what is the easiest but decent video editing app for pcs?

MattM350

Junior Member
Jan 18, 2003
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It all depends on how much money you want to spend, personally I like adobe premiere but pinnacle studio 8 also looks to have many nice features
 

benjamit

Senior member
Dec 22, 2000
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iMovie. Oh, wait...

i tried that with an imac g3 500 and importing from the dv cam occupied the processor to full capacity

i wasnt able to do anything while importing

opening a web browser stopped the importing

similar effect with an ibook g3 600

ill stick to pcs apps
 

VTrider

Golden Member
Nov 21, 1999
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I would recommend Pinnacle Studio 8 also. Ulead has some stuff you might be interested in, MediaStudio Pro 6.5, Moviemaker 2.0. I've also heard good things about Sonic's line of video editing software.

Finding both an 'easy' and 'decent' program is another thing though. I've used most of the programs listed in this thread and what I use mostly now is Premiere. It does have a learning curve, but I find that I can edit almost anything that I can imagine now.

-VTrider
 

Bglad

Golden Member
Oct 29, 1999
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Premier is the hands down power users choice. It's features are really only a small step down from professional editing systems. But it aint cheap and the learning curve is steep.
 

Doh!

Platinum Member
Jan 21, 2000
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It ain't cheap for sure but it's mighty powerful. It retails for around $500.
 

LethalWolfe

Diamond Member
Apr 14, 2001
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Originally posted by: Bglad
Premier is the hands down power users choice. It's features are really only a small step down from professional editing systems. But it aint cheap and the learning curve is steep.

Premiere is not the hands down choice for power users. Years ago when desktop editing was in it's infancy Premiere was top dog in it's class but it got caught w/it's pants down a while ago. This is not to say Premiere is a bad program, but there are better choices IMO. If you are going to pony up the cash for a better than consumer NLE (non-linear editor) software for the PC I'd buy Vegas Video 4 w/o hesitation.


Lethal
 

dakels

Platinum Member
Nov 20, 2002
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Another vote for Imovie :p

I guess for easy lite usage on the PC side I'd also recommend Pinnacle Studio. I don't know about 8, I've only used 7 before. I hear 8 has alot of issues and problems. Still, its one of the top newbie video apps for PC and a 5x times easier then using something like Premiere (but also 5x more limited). If you are just planning on doing some mild work, I'd stay away from serious programs like Premiere. You'll invest alot of time and money.

For more money Avid Xpress is much like Final Cut. It gives you alot of power in very easy to use interface. The learning curve is steep but the starting curve is not...? Meaning you can get started on basic functions fairly easy, but there's alot of headroom for advanced features. They also cost $1000 too which is not for the light user (You can get them cheapr though through developer or education discounts).

Still, we're talking about video editing. Its a huge spectrum of information. As a non serious/non professional user, its hard to know what you need and what you don't. If you don't want to be reading 3 hours a day on the subject, I suggest you keep it simple, focus on a task and what you need to know for that task. For instance you want to know how to import from a DV camera and burn DVD's or VCD's and add a few small effects like titles and transition fades. Try to keep your tasks light and focused at the moment because you'll be surprised how much information there may be on something that you thought was simple. Even the model camera you may have may be very problematic with alot of software or capture hardware.

You should think about what your primary video editing goals are and then ask what equipment and software best suites it.