Video editing software

[Shamrocker]

I'm looking to get a digital video camera capable of shooting in HD, and I'm interested in buying a video editing suite that's relatively user friendly but still has a good set of features available. Professional results would be nice but I don't expect to be able to work magic right after opening the box.

What do you folks use, or want to use.. and why?

Thanks!
Keith

 

[CRQuarto]

If you can afford it, Final Cut Pro. My girlfriend does amazing wedding videos, and that is the software she uses.

 

[Shamrocker]

I think it'd be nice to have that package, but I think I'd like to keep it on more of a home user level. $1000 for software is a fair bit more than I'm willing to spend. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it also looks like Final Cut Pro is Mac only.

I guess I should have specified PC and maybe up to $150 or so.

Note to self: don't post when tired

 

[Wolfie]

Final Cut Pro is really nice. Stay away from Sony Vegas. I'd sooner use Movie Maker than Vegas.

I guess it would be really helpful to get an idea of what you were planning on doing with it.

 

[Shamrocker]

I guess it would be really helpful to get an idea of what you were planning on doing with it.

Just for home use. Trimming the fat from home movies, adding background music, not having to make my parents sit through hours of their grandchild doing nothing

edit to add: Been looking at a few titles online, Pinnacle Ultimate Studio 12, Cyberlink Power Director, Sony Vegas Platinum, Roxio Ultimate 2009, Adobe Premiere Elements. Anyone familiar with these?

 

[suprchunk]

You might want to stick to Movie Maker, or whatever software comes with your camera. Those suites are not really geared towards the neophyte, and have huge learning curves. There are great resources on the net to learn them, but it will take some time. And for what you want to do the simpler the better. I'm not trying to dissuade you from using them, just be prepared to set aside a few months to learn most of them. They are hard. But YMMV.

 

[vortexofhate]

As suprchunk suggested, I would just stick with the software that came with your camera. Pinnacle Ultimate Studio 12 is nice and so is Adobe Premiere Pro (I use this one at work for occasionally to make DVDs) but of course those come with a hefty price tag and a huge learning curve. I have been using Adobe Premiere Pro for a bit now and still learning a lot of things regarding it. I don't have much experience with Pinnacle (Just installing it for a friend) so I would recommend Adobe Premiere Pro. When I first started with Adobe, as long as you are computer literate you can jump right in and figure out the program.

 

[flamchop]

Speaking as a professional editor, I'm gonna agree that some of those programs like Adobe Premiere for instance, has a big learning curve, but, can do nice things if you learn it.

Movie maker will give you nothing more than some basic transitions that in my opinion you should NEVER use because they are horrible. But it will let ya trim the fat and add music. Not sure that it'll do any justice to HD vids though.

Premiere will probably give you the best bang for your buck just expect to take a lot of time learning it and getting used to things. Once you get the hang of non-linear video editing though... it becomes pretty easy to cut your stuff and put in some nice effects. You can find a lot of stuff online or buy books like the Premiere Bible to help.

 

[KeyserSoze]

Definitely give Premiere elements a look. Priced around $50-90 and tons of options (effects/transitions/etc). Just make sure you have a comp that can handle it.

 

[ewibolo]

I second Adobe Premiere, that is an awesome program. I classify myself as a home video wannabe professional, just to screw around and end up with a nice finished product to show the family. As mentioned above, it does take a little tinkering (maybe more than that) to get comfortable using it, but it is awesome.

Good luck with whatever you choose.