[mallidiv]

I am lost in the threads and it is such a simple question... should be put in the FAQ I guess...

I have a dv camera, and want to edit and transform to mpeg. which is the best program? or at least wich program do you use?

This one

http://www.ulead.co.uk/vs/trial.htm

[MarkE19]

The problem with putting this into the FAQ is that there are constent updates to the programs that would require the FAQ to be updated as often. However the favourites ATM seem to be:

Adobe Premiere Elements
Sony Vegus Studio
Ulead Video Studio
Pinnacle Studio

all the above cost around £40 each and they can all be downloaded for a free 30 day trial. I suggest you at least try a couple to see which program offers the workflow that you like most - what suites others may well not be the best for you, so you can't state that any one program is the best overall.

Mark.

[felix2]

So you went for the DV then?!

There are quite a few different ‘Non Linear’ video editing (NLE) programmes around, starting at around £30-50 (for ‘home’ versions), and going up to several £100s (for ‘professional’ ones). Even the cheaper software is very good and quite easy to use, and as Mark has just said, most have 30-day free trial versions available. All should do the whole process from capturing the video from your camera, to editing and through to authoring & burning it onto DVD. (Then, if you wanted to later on, you may find separate programmes may offer more options or better quality, for compressing video to MPEG and/or authoring DVDs, e.g. Pegasys TMPGenc, Ulead DVD Movie Factory, etc.)

If you have Windows XP with Service Pack SP2, you’ve got a fairly basic but OK NLE programme built in for free if you prefer! – Windows Movie Maker (version 2). Although it will capture and edit video, it won’t compress to MPEG or burn a DVD. But if you are happy with its editing capabilities, you could get a separate authoring prog (or you may even have one, like Nero Vision or Sonic MyDVD, that came free with your DVD writer or with a computer magazine!).

Personally, I like Ulead too – different programmes have slightly different features and layout etc., so people have different favourites…

[mallidiv]

well actually a friend is the one you decided for the dv... becoz it is his's!! but I am gonna play with it too, so I care to find out...

thanx people

[Bearded_Malc]

I'm looking for edit software too. I have Nero 6 which is ok but lacks some features. I've looked at Ulead (£33 amazon). Chroma key is nice, probably never use it. Sound handled better than Nero, I like the rubber band idea. The auto music sounds a goode idea too. Second video overlay sounds good too.

Adobe Premiere Elements is £52 form amazon. The comments there are interesting. One says "It will only run on a Pentium 4, M, D or Extreme Edition or AMD Opteron or Athlon 64 (SSE2) support required". So it would seem unless you have P4 or leading edge AMD this is not the package to choose.

Sony Vegus Studio - I'm probably anti sony software. I've just bought a HC90E and the supplied software was the worse junk I've ever seen. I can't find a price for this. Amazon don't stock it and nor does the sony. I found a Sony Vegas studio on ebay for 285 but that's a lot more than £40.

Pinnacle Studio is £35 from amazon. Some of the comment on the Adobe Premiere Elements were from ex piniacle users which doesn't bode well. Comparing the features Ulead is more the equivalent of Pinnacle Studio plus which is £50 from amazon.

[IAmATeaf]

Peoples thought on this will vary, I personally use Adobe Premiere 1.5 for capturing, editing and encoding, Adobe Photoshop for producing the DVD menus and the Adobe Encore DVD to take the output of Premiere and Photoshop to produce the final DVD.

Depends on where you are starting from but I found that there was a huge learning curve when using the above but once you got the hang of it the results were very good.

I must agree that Sony software sucks. The thing I like about about Ulead, above the others, is its simplicity in capturing, editing and burning all in one package.

[redsox_mark]

I disagree, at least regarding Vegas.

Vegas was created by a company called Sonic Foundry, and has always been a high quality editor. Sony bought this part of Sonic Foundry a few years ago, but have let it function as a separate division. I've upgraded to the latest releases with the Sony name and there has been no drop in quality.

Ulead makes good editing software as well.. I tried them both, I preferred Vegas. Try them and see what works for you.

If you buy Sony Vegas Movie Studio + DVD you get 2 packages that are designed to work together: Vegas for editing, and DVD architect for DVD authoring and burning. I don't see any disadvantage of 2 applications, as long as they have similar interfaces and work well together (which they do). Editing and DVD authoring are 2 separate steps.

Vegas Movie Studio + DVD is $89.99 (US dollars - just over £50). You can buy it as a download so no shipping charge.

http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/Pro...ct.asp?PID=977

If you edit HDV, you need the Platinum edition which is $129.99.

[vonhosen]

I agree.
Don't make the mistake of linking bundled Sony cam software with Sony Vegas.

Vegas is a top product with great support.

[senu]

Ditto ,
I too am ( sort of) anti-Sony But I love the Sony Vx21000 and the Fx 1 camcorders and nobody has made anything in that price range to disuade me. Sadly the software bundled with the more budget camcorders is usually a bit of an afterthought!
Back to the topic!:
The Vegas software is actually good ( with or without the Sony name.) Sound Forge is another great sound editing program from Sonic foundry now owned by Sony .
Studio ( now on version 10) from Pinnacle has user stabitlity issues which affect a significant minority of users ( not myself as it happens). Thankfully, the same cannot be said of the well regarded Pinnacle Liquid Edition ( which came originally from Fast) .
Pinnacle now belongs to Avid anyway. It is now called Avid Liquid 7.
Adobe Premiere Elements (1 or 2) is stable and reasonable priced ( infact there is a bundle :Photoshop elements4/Premiere elements2 ) for £69 on sale if you also need a decent photo editing program. This is almost like 2 for the price of one. Like Premiere itself, Elements takes a bit of getting used to and has "hidden" features you will discover after a while It is a rather good product
I like Ulead products especially the DVD authoring software :Movie factory /Movie Workshop. I find Videostudio interface clumsy but it has is devotees.
Then there is the reasonably priced and capable Magix software I have only toyed with it but it costs little enough to give a go without feeling unhappy if you dont get on with it.

Mark ( MarkE19) is right when he says your workflow and style will determine what you will end up with. They all have a bit of a learning curve and thier own user manuals tend to be less helpful than simple books written by 3rd party authors.
Obviously there is no ideal Software but all the ones mentioned above have happy users out there. In order to get started off soon(ish), Try using trial versions or cheaper older versions ( ie on ebay: £5 for Premier elements 1!).

As stated

[Bearded_Malc]

Thanks for the link. I'll give vegas a test. One thing I did read about ulead is that you can't save the DVD project. You can save all your edits on the video stream but then when you go to the final step, share, making a DVD, all the menus, text, etc. you can't save as a project, which is daft.

What is acoustic mirror BTW?

[melliott1963]

Just to add my two pennies worth. I too have to disagree strongly about the quality of Sony Vegas. It's a superb piece of software, or rather they are both - That's Sony Vegas Movie Studio and the more professional Sony Vegas.

Anyone who is serious about video editing is plain stupid to let their Sony prejudices stop them from at least trying out the software.

[stormjai]

I also downloaded Sony Vegas Studio + DVD Architect (approx $90), - these are cut down (but more user friendly ) versions of Sony Vegas products. I have used it many times. Good product, forum support...recommended.

[Bearded_Malc]

Originally Posted by melliott1963

Anyone who is serious about video editing is plain stupid to let their Sony prejudices stop them from at least trying out the software.

Well, I have said I'll give it a try. However, it is fair to point out that sony do themselves no favours bundling such dire software with their camcorders. It is well below par and I'm sure many people judge them on that. Plus, the sony site (www.sony.co.uk) and sony online shop don't even list vegas software which also looks bad. If it wasn't for the link posted here I wouldn't know where to look.

[melliott1963]

Fair point.

I must admit that Sony UK do need to sort their act out. I don't know if it's still true, but there was a time that Sony were bundling Adobe Premier with their VAIO PC's instead of Vegas - strange!

[Bearded_Malc]

Is there any descent software I wonder

I've had a look at VS9 and that seems not too bad with DV files when I was just playing but then I tried it with an mpeg2. A TV program that I wanted to cut the adverts out of. In Nero this can be done fair simply but Nero has no sound tools and the background music plays over the advert break start/stop. Hence I thought I'd try Vegas or VS9. In VS9 the play project takes soooo long. In Nero I'm just to click play and it happens.

Sony comes up with unknow error when I start it and seems to crash. I've tried a re-install as I didn't think it was that flakely when I tried it a few days ago. And I've even system restored back a week, no difference.

Not impressed by either result

[vonhosen]

Most NLEs are not designed or meant for MPG editing.

Womble is probably one of the best known & regarded MPEG editors.

[Bearded_Malc]

Well I've removed and reinstall sony and it still say unknown error so that's out.

I tried VS9 with a 20min DV1 capture in case it was mpeg that was the problem. I also uninstalled and reinstalled VS9 just to be fair. The mpeg was an hour program. In the avi I cut a bit out the middle and selected play project. It took a count 7 to start playing the avi. The mpeg file took 9. In Nero I press play and it starts so what's up? VS9 is not usable if it take that long each time to preview.

[videoman]

Sorry to say that Pinnacle Studio Plus 10 still has the usual Studio problems. A new patch is due out soon, I have bought Ulead Studio 9 but don't like it especially as it took their help line over two weeks to try & tell me why capture was not working and saving to album & they still could not tell me!!
I am still looking for one as easy and good as Pinnacle Studio is to use!

[Bearded_Malc]

So far the programs I've looked at are:

Ulead VS9 - Takes 7s to start to play. To me that is unacceptable. When I've done a cut I want to play over the cut to check the effect. Chroma key worked well. Audio track aren't visual either (i.e. see the sound for cutting)

Pinnacle Studio 9 - No Studio 10 demo yet and this demo is a bit flakely. Couldn't get chroma key to work or PiP. Does have visual audio though but not on mpeg imports. It's meant to have smart rendering but an mpeg I cut it wanted to completely re-render.

Nero - very primative tools but good for not rerendering mpegs. 2 mpeg files, each over 1hr, each with trimed start end and 3-4 cuts (advert removals), DVD menus, chapter and root with animated buttons - 16 minutes in total. Might be worth considering if I had an mpeg camcorder.

Sony Vegas - could not get it to work.

Cyberlink Power Director 5 - Not bad. Not too keen on the magic fix buttons. Interface similar to Pinnacle but preview doesn't advance with arrow keys. Chroma key gave poor results. Does have audio visual though and this is also true for mpegs. Seem to want to recode it all though.

Edit Studio 5 - (www.puremotion.com) similar interface to sony. Interestingly it will work with virtualdub filter and another free program called wax. No DVD creation program though so you need one of those too. No good for mpeg files, just 1 mpeg, front trim and 1 cut (i.e. <1/2 Nero's load) and it estimated 8 hrs, a complete recode. But interface is very flexible. Does have visual audio though. Chroma key was good.

Edit Studio is probably my favourite currently. It seems very powerful and the ability to incorporate free tools is good. I'll have to stick to Nero for mpegs though and use Nero for the DVD.

[senu]

While Pinnacle studio is rather well known for being unruly, and Videostudio 9 is not universally popular I find it a shame that Sony vegas studio and your PC setup are not in agreement

If you wish for an capable and stable mpeg editor: WOMBLE is it
or
A proper NLE which is ?? capable with mpegs ( Adobe Premiere elements?)

If you are happy with Edit Studio, You may want to consider Ulead Moviefactory4 (£19-29) for Dvd authoring if you find Nero vision limiting
I have a full version 3 i no longer use and could copy for you if you wish

[melliott1963]

Originally Posted by Bearded_Malc

So far the programs I've looked at are:
.......
Sony Vegas - could not get it to work.

Do you mean Sony Vegas, or do you mean Sony Vegas Movie Studio? The former being their Professional editing tool and the latter being the consumer version.

I am surprised you've had problems because I spent some time testing out various programs having given up with Pinnacle, and both Sony products were rock solid on my system. I ended up going for the Professional Sony Vegas in the end as it flies on my PC whereas Sony Vegas Movie Studio, like most other consumer products, was sluggish in comparison. Maybe there's something wrong with your operating system or hardware that's causing your problems. Only a reformat and clean install could really answer that, but depending on how much other stuff you've got on your PC, this might be easier said than done!

As far as your earlier comment 'is there any decent software?' I have to answer 'Yes!'. I can honestly say that I have not experienced a single problem from the day I started using Sony Vegas so, in my eyes, this IS decent software.

[senu]

ditto

I had never heard of Sony Vegas till these forums and curiousity ( to find out just what melliot was on about got the better of me).
The only reason I now use it less is a bit of laziness( Unwillingness to master too many NLEs) and also growing confidence with Liquid Edition 6.1 which is also very decent in that it is stable ( Unlike Studio) and after its initial learning curve easy to use.
It may be worth backing up your data and doing a clean install to have a clutter free system or at least fine tuning it in its current state.
Some of the positive feed back from the software comes from people with dedicated editing systems or a multiboot system where some setups are dedicated to video editing. This may be overkill and unpracticable for you but getiing a smooth working system is to your benefit which ever software you endup using.

[jomike]

I tried a trial version of Sony Vegas Movie Studio because it claimed to support Sony DVD camcorders. Turns out all this means is that it imports the .vob files from the DVD, but otherwise it was a very stable fast program on my steam driven P4 1.6G 256MB even messing about with mpeg2 files. Premier and WMM fall over every time I do too many things too quickly, but Movie Studio didn't crash or freeze once. Pity it doesn't do native mpeg editing. I'll just stick with Womble. If it ain't broke..........

[Bearded_Malc]

Sony Vegas home version. When I start it I get the message unknow error. Try to import some video (just click, haven't selected a file yet) and I get:

Sony Vegas Movie Studio 6.0 TRIAL
Version 6.0a (Build 85)
Exception 0xC0000005 (access violation) READ:0x0 IP:0x5912B8
In Module 'VegasMovieStudio60.exe' at Address 0x400000 + 0x1912B8

The sony interface is very similar to edit studio 5. ED5 is cheaper and more flexible. The user forum for ED5 is good with lots of useful info and downloads. Ideally I'd like a NLE that handles mpegs as well as Nero (smart recoding) but I have yet to find a NLE that does everything I want how I want it. Adobe PE is no good for me since my PC is not P4 nor AMD 64 etc.

[Bearded_Malc]

I've got sony movie studio working after a fashion. It still complains at start up but at least it doesn't crash now.

But, what I have found is that this month's PC Pro mag is giving away the full version of Edit Studio 4. That sounds good and I can upgrade to V5 for less too if V4 is not enough. The mpegXS plugin puts on a watermark but since I have Nero I think I can just frame serve into Nero to get mpeg2 files for a DVD. Or I could save the DV file which seem to be possible and get Nero to import that. Whatever I can't argue at the price

[senu]

Adobe Premiere 1 doesn not need the p4 with sse as you feared and it does import mpeg. it is stable but I cannot rate its mpeg editing abitlities and whether or not it reencodes unedited material I couldnt tell. A fiver gets it on ebay
I would stlll try Womble for mpeg editing :It is Fab

[Bearded_Malc]

Thanks for the info. I'll look out for that on ebay. I've searhc adobe and managed to find a demo version of PE 1 at http://softwareupdates.adobe.com/upd...l.jsp?cid=2674 so I'll give that a try.

[jomike]

Just to confirm what senu said, Adobe Premier Pro 1.5 with Main Concept mpeg plugin re-encodes everything when editing mpeg files. Womble is still IMO the best mpeg editor out there. TMPG brought one out as well, tried the the trial version and wasn't impressed. Expected more from TMPG with all their mpeg expertise.