HD video software?

[ThePresence]

I recently purchased a Panasonic HDC-TM55K camcorder. I love the thing. However, I have no experience with any kind of video editing, etc. It records in AVCHD. All I want to do is to be able to shift around the order of scenes, a few transition effects, etc. and to be able to burn it to a viewable DVD. The included Panasonic software does not do this well. I want to create a dvd with HD video on it. I am using a PC so all the mac stuff is out the window. I really dont want to have to learn Premiere. All I need is a simple easy-to-use program that can accomplish these tasks. Anyone help out a n00b?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/674739-REG/Panasonic_HDC_TM55K.html

 

[mmntech]

You're looking for a consumer grade editor then. There's a few choices. If you're using a Mac, you'll want to use the latest version of iMovie.

For PC, you should check out Adobe Premiere Elements 8 or Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD.

 

[tdawg]

I post this all over this forum, but I highly recommend Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD. Work straight with AVCHD files and output to a wide variety of formats. Fully-functional 30 day trial available and after that it's only $40 for a full-fledged, non-linear video editor.

*disclaimer: i have no affiliation with Sony Corp. I do own a Sony HD handicam.

 

[Kaido]

I would also recommend Sony Vegas. I use it at work, it's really great. It handles AVCHD natively too, so you don't have to convert anything until you export. If you have the budget for it, Sony Vegas Pro is $599 and includes everything from video editing to burning DVD movies, complete with menus:

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/vegaspro

You can learn the basics in under an hour - it's pretty straightforward. If you're on a PC and don't want to learn Premiere, this is definitely the software I would recommend.