Let us take a closer look at which programs fared well in which category. At least the manufacturers no longer ask for extra money to enable some features like in previous versions. On the contrary, they innundate the user with additional tools. If desired, Corel installs Corel DVD Copy 6, WaveLab LE6 from Steinberg and WinDVD 9 't'o play back DVDs; CyberLink offers PhotoNow and SmartSound as additional tools. Pinnacle provides three plug-ins with Studio, and Magix adds a starter pack' with 170 effects as well as the programs Photo Manager and Mufin MusicFinde( Base for identification of music.

Importing: only AVCHD causes problems

Importing the MPEG2 material from the Sony DCR-SR210E as well as the AVCHD shots from Panasonic's HDC-SD9 didn't present any challenges, at least when the programs had to take clips from the camera directly via USB. In Pinnacle Studio, the file list took a long time to appear. Sony's Vegas Platinum displayed the menu structure on the camcorder hard drive, but could not import the clips. CyberLink and Adobe came through with a thumbnail display, and even the selection process was a pleasant job.

If problems crop up, amateur filmmakers should first copy their clips onto the PC's hard drive because every program can then capture the data quickly and effortlessly. Even the 16:9 format is always identified and processed. The only peculiarity: CyberLink's Power"oirector showed the clips as being in the 4:3 aspect ratio in the preview window, but still displayed the film in the widescreen format.
Pinnacle Studio 12 is the all-rounder in importing. With a free update for the QuickTime format MOV, it is proficient in every video and audio format. Even the other programs can process almost all formats; at the most they leave out RealMedia or can read DivX only if the third-party codec is installed.

Editing loads of effects

Each program comes with a wide selection of precise editing tools. This applies to both, trimming (cropping the start and end points) and dividing a clip into multiple parts. Besides, every program offers more than 200 filters and effects; this is more than enough, but one should still use them sparingly. In the best performer, Magix, you can find a series of high-quality tweaking effects which are easy to use. Brightness and contrast, color saturation with white balance and image sharpness can easily be adjusted. Clips can be displayed in parts and zoomed into as desired and also deformed or distorted. Despite all these tricks, editing is the prominent task, and timelines or storyboards are easy to set up. The user will appreciate the varied options and their operation even in Sony's contender, in which adjustable bars affect the contrast and color saturation. But image editing tools are missing from Video-FX.

On the other hand, Pinnacle Studio is a convincing choice due to a clear workflow setup. Everything that's worth knowing-for instance the file format, resolution or butrate-is available in the list of the clips in just a few lines. In the time line, a right click reveals which directory on the hard disk the clip is located in. Studio shows just seven video and audio tracks for a simpler overview, but other tracks can be added. Editing functions in Corel's VideoStudio are also easy to operate. Suitable options are shown the moment a clip appears in the viewing window.

Adobe Premiere Elements is the only candidate that manages without image stabilization. Amateur filmmakers get other high-quality tools as compensation. Looking at its options, you will notice that Adobe also offers a video editing program for professionals.

Output from Blu-ray to youtube

All programs in the test export video films in various formats; only DivX, RealMedia and FLV get a raw deal in a few of them. MPEG4 export works well in all its variations for portable devices such as the iPod or the Sony PSP; even cellphones and PDAs are supported with 3GP. Likewise, all of them manage to display high-resolution AVCHD on a Blu-ray disc. In addition, they show descriptions of DVDs, CDs and camcorder tapes and export clips for the Internet-mainly YouTube. CyberLink's PowerDirector is the easiest to operate among the lot: the buttons are big and clear; even amateurs will immediately get the hang of it.

In AVCHD however, the program seemed to want to burn the film to a Blu-ray disk only in the 720x576 resolution. We would have preferred a more suitable HD resolution. The problem could only be rectified with an update, but many manufacturers send updates enthusiastically. The free updates should generally be installed, as all manufacturers are constantly touching up the products. This needs to happen because AVCHD and Blu-ray as formats are still works in progress.
likewise, Pinnacle wins in film production. At first, you decide the output medium and the settings follow in another window: However, in Adobe Premiere Elements, the user must know the format he wants and what is hidden behind terms such as "H.2641440x1080i 25". Moreover, something mysterious happened as we were testing Premiere Elements: one clip in the film was converted into something like a negative. It can also burn video CDs and SVCDs¬maybe no one uses thes,e any longer, but it's still useful to have the option.

Magix offers a large number and great variety of DVD menu templates. Even Sony creates DVD menus in an extremely flexible manner and allows extensive changes in the arrangement of menus and buttons.

All test candidates deliver good image quality in MPEG2 output, but when it comes to MPEG4 output, this is true only with certain caveats. If you don't adjust the bitrate and resolution as per your needs here, then your video might contain unsightly blocks (Corel and Pinnacle), or even streaks and blocks (Magix) during fast motion scenes. The automatic default settings of a few profiles are not exactly ideal in these programs. For instance, Pinnacle treats its MPEG4-HD profile to a default bitrate of only 2 MS.

Operation: not all for beginners

PowerDirector from CyberLink is ideal with respect to navigation and the user interface. It is recommendable for all beginners and all those who are reluctant to configure technical options and want to make a film as quickly as possible. Additional filters, effects or sounds can be downloaded from

the Internet with the click of a mouse. Pinnacle Studio however offers the best ergonomics and is very easy to operate. Even the user prompts are clear and simple. There's a clear demarcation between shooting, editing and film producing; all editing tools are displayed well. Compared to Magix, it lags behind only in functionality.

The problem with Magix is that while the program has a very tidy look, it's the the little things that cause problems. Due to this, the program has become complex in operation and branches out greatly in sub-menus; you often have to search hard for the desired option. When it comes to Adobe's Premiere Elements, you feel good after the first glance itself. The interface is plain and gives easy access all important features. The story is the same with Sony: the user interface has menu items in icons that are not always self-explanatory. You sense that a professional program is hidden behind it, i.e. the big brother. Vegas Pro.

Besides, rendering of AVCHD material takes a long time in Movie Studio; only Premiere E:lements was slower than it. We tested here with the standard settings for full HD. Corel was the fastest to get done with video editing thanks to its effective Smart Rendering for AVCHD material. It's good because amateur filmmakers don't want to sit in front of the computer forever, but start taking new shots instead.

VERDICT

The videq' programs have reached a remarkable level and convince by supporting many formats, powerful features and numerous additions. Even the AVCHD format no longer causes so many problems like those in the predecessor versions. Thanks to many editing options, Magix is the best performer, followed by Pinnacle with effective user prompting.