NLE Software Roundup
Page 2 of 3
Vegas Video 3
Vegas Video 3, with its pro-level compositing, speedy multiprocessor-aware codec, deep configurability and user-friendly functionality is a tour de force in digital video editing on the PC platform. The strengths of Vegas Video 3 are numerous. First, with a powerful machine like a dual processor Athlon 1800+ with a gig of RAM, you can create multiple layers and preview them in real time, all done in software and RAM. Also, the audio editing capabilities are formidable -- and in some ways better than its Sonic Foundry sibling, the powerful Sound Forge 5. Vegas allows you impressive control over your video, with all kinds of blurs and noise effects, film effects and so much color correction that there were parameters that could be set that were beyond anything we've seen short of a $200K Quantel Edit Box. As PC processing power continues its upward march this one will be hard to beat.
in:sync Speed Razor 2000
Speed Razor is fully multithreaded, nonlinear video editing and compositing software for Windows that delivers full screen D1 uncompressed quality video, fully field rendered NTSC or PAL. It features unlimited video and audio layers, and real time audio mixing for up to 20 audio layers with DAT quality output. It works with almost all editing hardware, and is offered in real time dual stream or single stream configurations.
Now there are two new versions of Speed Razor, Speed Razor 2000 and Speed Razor 2000 X. These versions provide an updated new look which incorporates the features of earlier versions combined with additional features such as programmable shortcut keys, multiple bins and the ability to export files in QuickTime format. Speed Razor is capable of professional real time video editing, real time audio mixing, and real time video effects compositing.
Key features of Speed Razor include: Frame accurate batch capture and print to tape, extensive keyboard shortcuts, one-step methods for trimming, compositing on unlimited layers, audio mixing for up to twenty tracks in real time for multichannel, CD or DAT quality stereo output, and networkability. Speed Razor is optimized for a range of video capture hardware including Pinnacle Systems Targa and DC30 series, Matrox DigiSuite, DigiSuite LE, and DTV, FAST DV Master Pro, DPS Perception, and the Newtek Video Toaster. It's also used in a formidable HD editing system by BOXX Technologies called HDBOXX. Too bad Speed Razor lost its lead programmer two years ago, though, and as a result development of the software appears to be at a standstill.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Ulead Media Studio Pro 6.5
Here's an editing package that's feature-packed, with particular strength in text and rotoscoping functions.
Media Studio Pro offers PC-based native MPEG-2 and DV support. It allows you to capture and view original source video from VCRs, TVs, laserdiscs or camcorders. DV with IEEE 1394 and MPEG-2 support using Ligos Corporation's GoMotion technology ensures higher quality video as well as extra productivity improvements. MSP's Video Editor brings together all the different components of a video project -- video, sound, animation and titles. Arrange these components, add effects and transitions, then save your video as a file, place it on the Internet, a CD-ROM or record it back to video tape.
Another great applet included with MSP is Video Paint. This animated video painting (rotoscoping) program allows you to paint directly over any frame in a video sequence. Retouch videos and create remarkable special effects using an extensive set of nondestructive video painting tools.
Special attention has been given to the text section of MSP. Called CG Infinity, this fully integrated vector-based graphics generation program produces impressive animated titles and motion graphics. New version 6.5 also includes built-in DVD/VCD authoring.
United Media On-line Express
United Media, a seasoned company that's been around for 20 years, was founded by editors, for editors. It started its life selling PC-based linear edit systems using a controller attached to good-old-fashioned tape machines.
The appeal of United Media's products is that, because of its experience with this long line of editing systems steeped in the tradition of linear edit suites of the 80s, the company is able to make sure that seasoned editors in the 2000s who cut their teeth on linear systems will feel comfortable with this system. If you compare edit systems to wristwatches, most contemporary systems are like the digital models with all their modes and settings. If you want to set or change anything, you must first push the mode switch. On-line Express could be compared more to an analog watch with a quartz movement -- while it can still do its job as accurately as a digital watch, it's a little easier to deal with, especially for those who grew up in the analog world. The result is a solid cutter, and best of all, it's able to get the most out of its up-to-date underbelly, the highly capable Matrox DigiSuite hardware. Definitely worth a closer look. Sweetening the pot is United Media's new Multicam software, now in version 2.0, allowing you to shoot with multiple cameras in the field, then synch them up in the software and direct the program in the edit suite.
Source: Original DMN Content
Prev 1 2 3 Next
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
