** Price:
The price, though correct, is not justified on options "Plus" version. In video, this is not the number of transitions that makes good movies. On this point, Magix should review its fee schedule.
** Ergonomics:
VideoDeluxe probably out for this competition. There are two working modes:
- Storyboard (each new sequence is placed in the boxes that follow) is the mode for beginners (it looks like Microsoft Movie Maker). Simple and effective ... but that's not what mode that catches my attention.
- Timeline (the clips are placed on tracks: one can butt / ride / shift sequences, you can also place them in parallel to video effects like PiP "Picture in Picture) This mode is complete, features 32 tracks (. every capacity: video, audio, titles, effects, etc.)
Sequences can shortened and displaced persons on the slopes. Then it is possible to cut a long sequence into multiple sequences and add effects to them.
** Effects
Besides the effects of color, brightness and other psychedelic effects than useful, we can apply a slow motion effect or accelerated with an interpolation of intermediate images (this is a good point). The effects of hue / saturation / contrast are easy to edit and especially, it is possible to use key points during the sequence to change dynamically (eg the sequence begins in color, goes in B & W and returns to the color) . Ditto for the position and zoom the video (PiP scrolling in the image, etc.)
In sympathetic effects, chroma or work on transparent or desaturated colors (how Sin City) are easier to manage than Serif MoviePlus or VideoPad. In addition, on a machine properly sized (a quad processor Core i3 enough) the effects are displayed in real time: very handy for quickly testing the sequence.
Sound effects let you change the volume, balance (Pan), and many other effects can distort the sound.
Note: there are functions "clean" video and sound ... I've never really tried. Similarly there is a stabilizing function which appears to be effective (but time consuming calculations).
** Securities
The Titler is however unpleasant to use and get a very simple way sometimes requires the use of an advanced title and to remove the effects ... blah blah!
** Import Export
This is the strong point of the software that uses CODEC very good (particularly for MainConcept DV). Videos can be exported to YouTube, DVD or other media (predefined formats) or exported beings in a particular format (and use CODECs available on the PC).
** Conclusion
MoviePlus Serif nothing wrong and NCH VideoPad is very correct for the price. However, Magix brings further usability interface although still improvable. Pushed into a corner, VideoPad has sometimes failed to export an idle on a HD home video ... sometimes MoviePlus X5 offers improved image processing but more complex settings. So finally, DeluxeVideo remains the most intuitive and reliable in my opinion!
