Looking for a power video editing app

[SciaTion]

Hi everyone,

I recently began looking for a power video editing app for my PC, so that I can re-learn video editing (take it beyond a beginners level into professional quality). However when my search brought me to this site, I was surprised that Camtasia Studio wasn't on the list. As that was what I began learning with a few years ago and what I "assumed" (perhaps ignorantly) was really good. Though I did see that CyberLink PowerDirector 13 Ultra was on the list as the top application and at a very nice price (under a $100), along with several others.

Yet the review I looked through is from December 2014, so I'm wondering, is CyberLink still consider a top video editing program? And out of curiosity, what "upgrades" are required (if any) to create professional looking videos? I'm looking at creating a youtube vlog and adding some sound effects as well as animations into the video. Some of the animations would include things that I will be interacting with.

Please let me know your recommendations and thoughts!

I am grateful for any assistance you can provide!

Mike

 

[aznricepuff]

Powerdirector Ultra is still a solid editor at its price point. However, I wouldn't go as far as to call it "professional". It's a product aimed at consumers and it's really a high-end consumer NLE.

That being said, powerdirector could still be sufficient for what you want to do. It can certainly handle sound mixing - and it has a decent library of typical audio effects. One area where it may fall short is animations. It depends on the complexity of the animations you want to create. Powerdirector, and NLEs in general don't have powerful tools for 2D/3D animations and compositing - it just isn't what they're designed for. For that kind of stuff you'll need to use software like adobe after effects to create/render scenes heavy on animation/compositing and then editing the pre-rendered scenes back in to your project with powerdirector (or other NLE).

 

[SciaTion]

Thank you, aznricepuff!

Sorry for not responding sooner, but I thank you for your feedback! It's good to know that Powerdirector is good choice, though from what you wrote I get the impression that you like or prefer some other application. I apologize if I'm reading to much into that, but if I'm not I'd be grateful to know what software you prefer. Even if it is a bit more expensive.

Oh and I'm posting a separate question regarding animation software, because though you did suggest Adobe After Effects. I'd like to get more input on that as well.

Thank you again and please let me know about the item.

Thank you,

Mike

Powerdirector Ultra is still a solid editor at its price point. However, I wouldn't go as far as to call it "professional". It's a product aimed at consumers and it's really a high-end consumer NLE.

That being said, powerdirector could still be sufficient for what you want to do. It can certainly handle sound mixing - and it has a decent library of typical audio effects. One area where it may fall short is animations. It depends on the complexity of the animations you want to create. Powerdirector, and NLEs in general don't have powerful tools for 2D/3D animations and compositing - it just isn't what they're designed for. For that kind of stuff you'll need to use software like adobe after effects to create/render scenes heavy on animation/compositing and then editing the pre-rendered scenes back in to your project with powerdirector (or other NLE).

 

[aznricepuff]

Well, I use premiere pro for various reasons, but there's nothing wrong with powerdirector. Choosing an NLE is mostly about features, so if powerdirector has the features you want then by all means use it. It's a solid program with an easy-to-use UI and good performance.