With the proliferation of smartphone cameras we're shooting more video than ever. Often it's just to grab quick clips to post on YouTube, but with a little effort today's PC-based video editing tools can help you create rather polished productions.
These consumer-focused applications make it easy to get started, with simple editing modes separate from a full timeline, assistance from templates, tutorials and guided editing, and especially with links to online resources for additional help, more content and effects, and connections to a community of other users sharing their discoveries.
These products include:
- Adobe Premiere Elements 11, leveraging Adobe's powerful professional tools and bundling with Photoshop Elements.
- Sony Movie Studio Platinum 12, with robust production tools for consumers.
- Corel VideoStudio Pro X5, providing consumer-friendly editing with strong technology including HML5 authoring.
- Corel Pinnacle Studio 16, a major revamp of a powerful name, now integrated with cloud sharing and the companion Pinnacle Studio for iPad.
- CyberLink PowerDirector 11, expanding the dominant bundling of PowerDVD player tools into a full-fledged media suite.
- MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 2013, continuing the focus on delivering strong technology at affordable prices.
- Nero 12, expanding the smorgasbord of media and disk tools built around the venerable Nero Burning ROM.
- Roxio NXT, updating the digital media suite with Paint Shop Pro and bundling other applications for photo and music enhancement.
These tools also grow with your experience, providing more traditional timeline editing with impressive advanced features. Many also offer tempting step-up versions of the products with advanced features and additional plug-ins, for around $99 to $129.
So take a look, consider the type of editing that you'd like to do, and download the trial versions to check out how this new crop of applications can help you cultivate your video editing chops.
See my full article on Consumer Video Editors in Videomaker Magazine