POSTS
Review by ASP
Corel VideoStudio Pro X8 runs smoothly, is properly organized, and easy to learn. There is a trial available from Corel on their website so you can try it out. For additional information, visit the Corel site videostudiopro.com and click on FEATURES to see the new features in this Pro X8 version, and what features have been enhanced. Tools for learning how to use the software is also available.nI’ve worked with various video editing programs throughout the years including Windows Movie Maker, Sony Vegas, Premiere Elements, Premiere Pro, Premiere CC, and a few others that are no longer made. Corel has done a great job of improving their VideoStudio series and this version runs smoothly. It’s easy to import files from your drives, or from DV devices (like a Mini DV camcorder or newer camcorders).nThe 64-bit version install takes about 30 minutes (on a Windows 7 Home PC with a AMD Quad Core processor and 8 GB of RAM). During the install, right after the Serial Number entry, don’t click install yet and go to the OPTIONS tab and uncheck any of the three options you don’t want installed (Product Updates, Quicktime, Flash). After the install, the program work quickly and without any hiccups. One minor thing that bothere me was the previews of every option (for titles, transitions) plays automatically. Not sure how to turn these off.
It’s easy to add things like titles, transitions, and remove things from the timeline. Like other programs you can work on the timeline or storyboard. If you’ve worked with any video editing program mentioned above, the layout of VideoStudio is similar.nNOTE: There is a variety of support for different input formats and also output formats, but the MXF format (used in Panasonic Pro camcorders) is NOT supported in VideoStudio. You have to convert the files to WMV using a separate program or use another program that works with MXF files like Premiere CC. There is a supplemental program included that works similar to Windows DVD Maker. You choose the files/clips and choose one of the preset designs for the DVD menu and navigation, set the title and music, and you have an instant DVD that makes you look somewhat professional.
With any of these video editing programs, for me it’s always about how smooth it runs, how easy is it to find tools and use them, and the formats supported. Video-editing is a very time-consuming process, so the editing program needs to be fast and smooth, and this Corel VideoStudio Pro X8 does it well. Currently, I still prefer using Premiere CC since I’m used to that program, but Corel VS is comparable to Premiere Elements but has more features than Elements. I will be spending more time with Corel VS Pro X8 to see what it is fully capable of.