Review of Video Editing Software - Even a few years ago, the idea of making a professional, or near-professional, quality video without extensive computer equipment and expensive software would have been unthinkable. Today's video enthusiasts and YouTube devotees find it unthinkable that you wouldn't have the power to capture, edit, and share instantly and from virtually anywhere. This is possible with great video editing software. Whether you're filming scenes from your hometown for someone who is away or you are making a music video starring yourself, you will find the tools you need bundled in this software. There is no end to the possibilities we have at our fingertips - if you choose the best video editing software...so let's find out how to do just that.
Release the Film Maker in You with Top Video Editing Software - What can you do with video editing software? Can you film and share the next Oscar winner? That's not a totally absurd thought with today's software. You can:
*Mix, combine, and rearrange video by simply dragging and dropping video clips for files to the desired location.
*Add menus, titles, and text from included templates or create your own.
*Add narration, music, and sound effects.
*Edit audio.
*Add seamless transitions.
*Smooth out shaky video.
*Post your masterpiece online.
*Burn video to DVDs for effective school or work presentations.
*Organize videos like photos.
Video editing software can mean the difference between producing a fun home video or making a film that has the potential to reach hundreds or thousands of online viewers. And best of all, it doesn't have to be expensive in order to provide professional results.
Choosing Video Editing Software - The best video editing software depends on your needs and on what your computer can handle. If you want a more sophisticated program, you may have to upgrade your PC or Mac to accommodate it, or you may want to choose a simpler software suite to run. Then you need to think about the features you want, including:
*Range of editing tools. Some software programs allow you to capture and share. If you want to transform your video, look for editing in timeline and storyboard mode, the ability to trim scenes, cut video, add texts and graphics, correct lighting and color saturation, insert effects, include filters, overlay animated or static objects, and transition smoothly. If audio and photo editing are important to you, look for the option to import music from CDs or hard drives, the ability to trim, fade, and extend audio tracks, overlay your own pictures, and perform basic photo functions like cropping, resizing, adjusting light, and touching up color.
Regardless of your intended use, it is nice to have a variety of options for capturing video. You can find video editing software that allows you to capture from Dv, Mini DV, and AVCHD camcorders, analog camcorders, and even television and VCR formats. If sharing is essential, look for the ability to export to different file formats, such as flash, MPEG1, 2, or 4, VCD, AVI, DVD, and more. Can you make a disc of your work? Can you create a menu that guides viewers?
Finally, can you use the software? Sometimes products are needlessly complex, but video editing software doesn't need to be intimidating. Look for user-friendly programs that guide you through processes and allow you to learn as you go, expand your knowledge, and produce videos of progressing quality. RECOMMENDED - We suggest shopping online at Amazon.com since they carry all the leading brands and you can often get the lowest prices on the web. You can browse the best selling video editing software here.
Best Video Editing Software:
TopTenReviews, CNET, TechRadar, and PC Magazine agree that CyberLink PowerDirector is one of the best video editing programs on the market. PC Magazine called it "the best all-around consumer-editing app." CyberLink offers filmmakers powerful editing in an easy-to-use package. PowerDirect 8 Ultra is a new edition that offers 5x faster video rendering with support for CPU/GPU acceleration, ability to upscale SD video to HD-like quality and fix video flaws, video sharing on YouTube and Facebook, output to mobile devices, disc burning, 18,000+ free effects and templates, tools for creating titles, animated objects, menus, and other special effects. Reverse, crop, rotate video, trim, zoom-in curt, copy and paste sequences, and more with CyberLink. PowerDirector is $80 and includes access to DirectorZone, an online community for video enthusiasts. See PowerDirector in action here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycr6XLfAe_o).
A top pick of PC World and TopTenReviews is Corel Video Studio Pro X3. This is a great choice if you are learning how to edit video. The Corel program features GPU acceleration, express movie making, advanced editing tools, studio-quality audio and video effects, live previews of effects, sharing and burning in standard or HD quality, upload directly to YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, and other sites, movie templates, and other enhanced features. The beginner mode allows for easy learning, and more advanced users can progress, so it is a versatile and long-lasting choice. TopTenReviews even scores this as having better editing tools. You can find Corel Video Stuido Pro X3 for $72.
Other top video editing software programs that get rave reviews and will help you turn your videos into true indie masterpieces include: Adobe Premiere Elements, Nero Multimedia Suite 10, Pinnacle Studio, Sony Vegas Movie Studio, Magix Move Edit Pro, and Roxio Creator. Software in this class typically costs between $70 and $120.
You can purchase software, but you can also try a free video editing software download. This is helpful for those on a budget, those who want to spice up family videos, and those who want to try their hand at editing before they invest more money. Apple iMovie is one of the best, and if you purchase a new Mac system, you get it for free. Desktop-Video-Guide calls it "one of the best free video editing programs available for Mac users." If you have a Mac but not the software, you can download iLife for about $100, which includes iMovie, iDVD, GarageBand, iWeb, and iPhoto programs. There is also an iMovie app for iPhone and iPod Touch that is avaialbe for $5 at the iTunes store. Windows users can try the free Movie Maker.
Other free video editing software programs to try include Jahshaka, Wax, HyperEngine AV (for Macs), and Avid FreeDV (for Macs and PCs).
Video editing software allows a great opportunity to let creativity run loose. While certainly a technical skill, video editing is very much a creative, artistic process. With the right software program, you can turn videos into movies worth watching.
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BUYING GUIDES
. Whether you're filming scenes from your hometown for someone who is away or you are making a music video starring yourself, you will find the tools you need bundled in this software. There is no end to the possibilities we have at our fingertips - if you choose the best video editing software...so let's find out how to do just that.
is one of the best video editing programs on the market. PC Magazine called it "the best all-around consumer-editing app." CyberLink offers filmmakers powerful editing in an easy-to-use package. PowerDirect 8 Ultra is a new edition that offers 5x faster video rendering with support for CPU/GPU acceleration, ability to upscale SD video to HD-like quality and fix video flaws, video sharing on YouTube and Facebook, output to mobile devices, disc burning, 18,000+ free effects and templates, tools for creating titles, animated objects, menus, and other special effects. Reverse, crop, rotate video, trim, zoom-in curt, copy and paste sequences, and more with CyberLink. PowerDirector is $80 and includes access to DirectorZone, an online community for video enthusiasts. See PowerDirector in action here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycr6XLfAe_o).
A top pick of PC World and TopTenReviews is