Best Video Editor?

14 years ago

I've never tried to blur passwords and stuff on Vegas, but
for everything else it seriously rocks.

You can, in Vegas, overlay visual distortions on certain areas. It
is not, however, really designed for screen-capture video
and doesn't have the features like easy call-outs and things
like that you'll find in Camtasia.

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Jill Carpenter

14 years ago

It depends on the formats you are starting with and/or what you are planning to do with the final output.

I am using camstudio right now but I need ...

To be able to do image blur on certain parts of the page for passwords/emails and sensitive info.

Watermarking.

I would also like the ability to take the video and add audio later while I am watching/editing it.

The other option that would be nice is the ability to add music that would be royalty free and comes with the editor.

I have used final cut pro, screenflow, and camtasia for mac.

Your watermarking and bluring can be done by creating files in something like photoshop. you can make a transparent PNG file with your watermark written at the bottom, and drop it on the timeline over you video.

Same with making a blur file that you can put over things.

Royalty free and comes with the editor for under 50 bucks? hmm, not likely - although mac users get garage band which comes with some loops that can be crafted into original stuff.

You can buy some loops for just a few dollars if you know where to look.

And if you are stuck on Windows, I dare say you can probably do a lot more with windows movie maker than you know.

Audio can be recorded with audacity which is free, and for those graphics I mentioned above you can use an old version of photoshop or get a free trial for a month.

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Dr Dan

14 years ago

heard great things about proshow gold but not sure what it can and cant do. Its only around $60 I thing.

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MrMike

14 years ago

Sony Vegas is very good. For Mac. Final cut Express is good.
Once you have lots of money go for Final Cut Pro.
Adobe Premiere is Ok, but for a few hundred more go for Final Cut Pro.
Once you get proficient at it, you now have an incredible trade/skill.

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AllanWard 14 years ago

I've been happy with Vegas. I record the screen capture in Camstudio first and then import it into Vegas to edit it and overdub any additional audio. Some versions of Vegas do come with royalty free music that you can use.
I've found the audio quality isn't so great in Camstudio (depends on the microphone etc) so sometimes I've re-recorded the audio in Vegas.
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- John Callaghan 14 years ago
  
  Sony Vegas definitely. You can do the basic stuff pretty easily and if you're willing to invest some time studying their tutorials you can make some very professional looking videos
  
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mainstreetcm

14 years ago

I use Sony Vegas Pro 8 and 9 on my rigs. Awesome features, quick learning curve, and its not resource intense. The consumer versions are really finicky and are not nearly as feature laden, so I would encourage you to find a copy of the pro version.

If you run a mac I believe Final Cut Express will handle all your looking for.

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reapr

14 years ago

Originally Posted by AllanWard

I've been happy with Vegas. I record the screen capture in Camstudio first and then import it into Vegas to edit it and overdub any additional audio. Some versions of Vegas do come with royalty free music that you can use.
I've found the audio quality isn't so great in Camstudio (depends on the microphone etc) so sometimes I've re-recorded the audio in Vegas.

This is the setup I am considering. What version are you using?

Originally Posted by mainstreetcm

I use Sony Vegas Pro 8 and 9 on my rigs. Awesome features, quick learning curve, and its not resource intense. The consumer versions are really finicky and are not nearly as feature laden, so I would encourage you to find a copy of the pro version.

If you run a mac I believe Final Cut Express will handle all your looking for.

I take it that you don't mean platinum pro?

Thanks everyone for the suggestions if you have anymore ideas I would love to hear them.

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AllanWard

14 years ago

You asked what version I'm using.

I'm using the latest version (I think it's version 9b) and I bought the Platinum Pro Pack version. This gives you Soundforge (audio editor) and some audio files. Looking at the web site it talks about sound effects - I haven't come across those, but there is a fair amount of music that comes with it that would be useful as background music for videos etc.

I've started recording in Camstudio using a basic mic to record the audio. The problem is that Camstudio will compress the audio quality a little bit. I then import the .avi file into Vegas, and replace the audio using my mic directly into Vegas. This gives me better quality audio. It also forces me to script out what I'm saying (which isn't a bad thing!).

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reapr

14 years ago

Originally Posted by avenuegirl

It depends on the formats you are starting with and/or what you are planning to do with the final output.

I have used final cut pro, screenflow, and camtasia for mac.

Your watermarking and bluring can be done by creating files in something like photoshop. you can make a transparent PNG file with your watermark written at the bottom, and drop it on the timeline over you video.

Same with making a blur file that you can put over things.

Royalty free and comes with the editor for under 50 bucks? hmm, not likely - although mac users get garage band which comes with some loops that can be crafted into original stuff.

You can buy some loops for just a few dollars if you know where to look.

And if you are stuck on Windows, I dare say you can probably do a lot more with windows movie maker than you know.

Audio can be recorded with audacity which is free, and for those graphics I mentioned above you can use an old version of photoshop or get a free trial for a month.

Interesting. I have looked at movie maker and I was hoping all I would need to do is blur out what I needed to blur out without using some other program. It seems camtasia would solve a lot of problems but still a bit rich for my wallet.

Originally Posted by IamME

Sony Vegas, I use it. Haven't mastered it but still use it. It's amazing.
If you can't afford a Video Editor, stick to Windows Movie Maker, sometimes I still find that the most practical.

I am trying the platinum trial and quite impressed and something I could see myself using for other projects.

Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose

Sony Vegas is not anywhere near being the best video editing software. Final Cut Pro is by far the best, but it is for Mac only. For PC, try Adobe Premiere. There is better, but much more expensive.

I may be trying the trial of Adobe Premier just to compare to Vegas because I have heard a lot of great things about this program here and in other forums.

Originally Posted by Sarah Russell

I love Camtasia, but it isn't cheap and it isn't as user-friendly as other programs I've used. But it will do all of the stuff you're looking for, and it gets much faster to use once you get the hang of it.

Yup camtasia again ... may be the solution.

Originally Posted by Marty S

Actually that video was made with screenflow on my mac. Corel studio does all that and more as it is a full featured movie editor. They do have a free trial as well.

I will be trying the trial soon.

Originally Posted by AllanWard

You asked what version I'm using.

I'm using the latest version (I think it's version 9b) and I bought the Platinum Pro Pack version. This gives you Soundforge (audio editor) and some audio files. Looking at the web site it talks about sound effects - I haven't come across those, but there is a fair amount of music that comes with it that would be useful as background music for videos etc.

I've started recording in Camstudio using a basic mic to record the audio. The problem is that Camstudio will compress the audio quality a little bit. I then import the .avi file into Vegas, and replace the audio using my mic directly into Vegas. This gives me better quality audio. It also forces me to script out what I'm saying (which isn't a bad thing!).

Yes I noticed the audio compression when I played it back but If I did go this route I would likely be doing a voice over anyhow until I get use to working with live video. I noticed there was a camstudio pro version over at CB for 30 bucks. I have to wonder if it would do what I am looking for the sales page did not cover it all and I hate having to go the refund route to find out.

I will say vegas is interesting but the masking seems more involved that you think would be needed. It would be ideal to drag a box or circle around what you wanted then mask it out all using a righty click mouse button. Still impressive software and woud be fund to use for editing stuff from my camera.

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mainstreetcm 14 years ago

Originally Posted by reapr

I take it that you don't mean platinum pro?

I know I'm late with this, but no I'm not talking about Platinum Pro--its one of there "consumer" editors. The version I'm talking about is the $699 one. I think you can find Vegas Pro 8 for $399 these days, maybe even cheaper, but Vegas Pro 9 is where its at.

I'm sure you don't need all of the features that come with it, as I use the 64 bit version because I shoot stuff in HD and with multi-thread plus network rendering you can't go wrong--especially with the price.

Final Cut Pro IS the premiere editor out there, yes, but is far too advanced for the simple things I believe you are looking for. Adobe Premiere on the PC is an absolute resource hog so you will need a beefy machine to get anything done with it.

If all you want to do is blur sensitive info, just use your screen capture program--then make a "blur file" in photoshop elements and then layer it over the top of the video. I believe you can do this in the newer versions of Windows Movie Maker...
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spearce000

14 years ago

I've been using Serif MoviePlus for many years now, and have been very happy with it. It's certainly excellent value for money - although it's a bit more than $50.

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Jay Rhome

14 years ago

I keep hearing about Sony Vegas as well but it's quite a bundle.

Most free softwares lack the features I seek:

- the ability to mix video files with ease
- improved audio controls.

Most are way too basic for audio. I have pro audio softwares, but I'd rather work in one place.

It seems you and I need The Vegas Movie Studio Platinum Pro Pack
Sony Creative Software - Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack - Introduction

$119

Mmmm

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E. Brian Rose

14 years ago

Sony Vegas is not anywhere near being the best video editing software. Final Cut Pro is by far the best, but it is for Mac only. For PC, try Adobe Premiere. There is better, but much more expensive.

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Kevin AKA Hubcap 14 years ago

Vegas can do that. I got a copy of Vegas Movie Studio Platinum for arounfd $35 when Dell was running a special. I don't know how often they do that but some Warriors might have some better intel.

You can download a fully functioning 30 day trial at the Sony Site.
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Sarah Russell

14 years ago

I love Camtasia, but it isn't cheap and it isn't as user-friendly as other programs I've used. But it will do all of the stuff you're looking for, and it gets much faster to use once you get the hang of it.

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Marty S

14 years ago

For the PC - a little bit cheaper but the same features as Vegas is ... snip:

One of the least mentioned and most underrated editing programs for the PC user is VideoStudio Pro X3 from Corel. I have owned the last 3 updates and this latest one is excellent IMHO.

Video Editing Software ? Corel VideoStudio Pro X3

Also, in regards to watermarking, I think that is not your best option really as it just makes the video look messy. It was ok a couple years ago, but now you should be thinking "branding". Branding looks much more professional and yet still cannot be ripped by dubious marketers.

Watch how often my logo shows up in this video without having a messy watermark:

YouTube - Holdem Indicator adds HUD

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reapr

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Marty S

For the PC - a little bit cheaper but the same features as Vegas is ... snip:

One of the least mentioned and most underrated editing programs for the PC user is VideoStudio Pro X3 from Corel. I have owned the last 3 updates and this latest one is excellent IMHO.

Video Editing Software ? Corel VideoStudio Pro X3

Also, in regards to watermarking, I think that is not your best option really as it just makes the video look messy. It was ok a couple years ago, but now you should be thinking "branding". Branding looks much more professional and yet still cannot be ripped by dubious marketers.

Watch how often my logo shows up in this video without having a messy watermark:

Nice video ... does it do subtitles?

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Marty S 14 years ago

Originally Posted by reapr

Nice video ... does it do subtitles?

Actually that video was made with screenflow on my mac. Corel studio does all that and more as it is a full featured movie editor. They do have a free trial as well.
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rbowen 13 years ago

[QUOTE=Marty S;2171046]For the PC - a little bit cheaper but the same features as Vegas is ... snip:

One of the least mentioned and most underrated editing programs for the PC user is VideoStudio Pro X3 from Corel. I have owned the last 3 updates and this latest one is excellent IMHO.

Video Editing Software ? Corel VideoStudio Pro X3

==================

Marty -

Cool video. Way beyond my abilities .. and possibly my bank account.

A few quick (?) questions):

1) How quick and easy (or long and difficult) would it likely be for a non-technical guy like me to learn?

2) I basically just want to split an 82mb video into 2 smaller parts and upload each into the multimedia box of my Thesis WP theme. Is this software overkill ... and if so, would something like Windows Movie Maker be more appropriate (and affordable ... since it's free!)?

3) The price is $59, is that right?

Thanks!

Richard
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tekmedia

14 years ago

you should check out avs media if you are going to do simple editing jobs

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JTor

14 years ago

The maximum price tag is what worries me. If you are willing to invest some more money, but get a professional solution, I suggest buying Adobe Premiere for small business.

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reapr

14 years ago

Originally Posted by JTor

The maximum price tag is what worries me. If you are willing to invest some more money, but get a professional solution, I suggest buying Adobe Premiere for small business.

Well I really don't need a full blown program. I just need something cheap to be able to blur or mask sensitive info. Unfortunately camstudio does not do this ...

If anyone is using a screen capture video software or camstudio pro and it can do bluring or are using windows movie maker and know how to do this without going through a lot of trouble to do it let me know.

Thanks ...