Best Video Editing Software Reviews
#4 Corel Ulead VideoStudio Pro X2
Please Note!
As of 27th Jan 2010 Corel have released VideoStudio Pro X3 on to the market.
The two points below that I mention as reason for the drop in ranking on this site have been TOTALLY addressed.
As of 27th Jan 2010 Corel have released VideoStudio Pro X3 on to the market.
The two points below that I mention as reason for the drop in ranking on this site have been TOTALLY addressed.
I have not had a chance to fully review the software yet but I was part of the Beta testing process and can happily report that VideoStudio Pro X3 is a great piece of software.
I will post the new review of VideoStudio Pro X3 ASAP but in the meantime the review of the software remains valid except that the problems mentioned have been dealt with completely.
It has easy to use Wizards for the beginner or the "not that interested" as well as many powerful features for those of you who wish to expand your creativity and technical prowess.
If you are considering a purchase of video editing software you certainly would be well served by VideoStudio Pro X2.
However in all honesty I have dropped VideoStudio from my #1 choice to #4 due to two factors.
However in all honesty I have dropped VideoStudio from my #1 choice to #4 due to two factors.
#5 Pinnacle Studio 12 Plus or Ultimate
One of the most common things I hear regarding Pinnacle Studio is regarding the user-friendliness of its interface and I have to agree. It really is nicely laid out and quite logical.
Pinnacle Studio, in the past, has had a reputation for being a little on the unstable side however recently they seemed to have addressed these problems and I found no such behavior when I tried it out.
It's feature set is on a par with the top selections here offering pretty much the same abilities and functions and a comparable set of filters, transitions and sample video and sounds. You need to check, as with all video editing software, exactly what file formats are handled for input and output to be sure your needs are covered. Only the "Plus" and "Ultimate" versions will handle the new high defintion formats.
Pinnacle Studio 12 Plus or Ultimate are effective video editing packages and are some of the best around. Just be prepared for a learning curve if you want to take full advantage of its features as they can sometimes be a little hard to find. In a head to head against Corel VideoStudio Pro X2 I chose the Corel product. Try them for yourself and you could go the other way. They are both great video editing software solutions.
Click here to read the full Corel VideoStudio Pro X2 Review
Finally there is Womble MPEG Video Wizard DVD as a specialist MPEG video editing software and muvee autoProducer / muvee Reveal as simple home movie making software solution.
If you want the best prosumer video editing software then Magix Video Pro X 1.5 is my choice and you can read about it here: Magix Video Pro X 1.5 review.
If you want the best prosumer video editing software then Magix Video Pro X 1.5 is my choice and you can read about it here: Magix Video Pro X 1.5 review.
Possibly, the effort to create that interface has resulted in many of the more advanced features and functions of the the program being a little difficult to find and work out. This is a program that you need to "dig around in" to find out what it really can do.
Roxio Creator 2010
Roxio Creator 2010 is included here because it represents a feature rich package that takes the idea of "all things to all people" to a new level.
While certainly not the best video editing software solution it is a great multimedia solution with good video capabilities.
While certainly not the best video editing software solution it is a great multimedia solution with good video capabilities.
Not of the standard of the other dedicated video editing software mentioned here but worth a look if your needs are modest or if you just want to dip your toes first! Additionally Creator does a great job with slideshows.
The MyDVD tool will handle all your DVD authoring needs, PhotoSuite takes care of stills for you and the Sound Editor wraps the package up with great tools and control for your audio tracks.
Roxio Creator 2010 is not a purpose built video editor. It is a package that covers just about every aspect from camcorder or camera to DVD or other file output. Roxio Creator 2010 is great value for someone starting out and wanting to get the feel of all aspects of home video production. The nearest comparable software package to this would be Nero 9 with it's slightly better DVD capabilities.
#3 Adobe Premiere Elements 8
Adobe Premiere Elements 8 is the more user friendly consumer oriented version of Premiere Pro their professional video editing suite.
Adobe Premiere Elements 8 is squarely aimed at helping the less tech savvy (or the tech disinterested) user to edit their home made videos and share them in a wide variety of formats.
Adobe Premiere Elements 8 is squarely aimed at helping the less tech savvy (or the tech disinterested) user to edit their home made videos and share them in a wide variety of formats.
Adobe Premiere Elements 8 will help anyone get up to speed creating professional looking videos with a minimal learning curve in a short amount of time.
Premiere Elements 8 offers a good all round collection of video, photo and audio editing tools wrapped up in a simple user interface that belies the more powerful features and control offered within.
Premiere Elements 8 offers a good all round collection of video, photo and audio editing tools wrapped up in a simple user interface that belies the more powerful features and control offered within.
Click here to go to the full Adobe Premiere Elements 8 review
#1 CyberLink PowerDirector 8
Cyberlink Power Director 8 was recently released to very good reviews all round.
I used to recommend Power Director 6 as a simple but effective editor for those that didn't really want to get too much into editing because of it's wizard based auto features.
I used to recommend Power Director 6 as a simple but effective editor for those that didn't really want to get too much into editing because of it's wizard based auto features.
With the release of Power Director 8 (and 7 before it) that same simplicity has been retained however when it comes to fully featured video editing software Power Director 8 is very much playing with the big boys now.
Click here to go to the full CyberLink Power Director 8 Review.
#2 Magix Movie Edit Pro 15
Magix has really come out swinging with their latest release of Movie Edit Pro.
Movie Edit Pro 15 has largely built on the already impressive feature set of version 14 and has achieved a stability and user friendliness lacking in the earlier versions.
Movie Edit Pro 15 has largely built on the already impressive feature set of version 14 and has achieved a stability and user friendliness lacking in the earlier versions.
They have increased the size, range and customizability (OK! I KNOW that's not a word!) for their existing video transitions, video effects, audio control and photo editing and have added some new features that have me very seriously considering jumping ship from my current video editor.
Click here to go to the Magix Movie Edit Pro 15 full review
I get the impression that over the past year or so the European based Magix has decided to get real about the world market and has put some serious effort into this latest release. Not only have they extended the feature set in this software but have found a level of usability that was previously lacking.
First, VideoStudio Pro X2 has been around for nearly a year now and Corel have been aware of AVCHD video file problems the software has. They say they are working on it but nothing concrete has eventuated yet.
Secondly, Corel were also made aware of serious problems with the hosting of their user to user forum for the former Ulead products, VideoStudio included. This forum is a major asset and selling point for Corel yet they continued to sit on their hands instead of spending a few bucks to get it right. It has now been fixed but the response was very slow.
The software is great but if you use AVCHD then the top two would suit you better.
The software is great but if you use AVCHD then the top two would suit you better.
Womble MPEG Video Wizard DVD
MPEG 2 video editing and MPEG4 (mp4) video editing present their own unique problems in video editing. If you really want to find out why then there is a good article covering the subject here at MPEG video editing problems explained. (opens in a new window)
If your use of these video files types justifies it then you can't go past Womble as an excellent MPEG video editing program with DVD authoring and a great set of MPEG correction and DVD correction tools.
You can read the full review here at the Womble MPEG Video Wizard Review or if you like you can directly download the free trial here:
You can read the full review here at the Womble MPEG Video Wizard Review or if you like you can directly download the free trial here:
muvee autoProducer / muvee Reveal
Muvee autoProducer (or muvee Reveal for high definition) is not really a fully fledged video editing software program. It is a specialized home movie making program that almost totally automates the production of your video project. It does what it does very well but is not for the enthusiast.
If you are not interested in too much editing then this one is well worth a look.
If you are not interested in too much editing then this one is well worth a look.
Cyberlink got a lot right with version 7 and have improved upon that with PowerDirector 8 as well as coming up with some great new features.
With this latest release Magix Movie Edit Pro could very well become the new darling of the Windows based video editing software world.
Creator's video capture and DVD production tool will suit and satisfy most novice movie editors. There are special effects such as object overlays as well as some video filter effects.
Click here to read the full muvee autoProducer muvee Reveal review
These are my choices for the best video editing software solutions at the consumer level.
Cyberlink Power Director 8, Magix Movie Edit Pro 15, Corel VideoStudio Pro X2, Adobe Premier Elements 7, Pinnacle Studio 12 and Roxio Creator 2009 as a multi-media suite with video editing capability.
Cyberlink Power Director 8, Magix Movie Edit Pro 15, Corel VideoStudio Pro X2, Adobe Premier Elements 7, Pinnacle Studio 12 and Roxio Creator 2009 as a multi-media suite with video editing capability.
MyEasyData Home
Video Editing Software
Corel VideoStudio ProX2
CyberlinkPowerDirector7
CyberLink PowerDirector 8
PowerDirector 8 Features
Adobe Premier Elements 7
Magix Movie Edit Pro 15
Magix Video Pro X 1.5
Womble MPEG Video Editor
muvee autoProducer 6
muvee Reveal
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Video Editing Software
Corel VideoStudio ProX2
CyberlinkPowerDirector7
CyberLink PowerDirector 8
PowerDirector 8 Features
Adobe Premier Elements 7
Magix Movie Edit Pro 15
Magix Video Pro X 1.5
Womble MPEG Video Editor
muvee autoProducer 6
muvee Reveal
Make Your Own Website
Online Marketing
Marketing-lite
Marketing-pro
Site Build It Review
IMC Bebiz Review
Keyword Tools
PC Maintenance Software
PC Security Software
DVD Disc Repair
DVD Copying Software
Video Editing Software Tips Blog
