Review by Jerry Saperstein

First impressions count - and my first impression of Corel’s Video Studio Pro X4 is definitely negative. I have a long history with this product, going back to its days as Ulead’s video editor. It was flaky then, stayed flaky in the occasional upgrade I’ve purchased and remains flaky in this most recent version.

I needed an inexpensive video editor for another computer and I am up to my license limit on the other packages I own and my earlier VideoStudio packages are not Windows 7 compatible. This is certainly cheap enough, but true to its own traditions, it is not ready for prime time.

For example, I tried to open two MP4 files created with the ArcSoft video product. Corel VideoStudio Pro X4 gave me a file mismatch error. However, Apple QuickTime, Avid Studio, Adobe Premiere Pro, Cyberlink PowerDirector 10, Avif Pinnacle 14 HD and Windows Movie Maker opened the MP4 files without difficulty. I noted in Corel’s support forum that there are many reported problems identical or closely similar to mine. To me, that means sloppy coding and inadequate beta-testing and quality control, the same problems that have plagued Ulead/Corel problems for years. Oddly enough, Video studio Pro X4 would open other MP4 files created with the ArcSoft product.

Next, I wanted to record from a DV source. Video Studio Pro X4 recognized the source, played the audio but would not display a preview of the video. I finally got it to work, but don’t ask me how. The problem occurred on numerous occasion making VideoStudio very difficult to record with.

I don’t know what other unpleasant surprises are in store for me with Corel Video studio Pro X4, but based on past experience, there will be no shortage of them. On the other hand, the product is cheap - in more than just price - and this particular need doesn’t require much more than the minimal capabilities.

Overall, my initial impressions are negative. Should further experience change my opinion, I will amend my review. My advice though is that unless you absolutely can’t afford a better video editing product, avoid Corel Video Studio Pro X4.

I continued working with VideoStudio for another day and my impression has now solidified: it stinks.

Repeated difficulties connecting to a known good DV device. Crashes so severely that the Windows 7 computer it was hosted on required a reboot. Usability is low with basic editing commands buried deep in the manual. Single frame key shortcuts, for example, are buried in the manual instead of in tooltips.

My opinion: Corel VideoStudio Pro X4 is to be avoided.

Jerry