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]

Too bad I already narrowed it to powerdirector and videostudio, because nero platinum is on sale right now for $20!

 

[kenrivers]

Where is it on sale for $20?

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

Where is it on sale for $20?

newegg, via a code, assuming it hasn't sold out or them stop allowing it. (they stop some codes after x number of people use it).

I don't think it has burning to BR does it? So I really would feel that I shouldn't get it.

 

[kenrivers]

According to the website it includes Nero Burning Rom which does include Blu-ray.

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

Just checked. It does still work. I was going to say maybe I should just buy and sell it, at that good price. But it's for a download, not box version, so not sure it could easily be sold.

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

According to the website it includes Nero Burning Rom which does include Blu-ray.

wouldnt that not be quite the same as typical creating of BR discs, though? You'd have to create a certain file type and then burn it or convert it or whatever, but wouldn't it not be the typical BR disc with BR menus, etc...?

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

Also, I've seen good reviews about nero, but I believe it's extra slow.

edit: the review of the 2017 version, from this very site (well, tom's guide), says powerdirector and premiere elements are a better experience.

 

[kenrivers]

According to the website it includes Nero Burning Rom which does include Blu-ray.

wouldnt that not be quite the same as typical creating of BR discs, though? You'd have to create a certain file type and then burn it or convert it or whatever, but wouldn't it not be the typical BR disc with BR menus, etc...?

Can't say as I've never used it. By the time I could find out the offer will have expired.

Nero Disc Menu Templates

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

According to the website it includes Nero Burning Rom which does include Blu-ray.

wouldnt that not be quite the same as typical creating of BR discs, though? You'd have to create a certain file type and then burn it or convert it or whatever, but wouldn't it not be the typical BR disc with BR menus, etc...?

Can't say as I've never used it. By the time I could find out the offer will have expired.

Nero Disc Menu Templates

for elements, you mentioned they took away BR burning, but you could still do it in a roundabout way (creating a certain file type), what would be the differences in that particular case?

 

[kenrivers]

Since the Nero apps probably work together it would probably be a smoother transition from one app to another (fewer steps). Blu-ray files exported from Premiere Elements could be imported into Nero Burning Rom and a disc created.

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

Since the Nero apps probably work together it would probably be a smoother transition from one app to another (fewer steps). Blu-ray files exported from Premiere Elements could be imported into Nero Burning Rom and a disc created.

But for elements itself, I was unsure of exactly what the implications of their change was, because you showed where it said it stripped BR support, but you could still do it, so i was confused on exactly what changed. The format of the file?

 

[kenrivers]

If I understand it correctly it simply means it no longer has the "burner" function. It does not mean you can't export the file in a format that can be used to create DVDs/Blu-rays.

 

[USAFRet]

From what I see, you're in Analysis Paralysis mode. Combined with ancient hardware that you can't really test the newer software on.

There is nothing wrong with having multiple tools for this. Especially when they are cheap or free.

That's why I have Paintshop Pro, Lightroom, GIMP, darktable, and paint.net.
That's why I have Hitfilm Express and DaVinci Resolve.

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

I don't know if that deal is still working, but I have a $30 newegg gift card that has to be used within 30 days. I just doubt that would be my preferred program, though (nero)a nd I don't want o buy more than one. A mighty big discount, though, 80% off the sale price.

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

From what I see, you're in Analysis Paralysis mode. Combined with ancient hardware that you can't really test the newer software on.

There is nothing wrong with having multiple tools for this. Especially when they are cheap or free.

That's why I have Paintshop Pro, Lightroom, GIMP, darktable, and paint.net.
That's why I have Hitfilm Express and DaVinci Resolve.

it's just that I doubt I will edit often, so hate to spend on multiple programs. really tempting on these deals, though.

 

[USAFRet]

it's just that I doubt I will edit often, so hate to spend on multiple programs. really tempting on these deals, though.

If you're not going to edit often, then the "performance" counts much less.
It is the features you'd be looking for.

Specifically, bluray.

For rare editing, it doesn't really matter than one application takes 5 minutes more than another, if it actually includes the critical feature you require.

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

It's not just a few mins difference. powerdirector is much faster than most others, supposedly.

But I'd still consider videostudio. I can't find anything on whether nvidia or amd cards are better with it for gpu acceleration, though. For PD, I have got a lot of responses, showing that nvidia is far better with it in the current version.

That's the main thing I need to figure out is whether or not I need to buy an nvidia card and sell my amd one. If videostudio were good with amd ones, I'd maybe choose it. Although, I am tempted to get something better than the amd card, anyway, in case I game or ever want to use vr.

 

[USAFRet]

It's not just a few mins difference. powerdirector is much faster than most others, supposedly.

Key word....supposedly.

As you've not tested it with your workload and your hardware, new or old....online reviews and "supposedly" is just conjecture.
That's why most of those tools have a free trial.

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

It's not just a few mins difference. powerdirector is much faster than most others, supposedly.

Key word....supposedly.

As you've not tested it with your workload and your hardware, new or old....online reviews and "supposedly" is just conjecture.
That's why most of those tools have a free trial.

well, every professional review I've seen that compares them says videostudio is slow as the main con for it and that powerdirector is much faster and one of the fastest. (I think one sole program was faster, may have been pinnacle, but I can't remember). true different projects could be different, but for every reviewer to say the same thing, it's likely true.

 

[DefinitelyNotTom]

what exactly are video overlay tracks? videostudio limiting it to 20 is the only other real complaint I find, other than sped. I'm kind of tempted to get videostudio... but not quite settled on it so will have to pass on the amazon deal of $58 for ultimate because the deal ends in about 40 minutes.