Powerdirector 16 Versions

[DefinitelyNotTom]

Looks like ultimate pretty much just adds some effects and templates. I'd "rather" get it than ultra, but the ultra version is almost constantly on sale for around $40, whereas ultimate is usually $100 for an actual disc version.

Just wondering if it's really worth getting ultimate...

No way am I going to pay a monthly fee to use the adobe program or pay the high cost of vegas pro. Then most other software either doesn't let you burn to BR, charges you extra to do so, is missing key features, or is slow. So I've about settled on powerdirector.

Also, judging by recent years, 17 is probably releasing in a few months, but when I asked them about it, they are making me register an account just to read their email answer. lol. So i'll probably not bother with that.

Anyway, so ultimate necessary or not? Recently newegg even had the combo of ultra and cyberlink's photo editor for $45 or $55 combined! Maybe should have just done that.

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

yeah, but what they said was if you are going to spend $100+, you might as well get those expensive programs, which still makes no sense because spending $100 is not the same as spending $400. they said it in an article about a $100+ program.

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

Do either of you know if there are any more restrictions to downloadable versions of photoshop elements vs. the boxed version? For instance, does the boxed version allow more activations of it when you have to reinstall or transfer? I can get it for $35 after all fees, but they are out of the boxed version. I'd get the combo version of it and the video editing one, but kenrivers said they took away the BR burning option, I believe. And I still have no idea on video editing software what to get.

I have various deals I must use today or lose one of them. Deciding on software, cpu, mobo, etc.... I have no decisions made, as usual, and will probably run out of time.

Usually, people seem to prefer boxed versions to digital versions of software, so I am reluctant to buy the digital.

 

[kenrivers]

Really no difference except you get the digital download faster. I have downloaded digital versions of software without issue. I get digital downloads of VideoStudio.

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

Really no difference except you get the digital download faster. I have downloaded digital versions of software without issue. I get digital downloads of VideoStudio.

I can't remember if you prefer paintshop or photoshop elements. I remember USAFret prefers paintshop.

Just to give a better idea of what I want in software:

1. photo editing - very basic stuff, such as creating logos.
2. video editing - ability to burn BRs or create other file types instead, not too slow, preferably gpu acceleration.

If not for comparisons showing videostudio as being slow rendering, I'd probably have got that and paid the BR license fee. Then for powerdirector a review said not professional looking effects (odd since it comes with some professional packs from third parties).

I read that RAW file edits are quicker in phhotoshop elements than paintshop, as well.

 

[kenrivers]

Have not used Paintshop Pro enough to know much about it but have heard nothing but good things about it. I am just accustomed to Photoshop so I work with what I know. Ignore the remarks about a lack of professional looking effects and seriously consider how important they are to you. Not everyone who claims to be an expert actually is one.

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

Effects are not important to me, but just hate to pay what these products cost and then if I want to play around with effects it be amateurish. It also worries me that people on the cyberlink site keep saying intel is better than amd for video editing (not true if amd has more cores, unless they mean only for that product...) and that VRAM of the gpu doesn't matter... when all expert recommendations say it does matter.

 

[USAFRet]

Plugins for Painsthop Pro are cross compatible with Photoshop and Elements.
Standard 8bf format.

 

[kenrivers]

The effects may look amateurish regardless of what software you use until you learn to use it.

 

[USAFRet]

The effects may look amateurish regardless of what software you use until you learn to use it.

Just like cameras.

$300 of equipment in the hands of a pro may end up in an art gallery.
$20,000 of equipment in the hands of a novice is just....crappy pics.

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

True, but when someone gives a professional review and says the effects do not look professional, but that nero's effects do, it makes me assume the person has used different software and is saying even once you do know, effects aren't good, ie that it's not capable of it.

Like i said, doubt I'd use them much, but you never know... I could end up wanting to.

 

[USAFRet]

True, but when someone gives a professional review and says the effects do not look professional, but that nero's effects do, it makes me assume the person has used different software and is saying even once you do know, effects aren't good, ie that it's not capable of it.

Like i said, doubt I'd use them much, but you never know... I could end up wanting to.

To me, that suggests that they may have been paid by nero.
Those plugins just give you a starting point, and easy clicky clicky.
The brain and eye behind it is the key.

Also, this depends a LOT on what you're doing with these photos and videos.
A professionals opinion might refer to magazine quality, pics sold for $5,000 each. In which case, you buy the tools you are familiar with and produce the best output for you.
Buying a $500 software package once, and using that to create and sell thousands of $$ in images, is well worth the original investment.

Are you at that level?

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

True, but when someone gives a professional review and says the effects do not look professional, but that nero's effects do, it makes me assume the person has used different software and is saying even once you do know, effects aren't good, ie that it's not capable of it.

Like i said, doubt I'd use them much, but you never know... I could end up wanting to.

To me, that suggests that they may have been paid by nero.
Those plugins just give you a starting point, and easy clicky clicky.
The brain and eye behind it is the key.

Also, this depends a LOT on what you're doing with these photos and videos.
A professionals opinion might refer to magazine quality, pics sold for $5,000 each. In which case, you buy the tools you are familiar with and produce the best output for you.
Buying a $500 software package once, and using that to create and sell thousands of $$ in images, is well worth the original investment.

Are you at that level?

It did not say that any of that was the case, and it said other programs in the same price range have more professional effects. It didn't say you have to buy $500 software. It obviously was not catering to those who would be creating that level of professionalism or it would have said don't look at any of the $`100 software.

 

[USAFRet]

Most or all of the applications we've been discussing have free trials.
Or are actually free by design.

Only you know what supports your workflow and what you're comfortable with.
For me, it is Adobe Lightroom and Paintshop Pro. Your needs may be different.

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

Most or all of the applications we've been discussing have free trials.
Or are actually free by design.

Only you know what supports your workflow and what you're comfortable with.
For me, it is Adobe Lightroom and Paintshop Pro. Your needs may be different.

I don't have the pc built and my old one doesn't have good enough specs to get a good idea if I do a trial.

I thought lightroom is mostly after effects?

 

[USAFRet]

Most or all of the applications we've been discussing have free trials.
Or are actually free by design.

Only you know what supports your workflow and what you're comfortable with.
For me, it is Adobe Lightroom and Paintshop Pro. Your needs may be different.

I don't have the pc built and my old one doesn't have good enough specs to get a good idea if I do a trial.

I thought lightroom is mostly after effects?

Noooo....Lightroom is initial processing of the RAW as it comes out of the camera.

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

what do you think of after shot? Just noticed amazon has a lightning deal of paintshop pro standard for $29.99. I could get the ultimate one with after shot and painter essentials for even less than that, but that would be using my discount I could otherwise use on a different item.

still leaning photoshop essentials, though.

 

[USAFRet]

what do you think of after shot? Just noticed amazon has a lightning deal of paintshop pro standard for $29.99. I could get the ultimate one with after shot and painter essentials for even less than that, but that would be using my discount I could otherwise use on a different item.

still leaning photoshop essentials, though.

If you can get a current version of PSP ultimate, with aftershot and Painter Essentials, for less than $30....do that.
That is a great bundle.

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

what do you think of after shot? Just noticed amazon has a lightning deal of paintshop pro standard for $29.99. I could get the ultimate one with after shot and painter essentials for even less than that, but that would be using my discount I could otherwise use on a different item.

still leaning photoshop essentials, though.

If you can get a current version of PSP ultimate, with aftershot and Painter Essentials, for less than $30....do that.
That is a great bundle.

After all fees, it would be about $20. But the problem is it's not simply that the price is that, it's that I'd be passing up getting a different product at a great price instead. For instance, a motherboard that retails for $200 I could probably get for $100 or so. So it depends whether it's worth passing up another deal and so many use photoshop, I lean thatw ay, but like I said.... on amazon they rate photoshop elements poorly, only 2.8 stars.

Also, one other thing... I assume 2019 will be out soon. So that makes me wonder whether to buy or not. And I believe I've seen paintshop pro ultimate go on sale for around $45 without having to use this coupon so it makes me feel like I should sue it on something else.

I've got such a headache, I may just end up not even being able to use the coupon.... I just can't think how to best spend on my parts and software and am alls tuck on decisions.

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

What about gimp? I sued it in the past, but don't remember much about it and obviously it's free... I only used it for logos, though. I wonder if some of these programs are better for actual photo-related editing and some are more for graphics?

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

ps I just wasted that opportunity totally on the prices. Spent all that time thinking about it, then missed out on the deal due to indecision (especially since I needed to soenf $30 before getting the $75 off deal basically... and could think of nothing for $30).