Passable software for amateur filmmakers and an alternative to competitors - with weaknesses

For amateur and amateur filmmakers, this software is a successful alternative to "Magix Video Deluxe" Sony Movie Studio or Adobe Premiere Elements. Now that I have tested all these programs and worked a long time with Corel VideoStudio Pro X4, I have revised my review and expanded.

Someone who is one of the competitors is usual and may, Corel's product will certainly not convince, but others may one month retest it for free in its entirety before then possibly decide for a purchase (you can download the trial version at Corel download, which differs only by the service life of the full version - an advantage over, for example, Magix, because there the export function is limited)..

I used this software as a freelancer a production company for reports of amateur sports events and "Corel VideoStudio Pro" is in this company generally recommended, without, however, that claims to be better than the competition.

For me, the software runs relatively stable and reliable and I have achieved many good results with it. As for the tools, it was for me a little getting used to a better and far more expensive "Adobe Premiere Pro" (but that's professional software and pricewise not with Corel's compare "VideoStudio Pro"; not to be confused with Adobe Premiere Elements).

WEAKNESSES
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- The track number is very limited compared to the competition. Only 7 video tracks (also usable as title-track), 2 Title tracks and 4 audio tracks available. That may be enough for amateur filmmakers and smaller projects - for more complex projects and more ambitious filmmaker is however a strong constraint that would not really have been necessary.

- The built in this software encoder of Ulead provides significantly poorer results than the encoder often used in the competition from MainConcept. The Smart Render feature worthy of the name is actually not, because while be achieved in the competition by Smart Rendering results without visible quality loss, this loss of quality is clearly visible at Corel program.

Even bugs are included in the software:

- For example, it comes when rendering often that at "Smart Render option" or 2-pass option is enabled, the rendered results not be able to play properly (image "increased" or stops completely when playing with popular software players) - a control after rendering is definitely a must and I render now safe side everything without "Smart Render" and 2-pass option - certainly not the point of it.

- In addition, the Render Export of content in a 16: 9 native format and are to be rendered in a resolution that the pixel ratio is not 16: 9 (for example 720x576.) Quite problematic. While this works to MPEG format with no problems, the transmission works into AVI or MPEG4 format not because this video is letterboxed from the video track shown (with bar), which is OK, while the contents of the same origin format of the overlay tracks to full screen size are upset, what should not be. I handle this by me first to MPEG format or in a high-definition 16: 9 format and render the final result then again in the resolution - but that's just a cumbersome and prone to losses in quality stopgap and should not be so.

- In addition, I have the impression that the software is not really performant and often times falters. And program crashes occur every now and then for no apparent reason.

STRENGTHS
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- The workflow and the user interface are tuned for simplicity, clarity and good humor towards. This is mainly for video editing beginners, amateurs and amateur filmmakers and smaller projects beneficial. So you will not be killed while working by the many possibilities and can sometimes start with the work and concentrate on the essentials. Since you will not be distracted so much by firstonce irrelevant decisions, one works so well faster. On the other hand, the path to enhanced setting possibilities can be found as not so easy. The simplicity of the user interface is therefore a double-edged sword, and for experienced users probably more of a hindrance than a relief.

- The possibility to use proxy files for editing the material, I find very convenient. This can namely not any video editing software. High-resolution HD footage is forcing modern consumer PC workstations still in his knees - because it makes sense to go in processing through proxy files with a lower resolution.

- Auto Music Maker has also impressed me very positively. With this tool it is possible to very quickly and easily to accompany his videos with music. For this one selects an archive of music (free of usage charges) an appropriate topic and trims / extended it harmoniously to a desired playing time. I can not say yet whether the competition can offer something of equal or better.

- Otherwise, I think the software equipped with a good tool palette (although you may not find this as a novice at first), good effects, other "gimmicks", and one for simple DVDs more than sufficient DVD authoring tool.

- The full range of functions and the trial test option related I find very good.

CONCLUSION
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This program is especially suitable for smaller projects, which are bit-more to image quality does not depend on that. Amateur filmmakers who do not want to use too much effort in post-production of their video material are well served with Corel VideoStudio Pro X4.

I like working with this software and get useful results, you should but the software before buying definitely (z. B. by Trial version) antesten. However, in the long run I get to on Sony Movie Studio Platinum, as these competitors software more powerful and the quality of the renderings is better without being expensive in price.