CyberLink Power Director 7 Review
Attention: Cyberlink have since released PowerDirector 8 which supercedes PowerDirector 7. I have left these pages for reference as the jump from 7 to 8 is not a major re-write of the software.
If you would like to check out what's new in PowerDirector 8 click the links below... It looks very good!
If you want a video editor that has a very usable feature set that is not bloated with useless "bells and whistles" then Cyberlink Power Director 7 will suit you to a tee.
The software works very well, efficiently importing and exporting all current formats on the market.
I previously recommended Cyberlink Power Director 6 as an ideal software for the beginner that didn't really want to become involved too much in the editing process.
Cyberlink have retained the earlier version's usability and automated processes whilst expanding the program into a fully fledged consumer video editing suite.
I previously recommended Cyberlink Power Director 6 as an ideal software for the beginner that didn't really want to become involved too much in the editing process.
Cyberlink have retained the earlier version's usability and automated processes whilst expanding the program into a fully fledged consumer video editing suite.
Video Editor Interface
Video Capture
AVCHD capture is bundled in with the DVD Import function and although it may seem a little strange it seems to be the way most video editing software developers are going. Corel VideoStudio Pro X2 follows the same protocol.
Captured files are added to the library automatically and you can also manually import audio, video, and still images. The software can detect scenes in your imported video files by either scene changes or the time code on the tape or within the file.
Once imported all your content can be arranged into subfolders and viewed by content type. This is particularly useful when you are working on a big project with many different video and audio assets to deal with.
Once imported all your content can be arranged into subfolders and viewed by content type. This is particularly useful when you are working on a big project with many different video and audio assets to deal with.
Video Overlay Tracks
There are six independent overlay tracks in addition to the original video, title, music, and narration tracks. At a consumer/home user level six tracks is more than you will ever need. The additional overlay tracks can be hidden or displayed as your project dictates so that the interface does not get cluttered with un-needed tracks.
Video Editing Effects
As with most video editing software, you add content to the timeline in PowerDirector 7 by dragging it from the libraries onto the timeline. From there you can view it as a storyboard or timeline.
Once an asset is in the timeline, you can trim it by clicking and dragging its edges, by using a window with simple in and out controls, or by using a multi-trim window to chop out any unwanted scenes or section from an individual file.
Once an asset is in the timeline, you can trim it by clicking and dragging its edges, by using a window with simple in and out controls, or by using a multi-trim window to chop out any unwanted scenes or section from an individual file.
CyberLink has completely reworked the editor's control and effects.
The program has filters for color correction, white balancing, and lighting adjustments - including backlight correction. In the new version, you can apply any of these three effects to any source clip offering greater flexibility.
In addition to that they have included an image stabilization filter which to some degree can compensate for slightly shaky shots.
The program has filters for color correction, white balancing, and lighting adjustments - including backlight correction. In the new version, you can apply any of these three effects to any source clip offering greater flexibility.
In addition to that they have included an image stabilization filter which to some degree can compensate for slightly shaky shots.
Power Director 7 has ramped up the control of the overlay tracks considerably providing excellent control for "picture in picture" effects on a par with Ulead and Pinnacle.
The PiP designer allows resizing, positioning, the addition of masks and borders as well as the ability to animate the PiP in playback.
They have also added the ability to use key frames for all effects which allows for very fine control of the features. Admittedly Power Director 7 is only making up lost ground with the addition of key frame control but they have done it very well.
The PiP designer allows resizing, positioning, the addition of masks and borders as well as the ability to animate the PiP in playback.
They have also added the ability to use key frames for all effects which allows for very fine control of the features. Admittedly Power Director 7 is only making up lost ground with the addition of key frame control but they have done it very well.
Choosing between the Ultra version and the Deluxe version is very simple.
If you have no need at the moment for Blu-Ray support, AVCHD support or High Definition capabilities then the Deluxe version is for you. If you are getting into that area now as it evolves then the Ultra version is the one. Basically that is the only difference between the two.
If you have no need at the moment for Blu-Ray support, AVCHD support or High Definition capabilities then the Deluxe version is for you. If you are getting into that area now as it evolves then the Ultra version is the one. Basically that is the only difference between the two.
Obviously the first thing you come across with any software is the working environment of its interface. A good one will intuitively seem to present itself to you as your needs arise. A bad one makes you search, click and endlessly search again to find the functions you need.
Power Director 7 has an adjustable interface that allows the preview window, timeline and other features to be arranged to suit your needs and preferences. It is intuitive, logical and from an asthetics point of view easy on the eye.
Power Director 7 is very flexible in its capturing and editing functions. For DV it can do a fast (6X normal speed) scan of the tape to detect scene changes then allows you to select only those clips you wish to import.
You can manually set inpoints and outpoints to capture only certain sections of tape you want or you can simply capture to MPEG2 and have the software just make a backup DVD of you raw footage fully automated.
You can manually set inpoints and outpoints to capture only certain sections of tape you want or you can simply capture to MPEG2 and have the software just make a backup DVD of you raw footage fully automated.
Given that PowerDirector 8 is an upgrade some of the information on this and the next page regarding PowerDirector 7 may still be of interest.
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