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From:Pinnacle Systems
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 Quality Video Editing Software , 2008-09-08
Pinnacle Studio Version 12 Ultimate is quality video editing software so the first thing I would recommend is that you have a computer with a dual-core CPU and a good graphics card. It will also support High Definition (HD), so a good AVCHD or HDV camcorder would also be preferable for the best results.
I installed and used this software on Windows Vista 64 bit and Windows XP SP3 computers without any problems; both have a dual-core CPU's and good graphics cards. I also have a HDV camcorder.
I have owned Pinnacle Studio since Version 9, in my opinion Version 11 was the best so far - almost perfect. Version 12 Ultimate reaches that perfection.
There are a host of new improvements and features with Version 12 Ultimate but the big one for me is `Montage'. This lets you have multiple pictures or videos running at once in one window. You chose the style you want; there are lots of preset ones to choose from. The great thing about montage is that you simply drag your pictures or videos across to create the effect.
The other things I noticed about Version 12 Ultimate is that everything processes quicker because it supports dual-core CPU's, there are added marker tools for the timeline, more advanced audio controls and more export options. I am not a 'YouTuber' but that is one of the new export options. I myself was more interested in the fact that you can now burn to HD discs.
There are also 2 new superb programs included with Version 12 Ultimate. One is called `Magic Bullet'. This lets you adjust the video tone, color and focus with preset ones if you need them. The other is `Boris Graffiti' which allows you to add animated titles to your videos - again with lots of preset ones. Both work well and are a welcome addition. Apparently they would cost hundreds of dollars to buy separately so it makes Version 12 Ultimate a great deal.
In the end though, what has always made Pinnacle studio special is its simplicity. They have kept the traditional `capture', `edit' and `make movie' buttons at the top of the screen which has always made this program so easy to use. You decide how far you want to take the program - it has a ton of features, too many to describe in one review but I highly recommend getting it if you need a good video editor which supports all kinds of formats, will help make you custom movies and then copy it all to the type of media you need.
 Warning: Learning Curve Ahead, 2008-09-07
I've spent a couple hours with this software, and I still can't get it do what I want. When I first purchased my Sony camcorder, it came with software that allowed me to put custom titles on different video chapters before burning to DVD. It was very easy to use, and I figured it out in about five minutes. However, it only worked on XP, and my video PC is now running Vista.
So I thought this product could replace that one and more. And it probably can, but I can't figure out how to accomplish this simple task.
I think they spent too much time stuffing the big green sheet in the box, and not enough time crafting an easy-to-understand user manual. So if you're the kind of video editor that is really keen to get their hands on a lime green sheet (and have some idea why you want such a thing packaged with your video editing software), this is the product for you.
However, if you're not a budding George Lucas, but just Joe Dad who wants to put together a simple DVD with chapter titles for the grandparents, I would recommend looking for a simpler product.
I will try to update this review when I've had a lot more time to spend with this software.
Like after my kids are grown.
 Nice video editing software..., 2008-09-07
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1P99AQK7CHTH9 I am a novice when it comes to video editing. Although, I had a YouTube account for about two years, it wasn't until this year I decided to actually start doing my own videos. I used Microsoft's Windows Movie Maker. Yes, very simplistic. However, I wanted to make my videos more dynamic. Pinnacle's Studio Ultimate ver. 12 does the trick.
Now, although my videos are more dynamic - the software is somewhat intimidating. This is why they have included a tutorial to help the user to navigate through the process. The two user guides are very helpful as well (thick instruction booklet and quick one pager); the first being chopped full of information that at first was very tedious to read, but as I used the program it became easier to understand. It does have drag and drop function. I did a quick video of some of the things I was able to do. I did transitions, added in a couple of title pages, and I split some of the video.
There is also a function to do green screen with picture in picture (PIP). There a lot of effects and transitions to chose from. I haven't gotten this quite in depth as of yet, but you can improve your audio tracks, remove noise, and fix poor lighting of your video. Plus, you have the ability to export your video to various formats as avi, iPod compatible, mpeg 1, 2, 4, real media, Sony PSP compatible, and Windows Media.
Best Version Yet - Great Features Will Expand With You, 2008-09-07
I am a videographer and have been using Pinnacle for my personal and professional needs since version 8. (professional uses with version 11 on). Honestly, Pinnacle has come a long way since version 8.
Version 11 was pretty stable and I liked it a lot, but version 12 is a nice, solidly built program that you will continue to find features in that you can use all different sort of ways.
It the most stable version yet. Installation and import of projects was seamless and error free. I was able to import the features that came with Studio 11 into Studio 12. (since the features in 11 are not included in 12 - a big complaint) You can import projects from 11 into 12, a nice additional feature not available before.
I just completed a 1,300 photo montage of a families 40 years together. In addition to all the photos it contained video, music, titles, complex transitions, picture in picture features and multiple video track options, and it rendered perfect the first time and played just fine. I doubt many other video editing programs would be that smooth.
I don't work with HD, so I can't comment on that feature, but I do know that HD editing is difficult regardless of the software you use.
If you on the bubble about upgrading, I think it's worth it. If your in the market for a video editing program that is easy to use, but not too simple, I recommend this one.
Better than Premiere Elements, but ..., 2008-09-06
I own Adobe Premiere Elements 3 and 4, so I am going to be comparing Pinnacle Studio to Premiere Elements.
I have been using the Studio Beta 12.1 downloaded from Pinnacle's web site, so this review reflects the Beta program.
Studio is a decent program, it has features similar to Premiere Elements. In general, Premiere Elements has more tuning features than Pinnacle Studio. For example, consider the task of rendering a movie to MPEG. Pinnacle Studio allows you to choose bitrate and frame size, and that's about it. Adobe Premiere also lets you choose I-frame and P-frame spacing, and field order.
On the other hand, Premiere Elements crashes a lot. Some of the features appearing in its menus simply don't work. It is my least favorite piece of software by a wide margin. No bug fixes either: Premiere Elements 4 has lived its entire life without an update from Adobe. Premiere Elements 7 has already been announced. Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 12 is quite new, yet a 12.1 beta is already available. Pinnacle wants to fix problems, that's great!
My issues with Pinnacle Studio all seem to involve high definition video output, which is probably not used by most customers of this program. Here are the issues I have found so far:
I cannot find a way to output 1080P (progressive) video. 1080I (interlaced) output is possible though.
A Studio "project" has to be created as a high definition project or a standard definition project. You can't have it both ways. If you try, certain features will fail to work properly.
In a project consisting of still photos (a slideshow project), I started off by manually creating the project as a high definition project. After much time spent editing and authoring, I found that 1080I output failed. The program popped up a warning "aspect ratio is incorrect." The solution is to NOT use the manual method to set the project as a HD project. Instead, drop a large JPEG onto the editing time line, and wait for the program to ask you if you want high definition or standard definition.
That last bit of awkwardness is an example of how unpleasant Pinnacle Studio can be. On the other hand, Adobe Premiere Elements is far more unpleasant in this regard, and it has other problems (stated above). In fact, I would dump Premiere Elements in favor of Pinnacle Studio, except for the fact that I really need 1080P output.
For folks that don't deal with high definition video, this is a nice program to use. Certainly, it is much better than Premiere Elements. If there is a better product in the same price range, please, someone speak up.
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