Video Editing Software

[JohnKnightCash]

Hi, Does anyone recemmend any good video editing software other than Camtasia? Specificaly I am looking for the Zoom and Pan effect...

Also what is good to create some great special effects especially for creating intros. Thanks....

[Steven Carl Kelly]

Sony Vegas all the way, IMO.

[JohnKnightCash]

thanks. I will go check it out...

[Arted4Life]

I use camtasia, moviemaker, and of course Vegas. Different software for different things.

[midasman09]

Take a look at "Cam Studio". A few less features and less cost than Camtasia.

Midas Man

[bizideas]

I could name all kinds of editing solutions but your inquiry is kind of open ended and really needs a few more specifics.

Here's what I mean.

• What is your software budget? There are free "open source" packages as well as expensive, 5K+, over the top editing software.
• What kind of hardware (Mac, PC, or Linux based) do you have or can you afford to facilitate the aforementioned software? All have minimum requirements.
• What kind of projects do you want to edit now and in the foreseeable future - say in the next year or so? That's allowing for growth. Believe me, it's a pain to buy a setup just to find you need more just a few months later before you've even re-couped your investment.
• What is your technical expertise? Some software is a snap while others are complicated and have a STEEP learning curve...not to mention lackluster customer support.
• Are you editing for the web or for offline projects? There's a big difference and producing video is a huge industry.

• Is this just a hobby, are you intending on making money, or is this a full fledged career you're embarking? This is important. I wouldn't want anyone to waste resources (time + money) unless you have deep pockets and time to kill...editing video can eat away at both.

Now, if you're just looking for a quick and dirty list, here's a few. I've used all plus at least a couple dozen others in 15 years of nonlinear style editing:

Adobe Premiere - Mid to High End
Sony Vegas - Mid to High End
Apple's Final Cut Pro - Definitely High End
Window's MovieMaker - Free Low End
Wax - Free Mid
Zwei-Stein - Free, Excellent, Mid, Complicated

Happy Cuttin'.

Eric

[Dave Lovelace]

Sony Vegas seems to be the most recommended by professionals. You can get Vegas Home Studio for $49, but the problem is.. once you open it, you immediately get the "deer in the headlights" syndrome.

Mike Stewart offers S.V. along with video training to show you how to use it for an additional $50, so $99 for both Sony Vegas and the video training. See Record Video, Do It Yourself DVD Production Creation Mike Stewart, The Internet Video Guy.

Dave

[innocent07]

Originally Posted by Steven Carl Kelly

Sony Vegas all the way, IMO.

whats imo mean?

[theimgroup]

Originally Posted by innocent07

whats imo mean?

imo=In My Opinion

Cheers

p.s. Here is a great resource for other acronyms...
The Largest List of Text Message Shorthand (IM, SMS) and Internet Acronyms Found of the Web - kept current and up-to-date by NetLingo The Internet Dictionary: Online Dictionary of Computer and Internet Terms, Acronyms, Text Messaging, Smileys ;-)

[spearce000]

I've used Serif MoviePlus for many years and have been very happy with the results. It's excellent value for money, and will certainly do all the zooms and effects you're looking for.