To be or not to be....VS10+ or Mediastudio

[tommytucker]

upgrading from VS9 to Mediastudio is not a real big leap. Can anyone recommend the best course for going from VS9....a bit more in cost for VS10+ or a bit more for MS? I see many complaints on the VS board for desired features, that may already be in MS...less headaches should be worth the cost?

[PeterMilliken]

I have been with VS since version 8 (upgraded from VS 6 SE). Then VS 10 came out and I started to ponder the same question - whether it was better feeding ULead $50 USD at a time for the odd featue that is already in MSP or just jump straight to MSP. Especially since with VS 10 they have jumped the upgrade price by $10 US.

I (recently) got a copy of MSP 7 (VE) from the front cover disk of a computer magazine which helped me make my decision - the upgrade from a previous MSP is $199 US, the upgrade from VS is $299 US. So I took the plunge and now have MSP 8.

It is difficult to make a detailed informed decision - but ULead bring out new versions of VS with greater frequency than MSP - they have a major marketing problem because VS is a very mature product, so how do they keep us paying for new versions of VS? The answer - slip in a feature of MSP in each new version of VS. So I figure that if I had purchased VS 10, that would have been VS 8 ($50), VS 9 ($50), VS 10 ($60) = $160 USD and I wouldn't have a product anywhere near as feature rich as MSP.

So rather than keep throwing money at VS, I decided to break the chain and get MSP 8 - if they bring out a MSP 9 tomorrow I won't be sorry because given my current video camera etc, at this time I can't concieve of a feature that would tempt me to go to MSP 9 (famous last words, I know! ).

Hope this helps

Peter

[Devil]

Why not download the trial versions of each and make your personal comparison?

[tommytucker]

I had some real fun with my smartsound stuff disappearing from doing those trial 10+ and MS8 trial downloads. Anyway, I was pretty intimidated with the MS8 interface, but really liked all the tracks and options. If I was in the video production business, I could see that being a no brainer to go with MS8.
Upon reviewing 10+, I found two function no in VS9 which got me into this wanting to switch to MS8 in the first place..the multiple video tracks and the cue chapter points tool. Since Ulead is offering a free shipping on their VS10+ and PI11 product ( I need a decent photo imaging tool) I just decided since I am a casual user to go with the free ship on VS10+ and PI11. If I ever learn how to even start using these two and run out of creative casual user options, I would certainly look at MS8...with a close and ready supply of Advil or Grey Goose.

[Ron P.]

Glad you made an informed decision by trying each to see what fits your needs.

I however acted similar to Peter. After using MSP7 VE, the flexibilty inticed me into MSP8. I do however have VS10+ and use it as well.

Ron P.

[sjj1805]

I previously found MSP7 a little hard to grasp when going from VideoStudio due to the user interface where transitions appeared on intermediate tracks.

When MSP8 came out, for me it was an instant hit due to the close similarity of the VideoStudio method of placing transitions on the same track using the overlap method. I have never looked back since.

Strangely having used MSP8 I now understand how MSP7 works and can see some of the advantages of that intermediate overlay track.

Devil is the real expert when it comes to MediaStudio and I would go with his advice of downloading the trial versions first to see what you feel comfortable with.

[Gra]

Hi Guys

I've often seen that people have both VS10 and MSP8 and wonder why because MSP8 seems to have all of VS10 and a lot more. Is it because you can achieve some effects quicker in VS and import them into MSP8 or are there other reasons for using both?

[GeorgeW]

Probably due to the upgrade path -- folks will start with a version of VideoStudio, then upgrade to latest VideoStudio, then eventually decide they need more functionality -- so they go to MSP.

That said, there are some things that VS10 can do that MSP8 cannot (note: VideoStudio is on a faster upgrade cycle than MSP).

Regards,
George

[sjj1805]

Hi Guys

I've often seen that people have both VS10 and MSP8 and wonder why because MSP8 seems to have all of VS10 and a lot more. Is it because you can achieve some effects quicker in VS and import them into MSP8 or are there other reasons for using both?

Sometimes it's because we are enthusiasts and we like to tinker, compare and grab things from one to import into another. Grab ideas from other products. It sort of broadens our knowledge and skills.

Take for example the tutorial I created that won first prize in last years Ulead "Best Practice" competition
DVDWS2: [Transitions Between Menu Pages]

I took this idea from using a trial download of DVDLab Pro where I saw a procedure for creating a transition from one DVD Menu page to another. I thought 'that looks brilliant I wonder if I can recreate something like this with DVD Workshop' and then set about examing the various files created during the authoring process.

Another advantage of looking at various other products is that you find some have routines that are stronger than others. Take for example DVD Workshop compared to the latest versions of VideoStudio and MovieFactory. The new versions contain 'SmartScene Menus' I can recreate these with DVD Workshop now that I have seen the 'idea' but for something of that nature it is perhaps easier to use VS10+/MF5 with the ready made routines.

Similarly there are built in routines with VS10+ and also MSP8 for editing audio. I find it is easier though to export the soundtrack and then use the more powerful abilities of the free audio editor Audacity. Here you have to consider that VS10/MSP8 are essentialy video editors and have an audio editor fastened on to give an all round product. Audacity is a purpose built audio editor and I wouldn't expect the video editor to be as powerful in this area.

There are several routines for inserting titles and credits to video with VS10 / MSP8 but if you want a Hollywood style scrolling end credit it is much easier to use the routine that is contained in Windows Movie Maker that is 'built into' Windows XP. It is a simple task to export an AVI file from WMM and then insert it into your Ulead project.

For opening titles and opening sequences you have Cool 3D Production Studio. These routines are very complex and take lots of work to set up and rendering times are quite lengthy. Hardly surprising though when you consider what you are asking that software to perform.

I find that editing MPEG files is quicker and more reliable with Womble MPEG Editor. Again it is purpose built for handling MPEG files. I wouldnt bother authoring a DVD with Womble though - its routines are again simply added on to make that particular product an 'all rounder.' I export the edited MPEG file and then use DVD Workshop for authoring.

DVD Workshop enables you to create a DVD Menu from a blank screen.
If however you wish to re-use a DVD Menu several times, I find it is worth the effort using PhotoImpact with all of its image editing abilities and create a 'proper' DVD Menu Template complete with background sound, thumbnail highlights, color schemes for unselected/selected/activated etc.

Then there are post production programs such as MenuEdit.
Here I can create motion thumbnails very easily of another part of the video - OK there are other ways of doing this - but it only takes a minute or two. Another advantage of MenuEdit is the ability to alter the behaviour of pressing the DVD remote control up/down/left/right buttons.

I do not think there will ever be a 'home user' video editing program that will be the 'be all and end all' of everything.

Compare the video editing programs to camcorders and digital cameras.
Most Camcorders can take snapshots - they will never replace the digital camera.
Most digital cameras can record video sequences - they will never be as good as or replace the camcorder.
Mobile Telephones can take pictures and videos - mobile phones will not replace the camcorder or the digital camera.

In the end it boils down to budgets and requirements. Do you need these things or are they just nice to have and can you afford them all.

[Gra]

Hi Steve

Many thanks for your helpful overview of all the possibilities and applications: kinda like the skys the limit with this lark. I don't always use just the video editing software and also use audiocity for instance (after advice from this board) as it has some very helpful general editing info as well.

Up til now I've used Photoshop for my imaging requirements in any video project and I wonder if it may be an idea to grab photoimpact. In your experince is it is easier/ more compatible to use when preparing images for use in video production with MSP8 for instance?

[sjj1805]

Different products have their different strengths and weaknesses.
PhotoImpact is a Part of the Ulead family and uses a file format UFO
(Ulead File for Objects) The Ulead DVD authoring programs use DVD Menu templates in the UFO file format which cannot be read by Adobe or other photo imaging programs.

Please view
TEST: PhotoImpact -v- Adobe Photoshop for creating DVD Menus for Ulead authoring programs.