Using Windows Movie maker is a gentle introduction to Editing.. It is Ok in that
Burning to DVD with Sonic is sort of OK too
If you have got the hang of doing it with those .. you are half way there
You shouldnt find them confusing but if you do, pls just say at which point I'm sure someone here will help you out.
Video Studio 8 is OK as well but although newbee friendly, it makes it harder for you to use and enjoy software that has a more "logical sequence" as its interface is IMO "clunky" ( for want of a better expression)
Vers 9 is Similar but 10+ is better
Now that they are on ver 11 , 10+ is going for £19 at PC World!
I digress
Pinnacle Studio too is now on ver 11 ( not yet in the shops)
It is one of the best Budget programs in terms of ease of "How to Edit".. and it has some advanced features which are available when you get confident enough to try them
Ver 10 plus.. especially used in timeline mode is a very nice way to go from Tape to DVD without needing to acquire a degree along the way
The problem with Pinnacle Studio is that for some people it Works very well.. for some it is very erratic and unstable and for some it simply doesn't work at all
If you have an inkling you'll be in the last 2 categories, its not worth bothering with as it can be a major PITA.
There are 2 reasons why this is so
1) You may have got to the point of actually finishing the edit before it plays up..That is very frustrating
2) Pinnacle... and well meaning "techie" friends will give you all sorts of ( well meant) advice which may not work and you might end up thinking its you or your PCs fault: Usually this isn't the case
It works for me and infact my niece has won an award and scholarship on account of 2 feature length videos She and her mates did with it. She can use Avid Liquid & Vegas as well but didn't feel inclined to try and teach her mates
( Would have taken forever)
So when Pinnacle Studio works it's brilliant: will it work for you?...
Dunno TBH
It remains unknown if ver 11 will prove to be Stable from scratch ( Pinacle release patches quite often)
Saying that, All software play up from time to time (including Uleads VideoStudio: some on these forums cant seem to get good quality end product video off it).
Pinnacle Studio just seems to have put off quite a few people. Liquid Edition ( also from Pinnacle ) ( now Avid) is rock solid but it isn't so affordable
For £9, It is worth trying.. If it works for you ,, great if not give up on it quickly and well give you other alternatives
As you say funds are low...( when are they never low?
) , there are downloads trials for other Products
If you get stuck you can PM me
HTH