CyberLink Power Director 8 Review
Before I get into into the CyberLink PowerDirector 8 review in detail there are a few things I wanted to say generally about why I like this video editing software so much.
CyberLink PowerDirector 8 remains as my top choice for video editing software because of it's user friendly interface that is combined with powerful features and tools that you can grow into as your skills improve. It is an excellent mix of usability and technical features.
PowerDirector 8 comes with great USABLE features such as direct uploading to YouTube and Facebook, a new particle effects editor, a wide compatibility range of video file input and output, high definition upscaling and great auto tools for editing and slide shows.
All round it is a technically sound video editor that is easy to learn and even easier to learn to use well.
The User Interface
Video File Import/Capture and Playback
PowerDirector 8 is quite simple to use but as with any video editing software you will need to learn the basics first. The interface follows the usual capture through to output workflow and allows for flexible re-sizing and re-positioning of the various interface components.
PowerDirector 8 is well equipped with a very functional set of editing tools and features that are easy to learn and work well.
Cutting and trimming clips on the timeline is a simple point and click procedure and the program allows you to easily zoom in on specific parts of the video to make frame accurate cuts.
Cutting and trimming clips on the timeline is a simple point and click procedure and the program allows you to easily zoom in on specific parts of the video to make frame accurate cuts.
You can take a longer piece of video and split it into sections manually with ease or if you are feeling lazy you can use the scene detection feature. This will automatically inspect the file for changes and split it into many parts. From there you can continue editing. This can also be used to create chapter points for DVDs.
The first version of Power Director I ever came across was version 6. I originally recommended it for someone who did not really want to edit too much because of it's great auto features. Those features were carried through to version 7 and have been improved in Power Director 8.
The first version of Power Director I ever came across was version 6. I originally recommended it for someone who did not really want to edit too much because of it's great auto features. Those features were carried through to version 7 and have been improved in Power Director 8.
The Magic tools include:
Magic Music which is an auto music function to match the length of the video
Magic Motion is an auto transitions and animation feature for photo slideshows
Magic Fix stabilizes shaky footage and optimizes the lighting and color
Magic Movie automatically edits an entire project using your footage based on preselected templates.
Magic Music which is an auto music function to match the length of the video
Magic Motion is an auto transitions and animation feature for photo slideshows
Magic Fix stabilizes shaky footage and optimizes the lighting and color
Magic Movie automatically edits an entire project using your footage based on preselected templates.
The software is very stable on a wide range of computer setups as would be expected from a company that has a good reputation for product development like Cyberlink.
CyberLink PowerDirector 8 imports or captures from all common sources including mini DV camcorders, HDV camcorders, DVD camcorders, flash memory camcorders, hard drive camcorders, DVDs, PVRs, DVRs or just files you have downloaded to be imported into the program. Digital camera files are covered as well.
If you have a real need for speed or have a "resource challenged" computer the“Shadow Editing” feature creates a standard definition copy of your high definition files for the purposes of editing. Once you have finished it then uses the high definition originals to create the final files. Some other video programs call this "proxy editing."
PowerDirector 8 is Microsoft Windows 7 ready supports the use of dual monitors.
PowerDirector 8 is Microsoft Windows 7 ready supports the use of dual monitors.
PowerDirector 8 has a clean sleek look about it and I found the various tools needed in the course of editing to be easily located.
The timeline has been extended to include 16 tracks (unused ones can be hidden) that you can use for video, audio, titles, overlays etc and allows drag-and-dropping of any desired assets onto the timeline including transitions. It also supports full cut and paste functionality.
The timeline has been extended to include 16 tracks (unused ones can be hidden) that you can use for video, audio, titles, overlays etc and allows drag-and-dropping of any desired assets onto the timeline including transitions. It also supports full cut and paste functionality.
Video Editing
CyberLink call them "Magic Tools" and they are a set of automatic functions for those that don't want to spend hours and hours editing their masterpiece. However they also come in handy for some projects that you want to put together fast requiring less fiddling about like a quick video for YouTube or similar.
Another time they come in handy is when you want to use one of the tools for a section or a particular step of the project you are on.
Another time they come in handy is when you want to use one of the tools for a section or a particular step of the project you are on.
It handles all the major formats AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MOV (H.264), HD MPEG-2 (HDV), DVR-MS, DV-AVI, DAT, VOB, VRO with Dolby Digital 5.1/2.0, DVR-MS, MOV, WMV, WMV-HD, MP4, MPEG-4 AVC (H.264), MOD, TOD, AVCHD (M2T)
PowerDirector 8 has been reworked to utilize all the available processing power of your computer and supports Intel Core i7, nVIDIA CUDA, and ATI Stream technologies. The software can use up to 8 cores (16 threads) of your CPU resulting is vast improvements handling high definition footage. This applies to both editing functions and playback.
PowerDirector 8 has been reworked to utilize all the available processing power of your computer and supports Intel Core i7, nVIDIA CUDA, and ATI Stream technologies. The software can use up to 8 cores (16 threads) of your CPU resulting is vast improvements handling high definition footage. This applies to both editing functions and playback.
Additionally CyberLink itself as a company has been around for a while now and will continue to be around. I consider this to be an important point in providing a strong upgrade path for you with PowerDirector into the future.
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