With every new software upgrade, we hope to see some valuable improvements to the product. Pinnacle Studio HD is no exception to this. Avid did a good job at filling in some of the gaps that this application had compared with other video editing software. With the addition of AVCHD import support, an increased number of audio tracks and HD capability, you will find that this video editing software is a good choice if you only need the basics and don't want to slow down your machine with some of the more resource-consuming features.
When you're looking at purchasing video editing software, there are few key points to keep in mind. The first aspect is the options an application has for capturing video. If you can't import your desired movie files, there is no point in even getting the software. With Pinnacle Studio HD, the developers have come a long way in this area. We have always been impressed with this application's wide variety of options, including HD video options and the ability to import photos and music. However, with this latest release, Avid added the capability to capture video from AVCHD. This feature is nice to have available.
The second aspect to take into account is the application's editing tools and options. The latest version of Pinnacle Studio HD has also improved in this area. Now you can have up to four audio tracks in a movie you make with Pinnacle Studio. This isn't as many audio tracks as some other products on the market have, but it is an improvement over the previous version of the software which only had a couple. We were also pleased that there is an option to import images. Having images interspersed with video files can make for engaging and eye-catching movies.
The final point to consider is the application's export and production options. There is little point in making a movie if you can't share it with your family and friends. There is support for HD files in this version of the software, and Pinnacle Studio has added the option to export a movie project in RealVideo. The HD support alone is a great reason to look into Pinnacle Studio HD, but it also includes plenty of other file-type options. One of the few features missing is the ability to burn movie projects to Blu-ray Discs. This is something that, with HD capability, would be useful to have.
The help and support offered by Pinnacle Studio is the best we've seen with video editing software. Not only is there free email, phone and live chat support, but there are also tutorials, FAQs, forums and even a printed manual. All of these options make this application a great choice if you are worried about learning to use the software. Now you don't have to worry about being stuck because you can always contact the company for help.
Systems Requirements:
- Windows® 7 32/64-bit, Windows Vista® 32/64-bit (SP2), or Windows XP 32-bit (SP3)
- Intel® Pentium® or AMD Athlon™ 1.8 GHz (2.4 GHz or higher recommended) - Intel Core™2 Quad 2.66 GHz, Intel Core™ i5 or i7 1.06 GHz or higher required for AVCHD*
- 1 GB system memory recommended, 2 GB required for AVCHD*
- DirectX® 9 or 10 compatible graphics card with 64 MB (128 MB or higher recommended) - 256 MB required for HD and AVCHD*
- DirectX 9 (or higher) compatible sound card
- 3.2 GB of disk space
- DVD-ROM drive to install software
Capture Options
- Capture from DV, HDV and Digital8 camcorders or VCRs (requires a FireWire® port)
- Capture from analog camcorders, 8 mm, HI 8, VHS, SVHS, VHS-C, SVHS-C, or VCRs (NTSC/PAL/SECAM). Requires DirectShow® compatible graphic board or TV tuner board with analog (Composite or S-Video) inputs
- Import from AVCHD* camcorders (requires USB 2.0 and a UDF driver)
Output Options
- Output to DV, HDV or Digital8 tape (requires camcorder with FireWire Input port and a PC with a DV/FireWire port)
- Output to analog videotape (requires DirectShow compatible video device or video card with TV-output)
- Output to Apple® iPod® and Sony® PSP™ formats*
Import Formats
- Video: AVCHD*, DV, HDV, AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, DivX®*, MPEG-4*, 3GP(MPEG-4)*, WMV, Non-encrypted DVD titles*
- Audio: MP3, MPA, WAV, AC3*
- Graphic: BMP, GIF, JPG, PCX, PSD, TGA, TIF, WMF
Export Formats
- Video CD (VCD) or S-VCD with optional CD burner (CD-R or CD-RW)
- AVCHD*, Blu-ray BD*, HD-DVD*, DVD* disc with optional disc burner (incl. dual layer)
- Apple iPod and Sony PSP compatible (MPEG-4) formats*
- DV, HDV, AVI, DivX*, RealVideo® 8, WMV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4*, Flash, 3GP*, WAV, MP3* files
- Dolby® Digital 2 channel* and 5.1 channel** audio
Features:
Your Story — Now in Dazzling HD
Pinnacle Studio Plus works natively with HDV and AVCHD footage. Native HD support means you’ll get the same pristine quality from your original source all the way to final output – without transcoding and in real-time. You can even combine projects that mix standard and high definition video and photos for a final result in full HD resolution.
Built-in HD Disc Burning
Burn your Hollywood-style movies on DVD and HD DVD format discs on standard DVD media. Natively author Blu-ray format discs with full motion menus. Or make AVCHD format discs on standard DVDs to play on Blu-ray players.
Enjoy multi-track power without the complexity
Thanks to fantastic pre-built templates designed by professional producers and artists, Pinnacle Montage automatically generates all the necessary titles, effects and animations.
Create multi-layer effects
Access to Picture-in-Picture, Chroma Key or A/B editing with two video tracks at the tip of your fingers.
Mix your media together
Use all your media - photos, video, and music - to create a Hollywood-style movie. 11 themes with +80 templates including Video Wall, Album, Seasons and more.
It’s all in the Timeline.
With its sleek, scalable interface, Pinnacle Studio Plus version 12 represents a stunning leap forward in workflow refinement and ease of use. Directly import your digital videos, photos and audio from a wide range of devices including DV, HDV and AVCHD camcorders, and digital still cameras. Automatic scene detection and clip creation gets your project off to a great start. You’ll be editing your movie, fast!
Optimized for performance
Unleash the power of your computer. This means a faster, smoother experience while you work and in your final output.
Real-time multi-track editing
Create advanced effects like Chroma Key, graphics overlay and Picture-in-Picture (PIP).
Key frame-able 2D/3D motion graphics
Pick from hundreds of effects and transitions, and preview them in full quality, even in HD. If you ever need even more creative variety, add to your effects library with just a few simple clicks.
Scorefitter® music generator
Automatically generate a rich soundtrack to match the length of your movie; now with 40+ source tracks that feature more choice, higher fidelity and increased accuracy.
Web publishing simplified
What fun is capturing your memories if you don't share them? In just One-Click share your movies with the world on popular web sites like YouTube and Yahoo! Video
Refined audio editing
New digital controls and monitors to add a dimension in sound to your movie.
Clean up and rejuvenate
Improve audio tracks, clean up video, enhance color, remove noise, and fix poor lighting to restore old, damaged footage – automatically.
Even more ways to share
Output movies to Sony® PSP™, Apple® iPod®, DivX® certified players and even 3GP mobile phones. Export to Flash video too.
Built-in HD Disc Burning
Burn DVD, HD DVD and AVCHD format discs on standard DVD media. Natively author Blu-ray format discs with full motion menus.
Scalable user interface
Keeps tools at your fingertips. Adjustable windows are perfect for widescreen monitors.
By toptenreviews.com
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