Over the past few weeks there has been a spate of releases from the major video editing software manufacturers. There’s nothing really special about that except that many have come out with very simplified versions of their video suites squarely aimed at the home user that has modest demands.
This tends to make me think that the software makers have been actively surveying their customer bases and by these releases are seeking to plug a gap in the market.
By the looks of the products themselves it appears that gap is the person who wants to make video and get it on to DVD, Blu-ray or online fast and is not too concerned with being able to apply all the “bells and whistles” effects etc offered by the average consumer video editing software program.
It is easy to understand how this has happened. Over the past few years the big software companies have been engaged in a development war with each other for the consumer level video editor market. In the heat of battle the consumer has definitely been the winner in that the capabilities of the current batch of consumer video editors is very, very advanced.
Possibly the cost in all of this has been that now, anyone entering this market at a beginner level or at a level that they are not really that interested in the whole editing process would find the current programs a little daunting. Five or so years of relentless addition of features tends to result in video editing software programs that seem quite complex!
In answer to this Magix, Corel and Cyberlink have released video editing products that are very simple to use, have the basic features needed to get the job done and include all the tools necessary within the package. Of course Roxio has had similar features within it’s multimedia suite for a long time now.
Here’s a quick round up of the field as it stands for easy video editing software.
Magix Video Easy
A very easy to use wizard driven interface for video editing with lots of help functionality. Magix seem to be banking here on the usability of the program and the exceptional ease of use. The wizards and help are impressively extensive.
It includes AVCHD support for burning to disc (Check the minimum specs first.) as well as ability to handle MPEG2 and MPEG4 files and output.
There is basic editing providing transitions, titling and the ability to import audio. The program offers very little in the way of features compared to traditional video editing software but hey!… that’s the point!
You can export to DVD, Blu-ray or upload directly to YouTube
Click Here to Take a Look at Magix Video Easy
Corel Digital Studio 2010
Another easy to use video editing software package offering the cut down functionality of their main product range.
It combines a video editing module with an image editing module and and overall output module that allows the creation of DVDs and direct uploading to YouTube etc.
What separates it from the rest is that all of the functions within the program are accessible through one user interface. It doesn’t matter what you are doing the interface always looks the same.
Additionally it is rated to work with the new Windows 7 touch functions.
Click Here to See Corel Digital Studio 2010
CyberLink DVD Suite 7
This one is probably my favourite of the bunch. Although it originates from the viewpoint of a DVD creator Cyberlink have gone to great lengths to include some great features and functionality.
It combines cut down versions of PowerDirector (video editing), their image and audio editing programs and ties up the package with great DVD and disc authoring capabilities.
The Ultra version comes fully loaded for Blu-ray creation and of course the necessary codecs for online video.
Slightly less smoothly integrated than the Corel product and far more advanced than the Magix product without introducing needless functions and complexity.
Click here to See CyberLink DVD Suite 7
Roxio Creator 2010
Roxio Creator 2010 comes with video, audio and image editing tools.
The beauty of Roxio Creator has always been that although the various media modules are separate, they integrate very well together. Because of that you can tweak a photo from within the video editing program or use all the power of the audio editing module the same way.
Obviously the DVD burning module and DVD authoring features are very good because that’s how the software came into being in the first place.
Feature-wise it is on a par with the CyberLink product and there is probably not much to separate the two.
If your emphasis is on disc creation rather than video editing then possibly this would suit more.
Click Here to See Roxio Creator 2010
For “no-frills” but very precise video editor, you may want to look at our software Machete (new 3.4 version just released). It is designed exactly for beginners who need to quickly edit videos without messing up original quality.
Thanks Andrea I will head over to take a look at it.
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awesome, i can’t wait to buy one !