Good video editing program?

I've tried Moviestar and when editing Mpeg2 footage together, the rendered outcome looks like crap. I tried Pinnacle Studio 8 and most of the time the program doesn't work. Any other suggestions?

Sounds like you're talking about two different processes. For video editing there's always Adobe Premiere, although it is, of course, a bit expensive.

Then, for creating MPEG2 files, I strongly suggest using TMPGEnc.

What is the application? Are you trying to make VCDs or DVDs? If so, then conversion using TMPGEnc is the best method, IMO. Plus, it's free.*

Actually, what kind of editing are you talking about? Are you talking about making cuts in your video? If it's an MPG file already, TMPGEnc can do that, too.

I guess we need a little more info.


*TMPGEnc is free unless you are creating MPEG2 files. that requires a license, so you have to pay for the program, but it's not expensive and the product is really worth it.

I was looking at editing MPEG2 video footage together with different transitions and output it into an MPEG2 file. Then, i want to take that MPEG2 file and put it onto a DVD.

I bought Pinnacle Studio 8 at Fry's when it went on sale for $50 with a $50 mail in rebate. For free I figured what the heck. Works great on my system. The Studio 7 demo wouldn't work though when I tried it last year.

I'm running
Win XP Pro
1.5 P4
120Gb WD 8MB buffer
1Gb RAMbus
AIW Radeon 8500DV 128Mb
Capturing through IEEE-1394 from a Sony miniDV

Editing is easy enough and looks fine for me.

Dave, are you editing MPEG2 video in that, though? I mean, are you opening compressed files and editing them?

burdell1, that's not the best way to do video editing. Where is the video coming from?

Basically, as I understand it, this is like trying to find a program that will edit mp3s like Cool Edit Pro edits WAVs.

However, I've seen people mention M2-Edit Pro from here. Maybe that's what you want.

Dave, are you editing MPEG2 video in that, though? I mean, are you opening compressed files and editing them?

Hmm I'd have to double check that... I capture in mpeg but it might be mpeg4. I'm not sure...

But for free, it works for my stuff. I have an underwater video camera that I take fishing and capture it to the camcorder. Amazing to see all those fish look at my lure then swim off... Pretty neat.

Edit: I just checked my files and they are mpeg1 but the manual for Studio8 says it can capture mpeg2 as well. I'm pretty new to the video capture/edit stuff, so forgive my ignoarance
There are annyoing things about Studio8 such as, it always loads the last project you had open when you start it. That takes a loooooooong time on a big capture (1-2 hours video = 5-10 minutes loading time)
I don't think I could recommend it for just mpeg2 editing, it's done the best for capture for me out of all I demo'd. But I did get the full blown version for free, except for local sales tax... Can't beat that!

just remember to pull the camera out before you pull off in that badass boat of yours! Although seeing that wake disappear into the distance would be cool underwater

just remember to pull the camera out before you pull off in that badass boat of yours!

I can just picture it, it would be like Jaws bulleting to the surface as the boat went faster, then it breaks the surface and comes flying right at my head. The last image is the camera entering my wide open mouth that's screams, 'Ohh shi*plonk* mpfff mpfhh mpfff"
You should see all the plankton and stuff fly by when you troll at 3-4 mph. It's like a blinding snowstorm and every once in awhile you see a fish dart by. It's great for checking out under docks or under matted vegetation for fish holding structure where you're not moving fast (like 3-4 mph is fast...). I also use it for watching lure action. I'm just waiting for the day a fish actually takes the bait when the camera is on and I'm recording. I think the camera makes them a bit cautious, but they still look. The perch come right up to it, though. Damn things...

I've been trying VideoStudio 7, but there is some degridation in video quality.....anyone know of some video editing software where you might you can edit stuff with transitions and it still retains the same quality as the original footage? I have the DVC-150 which converts the analog video into Mpeg2.

I tried Pinnacle Studio 8 and it froze up all the time....

As far as I've seen it, the transitions in Premiere work very well, but it's still horribly unfriendly. Plus, you have to make sure you've got a blazer of a PC to do it.

Plus, you have to make sure you've got a blazer of a PC to do it.

Or a real kick-ass realtime editing card.

Woah. As far as I can find that thing is going for at least a grand!

Yup, just under a grand, but WELL worth it. Waiting is something I just can't stand doing.

There's always the RT.X10 as well, which is about half as much, and doesn't have all the fancy features, but still a good card.

i tried the trial version of Premiere. It keeps on freezing up all the time.......