Manifest Tech Blog

Corel VideoStudio Pro X8 is targeted as a fast and easy consumer-grade video editor, priced at only $79.99.

But this is not dumbed-down editing -- VideoStudio supports 64-bit editing in a traditional timeline, with HD to 4K resolution, Dolby 5.1 audio, 50-some editing tracks, keyframed effects and filters, and mobile and web output.

Instead, the simplification in VideoStudio comes from a design based on built-in presets with simple controls to avoid the complication and confusion of a plethora of overwhelming options.

The new VideoStudio X8 offers stronger support for working with larger projects, with the ability to import organized media folders into the Library and to import entire projects. You also can save customized filters or transitions as favorites.

X8 also includes important technology upgrades, especially for editing Ultra HD video, with hardware acceleration for 4K video, support for 4K XAVC S format, and expanded export to H.264 MOV format.

Bottom line: VideoStudio is a powerful and effective consumer video editing tool. Plus it provides plenty of headroom to experiment and grow, with support for formats up to 4K and HTML5, customizable effects, and other interesting capabilities from stop motion to motion tracking. The full VideoStudio Ultimate X8 edition for $99.99 (street $85) also adds an impressive collection of additional effects and tools.

See full review article for Videomaker magazine.

Find Corel VideoStudio X8 on Amazon.com

Jan Ozer returned to the Streaming Media East conference in New York this May and provided his annual update on the latest streaming video technologies and techniques.

Ozer has kindly once again made his presentations available for download -- They're posted on the SME site, as well as on his Streaming Learning Center site -- a wonderful archive of much more information.

These presentations are a goldmine of technical details on new technologies, along with hands-on comparisons of codec performance and video quality. Ozer also steps up to provide his informed opinions on how these technologies will succeed or languish in the marketplace, augmented with votes from a variety of industry figures.

The result lays out the foundations and next steps in today's streaming world:

Replacing Flash: Adaptive Streaming in HTML5

If you're interested in moving from Flash to HTML5, then the Media Source Extensions (MSE) and Encrypted Media Extensions (EME) promise adaptive streaming and digital rights management without plug-ins.

Encoding for HEVC

The High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) successor to H.264/MPEG-4 AVC seems to deliver the promised same quality as H.264 at half the data rate. However, the royalty situation is messy (as usual), adoption of players is inconsistent, but at least encoders from x265 and MainConcept are coming along nicely.

UHD Codecs: Challengers to HEVC

Beyond HEVC are several interesting new Ultra-High Definition (UHD) codec efforts, in addition to the open VP9 format being developed by Google. From his codec comparisons, Ozer concludes that "quality won't determine which codec succeeds or fails" -- the choice will come as we see how these are adopted in the market.

Encoding for Multiscreen Delivery: H.264, Protocols and Devices

Beyond these sessions, the real jewel was Ozer's half-day workshop on how to prepare video for playback across today's crazy variety of platforms. This is a detailed review of H.264 compression and delivery using DASH / adaptive streaming, with specifics on producing and deploying streaming across portable devices, desktops, and set-top boxes.

To keep up with Ozer's ongoing coverage of products and technologies, follow his Streaming Learning Center Blogs page.