Video Editors

[rhosk]

This is actually a sequel to this thread, but I didn't want to hi-jak.

Eric_Darling was absolutely correct when he said that (paraphrasing) "all *.vob files were not created equal". I originally chimed in and said that all you should really have to do to make it editable was to change the extension to *.mpg. Not the case.

I recently purchased a dvd camcorder and ran a test. Tried to change the extension and my computer didn't like the audio codec (ac3 - dolby 5.1). It crashed WMP for starters. Anyway, after splitting the audio and video and converting the ac3 into wav stereo, I managed to create a multiplex'd mpeg file. Entirely too much trouble, so I downloaded the trial version of Adobe Premiere Elements and this editor seems amazing. It recognizes this particular *.vob format without any trouble and, after looking deeper into the program, has a lot of compatable formats for both import & export.

My question is: Has anyone had any experience with this program? Pros/Cons, bugs, reliability in general. It doesn't have a bad price ($99 USD) and thought I would again come to the experts for advice. I'm not looking to do anything 'professional' in nature, although it seems that this program has many pro features. Any feedback would be great.

[bnkrazy]

I have used Premiere (not sure of the version) in the past with great results...It has been a while, but I don't remember any problems when doing a simple camcorder to set-top dvd output. I believe I used VCD format because that was back before dvd's were affordable. At the time I thought the dvd menu options were a bit restrictive, but overall it was a simple straight forward process to get the job done.

[Eagle]

fwiw: goto the ulead.com site and check out their 'comparison chart',

pretty sure they are always wanting to top premiere versions,
I ain't been there for quite a while, maybe worth a looky looky ?.

Premiere was cpu hungrier at some point vs equiv Ulead..

[eric_darling]

Yeah - just wait until you try to do that with DTS audio instead of AC-3. You thought that was tough!

In either case, I can't say too much about Adobe's video products (other than After Effects, of which I know entirely too much), but it sounds pretty good. I'm a Mac video guy, and Adobe shunned the Mac platform a long time ago.

[yosik]

I would (again) recommend the TMPG line of products.
They have a AC3 Audio Plugin hich, after being installed, comes to the help of TMPGExpress 3.0 and allows conversions, easily.

Yossi

[AGRO]

Hey Eric, just curious what programs you use on your mac for video?

[eric_darling]

Hey Eric, just curious what programs you use on your mac for video?

Tons. I have even been making the toe dips into Final Cut Pro lately. Here's my little laundry list, since you asked...

1) After Effects 6.5 (the king, and still champion, of compositing)
2) DVD Studio Pro 3 (the next best thing to Scenarist, for which I don't have enough $$$)
3) Cinematize 2 (for ripping elementary streams or QT versions of DVDs)
4) DV Films' Atlantis (converting PAL<->NTSC)
5) Media 100i 8.2.2 (my main editing tool for over a decade)
6) Sorenson Squeeze 4.1 (compression of video)
7) BitVice 1.6 (boutique quality MPEG-2 conversion for DVD application)
8) A.Pack for AC-3 audio conversion (comes w/ DVD Studio Pro)
9) Flip4Mac Studio 2(for WMV-9 on Mac)
10) QuickTime 7.0.4 Pro (great for a lot of stuff)
11) SoundSoap (this is just for audio, really, but so good I had to include)

I plan on finally moving away from M100 this year, and go true HD with a Final Cut Pro system running a Kona LHe card on a new Intel powered Mac. But, until a desktop that can run that card on Intel is available, I'm staying put. I figure it will be sometime in 2006, though. I'm also upgrading the video camera to a new HD model this year, too, which will necessitate that move on the post-production side of things.

[AGRO]

That is quite a list, thanks.

[Corey]

Yep, awesome post.

[eric_darling]

Some of those programs have Windows versions, others have relative equivalents (for instance, if stuck using Windows, I'd use Adobe Encore in place of DVD Studio Pro), but I still think that if you're really serious about doing video these days, you need to consider going with a Macintosh. The main reason is simple - Final Cut Pro. As much a good program as Adobe Premiere is, it's no match for the outright professional level power of FCP, which, of course, is Mac-only. Not to mention, you'll enjoy the company of a vast majority of fellow producers. That leads to good things in everything from finding answers to your esoteric technical questions to third-party hardware support being robust and constantly developed. Can't argue with the power of a dominant player in a market.

I am also a fool for the Mac OS. It's just great. But, there are plenty of people who feel otherwise, and I understand - for real. I can say that with a straight face because I use both OS X and Windows XP each and every day of my life. I have both kinds of computers at home and office. I'm probably just as productive on both. But I just like OS X better. Personal preference counts, I guess.

[AGRO]

...if stuck using Windows, I'd use ...

[Corey]

Can't argue with the power of a dominant player in a market.

Paris Hilton?

[eric_darling]

Paris Hilton?

For shizzel. Ya got me there.

[Corey]

Don't feel bad, even Sartre would have been pressed to rationalize PH.

[azmanar]

hi,

For video editing, has anyone used Sony Vegas 6 or Pinnacle Liquid Avid?

Please comment.