How to Choose the Best Video Editing Software

Learn what factors to consider when purchasing a video editing software package.
Video editing software is like a word processor for video files. It allows you to take an hour long travel video and shrink it down to 5 minutes. It allows you to add titles to the soccer game you taped, and it allows you to clean up the overall structure of your video and present a story to the viewer. Although the movies you see in Hollywood require editors with excellent editing skills and years of practice, you can buy a piece of software that will allow you to play with tools similar to those used by the pros.

What are the major differences in video editing software packages?

Editing software that has more features will typically have more value and will usually cost more. You may start looking around for editing software and the next thing you know, some know-it-all is telling you to buy Final Cut Pro (Mac) or Adobe Premiere (PC/Mac). These packages average around $500 and are NOT necessary for what most people want and need from a video editing software package. For under $200, a beginner can get started making video's on their home computer with good results. When you buy a computer, you look at the computer's features (RAM, Hard Drive Space, Operating System) to see if it matches up to what you need. The same goes for video editing software.

Here are the features that will decide which piece of software you should get:

1. Import/Export Options

Most software under $50-$100 will limit the types of video files (CODECs) that you import into your editing software. Suppose you have a Windows Media Video file and you want to use this videoclip in your next video. Most editing packages will not allow you to bring in these clips (except Adobe Premiere 6.5, Windows Movie Maker, Roxio VideoWave Movie Creator, and some others). Another example - if you have a large amount of RealMedia video files and you want to use them in your video, you might just be out of luck. I have yet to find an editing package that will allow you to import them. But technology will always advance... The same holds true for different types of audio and graphics files - some packages import them, some don't.

As far as Export options, the same holds true. Most video editing packages will allow you to export to Windows Media, Quicktime, or RealMedia CODECs. After that, the editing package that allows the greater flexibility should be where you go. Suppose you want to make a CD-ROM and use MPEG-1 as your CODEC. If the software doesn't offer MPEG-1 compression, you're out of luck. Find a package that exports MPEG-1.

The good thing about the items I've mentioned above is that they are like ingredients in that preservative-filled meal you just had - they are listed on the side of the box. You can see for yourself which CODECs are supported and use this as one basis of comparison.

2. Special Effects/Titling

Most special effects capabilities on cheap video software (under $100 is cheap for video software) are cheap. That's how they can produce the special effects without taking so long to develop their product. Some of the better pieces of software begin to allow you to perform motion tracking. This is like watching the PBS or the Biography Channel - a zoom or pan across a picture of a person/place creating the illusion of movement. I consider this a must for all people putting together video photo albums. Another great feature is the ability to import graphics "layers" into your video from a graphic software like Adobe Photoshop.

3. Bundled Software (Audio/Music/DVD)

What does the software package come with - anything? When I bought Adobe Premiere several years ago, it included a Firewire card, a special effects engine (Hollywood FX), a VCD/DVD burning software, and a music-creation package (Sonic Foundry Acid Music). It turned out to be quite a value. Look for these types of deals when buying your video editing package.

4. Simple to Use

It seems like the last company to make a video editing software package will consistently make it easier to use than the last guy. Case in point - the Roxio VideoWave Movie Creator is one of the easiest packages to use that I have ever come across. Lately I noticed export to Windows Media can be a bit difficult when the output is a network drive. Another good example of easy to use software is the Microsoft Movie Maker 2.0 that you can download for free (Windows XP only though). You can also download special effects packages for free.

Summary and Recommendations

It's the Age of the Internet. The best thing you can do, is try it before you buy it. If companies don't have their software up on the net, it is their problem and you shouldn't buy from them anyway. Some of the best video editing software is out there for you to try - so get started today. Use some of the tips I've mentioned to help you evaluate the software against another piece of software. If you are looking for software and cannot download a free trial and still have some questions, post it to the newsgroups or Internet forums!

Most of all, have fun!

You may also wish to read the following related articles:

Adobe Premiere 6.5 Video Editing Software

Roxio VideoWave Movie Creator Video Editing Software

Ulead Media Studio Pro

Dazzle Multimedia

Pinnacle Studio 8

About the Author

Gary Hendricks is the editor of Desktop-Video-Guide.com, a hobby site providing tips and tricks on how to shoot, capture and edit digital videos.

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