Video editing is a natural extension of Magix’s audio range and, as seen by
its version number, Movie Edit Pro has been around for a while. This eleventh
iteration now supports high-definition video and high-definition TV (HDTV) and
can handle DVB-T (Freeview) transmissions.
The interface follows a pretty conventional layout, with a preview window at
top left, a tools and effects panel to the right of the this and a timeline
along the bottom. Three buttons at the top of the screen switch between its main
three working modes: record, edit and burn.
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Magix
Movie Edit Pro 11 Plus can grab video from digital and analogue camcorders
(although for analogue, you’ll need a video grabbing card), DVB-T TV broadcasts,
again with the appropriate hardware, as well as from video files, in most common
formats.
By default, Movie Edit Pro 11 Plus displays a
timeline
mode, where each of up to 16 tracks can be filled with any supported media:
video, photos, sound, transitions and effects. There are two viewing
alternatives, though;
storyboard
and
scene-overview
modes. Either of these gives a less complex view of the video under
construction.
There are over 200 scene transitions in the program’s library and a lot of
effects, including picture-in-picture, plus 30 templates for credits and
subtitles. When it come to creating a CD or DVD at the end of an editing
session, there are 100 pre-designed menu templates to work with, though these
can be built from scratch, too.
As expected, audio control is a particular strength of the application and it
now supports Dolby Pro-Logic multi-channel sound,
de-hiss
and normalise functions to improve the quality of original or created
soundtracks. 2D or 3D sound effects can be created by dropping pre-defined
envelopes directly onto sound objects (easier than it sounds).
While the interface is busier than some video editors, the easier, automated
features, such as one-click correction for lighting, colour and sharpness, and
auto-soundtrack maker, which creates music to suite your video, are in there,
too.
This is a pretty comprehensive piece of software that will suit beginners and
serious editing fans, but you'll need to spend a while getting to know it.
Also consider Adobe Premiere Elements 3 Overall: An excellent low-cost video-editing program, but the
installation problems need to be addressed Rating: 4 Price: £70
Ulead Video Studio 10 Plus Overall: Ulead Video Studio 10 Plus is a good home video editor
and fully HD ready. Rating: 5 Price: £53
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