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Although Ulead Systems produces more complex non-linear editing suites, such as MediaStudio Pro 6.5 (PC Magazine, October 2001), it has achieved more success with consumer applications like VideoStudio.
VideoStudio 5.0 is a low-cost solution that doesn't require any experience with video-editing systems to operate. It supports capture drivers for analogue and digital video, including OHCI-compliant IEEE 1394 cards.
As in previous versions, VideoStudio uses a step-by-step approach to building your movie with a fixed-aspect graphic interface. The main disadvantage of this interface is that it's designed to fit an 800 by 600 pixel display, which doesn't rescale for higher resolutions.
As well as providing its own set of video codecs - MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MS DV - VideoStudio 5.0 supports other codecs you might have installed, such as DivX. You can select these from a list at the start of the project or use a file to set the codec properties before capture.
Once your footage is on file, the Storyboard view allows you to drag them onto a single video track. You can also toggle the Timeline view, which brings in title, voice and music tracks.
Thumbnails of your clips are held in the Library pane. While there's no space to wrap long filenames under these, you can hover over them for a tooltip containing the full filename if it's longer than the standard 8.3 convention.
Transition effects are dragged onto a placeholder between clips on the Storyboard, while basic alterations, such as soft edges, can be made. Over 100 transitions are available, as well as a range of basic video filters for adjusting colour and contrast.
Although you can't edit audio embedded in your video file, you can add up to two audio tracks - Voice and Music. With preview on, you can record a narration while the video is played back or record background music straight from CD to WAV. MP3 files are also supported for music tracks.
To view changes to the Timeline, you'll need to pre-render the project, but VideoStudio 5.0 only renders the elements that have changed.
Once complete, you can choose from a variety of output options. Thanks to the inclusion of the DVD Plug-In, you can create a DVD or Video CD (VCD) complete with front page and selectable scenes. Alternatively, high compression codecs, such as RM or WMV, are included for streaming from a website.
It might lack the control offered by other software, but VideoStudio 5.0 is ideal for novice videographers.
Contact
Distributed by Simply Computers, 2/3 Forest Works, Forest Road, Walthamstow, London E17 6JF
Tel 0870 727 2100, Fax 0870 727 4002
www.ulead.co.uk/vs
See also:
Studio Deluxe contains everything you need to start video editing. 14 Aug 2002
All Video Recording, Editing & Mixing
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