Software : Sponsored: Video editing just got a whole lot easier

Sponsored: Video editing just got a whole lot easier

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 02:31 AM PST

This is a sponsored article in association with Pinnacle Studio version 14

Whether it's for fun at home, capturing moments out with friends or presenting for work, video makes a difference. And High Definition (HD) video means even more.

No longer confined to expensive dedicated cameras, almost everybody is able to capture HD video using a budget camcorder like the Flip Video HD or one of the latest mobile phones like the Apple iPhone 4, Nokia N8 or Samsung Galaxy S that can all take 720p HD video.

But editing video has been a daunting and time consuming process. While you may have come across the likes of Windows Live Movie Maker, its limited range of features but even more limiting output options leaves you short.

Enter the latest generation of Pinnacle Studio version 14 with a new streamlined interface, enhanced ease-of-use and optimised performance. From start to finish, Pinnacle has streamlined the process making it easier and faster to capture, edit and share your videos.

If you've edited video before, you know it all starts with capturing or importing your video footage. All new for Pinnacle Studio 14 is a redesigned import tool enabling you to import video and photos from any video hardware, no matter if you have a phone, digital camera, camcorders, are using Firewire, traditional analogue cameras or other sources.

This flexibility is vital so you can work with the video hardware you want. It even extends to capturing video from (unprotected) DVD and Blu-ray discs, plus AVCHD and has a special option for stop motion animations.

Pinnacle studio 14

IMPORT: The new Import Tool even includes stop motion capture for amazing animated and fast-motion effects.

Stop Motion Capture enables you to capture sequential frames and then combine these frames into a single video file. To begin, select the Stop Motion option in the Import From section. In this example, a Sony DV camcorder is used to provide the video. Once you have the frame that you want, select the "Capture Frame" button. This will add the frame to the bottom of the screen.

It's an innocent enough change but it's one that totally streamlines the Pinnacle Studio 14 interface. The new One Page Album provides one-click access to all the most commonly used features of Pinnacle Studio 14, saving you time and confusion when using it day-to-day. This system encompasses all the creative elements including: video clips, audio clips, transitions, montages, photos, DVD menus and titles.

Pinnacle studio 14

ONE PAGE ALBUM: An optimised interface makes it far quicker flicking between assets and effects

Another ease-of-use feature seamlessly built-into this is Favorite Folder, it's a way to combine multiple folders into a virtual single one, making it easier to browse files across multiple folders in one go without physically rearranging them. It's useful for projects combining photos, audio and video from multiple different sources.

A new Project Bin system enables you to collect video, photo, audio and additional resources together into a single virtual workspace, without having to again physically move them on the hard drive. As they're used within the project a tick-mark appears on them, so you won't unwittingly reuse a clip or image.

Pinnacle studio 14

FOLDERS:Workflow might not be a sexy phrase but it'll make your life easier

To make sure editing is as easy as possible Pinnacle Studio 14 has had a few key features added, that will make your editing life easier. One such feature is Effect Copy, if you're using the same effect or multiple effects on one clip you can now copy and paste that over multiple clips, eliminating the need to apply them to each individual clip. An all-new Motion Titler has been included with Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 14 and delivers professional-level multi-layer motion titling.

Pinnacle studio 14

TITLES:Create unique moving titles to your videos

Every film needs amulti-layer effects . Pinnale Studio 14 comes with over 50 and adds new tools to expand the already comprehensive Montage system. These provide a simple drag-and-drop method to add scenes using multiple video sources, the new themes offer pre-defined professional-quality templates into which you just need to drop your selected photos and video sources.

Pinnacle studio 14

MONTAGE:An excellent alternative to a plain transition, Pinnacle Motage enables you to add some visual flare

A vital step in video editing is being able to create video that can be played for your target audience. Pinnacle Studio 14 provides a flexible and comprehensive list of target formats and platforms. From cinema standard HD 24fps to individual settings for gaming consoles including PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii. This is in addition to the usual options of DVD, VCD, tape and a file. Of course, you can also directly upload footage to your YouTube or Yahoo Video account as well.

Pinnacle studio 14