which software

[dood]

I have decided to go for a software package that will allow me to edit my miniDV footage, not too costly but stable.

From what I've gathered, Adobe Premier elements or Ulead videostudio would do the trick.

Can anyone confirm that these packages are comprehensive ie allow capture, edit, render/re-encode, author and burn to DVD. Do either of them smart render? Do either do any MPEG2 editing?

Thanks

[senu]

Both do what you want. But for Mpeg editing/ smart rendering Ulead Studio 9. 10. 10+ would seem to be the better choice.
Im no fan of the Ulead product ( I used mine for a bit and uninstalled it) but TBH it is a tad easier to use than Premiere elements unless you have been exposed to Premiere before.
Premiere Elements does have a few more tricks ( unlimited layers ( tracks) etc and useful intergration with Photoshop elements) up its sleeve but these need a bit of work to find.
But unlike VS 9/10 it does not do mpeg smart rendering if that is desirable.Sony Vegas Movie Studio+ DVD ( Standard or Platinum) is also stable and ( after the usual " getting to know you ," RTFM" phase) easy enough to use.
It too doesnt do smart rendering
HTH

[hot-fuzz]

You can always download the trial version of Ulead VideoStudio 10+ to see how you get on.
~130MB
here :

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

[evans]

M8 for capturing i would use nerovision , i think its part of the nero dvd/cd write package or movie maker 2 if you have window xp.

For the editing, adding effects i really like adobe after effects v7, it doesnt capture footage though.

Most programs that do everything usually do them poorly. What i suggest is you use something like adobe after effects to do your effects and export to avi file after its finished. Then use a class encoder to turn the avi to mpeg2 file. There are only three or four worthwhile, Tpmgenc express, canopus procoder v2 and the best and fastest ive tried cinema craft sp 2.7.

To turn your mpeg2 to dvd files you need something like tmpgenc authoring v1.6, its easy fast and also does great menus. It has a writing program as well.

Cinema craft is very expensive and hard to use, canopus is easy to use and less expensive but only 2 pass vbr. while cce has up to 99! tmpgenc express is the cheapest with good results but very slow at best quality. You could go the P2P way though.

One last thing if you use cinema craft go into the settings and change the quantization matrix with numbers on a fox dvd. This really brings out the clearest picture. If you do a google youll find the numbers to use.

good luck

[senu]

Evans
With all due respect, I think you are suggesting programs which are not very inexpensive and have a rather steep learning curve. Im sure many media productions studios find them invaluable
The comments on his chosen software ( for a home user or small buisness environment) were just to share another users experience.


I dont use After effects but use Avid Liquid 7 and Vegas 6 almost daily both of which have such good Plug-in effects ( Commotion with Liquid) that I get by They also have intergrated DVD authoring and thier Mpeg encoders are more than acceptable. I have ( but dont use Ulead VS9) Premiere Elements ( mainly for teaching purposes) and Vegas Movie Studio+DVD ( a complimentary copy which helps me learn and teach Vegas6 itself: very similar interface )

Like you though I have Procoder and TMPGenc and MainConcept MPEG encoder, And for DVD authoring UleadDVDMW2.

The point is that The "all in ones" range from ok to excellent budget packages up to packages costing £500 upwards. The simplicity of workflow and not needing many different packges each with its own price tag and learning curve is to be commended as it avoids confusion and prevents putting of a newcomer and outwiegh any weakness in excellence compared to standalone packages

The buisness of getting separate packages for different aspects of the process can be done later when the actual capture edit to DVD process has been mastered in one or 2 mainsteam programs

[redsox_mark]

I agree with Senu - the original poster wanted "not too costly but stable.". Adobe After Effects alone lists at £663 (from Adobe)... then you add on an encoder, a dvd authoring app..... Ulead VideoStudio costs £35 (or £55 for the plus version). Sony Vegas Movie Studio and Premiere Elements are in a similar price bracket. Any of these will go a good job for someone doing home video.

Mark

[laser]

Dare I mention it.....

But consider Pinnacle Studio 10.5. It must be version 10.5 though and not an ealier version although the 10.5 patch is free to download.

Its very easy to use and the majority of problems encountered with ealier versions have now been fixed and it is now stable.

[shoehorn]

Originally Posted by laser

Dare I mention it.....

Hmm.....
Laser, does you post count on this one reflect people's views on it?
I've used Pinnacle 9 (not upgraded to 10 yet) and always found it stable.
I know there have been plenty of issues with it for some, but I've not heard of (m)any for ages - unless everone's stopped using it of course!
It is one of the better interfaces......

[senu]

Originally Posted by shoehorn

Hmm.....
Laser, does you post count on this one reflect people's views on it?
I've used Pinnacle 9 (not upgraded to 10 yet) and always found it stable.
I know there have been plenty of issues with it for some, but I've not heard of (m)any for ages - unless everone's stopped using it of course!
It is one of the better interfaces......

I hesitated to mention let alone endorse Pinnacle Studio 10.5 .
However I have always considered myself a minority as I also have use them and actually dont have any problems with 9.4 and 10.5.
10 and 10.1 were but 10.5 seems to have sorted those bugs

Originally Posted by shoehorn

.....but I've not heard of (m)any for ages - unless everone's stopped using it of course!

We havent stopped using it( albeit a bit less than before) just accepted that it doesnt seem to work for everybody for whatever reason

[evans]

senu is right the programs i mentioned are on the expensive side but give good results. I must admit cinema craft is the best encoder but can take you months of testing to get great results.

For a novice cyberlink power director 5 isnt a bad option on a budget i think its only about 90 usd.

[ralphmalph]

I can also recommend Cyberlink powerdirector 5 I use this and Adobe Premiere elements and Cyberlink is very easy to use (almost wizard based), produces good results and is stable. Also there is a 30 day trial you can download from there website www.cyberlink.com and see how you get on.