What software do you use for Video editing?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RWhite
  • Start date Start date
R

RWhite

Well-known member
This is a little off the subject, but I've been making a few Video CDs lately, nothing serious, just home stuff for myself.

I use an ATI All-In-Wonder video card to capture TV video to file. However, I don't have a program for editing the files later. I just want to do basic stuff like splitting files, cutting out commericals & stuff. I need the equivlent of Soundforge but for video instead of audio.

I know Adobe Premier does this, but it also costs about $500, and I just need something basic and cheap. Something I can actually buy and not go broke.

So... what are you using that you like? And what have you used that you hate?
 
Adobe Premiere is the umm... Premiere piece of video software both PC and Mac. Well, there is the Avid system, but it's over priced and over hyped. Vegas Video is pretty good. Ulead makes an ok one. How much are you looking to spend and how detailed are you looking at getting?
 
I use VEGAS VIDEO and it's real nice. I kinda want more power but need the PC to back it. I will probably get Premiere whenever I get a new PC but for now VEGAS VIDEO is good for my small clip.

Video Vegas really sounds like what you are looking for... I had VIDEO WAVE from ULEAD and found it to be a little too limited for me. VEGAS has some nice tricks and work around that give up good results.
 
I started with sonic foundriy's
stripped down Video Factory.
I liked it. I thought the interface
was clean and easy to use.
Thinking I wanted more power
I went to Premier which came with
the DV500 package. A year
later I just upgrade VF to Vegas 3
and am saying goodby to
Premier. Why? I thought it was the
clumsiest program I've ever
worked with on a PC. Painful.
Powerful, maybe but aggravating.
I have not used Vegas 3 a lot yet,
but I'm expecting like it very much
based on the VF experience, plus
I think it has all the features I'll
ever need. It may even serve
as my audio DAW, even though
I also have SONAR XL.
 
RWhite said:
This is a little off the subject, but I've been making a few Video CDs lately, nothing serious, just home stuff for myself.

I use an ATI All-In-Wonder video card to capture TV video to file. However, I don't have a program for editing the files later. I just want to do basic stuff like splitting files, cutting out commericals & stuff. I need the equivlent of Soundforge but for video instead of audio.

I know Adobe Premier does this, but it also costs about $500, and I just need something basic and cheap. Something I can actually buy and not go broke.

So... what are you using that you like? And what have you used that you hate?
Click to expand...

What about the software that came with the card?

My AIW 128 came with MGI Videowave and did the basic stuff you talk about.

If you are using XP, it does have a basic video editor as well - Movie Maker I believe is what its called. I think the newest version is available though the Windows Update site.
 
video editing in vegas is like audio editing in vegas. The GUI is second to none. The number of keystrokes in any other app compared to vegas to accomplish the same function is EXPONENTIAL, I mean that for real, no exaggeration

video wise, there are only limited plugs for it right now, but for the most part that will make little to no difference whatsoever
 
Well it sounds like Vegas is the application of choice.

That price hurts though - $420! And with a new version 4 due out shortly... I think I'll hold off for awhile.

brzilian, I will go back and check on MGI Videowave. I did install and briefly play with the software that came with the card, and I got the impression it was more presentation software. Didn't see any tools for editing. Of course, I never read the manual either :) I guess I'll take a second look.

As always, thanks to all for the opinions....
 
Doesn't XP come with movie software- Movie Shaker or some such?

Check your "Add/Remove Programs" Windows components list. Microsoft may have already hooked you up with basic editing software.

Of course, I would be assuming that you have XP.

Other than that, I've used MGI VideoWave. Baaaaaasic! But it would do what you want it to. It had some nicish effects that you could use, and titles. Its all stuff to make cute videos of the kids to send to the family. I have no idea how much it cost as I got it with some card or another.

There might also be a lite version of Premiere- LE, I think? Might be worth a look. Most of the really basic editing programs run out of creative gas pretty quick. That might not be an issue for what you are doing, though.

Take care,
Chris
 
Another enthusiastic vote for Vegas.

RWhite - There's a cheaper way to acquire Vegas. No no, not that way. You can buy Video Factory for $70 (which may do what you need) and then upgrade Video Factory to Vegas for $200.
 
another one

a co-worker of mine uses the pinnacle software and he says it's very easy to use and has alot of features..I believe you must buy their proprietary hardware for capturing however. I would like to cast my vote against adobe premiere as well, you would need a 4 to 6 year degree from the adobe academy to be able to use that program :).

dlv
 
Another vote for Vegas.


I know a few video editors who swore by Premier, tried Vegas and switched to VV almost immediately. I also know one video editor who is a Mac geek and therefore, swore by Final Cut Pro - he tried VV and went out and bought a PC so he could run it.
 
Adobe Premier and Adobe After Effects (a bit more complex) the absolute best- Never tried Vegas- I have tried the ULead stuff- its crap- kid stuff
 
If all you want to do is simple stuff like cutting out commercials, check out Virtualdub (www.virtualdub.org). Great little program, GNU public license. It's a great program for simple editing, quick resizing, recompression, etc... Nothing like Premier, but it doesn't sound like you need that.
 
I know you can work with video files in Cakewalk but I'm not sure if it's actual editing or just syncing to audio. Haven't used the video part yet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top