Video editing software

[Adcadet]

Hey guys,
I got a camcorder (Canon Vixia HFM300) that I'm pretty happy with (only complaint: low-light shooting drops the quality quickly), and am looking for some decent video editing software. I've been using Microsoft's Movie Maker Live, which is fine for simple stuff. But I'm looking for something with more bells and whistles. My videos are AVCHD by default, which I think most programs read just fine. Do you guys recommend anything in particular for the higher-end home user?

 

[Mercutio]

S*ny Vegas.

The UI is tremendously less retarded than Premier. It's also cheaper and does all the same stuff.

 

[Chewy509]

To second Merc, the 3-4 people I know who do home video editing all use Sony Vegas. They all say decent things about it.

 

[CougTek]

Ouch, I almost broke the floor with my ass after reading Merc recommending a S*ny product.

 

[Mercutio]

Ouch, I almost broke the floor with my ass after reading Merc recommending a S*ny product.

The alternative is to recommend an Adobe product. It's a little like asking which testicle you'd prefer to have run through a garlic press.

 

[Handruin]

What about Avid Studio? Depending on which Vegas package the others are recommending, the Avid Studio might be less money. Another option might be CyberLink PowerDirector 9.

 

[ddrueding]

I won't touch a CyberLink product, either. But Avid has a good reputation in the pro world.

 

[LiamC]

The alternative is to recommend an Adobe product. It's a little like asking which testicle you'd prefer to have run through a garlic press.

I am so lucky I wasn't drinking coffee or cola when I read that

:thumbright:

 

[Santilli]

I have PowerDirector 9, and it feels much like having a testicle run through a garlic press, and just as intuitive....

 

[Adcadet]

Are we talking Sony Vegas Pro, which costs >$500, or the <$100 version?

 

[Mercutio]

Start with the $100 one because it will probably do everything you need.

 

[Handruin]

I'm just going to put this out there, but the Adobe Premiere CS5.5 30-day trial can be extended without needing to...download/torrent hackery. It's probably overkill for what you want.

 

[Mercutio]

Adobe Creative Suite is either the first or second most pirated software on the internet. If you can't trip and fall over a decent copy on a torrent site I do not know what is wrong with you.

While I do not condone use of Adobe software for anything, I will say that I would rather people steal it than give those unclefuckers any legitimate business.

 

[Handruin]

You don't even need to torrent. They give it to you as a demo and you can make it functional without even risking a hacked version or hacked code.

I don't say it quite so colorfully as you, but I agree.