Let's give Ulead a fair go

[ruggy1]

I have been a critic of Ulead in the past, as are probably most of us. But I think we are losing the big picture. Once you have a setup that works, this lowly $100 program does a good job for the home hobbyist. Remember that it is only an Authoring program, so anyone attempting complex editing and transitions is asking for trouble. There are bugs, as in all software, but there are ways around most of them. I use VS7 for editing, but it is not a very intuitive program.

I have tried many PCI TV/Capture cards and inevitably end up with OOS problems. There are so many combinations of motherboards, PCI cards, video cards etc, it is a wonder that this stuff works at all!. The solution that works for me, and I would suggest for most people, is (if they can afford it), to use firewire and an AV/DV converter such as a digital camera. No more OOS problems.

Recent postings in the Video Studio section seem to indicate a lack of proper source code control, but what do you expect for the price, they will get it right in an update sooner or later.

Tech support seems to be another contentious point, some people get none apparently while others have no problem. I have never used it, always getting info from this Forum.

I suppose the point of this post is - where do I go from here? How much do I have to pay for a solution that authors, edits and burns with no problems. Assuming that $1000 is the limit, what can I buy that will provide a complete, bug-free solution?

[thecoalman]

How much do I have to pay for a solution that authors, edits and burns with no problems. Assuming that $1000 is the limit, what can I buy that will provide a complete, bug-free solution?

None that I'm aware of... I post on another much larger video forum and they all have their bugs and glitches. I think the biggest issue is system compatability issues. Take for example this thread... http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=2753 Same software installation, works on one computer but doesn't work on another. So is it a software bug or system bug?

If system compatibility is not the issue the next biggest problem is a lack of knowledge between the chair and keyboard. I have a pretty good knowledge of computers and never experience anywhere near the problems I see many people having.

[ruggy1]

Thanks Coalman, you are right. Inexperience plus platform incompatibilty will keep most people guessing, including Microsoft. In a world of non-conformity it may be time for a bit of conformity.

[thecoalman]

In a world of non-conformity it may be time for a bit of conformity.

<shivers with thoughts of 1984>

Bill Gates has a job opening for you in their marketing department. (j/k) Seriously though I don't think that's the answer because in the end you will only have a company such as MS setting the standards (which already has too much control). That would stifle innovation and give whoever is setting the standards the upper hand.

[maddrummer3301]

Hi,

You mentioned that you have used many capture cards.
Have you checked the latency on your soundcard?

A good soundcard is as important as the video capture card.
M-Audio makes one of the finest consumer cards on the market.
The audio output from their cards far superior to creative labs products
and many others. They also have drivers for Macintosh, pc & linux
based machines.

They have lowered the price of the 4in/4out audiophile card.
It's now $99.00. That's 2channel in analog & 2channel in spdif.
Also records/playsback duplex 24bit/96khz.
Very low latency.

Cheap soundcards have drift their (oscillator) circuits.
This causes the audio to drift and sync problems.

I wouldn't spend much money on trying to edit Mpg2 files.
Best to put the money first into good hardware. The expensive
programs need to use good hardware or they will also have
problems, if you plan to purchase expensive software.

If you are having bad audio problems try VideoRedo.

Hope this helps,

MD