| Program |
VideoStudio 6 |
Studio DV 7.11 |
Adobe Premiere 6.5 |
Final Cut Pro, Academic Lab Version 3.02 |
Avid Xpress DV, EduPack 3.5 |
| Publisher |
Ulead Systems
(800) 858-5323 |
Pinnacle Systems
(888) 484-3366 |
Adobe Systems, Inc.
(888) 724-4508 |
Apple
(800) 800-2775 |
Avid Technology, Inc.
(800) 949-2843 |
| Platform |
Win and Windows XP |
Win and Windows XP |
Mac PowerPC; Win and Windows XP |
Mac OS X (v10.1.1 and higher); G4 system required for real-time effects |
Windows XP and Mac OS X |
| Grade level |
Middle school and up |
Middle school and up |
High school and up |
High school and up |
High school and up |
| Price |
$85/seat; lab packs and site licenses available |
$69.95; volume pricing available |
$249; volume pricing available |
$249 per seat (minimum 5-seat license); discs/documentation $49 |
$999; volume pricing available |
| Features |
ýTabbed interface provides step-by-step approach to video editing
ýOutputs to Video CD, SuperVCD, and DVDs
ýBatch capture
ýFull-screen Storyboard mode
ýCan record music directly from audio CDs
ýDirect MPEG file capture from DV sources
ýSupports CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW, and DVD+R/RW |
ýBundles a FireWire PCI card with FireWire cable
ýSmartCapture efficiently transfers reduced-quality DV tape, then recaptures scenes at full DV quality
ýTitleDeko titling editor creates great-looking titles and graphics and is integrated with SmartSound sound effects |
ýFamiliar Adobe menu structure with floating palettes
ýFull-featured audio mixer
ýPhotoshop 5.0 LE included in package with 25 filters from Adobe After Effects
ýCross-platform support, with bi-directional compatibility of media files |
ýOptimized for classroom or lab setting with tools that streamline installation on multiple machines
ýReal-time effects with playback do not require rendering on G4 systems
ýAllows users to capture 40 minutes of video footage per GB of storage
ýIncludes Boris Calligraphy and CGMýs FXScript for high-quality effects |
ýDual processor support
ýPreviews titling, compositing (image layers), and color correction without requiring a full movie render
ýAvid Codec (compressor/ decompressor) for QuickTime and AVI
ýImage Stabilization tool eliminates unwanted camera movement from video
ýExport options for MPEG-1, QuickTime 5, and QuickTime Reference Movies
ýFilmMakerýs Toolkit edits films in several formats and synchronizes audio and video clips captured separately |
| Strengths |
ýUser-friendly DVD-authoring wizard
ýContent CD includes animations, photos, sound effects, backgrounds, and movie clips.
ýIncludes collection of 100 transition effects with powerful modification controls
ýSupports Real Networksý RealVideo, Microsoftýs Advanced Streaming Format, and Appleýs QuickTime for Web-streaming video |
ýSimple, intuitive interface
ýRobust timeline editing controls
ýSmartCapture saves hard disk space during editing
ýAutomatic save
ýSeparate volume adjustments for background audio, voice-over, and video tracks
ýExtensive transition library
ýSplit A/V edits lets users edit audio and video tracks separately.
ýOutputs DV in four formats: AVI; MPEG-1 or MPEG-2; RealVideo; and Windows Streaming Media |
ýCan preview video without rendering
ýTitle Designer applet
ýPublishes to RealNetworks RealMedia, Microsoft Windows Media, and Apple QuickTime
ýHistory palette with up to 99 levels of Undo
ýSave for Web option supports a wide variety of streaming media formats
ýSupport for keyframes, MPEG decoding, and animated GIFs
ýTight integration with flagship Adobe products
ýSupport for Web-streaming video
ýNew projects open with 2 video tracks, transition track, and 3 audio tracks.
ýSupports an additional 98 superimposed tracks in the timeline
ýAutomatic Save
ýAutomate to Timeline tools send whole bin or selected clip from storyboard to the timeline
ýEdit Original allows edits in source file |
ýPrimary and secondary color correction tools let you color-match shots.
ýSupport for hundreds of Adobe After Effects plug-ins and Adobe Photoshop files
ýKeyframe animation
ýUnlimited layering (compositing) with integrated tools
ýAudio level meters
ýVoice-over tool captures audio directly to the timeline
ýQuickView preview for viewing complex effects without having to render them first
ýAutomatic save
ýUp to 99 tracks of audio and video
ýAutomatic save and 99 levels of undo
ýExtensive keyboard controls and shortcuts
ýSupports a wide range of DVD writers and CD-R devices on both Mac and Win for DVD publishing
ýImports audio CD tracks directly from Mac-based OS |
ýReal-time color correction tool set
ýOver 100 customizable real-time effects
ýSupport for AVX (Avid Visual Extensions), a plug-in architecture
ýSupport for QuickTime 5 and 6
ýThree-window views: Previous, Current, and Next frame, so users can modify frames side by side
ýAutomatic save
ýCustomizable keyboard shortcuts |
| Limitations |
ýInstallation requires hefty investment of hard disk space
ýInterface doesnýt follow standard Windows conventions
ýWorkspace takes over entire screen
ýNo easy way to crop unwanted content
ýDifficult to edit in Timeline
ýReal-time preview option interface is not intuitive
ýCanýt edit audio and video tracks separately |
ýNo output to DVD or QuickTime
ýNo import of QuickTime, MPEG-1, or MPEG-2 formats
ýNo support for Windows NT
ýCanýt rip music directly from an audio CD (audio CD must be inserted during movie playback)
ýPoor sound quality on program tutorial
ýNo MPEG-2 Codec (compressor/ decompressor) for playback |
ýCluttered editing palettes and interface make for steep learning curve
ýMany input/output video formats incompatible with OS X |
ýRequires Appleýs DVD Studio Pro for output to DVD
ýUsers must have OS X v10.2 to use QuickTime 6.
ýRequires a G4 system for real-time editing |
ýCannot be used on G3 Macintosh system; Windows version requires XP
ýEduPack does not support Adobe After Effects
ýThird-party programs not included in either the EduPack or StudentPack
ýManual is on CD |
| Support Materials |
ýUser Guide and Content CD
ýBeginner Guide |
ýGuide to Moviemaking and Quick Start Guide
ýBundles TitleDeko for title creation |
ýQuick Reference Card, User Guide with supplement, and training CD
ýSonic Desktopýs SmartSound Quicktracks CD
ý25 After Effects filters |
ýTutorial CDs and manuals
ýBias Peak DV 3 audio editing tool
ýQuickTime Pro 5 for both Mac OS 9 and OS X |
ýGetting Started Guide with step-by-step tutorials
ýExtensive Userýs Guide with additional feature manuals |
| Bottom Line |
A good choice for novices and budget-strapped schools, but with a limited tool set that crimps video-editing capabilities |
A step up from Movie Maker, Studio DV offers a mid-range digital video editing solution for teachers and students who want additional movie-editing power without the steep learning curve associated with Adobe Premiere, Appleýs Final Cut Pro, and Avid Xpress DV. |
Versatile, feature-rich video editor for mixed platform environments and advanced students already familiar with iMovie, Movie Maker, or Adobeýs Photoshop, After Effects, or GoLive |
Best for labs with high-end G4 Macs and computer-savvy students looking to hone their post-production movie-making talents with advanced digital editing tools |
A powerhouse video editor recognized as the professional industry standard, but it requires a substantial investment in hardware and teaching resources, so itýs best reserved for students with a serious interest in professional moviemaking |
