September kicks off the traditional season for the annual release of new consumer video editing software, and this year is no exception.
First out of the gate is the new CyberLink PowerDirector 14. CyberLink's approach is to provide entry-level versions of its software starting at $59, but then scaling up to a full pro-level digital media suite, Director Suite 4, for $299 -- including video, audio, photo, and even color correction tools, plus additional content.
The flagship PowerDirector 14 provides 100-track editing of 2K and 4K video, with sophisticated features including title effects and motion blur, motion tracking, and stabilization.
The major new additions include an Easy Editor mode for more novice users, plus impressive motion tracking of multiple selected objects in a clip.
But the most interesting addition is a dedicated Action Cam Center, with a panel of tools to clean up and enhance these difficult high-motion videos. These include corrections for shaky video (stabilize on all axes plus rotation), fish-eye distortion (with presets for GoPro & other lines), and color shifts (presets for blue water, white snow, and green fields). The Action Cam Center also makes it easy to apply common enhancements including slow mo, freeze and zoom, and repeat and replay. Sweet!
The other members of the Director Suite also demonstrate serious technology chops from CyberLink's labs:
- PhotoDirector 7 combines photo management and editing and adjustment tools including object removal and photo merging.
This version adds layer editing, plus amazing enhanced body and face beautification tools to brush away wrinkles and other "imperfections" and to tweak (improve) your eyes, face, and profile. (This magic is helped by CyberLink's experience with its YouCam Perfect and YouCam Makeup smartphone apps.)
- AudioDirector 6 adds multi-track mixing and round-trip editing with PowerDirector videos, with features including restoration adjustment tools, frequency spectrum editing, and a vocal transformer.
New features include automated dialog alignment and replacement for voice-overs and beats per minute editing (like sheet music).
- ColorDirector 4 adds pro-style color correction and grading to the suite, including built-in film-style presets, color tinting and replacement, split toning colors and highlights, and high dynamic range enhancement -- supported by motion-tracked masking.
CyberLink sells the individual tools in multiple versions and bundled in suites. The base PowerDirector 14 Deluxe is $69, the Ultra version for $99 adds 4K editing and associated pro formats and the Action Cam Center, and the Ultimate version for $129 then piles on additional content and effects packages from NewBlue and proDAD.
The PowerDirector 14 Ultimate Suite for $249 adds AudioDirector and ColorDirector, and the full-up Director Suite 4 with PhotoDirector tops out at $299. The Suite also is available in a yearly subscription version for $100.
CyberLink continues to enhance its impressive connection of media editing tools and technology. It's a great choice for enthusiasts to pros who want to work in dedicated applications. You can check the software out by downloading the free 30-day working trial versions.
Find CyberLink PowerDirector 14 on Amazon.com