What programs do you edit your video with?

[Chris Hayes]

I'm looking into starting to edit my years' worth of storm chasing video. One thing I want to do are make some clips and throw them on youtube. I have a Dazzle to upload the video to the computer with, but I was wondering what program you guys use to edit your clips with. All I have now is Windows Movie Maker. I used it to make my Youtube slideshows.

 

[Marc Remillard]

Sony vegas is useful and user-friendly for some quick video clips with titles and everything (as well as making timelapses...) for youtube. I suggest you use Sony Vegas and use Windows Media Video for the rendering format.

If you plan making DVDs, I suggest Adobe Premiere.

 

[Darren Addy]

Another vote to look into Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum (Pro Pack). For under $100 it includes really good video and audio editing tools (including one-click uploading to YouTube) but also includes DVD Architect Studio. Their "Show Me" built-in tutorials are quite nice also.

 

[Jason Foster]

I'm still working with ancient stuff.....Premier 6.0 only with SD stuff.

That program has been and still is rock solid for me...never a problem. I'll go with CS3 or CS4 (hardly a different between the two) once I go to HD (likely HDV, but would debate AVCHD if I can).

After that I'd look at Final Cut Pro on an Apple Computer. FCPro is quickly becoming an industry standard, and if I go anywhere in the direction of equipment upgrading and making money at this, I want to branch way beyond low profit chase related video.

 

[Shane Adams]

I use Pinnacle. It's reliable, easy to use, and doesn't cost a fortune.

 

[fplowman]

Sony Vegas FTW!!! Of course most everyone here knows I'm an ardent supporter. So my opinion may not hold as much weight. lol

 

[David Drummond]

Adobe Premier CS3 for all production work. Although I have to say, Fred has been getting me quite interested in Vegas, if I could ever get enough time to sit and play with it.

 

[Chris Hayes]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'm going to look into Sony Vegas. I need to get a new Dazzle because the one I have is not Vista compatible So, I'll also look into what comes with it

 

[Darren Addy]

Just realize that there is Sony Vegas (which is the Big Brother program and competes in the Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro space) and then there is Sony Vegas Movie Studio (which competes in the Premiere Elements and Final Cut Express space). I think that the step up from where you are now would be the SVMS program, but anything you learn using it could serve you well if in a few years you want to upgrade to the Big Brother Vegas.

Also, if you are looking to convert VHS into digital (and that is what the Dazzle upgrade is about) then you might want to look into Canopus boxes which work great and are even Vista64 compatable.

 

[Gerrit Gulden]

Ive got Studio 11 (pinnacle) and I like it. I bought the package that included the firewire card and the software (studio). Its pretty straightforward and comes with a ton of effects and everything a movie maker loves. Ive used it to turn my vhs camping trips into dvds and adding effects and music is the cherry on the pie. Its also Vista Compatible.

Good luck on your software hunt.

By the way, there are free open source video editing applications out there. Found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_open_source_software_packages#Video_editing

-gerrit

 

[nickgrillo]

I use Pinnacle. It's reliable, easy to use, and doesn't cost a fortune.

I'll second that... I used Pinnacle to edit my last chase highlight DVD a few years ago, and I will be using it again this year. It's a cheap, effective and relatively powerful program for the price and it's learning curve (albeit I did have problems rendering the DVD at first with the older 9.0 version a few years ago).

For professional work, then Premiere and FCP is the way to go.

 

[cdcollura]

Good day all,

I have been using Adobe Premiere 6.5 for some time, but it is rather crashy.

I am highly interested in Sony Vegas, and most likely will go with that for my Vista 64 platform.

As for CS3 and CS4, not only are they very expensive, but I heard they are memory hogs / bloatware.

For the Mac, Final Cut Pro is the way to go.

 

[Walt VanRheen]

Yesterday I just pre-ordered Sony Vegas Pro version 9. Due to ship on May 12th. They are offering a nice upgrade path for current owners.

If you are looking at Vegas Pro, you will probably find some real deals on version 8 in sellers inventory. Now you have the delema of the difference in Purchase price on ver8 vs ver9 and its new features. Both are 64 compatible. Happy editing.

 

[Jerry Prsha]

Final Cut Pro

I just bought a copy of Final Cut Pro and installed it on the machine last night. It's high end so I'm sure the learning curve will be a great one but I'll keep you posted...

 

[Andrew Ryan]

I'm kinda of biased since I'm a mac guy and I learned to edit on FCP, so I definitely recommend Final Cut. It's simple yet very versatile. It can be finicky at times, but nothing that can't be dealt with.

So, to sum up, FCP good!