Video Editor Purchase - Intermediate Level

[ruiandrade93]

Hello,

I am looking to purchase a Video Editing Software that is not professional level, but at the same time not too basic. My aim is to produce YouTube videos. I need to be able to add multiple audio and video tracks that will overlay each other and play simultaneously. For example I would like the main video to be able to allow for a smaller secondary window to play another video inside of it.

I have used already:

• Windows Movie Maker - too basic for my current needs
• Wondershare Filmora - this sort of level was ok for me before, but didn't allow multiple tracks. I could use something a bit more advanced than this also.

I am currently considering:

• Sony Movie Studio 13 Platinum - seems to be able to do what I need and is on sale on Steam (so it's the steam powered version) right now until Monday with a 50% discount. Some reviews seem unhappy and I could use the perspective from forum users over here.
• Adobe Photoshop Elements 14 & Premiere Elements 14 - Seems to me loved by many, but not sure if it's what I need. It's more expensive than Sony Movie Studio 13 Platinum, is it as intuitive? Is it much better?

Please let me know your thoughts on this.
Thank you.

 

[Jonathan]

Hello, have you tried HitFilm4 Express? its FREE video editing software which has all the features you've stated above. its also not to diffucult to learn.

Get it here: https://hitfilm.com/express

 

[ruiandrade93]

I've read about it and visited the page, but I thought it was very limited what you can with it because of it being free. Does it have available video effects, transitions, etc? I'm guessing you have used it before?

Thanks

 

[Jonathan]

it has some transitions, not as many as you'd get in movie maker but they can be customised and you can use keyframing to make your own in a way. it does also have effects which you can add such as blurs e.t.c

 

[ruiandrade93]

And it's user friendly for someone relatively inexperienced?

 

[Jonathan]

And it's user friendly for someone relatively inexperienced?

considering I don't know much about video editing its pretty easy to use still

 

[ruiandrade93]

I had a quick go with it, for some reason didn't feel very comfortable to use. Can't explain it, but will try again and see how it feels.

Any insight on Sony Movie Studio 13 Platinum? I liked the look of it and everything seemed intuitive to me.

 

[ruiandrade93]

I removed Sony Movie Studio 13 Platinum from my list as there seems to be an issue with it not supporting more recent Nvidia GPUs. On top of that it seems Sony has sold the software to another company now.

Think I'll download trial versions of these 3 and try to find out which best suits me, but if anyone could tell me if they know if there's one which is better than the others in any way, please let me know.

Also each of them have several versions, is there a particular versions you'd recommend?

• Pinnacle Studio 19.5
• CyberLink PowerDirector 14
• Corel VideoStudio X9

 

[Showcase One]

Hi,
Since your intermediate level I would not reccomend you waste your money on those. I would reccomend a free software called Hitfilm 4 Express. It's the best free video editor and VFX compositor around. It's main purpose is for VFX but it has a very powerful video editing timeline.
You could even use da Vinci resolve lite.
I personally use Final Cut Pro X but that was given to me. I also use Hitfilm for visual effects. For my big projects I will send the timeline from final cut to da Vinci resolve to do a full color grade but da Vinci resolve also works fine as an editor.

 

[Showcase One]

I had a quick go with it, for some reason didn't feel very comfortable to use. Can't explain it, but will try again and see how it feels.

Any insight on Sony Movie Studio 13 Platinum? I liked the look of it and everything seemed intuitive to me.

Hitfilm 4 express is actually way more powerful than you think. It just takes some time to get used to. Give it about a week. They have some great tutorials and a big community forums. Refer to my last post for some other alternatives.

 

[Danny]

Hitfilm 4 Pro is on sale at the moment, really good price and if you want a "demo" you can install Express.

Its interface is a lot like that of Adobe Premiere's so the skills you learn in Hitfilm (Pro & Express) are transferable, I would purchase Hitfilm 4 Pro if I did not have the budget for a Creative Cloud subscription.

 

[Showcase One]

Hitfilm 4 Pro is on sale at the moment, really good price and if you want a "demo" you can install Express.

Its interface is a lot like that of Adobe Premiere's so the skills you learn in Hitfilm (Pro & Express) are transferable, I would purchase Hitfilm 4 Pro if I did not have the budget for a Creative Cloud subscription.

Agreed, I only use express because I also have Final Cut Pro X and Da Vinci Resolve, I mainly use hitfilm for motion graphics such as youtube intros and animation.
I would definitely recommend you use hitfilm 4 express for a bit then switch to either ignite or pro.
When your ready for an expert level switch to premiere but the only software that youtubers really need to make good videos is hitfilm.
Its not about the software, its about the content, your effort and skill.

 

[ruiandrade93]

I guess I really need to give it another try.
I can't access it right now, but how limited is the Express version regarding effects and transitions?
Maybe I can just buy the extra features I may need as I go, they probably even have promotions on separate modules?

Thanks for the help so far

 

[Showcase One]

If you dive in deep enough you will find with some practice you can make your own transitions and it has a huge library of effects.

 

[Danny]

I guess I really need to give it another try.
I can't access it right now, but how limited is the Express version regarding effects and transitions?
Maybe I can just buy the extra features I may need as I go, they probably even have promotions on separate modules?

Thanks for the help so far

They have modules but I find that the Express is already capable of all the transitions that I need. To dissolve into another clip, just put the previous clip on top and overlap a bit, then keyframe the opacity from 100% to 0% over a second or so. To do a flash to black/white, take a solid colour and place it on top of your clip, then keyframe the opacity.

It's often difficult to pull off other transitions but I'm sure many can be accomplished using the tools of Express as long as you have the know-how.

 

[Showcase One]

They have modules but I find that the Express is already capable of all the transitions that I need. To dissolve into another clip, just put the previous clip on top and overlap a bit, then keyframe the opacity from 100% to 0% over a second or so. To do a flash to black/white, take a solid colour and place it on top of your clip, then keyframe the opacity.

It's often difficult to pull off other transitions but I'm sure many can be accomplished using the tools of Express as long as you have the know-how.

Correct, it just takes about a week to get used to.

 

[dhyatt52]

awesome info...but I prefer using after effects myself.