How to choose the best vidding software for you: Mac and PC
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Recommended for Newbies | Vidders' choice | Doesn't make the grade | Pro-level
What software is "best"? Not everyone will agree. There are several programs that often are recommended for newbies. Other programs are often used by advanced vidders because of the features they have. And there will always be software that frequently scorned for being underpowered and inadequate.
If you're willing to consult tutorials and software manuals, you might consider trying out the demo versions of the software listed in the "Vidder's Choice" category, as well as the "Recommended for Newbies" software.
Recommended for Newbies
The Vidding for Macs and Easy & Cheap vidding for PCs tutorials on this site focus on newbie-friendly programs, because it's typical (and generally recommended) that you start with fun and simple software, get your feet wet with editing, and then move on to something more advanced (or not—many won't find any need to do so).
Ulead VideoStudio is the simplest of the consumer-grade video programs for Windows. It is robust, has some great filters and effects, and a shallow learning curve. The "Easy and Cheap Vidding for PCs" tutorial here is devoted to VideoStudio, because it gives happy results and isn't too intimidating for the newbie. There are limitations, however. Many of the special effects that you saw on the example videos (listed on the previous page) would not be possible in VideoStudio. Some vidders report of VideoStudio 11 crashing or misbehaving. (I have not had any problems so far.)
The great thing about VideoStudio is how shockingly fast some people can go from vidding newbie to vidder while using it. For example, Catgirl posted a message on a "North & South" message board, suggesting a certain song for a potential fan video. She couldn't do videos herself, of course, but wouldn't someone else? It was such a great song! Well, no pity for Catgirl—she was told that she should learn how to make her own video, by following the tutorials here and on Ulead's site. A few days later, she produced this: My Confession (YouTube squished the frame dimensions a little, but the original looks fabulous).
Catgirl is not the first vidder to have this experience with VideoStudio, and that's very encouraging. It's a great program for beginners, and—while not as advanced as other software—does give you at least some room to "grow." For example, HeathRA's video Sexy Back (Richard Armitage) pushes VideoStudio to its absolute limits, and the result is fantastic! HeathRA is an exceptional vidder who has an incredible aptitude and is very resourceful, so many of us should not expect to reach this level of vidding sophistication easily with VideoStudio. But it can be done. The problem is, there isn't a lot of flexibility. You have to work within VideoStudio's templates and built-in tools—it doesn't always let you fiddle or tweak all the things that you'd like. So it can be frustrating at times if your goal is to do smashingly clever effects. (And this explains why HeathRA has since abandoned VideoStudio and moved on to a more "pro" level program.)
Download a demo for Ulead VideoStudio. (Try it for the full 30 days before deciding to buy. Make a few videos, put it through its paces!)
iMovie is part of the iLife suite, which comes bundled with every Mac. iMovie is a capable vidding program for newbie vidders. One important thing it has—and has in common with the other recommended video apps listed here—is chapter markers (or timing markers). These help you easily edit your video to beat of the music. (It's very time-consuming to try to make a fan video without markers!) iMovie also has adjustable audio levels (so you can bring down the volume level of your music just a little to allow for dialog to be heard, then bring it back up again) as well as highly adjustable filters. Having these capabilities (among others) separates iMovie from Windows Movie Maker, which can't do these things.
All new Macs have iLife 08, which has a version of iMovie—iMovie 08. An interesting program, but not really suited for vidding, except for just goofing around. Apple anticipated that not everyone would be crazy for iMovie 08, so they made a copy of iMovie 6—which is far, far better for vidding—available for a free download. (This downloaded version will only work if you have iLife 08 installed.) If your Mac is older and you don't have a copy of iMovie 6, you can purchase a used copy of iLife 06 for a low price.
In many respects, iMovie is similar to Ulead VideoStudio for Windows. It's easy to learn, intuitive, and has a nice selection of filters and effects. With some add-ons and plug-ins, iMovie is capable of some quite stunning special effects, so it does have some room for advancement and growth.
Since most Mac users already have some version of iMovie (even version 5 will do in a pinch) then the most logical thing is to start making videos with it, and see how things go.
Videos made with iMovie include EmoGuy/Marian "Anything for You" by savannahhershey, Back for Good (Persuasion) by approp (aka spinningjenny), and Behind Blue Eyes by Penelope. (Video is streaming Quicktime file; should play in new browser window.) Penelope also used some iMovie plug-ins for added effects.
For the heck of it, I made a few videos with iMovie 08. They didn't turn out to be much, but they were fun and easy to do. Here's one: Richard Armitage fan video (made in iMovie 08).
Vidders' choice—more advanced software often used for fan videos
When you see videos with fancy special effects like a split screen, "floating boxes" or gorgeous overlays and other visuals, it's quite likely that the vidder used one of the software programs listed below (or its "pro" counterpart).
Sony Vegas Movie Studio is priced between $75-120 (upgrades less). Movie Studio is a big favorite for many Windows vidders. It has an incredibly loyal following and there's no doubt that some lovely videos can be made with it. I call some Sony Vegas users "True Believers" because of their undying enthusiasm!
Sony Vegas Movie Studio comes in two flavors: Movie Studio, and Movie Studio Platinum. The Platinum version costs more and has a few more goodies (plus HD capability—which is not often used in vidding) so it's up to you to decide how high you want to go in expense. Both versions will make fine fan videos.
The problem with Sony Vegas Movie Studio (and all versions of Vegas) is that while some people claim that it's the easiest, most intuitive thing ever, others say that they just can't get the hang of it, that it's "weird" and everything is laid out in a bizarre way. (I confess that I fall into the latter category.) So, it's extremely important to test the demo before committing to it. You may instantly love it, or you might not. But, with some patience, perseverance, and consulting tutorials, Movie Studio can be learned, even if you at first don't find it easy or at all intuitive. It's definitely worth considering.
To see some examples of Vegas Movie Studio in use, check out Lily, Do You Know (from some undetermined Disney kids' show—sorry, I can't place it). I also made a sample video, Sony Vegas Movie Studio 8 filters and effects. It's rather goofy, but gives you more ideas of what can be done with it. (I used the Platinum version.)
Another problem with Movie Studio is that it has only 4 video tracks (I like to call them "layers"). With some more advanced and "arty" fan videos, you can easily exceed this number. There are other effects that are restricted, or not present. So, while it is a great value for the price, there are things it definitely won't do.
If you don't take to Movie Studio right away, don't dismiss the possibility of picking it up later. Many vidders start with VideoStudio (or even the dreaded Windows Movie Maker) and then progress to Vegas after a while, and are most happy with their choice. (They become "True Believers"!)
Adobe Premiere Elements costs $99 (or less for an upgrade version). It's my favorite (so far) amongst the consumer-priced video programs for Windows, but I have my biases, just like the Sony Vegas "True Believers" do. Like with the other video apps, it's vital to test the demo before buying. Not just to see if you like the way the program works, but to see if it'll even install (or remain stable!).
That's the downside of Elements—it isn't always stable, it doesn't always play well with Windows Vista (I had to eventually downgrade to a prior version of Elements) and it doesn't install on some PCs, even though they should be "fast enough." (Premiere Elements requires a certain type of processor. I have another PC which would have ordinarily run Elements fine—the speed and RAM are enough—but nope. Wrong type of processor.)
However, despite all these setbacks, once I was able to get Premiere Elements working, I really liked it. It has a different set of special effects and features compared to Sony Vegas Movie Studio (it's sort of a "pick your poison" sort of thing—no matter which one you use, you'll have limitations). The thing I like best about Elements is its easy interface (at least I thought it was easy) and its 99 video tracks. (Compare that to Vegas Movie Studio's four tracks. Four.) Premiere Elements 4 has a lot of enhancements, including a built-in function which will upload your finished video straight to YouTube! Cool! But in order to use this feature, you have to get Elements 4 to work. On your computer. And it would not on mine.
So, I downgraded to Premiere Elements 3, which works like a charm, even on Vista. (Apparently Adobe updated version 3 so it is compatible.) I found version 3 to be a joy to work with, and for the most part, stable. There were several significant things that I wished it could do, but was satisfied with what it offered for the price. (A big favorite was its way of making titles and credits—wonderful!) I enjoyed getting around in it and was well pleased with the effects it did have.
Some examples of my videos made in Premiere Elements are Dear Frankie and Guy of Gisborne. I don't pretend that these are great videos (in part because I'm still learning the software), but certainly a more dedicated vidder can bring out all of Elements' many talents! Catgirl has taken to Premiere Elements in an enthusiastic way (after doing a few videos with VideoStudio) as you can see in this fun video, A Little Less Conversation.
Don't misinterpret my enthusiasm for Premiere Elements as unconditional praise, however. Remember: Elements 4. Vista. Would not work. Good grief!
Final Cut Express is the software I use most often, so yes, of course I have a bias towards it. But some Mac vidders won't have any interest in moving past iMovie to use Final Cut Express. That's understandable, since iMovie is a great vidding app, especially for "storytelling" type videos (but it has the ability to handle some effects as well).
Final Cut is priced at $200, and ships with an excellent program for making titles, LiveType. It also enjoys many professional-grade features and abilities. With the exception of some high-end features (that most non-professionals—especially fan vidders—will probably never use anyway), it's got the whole enchilada in regards to features and function—not crippled or limited the way some other consumer-priced video applications are. But, of course it's $200, compared to $75-$120, which is the price of the other (more "crippled") video programs. You pay more for Final Cut Express, but you get more. A lot more.
To give a background of Final Cut Express, it's the "prosumer" version of the professional video editing program, Final Cut Pro. Final Cut Pro is an industry standard in the video business (in the same way that Photoshop is an industry standard in professional graphics). Being proficient in Final Cut is a marketable skill (if you want to take it that far), and many feature films have been edited with the software.
So, Mac users are very lucky to have Final Cut Express—which is similar to the "pro" version in so many ways—available to us, at such an affordable price. But of course, since Final Cut Express is tailored after a "pro" video program, it's got a steeper learning curve, when compared to iMovie (or VideoStudio). The learning curve is no worse (in my opinion) than Adobe Premiere Elements or Sony Vegas Movie Studio, however.
Fan videos made with Final Cut Express include Revolution (linked to previously) by Penelope. This was Penelope's first effort in Final Cut Express. Prior to this, she made several videos in iMovie, over the expanse of several months. She studied the Final Cut manual steadfastly, which helped her use the amount of effects that you see in this video. Another example of Final Cut Express in use is Man on Fire, one of my eccentric and "arty" videos, made mostly as an excuse to have fun with the software!
I started using Final Cut Express probably a month after first getting into vidding. I made about two videos in iMovie, and then, fool that I am, decided that I must have Final Cut Express. Armed with the software manual and another instructional book, I was able to make "Lonely" (John Thornton) shortly after installing the application. The video is deeply flawed, rough around the edges, its attention to timing is tenuous at best, but it shows that a newbie vidder can use Final Cut Express if they follow the manuals and books and really want to learn. (Had I been as dedicated and disciplined as Penelope, my skill with Final Cut Express would have increased far more rapidly than it did. The secret of success with any of this software is to read the manual!)
Video Software That Doesn't Make the Grade
Vidding newbies will often stumble upon bad software because they are lured by the low price, it came on their computer, or because they saw some review for the software which praised it (but the reviewer was not thinking of the unique needs of vidding, which is different from light home movie editing). Here are a few programs that it might be best to avoid.
Pinnacle software has products that can be used for vidding, but I continually hear horrible reports of Pinnacle's instability, and with each new incarnation of their consumer-level software, it seems to get no better. So I haven't even bothered with it. If you like Pinnacle, more power to you, but if you decide to start using it, all I can say is good luck with that.
Cyberlink PowerDirector is used by some vidders, but after trying out the demo, all I can say is no. It crashed when I tried to open one type of video file (which other Windows vidding apps can use with ease) and it totally mangled another file type which I sometimes use for editing. Its Chapter markers (essential for a more pleasant vidding experience) are inadequate. No, no, no.
Magix Movie Edit Pro is cheap, but not cheap enough to make it worth the bother. You'd be better off saving up the extra $15-$25 to buy Vegas Movie Studio, or buying an old version of Vegas or Premiere Elements off of eBay or Amazon Marketplace. Movie Edit Pro's chapter markers are unsuitable for vidders, which is a major deal breaker.
Windows Movie Maker is an abysmal piece of software. I know it's free, but it's unstable, it has very little flexibility with effects, it has no chapter markers, and is frequently guilty of messing up your video's frame dimensions (aspect ratio) so everything looks too squished and fat, or too long and elongated. I understand that many new vidders are going to gravitate towards Movie Maker because it's already installed on their PCs, but it's got so many drawbacks that I cannot recommend that anyone choose to stick with it for very long.
Professional-level Video Software
Some vidders fall in love with the hobby of vidding to such a point where investing in more expensive, professional grade software is their next step. In addition, frequently hobby vidders start using their video editing skills in a semi-pro context.
Sony Vegas Pro is reportedly a fantastic editing program and many vidders swear by it. (And are "True Believers"!) The new version also comes with a well-reviewed program to make titles. Vegas Pro has a similar interface to Vegas Movie Studio. So, that means that either you'll find it simple to learn, or you'll find it foreign, confusing, and strange. (But even if you are among those of us who are put off by Vegas's unusual interface, don't give up on it—give yourself time—you can learn it, and may end up being well-pleased with all it can do for you.) For Windows only. Priced at $549.
Adobe Premiere Pro is another excellent program for vidding and should have all the features you'd require for advanced effects. Like Adobe Premiere Elements, I found it fairly easy to learn and enjoyable. For Windows and Mac. Priced at approx. $800.
Ulead MediaStudio Pro is the "pro" alternative to Ulead VideoStudio, but not really in the same class as the other software listed here. Its interface isn't nearly as easy or intuitive as that of VideoStudio. I found it difficult to understand and too cluttered. For Windows only. Priced at $399.
Final Cut Studio is a suite of video apps, which includes the editor Final Cut Pro. (The "big brother" of Final Cut Express.) Other programs in the suite include LiveType (titles), Soundtrack (audio and scoring), Motion (motion graphics, special effects), Cinema Tools (reverse telecine), Color (advanced color adjustments), Compressor (encoder and converter), and DVD Studio Pro (designing commercial DVDs). Final Cut Studio is an industry standard and very popular among film professionals, in part because (for all that it offers) it's inexpensive. For Mac only. Priced at approx. $1300.
Avid is the "top dog" in the professional realm of video. Anyone serious about video editing as a professional will probably need to learn how to use Avid (as well as Final Cut Studio). It is expensive, often has stringent hardware requirements, and a quirky interface that many find frustrating to learn. However, it is apparently very capable in many ways. It's unlikely that most hobby vidders will find Avid attractive—in part because of the price, and also because of the steep learning curve. For Windows and Mac. Prices vary depending on the version of the software.
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