Ok! So let’s continue with part two of how to choose the best video editing software for your needs.
Video Transitions
Watch a few movies and TV shows, notice this: The most common transition between shots is NO TRANSITION at all! It’s a little thing we pros like to call a “cut!” Ok I am being sarcastic here but I hope you see where this is going.
The main reason for creating a video in the first place is so that people can watch it… and when I say “it” I mean the video… not a bunch of twisting, spinning twirling and flipping images in between every shot.
One of the main points upon which any video editing software producer will try to seduce you will be with “cool” looking wizzbangery (yeah, I made that up!) like these.
The video transitions you really need are:
- No transition, just a straight cut from one shot to the next.
- A cross-fade or dissolve. Allowing the shot to smoothly transition from one to the next.
- Fade to black. This can be a soft fade through black into the next scene. A fade to black to end the video or to mark a major end point. A fade from black that opens a new scene.
All other transitions should be approached with extreme caution!
I personally wouldn’t even look at the transitions as a deciding factor as I know all the known video editing software producers have WAY more than enough and they all offer a high degree of control over each individual transition.
Video Special Effects and Filters
I tend to look at these with a similar attitude to video transitions and they are the second point where the video software makers will try to distract you with the shiny stuff! There are basic effects that you will need and are quite effective and/or useful.
They all have them because everyone else has them. Most of the huge number of effects they try to tempt you with will remain totally unused.
Audio Control
I used to not even bother with this because none of the main players were particularly strong in the area. However they are all getting better and this may very well be a point on which you can separate two seemingly equal video editors.
Make sure you look for Dolby 5:1 capability and whether it is included in the purchase price.
Check out the degree of control they offer but don’t worry too much about audio file compatibility as the variation here is markedly less than for video file formats.
Video File Output – Video Distribution
With the introduction and resulting popularity of online video hosting services such as YouTube and Vimeo and the new breed of portable playback devices this area has widened remarkably over the past two years. Previously it was a matter of choosing to go with DVD or a highly compressed video file format for computer playback.
Have a clear picture in your mind of all the possible video file formats you may want to produce as well as all the possible media you may want to produce to. E.g H.264 video files for YouTube for best quality in addition to DVD or even Blu-ray.
Video Editing Software Upgrades
One of the best ways to work out where to start with video editing software is to realistically judge where you want to finish! Some of the software companies deal exclusively in the consumer market, some go from consumer to semi-professional or “prosumer” and others cover the entire range from newbie to pro.
Take a look at the range of products on offer and the upgrade path that applies to you or at least what you think applies to you. It is also a good idea to take a look at the upgrade pricing whether it be for going to a higher level product or to the latest release of the software. Check how many versions back they go and still allow a discount for previous owners.
Software Stability
There are two things I look at when considering the stability of the software I am looking at.
The first is the actual operating stability of the video editing software on my computer as opposed to the stated compatibility on the box.
No matter how good the product looks, no matter how perfectly the product fits in with what you want from it, do not move until you have tested it on the computer where it will be used.
There are literally millions of different computers in the world each with their own individual hardware and software setups. Video editing is a demanding and resource hungry activity and you will have no idea what will happen with any video editor until you actually run it on your machine.
Check the minimum requirements of the software against the specifications of your computer. Make sure you have more than what they suggest and in the case of RAM… Double it!
Always take advantage of the free trials and if the software maker doesn’t offer a free trial then move on to the next brand.
The second point is that of the stability of the company that makes it.
Video editing software, video file formats and video distribution methods are changing constantly and they are changing fast!
When you choose a video editor you need to be sure that you are connected to a manufacturer that has been around for a while and will continue to be around for a long time in the future. In this way you are as much as possible, future proofed against this relentless drive forward in the technology and it’s related fields.
Well I think that’s about it so… Good luck with your choice!
Back to Part One of How to Choose Video Editing Software
