Top-Rated video editing software

[rebec103]

I am helping a liturgical church get started in using their new media program. I do have some iworship dvds, but would like to create my own. What is the best software to use with Windows to create this? I would like to have moving text over still or moving images. (Like integrity iworship) Is CyberLink PowerDirector 8 able to do this, or Sony Vegas, etc.?

[jameshorsley197]

Pretty much all of the video editing software does this. software . I us e Pinnacle Studio and Corel Video Studio. Many folks here use adobe. They all have trials that you can download and try.

Here is a website that reviews almost all the major players.

http://video-editing-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

[LeAnn B]

I find Magix Movie Edit Pro easy to work with.

[zactommo]

I'm a mac/final cut pro editor, but back when I worked on PC's, I was a big fan of Sony Vegas. The other big player is adobe premier, but i'm not a big fan of premier personally.

[brochris]

Don't overlook the free options, which may work just fine for you. Windows Movie Maker is great unless you have to get very precise editing. I've recently started learning Wax 2.0, which is great because it accepts plugins from so many other softwares.

I know a lot of people love VirtualDub, too, though I've never used it much.

[Bobalou]

If you want the top pc software and money is not prime issue go with Adobe Premiere.

[KeckCreative]

That's always a loaded subject because when it comes to software, "best" is very subjective. The key is to download the trial versions. Test drive them and then pick one and then experiment to really learn the bells and whistles. Most of the time, users only rarely venture about beyond 20 to 25% of an application's abilities.

Now having said all that, I prefer Adobe Premiere but primarily for its integration with other applications (i.e. After Effects, Encore, etc.).

[TongBlack]

I know this thread is a couple months old, but...

I began doing video editing with Pinnacle Studio, and was very content with that for several years. Last time I checked, Pinnacle was right around $100.

After a year or so of using Studio, I was beginning to bump into the software's limitations more and more frequently. So I decided it was time to kick things up a notch. I ended up deciding on Sony Vegas Pro, and haven't looked back since. I also acquired Adobe Premiere in the Production Premium, and have experimented with it a bit, but I don't like it as much as Vegas.

I think a lot of it really just comes down to preference.

[rebec103]

Thanks for all the input. I did decide on Sony Vegas Pro a couple of months ago, and have had "some" success. Still learning how to get the words to MOVE smoothly!

[TongBlack]

Yeah, jumping into a more professional NLE can be a steep learning curve. Vegas is really easy to use once you get used to the workflow. Online tutorials are your friend! Here are a few resources to help you get started:

Some basic tutorials covering color correction and a few other basic functions

Creative Cow (which is a great resource) tutorials - some basic and some very advanced

Haven't used this one but it just seems to hold links to a lot of Vegas tutorials hosted on YouTube - could be useful if you're searching for a specific effect

And those were just the first 3 results from a Google search. You can find many more on YouTube, and of course you can also buy training DVDs from VASST or get a subscription to Lynda.com. I'm cheap, so I like to scour the internet for free tutorials.

Hope this helps!

[six5tring]

Whilst talking about Sony Vegas... if you go that route check out Sony Imagination Studio 2. It's a bundle of...

Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum
Sound Forge Audio Studio
DVD Architect Studio
ACID Music Studio
and another couple of bits

... certainly here in the UK vegas is about £80 the bundle is £110!

Ben

[Paris MkVI]

And don't forget Avid Media Composer, for the extra-steep learning curve! :~)