Pinnacle Studio 20 Ultimate

Pinnacle Studio 20 was just released and we purchased Pinnacle Studio 20 Ultimate to use with our video to dvd transfer service projects and video editing service projects. It's a very powerful program that allows us to import all types of our customers' videotapes, camcorder tapes, digital photos, digital video, and digital files in order to edit their family video footage, wedding video footage, business video footage, etc. Once our video editing service edits customers' video footage, we can then transfer the resulting video files to custom dvds, hard drives, flash drives, etc.

Included in this new version is motion tracking which allows our video editors to track moving objects onscreen and allows text, logos and graphics to follow the motion of the chosen object. It's very easy to use and we were quite impressed with the results.

Our favorite feature in the new version is the track transparency. It allows our video editing service to adjust the opacity of clips so we can overlay them and see multiple clips at the same time. It has a very professional look and is probably the feature that we will use most going forward.

Both the motion tracking and the track transparency features make Pinnacle Studio 20 Ultimate a great upgrade for video to dvd transfer service projects and video editing service projects.

Your Memories Remembered - desktop/laptop users

Your Memories Remembered - mobile users

Pinnacle Studio 18

Pinnacle Studio 18 review

We upgraded to Pinnacle Studio 18 recently, and wow I'm glad we did. We have the Ultimate version which is made to work with 64 bit computers. This makes a huge impact on the actual editing process, as everything is much snappier--adding titles, adding special effects, working with video footage--everything is much faster. So far it doesn't seem to make that much of a difference in the actual rendering of the dvd project, but it's well worth it for the actual video editing.

There are alot of really nice extra effects including some effects packs from New Blue. They are ones that most video editors will use daily, and seem to be geared for the types of family and business editing that most of us do.

Studio 18 includes support for HD and 4K (if your computer is fast enough to work with those types of files); includes izotope music and speech cleaner; allows for bluray disc creation (if you have a bluray burner); includes 3D features (which we never use); includes 2000 transitions, effects, templates and menus; allows for unlimited editing tracks for superior editing capabilities; works with Sonifire music if you buy the optional plugin (and you've updated to the latest patches); includes Scorefitter and some other free royalty free music; photo slideshow features; and many other features.

We had been using Studio 16 for quite a long time, and it worked pretty well but was made for 32 bit computers. For our video to dvd transfer projects it worked quite well. We decided to upgrade to Pinnacle Studio 17 and it was a disaster--the program was crashing constantly and caused us enough grief to return it for a refund. We were a bit skeptical to upgrade to Studio 18 but now we're in video editing heaven!

We normally don't recommend new products so quickly, but Studio 18 is definitely ready for prime time. Give it a shot--you can request a refund within the first 30 days if it doesn't meet your video to dvd editing needs.

Pinnacle Studio 16 - Video to DVD Transfer

Pinnacle Studio 16 - Video to DVD Transfer

We recently purchased the newly updated video editing software Pinnacle Studio 16. We've been using it for a few days now, and here are some of our thoughts:

--we're using it on Vista 32 bit and have noticed significant speed improvements over Pinnacle Studio 15

--even though Pinnacle Studio 16 is optimized for 64 bit computers, there is a marked overall "snappiness" in the program on 32 bit computers

--the program really should have been called Avid Studio 2.0 as the interface mimics Avid Studio 1.1

--we've found that running the program as administrator seems to have a positive effect on the speediness of the program, but not sure why

--we purchased the Pinnacle Studio 16 Ultimate option, and even though the installation of the program takes a great deal longer than previous versions, the program automatically installs all of the plugins during installation so there's no losing serial number keys for add on content

--at the beginning of installation, you only have to input the serial number; if you already have an older version of Pinnacle Studio or Avid Studio, the program finds the version for you during upgrade so you don't have to input an old serial number

--for moving add on content from Avid Studio to Pinnacle Studio 16, compare the following folders, then copy/paste missing files/folders from C:\Program Files\Avid\Studio\plugins\RTFx  to C:\Program Files\Pinnacle\Studio 16\plugins\RTFx and do the same C:\Program Files\Avid\Studio\plugins\RTFXV2\ to C:\Program Files\Pinnacle\Studio 16\plugins\RTFXV2. All of the files/folders in Avid Studio RTFx and Avid Studio RTFxV2 should be the same as their corresponding Pinnacle Studio folders

--Alpha Magic transitions are not included in Pinnacle Studio 16 but you can easily copy them over from Avid Studio. For Alpha Magic, again copy/paste all Alpha Magic folders and files from C:\Program Files\Avid\Studio\plugins\RTFx to C:\Program Files\Pinnacle\Studio 16\plugins\RTFx. Alpha Magic will be listed at the very bottom of the transitions library

--there is a storyboard option in Pinnacle Studio 16 and it puts a mini storyboard above the timeline (very useful); the only thing that would make the new storyboard better would be to be able to put transitions between the storyboard pictures/videos instead of having to do it from the timeline (which is more time consuming)

As we use the program more, we will post more information on Pinnacle Studio 16 Ultimate.

Avid Studio - Video to DVD Transfer Service

Pinnacle just released their new video editing software Avid Studio. We are not going to be using this video editing software for one important reason--it does not have a storyboard feature. For those who do not use the storyboard in other Pinnacle Studio products, the software gives you the following features:

--markers and keyframes
--a library that manages all of your media files
--an in-program editor to make changes to audio, video and photos without leaving the program
--unlimited tracks
--lots of extra plugins and transitions

Looking at everything that is available in Avid Studio vs. the new Studio 15, you would probably only want to choose Avid Studio if you absolutely must have unlimited tracks for your video to dvd transfer project.

Pinnacle Studio 15 - Video to DVD Transfer Service

Pinnacle just released Studio 15 video editing software (which in our opinion should have been the patch for Studio 14 that was never released). We purchased and are using this video to dvd program. It renders files much, much faster than any previous version of Studio and allows for video to dvd transfer. Some of the new features:

--new archive/restore tool which will make a backup of all files of the project you are working on so you can easily work on it later and not worry if all of your original files are in the correct place

Yep, that's about the only thing that has changed besides obvious coding changes that make the program much, much snappier and responsive. If you work with the program on a daily or weekly basis and were disappointed with Studio 14, the upgrade is worth it.

Video Editing with Serif MoviePlus X5 - Video to DVD Transfer Service

Video to dvd transfer and transfer video to dvd enthusiasts will be excited about the new video editing software from Serif--the Serif MoviePlus X5 high definition video suite. The new suite gives you the ability to edit and add effects to your video editing project, and then burn the project to DVD or Blu-ray. You also get a free green screen.

The suite includes lots of import and export options, no limit on the number of tracks in the timeline mode, lots of special effects and transitions, the ability to reduce shakiness in video, noise reduction, AVCHD, HDV, picture in picture, and Dolby Digital.

This video editing product will work with Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.

Video Editing Software - PowerDirector 9 64-bit

Video Editing Software - Cyberlink PowerDirector 9 64-bit

The Ultra64 edition of PowerDirector 9 is one of the first to allow full use of 64-bit consumer computers for video editing. The Ultra edition also allows Blu-ray disc creation and disc burning. This edition can make use of multiple cores of CPUs. Use this software for video editing and the creation of both standard and blu-ray discs.

Features:

--works with 64-bit CPUs
--works with multiple core CPUs
--TrueVelocity technology speeds up the video to dvd editing process

Splitting Video - Video to DVD Transfer Service

So you've imported your video but want to split the video into different parts. Try the Boilsoft Video Splitter here.

You import your footage into the video splitter and can make smaller files from your imported video footage. The program supports many file types such as AVI, Divx, MPEG-4 video files, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, VOB video files, ASF, WMV, WMA files, Real Media(.rm, .rmvb), MP4(.mp4, .m4a) files, 3GP(.3gp, 3g2) files, VCD (.dat) files, AC3 files, MPEG Audio file, mp1, mp2, mp3.

Built In Pinnacle Studio 12 Effects and Tutorials - Video to DVD Transfer

Pinnacle Studio 12 Effects

Some great new features in Pinnacle Studio 12:

Boris Graffiti: really nice titles and graphics animation, including 3D.

Montage: automatic creation of stunning multi-layer visuals for your video project.

Magic Bullet Looks: easily change the mood of your video with film styles, color choices, black/white, sepia, etc.

proDAD VitaScene: change the lighting, glows, and mood styles of your video

Total Recorder - Video to DVD Transfer Service

Having trouble with a laptop running Windows Vista and Sigmatel audio drivers not allowing you to use stereo mix or "what you hear" for recording? Here's the solution:

Download and install Total Recorder here http://www.totalrecorder.com/ (sorry, it's not free). During the installation allow Total Recorder to install it's own audio drivers and you will once again be able to record "what you hear" using the Total Recorder program. So far, it's the only solution we've found that doesn't involve majorly messing up your registry with registry edits.

Many times in doing video to dvd transfer, editing is necessary first. Being able to record audio from a file while you are watching it and later adding to to a video edit is now possible again, even though Dell and Sigmatel don't make it easy!

mp3DirectCut - Video to DVD Transfer Service

mp3DirectCut is a freeware program that allows you to edit mp3 files without any loss of quality. Cut, splice, shorter--whatever you need for your video to dvd transfer or video editing project. You do not need to decompress the file. Records mp3 direct to disc.

You can download the free program from the author's homepage:
http://mpesch3.de1.cc/

Pinnacle Studio 12 Ultimate Upgrade - Video to DVD Transfer

Pinnacle Studio 12 Ultimate will be released in early June 2008 and is available for pre-order. In addition to the video to dvd transfer capabilities and video editing capabilities Pinnacle Studio is known for, the new edition features the following:

New Plugins: new title plugins that allow for much more professional titles; new lighting effects; new transitions.

Pinnacle Montage: built in templates that allow photos and videos to appear on the same frames--looking at the demo, it's very impressive.

Simplified web publishing to upload your videos to Youtube.

Ability to output movies that you create to Sony PSP, iPod, DivX, 3GP, Flash.

Custom markers that enable you to make easier navigation of your project as well as precise timing.

New Audio Controls: you can create your own soundtrack for your project using digital audio controls.

Video Caster - free - Video to DVD Transfer Service

Video Caster is a freeware program that allows you to publish and share your videos and photos on the internet. You can capture the video footage from your camcorder, create video and photo slideshows of your photos, and convert any of your previously imported or transferred video footage to formats appropriate for uploading to the internet.

Video Caster has an automatic setting which will create a video slideshow of your photos, including many different visual styles, and allows you to add any music you wish to your photo slideshow.

The program will import your video footage from any digital video camera (through firewire) and allows you to convert MPEG, AVI, MP3 and WMV files to streaming video.

FFDSHOW Codec - Video to DVD Transfer Service

FFDSHOW is a filter for decoding that decompresses the most popular video formats. It works with DivX video, XviD video, WMV video, MPEG-1 video and MPEG-2 video files. The filter also takes care of decoding the most popular audio formats such as AC3, DTS, and MP3. It assists greatly in your video to dvd project and video editing files.

This codec also assists in the processing of your files into MPEG-4.

You can download the latest FFDSHOW filter here (make sure you choose the most recent STABLE verstion):

http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/codecs_and_filters/ffdshow.cfm

New Cyberlink Video and DVD Software - Video to DVD Transfer

Just purchased these--decent so far. Here are the software packages and what they do:

1. PowerDVD Ultra: basically it's software used to play dvds on your computer (like Roxio's Cineplayer). Good for playing High-Definition Video on your computer:

HD DVDs and Blu-ray Discs
Hardware acceleration for high-definition graphics processors
Playback of high-def file formats H.264, HD MPEG-2, and WMV-HD
Support for widescreen monitors
Overlayed menus, movie bookmarks, and zooming
Movie commentaries displayed in Picture-in-Picture
High-definition audio technologies with Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD, DTS-HD
8-channel surround sound and support with true 7.1 channel Dolby Digital EX and 5.1 channel DTS
Advanced audio effects from Dolby, DTS, and CyberLink
Auto dialog looping
Move subtitles from the movie screen
Power saving and auto-adjusting playback speed

2. PowerDirector 6: for editing and creating video presentations and slideshows, fixing and improving videos, 300 special effects and style, importing of high definition content (including AVCHD), web publishing to YouTube and Streamload. Includes:

29 dvd template designs
Custom dvd template designs
slideshow wizard for your photos
PIP designer
Subtitling
Movie wizard that automates the video creation process
MagicStyle
MagicFix that enhances and stabilizes your video production
MagicClean that helps clean up the lighting in your video project
Transitions and effects
Balloons, titles
Burn to dvd, output to iPod or PSP, write to HDV tape, or upload online

3. MediaShow4: enhances and edits videos and photos automatically, make animated slideshows timed to the music you select, burn your projects to dvd, and upload options for Flickr and YouTube.

4. Power2Go: basically disc burning software.
Burn data files to Blu-Ray and HD
Make video and photo dvds
Burn audio CDs
Rip MP3s
Allows you to add disc encryption for you data dvds

5. PowerProducer 5: produce your own dvds from regular or high-def video, author regular or blu-ray dvds, edit and enhance videos and photos

Capture regular and high-def video to your computer
DVD menus and themes
Edit, trim and add special effects, button, titles, etc. to video and dvd menu
Burn to dvd, blu-ray

6. DVD Suite 6 Ultra: a combination package that includes PowerDVD 7.3, PowerProduer 4.2, PowerDirector 6.5, Power2Go Deluxe, PowerBackup, InstantBurn, MediaShow3, PowerDVD Copy, LabelPrint, and PhotoNow

The only bad part is that with the DVD Suite 6 Ultra, not every program included is the latest version available (pretty dumb on their part). We upgraded to the latest PowerDirector and PowerProducer.

Adobe Photoshop Express - Video to DVD Transfer Service

The new free online photo editing service Adobe Photoshop Express can be used on photos that you are going to include in your video production, whether it's for titles or to add still images to your video production.
If you sign up you get 2GB of free storage. After you join, upload your photo. Once your photo is uploaded, double click on the photo in the album, then click on "edit photo". On the left side of the screen you can choose between crop and rotate, auto correct, exposure, red-eye removal, touchup, saturation, white balance, highlight, fill light, sharpen, soft focus, pop color, hue, black and white, tint, sketch, and distort.

Once your photo is ready, click on save and then download it to use in your video to dvd project, video editing project or video project.