a good video editing software

[y0umebednow]

looking for a good easy to use video editing software. Windows Movie Maker just doesn't have enough options to play with lol

[>Omen<]

Yeah, WMM is easy to use, but bogs down with complex projects and has lousy non scalable filters. It really depends on your intended use and what amount of money you want to spend if any. Since you mentioned you tried WMM, I'll assume you'd prefer a free one if possible?

Of the retail ones I sampled, Adobe Premier Elements was the best as far as easy of use, filter quality, and end result. I have also tried Sony Vegas, Ulead 10, and Wax (freeware). Believe it or not I prefer VirtualDub (freeware) using the Xvid codec (freeware), but my use was for Fraps gaming videos. If your use is for DV camcorder movies you may prefer something like APE.

Once you start researching video editing tools you will find that many experienced at it use VirtualDub for one part of the process or another. It has the best filter quality I've seen. Even if you just use it to filter enhance the clips before compressing with another program the results are noticeably better.

One of the best things about the VDub/Xvid combo is efficiency of file size and the res the video can be played back at. I have several gaming videos made of Far Cry and FEAR ranging from 110MB to 180MB of 7-12 minute durations that can literally be zoomed to their original screen size (1280x800) from the compressed size (640x400) with little to no visual difference from the way it looks while gaming. Such results takes lots of compression time using 2 Twopass compressions though.

Xvid is a complex codec that requires lots of adjustments, but once they're made, you only need adjust bit rate for each project like any other codec. As for VDub, some say it's hard to use but once you get to know how it works it's really not that difficult to use, especially if you use the hotkey library built in. It does have limitations though and cannot add titles, credits, transitions and effects. Even adding background music to an existing audio track involves demuxing and remuxing the audio/video. That's pretty easy if you have a program like Audacity though (freeware).

[crisissuit3]

isnt the adobe premiere and sony vegas like 200 dollars but they have a 30 day trial period.

[KoЯsakoff]

Virtualdub is software that is easy in use for cutting and compressing files.

I have used MAGIX video Deluxe 2005 for a while and it's okay for starters but I'm used to Adobe After Effects now (<- Comes with a pricetag )

[>Omen<]

Originally Posted by crisissuit3

isnt the adobe premiere and sony vegas like 200 dollars but they have a 30 day trial period.

Adobe Premier Elements can be had for around $90 USD.

The ease of use with VDub depends on what you use it for and what codec you use.