What Edit & Authoring Software Do You Use?

[Mike-Mat]

I need to create training videos. I need something to clip and edit videos from DVD's, PC Screen captures (AVI) and possibly .jpg still image inserts. I'm considering Sony Vegas Movie Studio™+DVD Platinum software or possibly something from Ulead.

1) What do you use for Editing and Authoring?

2) What do you wish you had?

3) What do you know about the one's listed above (Vegas, Ulead)?

Thanks for your opinions,

Mike

[blutach]

Mike,

I have removed your link to your commercial site. Please observe rule 3.



Regards

[Mike-Mat]

Hi Les,

Sorry. I havn't read the rules yet (I will) . I'm sure you know how it is when looking for fast answers.

Didn't mean to step on any toes. Just thought it might help people understand what is it that I do and need to get done.

So what do you think of the programs I mentioned?

Mike Mattera

[blutach]

I don't use those "packages", as I prefer to have a hands-on approach.

For DVD authoring and editing, I use PgcEdit, VobBlanker, MenuShrink and DVD Remake Pro mainly. For subtitle manipulation, I use DVDSubEdit. See the "Essential tools" sticky at the top of this forum. Most of these tools are freeware and can capture still frames as JPGs. VobBlanker can easily mux in a still as a cell (using muxman).

For AVIs, get VirtualDubMod.

I am told that the packages you mentioned (and others) are quite useful, but I wonder if you don't lose some control of the process and become slave to the prog's requirements and authoring engine. One of our members, drfsupercentre, swears by Ulead Movie Studio. I have a friend who has WinDVD Gold or Platinum (or some precious metal) and likes it. I'm sure some of these packages have free trial periods where you can see if they easily do what you want them to.

Not sure if this helps at all.

Regards

[Mike-Mat]

I understand the need for control. I've always had a pocket full of utilities available, whether I was working in DOS, writing CNC programs and now for video creation.

I currently use DVDShrink & Decriptor for backup, Nero (+ some other program that came with my capture card) for VHS video capture. Nero for menu creation and burning. Oh and Camtasia.

But I would like to have one integrated system for Capture, linear editing, Cut & Splice, effects, Picture in Picture, captions, menu creation and final burn.

I'm planning to download Ulead. It seems to have the right mix of features and lots of people seem to like it.

Thanks for your input. Any and All Info Is Appreciated.

Any others care to comment? Any Ulead users out there?

Mike Mattera
Tips For Manufacturing

[megamachine]

I've used Ulead VideoStudio for several projects recently, and have found it adequate for my needs. Of course, package programs have their limitations, but I found UVS to be enough for what I need, especially for apps in its price range. I guess the main determining factor is, what do you need to do? One drawback in earlier versions is that it only has two video tracks (one main track and one overlay), although newer versions may have added more, so getting the trial is a good idea. It has two audio tracks and a title track, with a number of video filters and transition effects. You can do PIP with the overlay, but it's limited in that you can only do one PIP at a time (again, newer versions may have added more). The audio editor is weak, so if you want to do complex audio tracks, you may need an external program. Some versions come with this SmartSound plugin that has scalable pre-recorded music in several styles that you can fit to your timeline. I don't recommend using the burning feature, as even Ulead has warned about it being buggy, but for doing your editing and basic authoring it's not bad as far as packages go. I have also worked a bit with Premiere Pro, but found it too complex for the kinds of things I needed to do. Anyway, the UVS trial is fully functional and should give you a good idea of what it can and can't do. Hope this helps.

[paglamon]

I too use UVS 9.It is very good and has a lot of editing options.But I would also recommend Womble MPEG Video Wizard DVD because of its speed and lower load on CPU power.

[hello people]

That sounds like it would be good for mpegs. I have a lot of Counter Strike movies in mpeg form and it would be great to burn them to a DVD. Would the apps mentioned in this thread be good? Especially that Womble one?

[paglamon]

Womble accepts all types of files.But the output will only be MPEGs.Using its DVD Maker utility,u can easily make the DVD.U will then have to burn it using something like Nero.

[burcs]

That sounds like it would be good for mpegs. I have a lot of Counter Strike movies in mpeg form and it would be great to burn them to a DVD. Would the apps mentioned in this thread be good? Especially that Womble one?

If they're already in mpeg format I would just use TMPGenc DVD Author to author dvd files and burn them.

If they're avi's I convert mine to mpeg with TMPGenc. Or at least the only 2 I've done I did, the avi versions are in my sig. Depending on bitrate you can probably put 4 or 5 on one dvd.



Just put each one on a separate track.

[hello people]

Sweet, I'll see how I go.

ps......Does the TMPGenc DVD Author software burn as a standalone or do you need to use 3rd party software to burn?

thanks

[megamachine]

The version of TMPGenc DVD Author I use (1.6.26.73) creates the DVD compliant VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders, which you must then burn with your favorite DVD burning software, but I'm not sure about later versions.

[burcs]

1.6.34.89 (latest version, afaik) has burning utilities included, tho I typically still use Nero to burn out of habit.

[LT. Columbo]

Sweet, I'll see how I go.

ps......Does the TMPGenc DVD Author software burn as a standalone or do you need to use 3rd party software to burn?

thanks

yep, it has it own burn engine. i always use nero though.