, can you get me a service manual for my Philips 28PW662B/05? It's buggered.

Simon

[Chris Frost]

Simon,<br />Thanks for the info. Sorry I can't help you in return with the TV manual, I work in a completely different division of Philips with no access to such things.

You could try some of the smaller independant TV retailers. Those with a Philips service account will be able to get a manual for you.

Regards

[CarlB]

I've been using Adobe Premiere for a few years now and would highly recommend it, although it is outside your price range. See if you can get a copy second-hand, because then you will be able to upgrade the software for a more reasonable price from that point on.

It's very easy to learn and extremely powerful, it'll ensure you don't have to switch to a new package in future when your ideas begin to outgrow a more basic package.

[dougbryson]

Hi,

I currently use Pinnacle's Studio DV capture card and software. It only costs £80 and is a piece of cake to use. Results are great - you can add music easily from CD and if you upgrade the software for about £50 from Pinnacle you can get loads of extra great features to give very good results for very little money. Highly recommended.

Doug.

[Chris Frost]

Doug,<br />I thought the Studio DV was about £170. Can you point me in the right direction for retailers selling at £80?

Regards

[sraper]

Chris,

I believe their are two packages out there. Studio DV for about £80 and Studio DVplus for about £170. The only difference is that the more expensive one allows analogue (s-video) output. Checkout <a href="http://www.pinnaclesys.de/uk/" target="_blank">Pinnacle</a>. Seems rather alot more for the s-video out! I was planning on going this route but found out that Studio does not support widescreen. In the end I ordered a Adaptec card which comes with MGI VideoWave for about £60. Can't tell you how good it is as it hasn't arrived yet.