Favorite NLE software?

[Billy Griffin]

Curious what most folks are using for non-linear editing software and if you're shooting SD or HDV?

Personally, I'm shooting HDV with the Canon camcorders XHA1 and XL1.
I prefer using Sony Vegas, but I also have Avid Liquid Pro 7 and Pinnacle Studio. Studio is easy, but it's mostly a "consumer level" product.

Some are probably using Adobe Premier or Final Cut Pro.

So what's your favorite, or what would you recommend for HDV editing for high quality end results?

 

[Andrew Ryan]

Final Cut Pro without a doubt. Although the software can be a bit pricey at about $1000. Final Cut Express is cheaper if you don't need a professional application.

 

[Billy Griffin]

Okay, stupid question here, but is Final Cut Pro for Mac only or is there a Windows version? I have not researched FCP at all. Suppose I should, eh?

 

[Andrew Ryan]

FCP is mac only. A lot of professionals chose macs just for FCP. I know I did! Well and the stable operating system.

If you're looking for a new computer, macs are the way to go. They come standard with imovie, which is far better than windows movie maker.

 

[John Wetter]

If it's anything more than throwing together 40 seconds of stuff in the field to upload, it's Final Cut all the way.

 

[Billy Griffin]

Anyone using Adobe Premier Pro? If so, thoughts?

 

[Darren Addy]

I'm a Mac guy who now works for an all-Windows employer. (It's not exactly purgatory, especially since they got me a two-24"-monitor setup.) But I'm learning more about the Windows World out of necessity. One of the first things I did here was convert some videos for use (YouTube-style) on one of our web sites and that got the boss excited about shooting more product videos. So I started looking to upgrade our video editing software. (They were using a $40 program that isn't a heck of an upgrade from Windows Movie Maker.)

I'm a bang-for-the-buck kind of guy, so I was hoping to avoid the big $$$ programs and find something that had the features that most people use 95% of the time for a fraction of money. I definitely feel that I've found it with Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum (Pro Pack). The Pro Pack adds (the normally $47) Sound Forge Audio Studio 9, 1,001 Sound Effects, and Pro Pack Cinescore Themes.

Amazon's price is under $90, which might make you think that it isn't serious software, but you would be WRONG. Here's what the people who gave it 5-star reviews on Amazon have to say about it. (4 star reviews are here.) Overall it is given 4 stars, but this is artificially low. If you have Vista 64-bit you will have to look elsewhere, apparently, which ticked off two buyers who gave it 2 stars. Obviously this won't affect the product score (for you) if you don't run Vista 64-bit. The two people who gave it 1 star are apparently morons who can't be bothered to read a manual (or Quick Start Guide even).

I am just VERY impressed at what I see in this software so far, and apparently I'm not the only one. It appears to be a pretty high-end tool at a lower-end price. (For example, it can handle HDV / AVCHD ). The other good thing people say about it is that it is rock solid (as far as crashing is concerned).

I know I'm not the only one here that uses Vegas, but just thought I'd resurrect this thread for anybody who is reviewing their choices for video editing. If you ever outgrow it, you'll be comfortable with the Big Brother: Sony Vegas Pro which is 5 or 6 times the $$$.