So, what's your favorite VIDEO software and why?

[Bete]

I've been fond of Roxio Creator Suite for years; because, it gives you a good bang for your bucks and they keep up with the trends like iPhone, etc. I have problems loading it sometimes and I have to go through a complete uninstall of the previous version and disable my anti-virus program before putting on a new version to my PC. I have a decent PC; so, that's not the problem. I've even dished out $150 for technical support once on an issue I couldn't resolve on my own; because, Roxio killed my PC.

When certain other programs go on a super sale I would try them like Nova Explosion or Movie Maker, but I still think Roxio is better.

I know there's Pinnacle, but they can be pricey depending on what you get for their software package. Vegas from Sony just doesn't look too interesting from reading about it. I'm not sure about Nero.

Anyway, what's your opinion and could you share why you like your video program. Thanks.

 

[bostran1]

While this isn't going to help you much (since you have a PC) I prefer iMovie on my Mac. It is so simple to make a movie or a slideshow of pictures, add sounds (they have hundreds to choose from ranging from music to animal noises to traffic and thunderstorms). Movies process quickly and anyone can pick it up and make a movie without having to learn too much. Also, adding titles and transitions is a breeze.

So I guess if you want to shell out a $1200 for a new computer you could use (it comes with every new Mac purchase)

 

[mabas9395]

What do you find uninteresting about Sony Vegas? I have it and love it because it gives me complete control over everthing.

What do you use your video software for? Some people just use it to create slide shows of still photos. Others like to edit home movies and create custom dvd's. Why people like their particular programs will depend on what they use it for.

 

[iluvdisnee]

ProShow Gold and ProShow Producer ROCK! Here is an example of what I've done on Proshow Gold...mind you I am NOT a professional, but its great for making video / Photo montages, etc.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fHvqM04nGYs

 

[boBQuincy]

I use Adobe Premiere Elements for video. It's an Adobe product alright, a long, steep learning curve but it can do a lot.

For slide shows (which I usually turn into videos) I use ProShow Gold, it's a lot easier than video programs and can do almost as much.

 

[DragonSlyr]

I have Adobe Premiere and Vegas. I find Vegas much easier to use and performs very well for what I am capable of creating.

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

I just got the Adobe Production Studio CS3 upgrade which includes Adobe Premiere (not elements). The learning curve on Premiere is fairly stiff but the results can be amazing. I especially like the integration with Adobe After Effects, Encore DVD, and PhotoShop CS3. It has definitely reduced the time I used to take from capture through post-production. It's definitely not for the casual user but if you have a big project or do lots of editing it is one of the best NLE (Non-Linear Editor) I have found.

Jeff

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I have Adobe Premiere and Vegas. I find Vegas much easier to use and performs very well for what I am capable of creating.

I also use Vegas and Premiere and I prefer Vegas.

 

[Master Mason]

Put me in the pro show gold catagory. My video recorder is a Hi 8 that is now almost 10 years old, I have used it maybe 6 times. Just not much of a video kind of guy. But I do like making slide shows to music with my photo's, especially the baseball shots.

 

[rtphokie]

Another vote for Vegas. I've been using it since version 1.0 (finally upgraded to 7.0 and will probably wait until I get an HD camcorder before bothering to upgrade again).

Vegas is great because it lets you do what you want the way you want to. Multiple layers of video and audio, chromakey, audio effects, video effects and color correction, it's a true non-linear editor. Other editors I've tried force you to do things the way they want.

Vegas has it's roots in audio editing and that's why it still blows away every other tool I've used in it's price range (and many professional packages that are 10x the price). You can create some nifty things with still images too.

Not unlike image editors, there are 2 types of video editors, consumer and pro. Most companies have 2 available. Pro are generally over $600. If you are just getting into it, get a consumer version (Vegas Movie, Premier Elements, etc), and then upgrade later.

I like Vegas's interface. It's much more usable to me than iMovie, Premiere of Pinnacle's.

Though for quick and dirty slide shows, I like Pro Show Gold. I've used ProShow to generate an MPG file that I then use within Vegas.

 

[rtphokie]

While we are sharing videos, I put this together in about 20 minutes using Vegas. It's a bad copy of the original video with a png file tossed around on top , somewhat in sync with the original video. Similar to a technique used on some of the later episodes of Americas Funniest Home videos where they superimposed the host's head over submitted videos.

Had I put another 30 minutes into it I could have gotten the image synced perfectly but since it was just produced as a goof, it was good enough.


http://youtube.com/watch?v=4YR42cdfRO0


This timelapse of a concert setup (and teardown) took 2 minutes to put together in Vegas. Drag and drop the video files, put a title on it, drag and drop the audio and trim it down to match the audio and it's ready to render.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zy0YAjaZAag

 

[Pea-n-Me]

A question for all of you.

We have a couple of programs on our computer that we've used for making DVDs but our problem seems to be when we go to add music that's copyrighted, it won't let us use the songs.

rtphokie, I notice both of your videos (neat, btw) use copyrighted songs. On the Vegas program, this is easy to do?

 

[dpuck1998]

I use pinacle for movies and photostory for slideshows. Photostory lacks a few things that others like, but I'm a KISS (Keep it simple...) slideshow person. Slides rotating and moving around to much annoy me ;-) Just some photos and music. For movies I really like Pinacle. I've used most of the major products and pinacle seems to be the best fit for function without overkill. JMHO...

 

[rtphokie]

A question for all of you.

We have a couple of programs on our computer that we've used for making DVDs but our problem seems to be when we go to add music that's copyrighted, it won't let us use the songs.

rtphokie, I notice both of your videos (neat, btw) use copyrighted songs. On the Vegas program, this is easy to do?

It's as easy as dragging and dropping the song wherever you want. Vegas doesn't tell you how to do things, it lets you do whatever you want.

BTW, here's a good source for background music. Produces some really professional results since you can pick from different lengths of the same song to fill whatever time you have.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thank you. I'll give it a try!