To all....
I currently use Movie factory 4 and Video Studio 9. I love both but would like a little more edting control and options. Trying to compare MF 4 to Workshop is not easy since I cannot download a trial, and Ulead offers no comparisons. Ulead is offering the discount on current VS and MF users to upgrade to Workshop2 Express.
Is it worth the money to upgrade to Workshop2 Express from MF 4? I could not tell a big difference between the two other than providing an additional audio and video track. Any recommendations would help.
Also looking at upgrading to MediaStudio Pro 7 from VideoStudio 9. Is it worth the extra $200 or should I wait for a MS 8 which is "rumored" to be out soon? I have been looking closely at Pinnacles Liquid Edition 6 (which has received very good reviews), but I would prefer to stay with Ulead. If I knew MS 8 was being released anytime soon I would wait.
Thanks
beullar
Upgrade decision
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jday
If you truly want/need more control over your editing and authoring of dvds, then by all means, I would recommend DVD Workshop Express and Media Studio Pro. I have used VS and Movie Factory for several versions and was never really satisfied with them (not that they were bad, but I wanted more).
Remember, MSP is a video "editing" program and should replace VS. Although DVD Workshop Express has some editing capabilities, they are extremely limited--it's purpose is dvd authoring.
I upgraded to MSP7 about 6 months ago and am extremely happy with the program and its capabilities.
About that same time, I purchased Sonic's DVDit for authoring which turned out to be a great program, with the exception that it really doesn't contain many ready-made templates. Although I like DVDit, when I saw the $99 offer for DVD Workshop Express I couldn't help but investigate it. I had heard many great things about DVD Workshop but wanted to see what was "lost" by going with "express." Looking at the comparison chart, the full program had some extra features (than the express) that really didn't matter to me and some extra templates, etc. For $99, I thought it was worth a try. So, I've had it less than a week and like it quite a bit (well worth the price). This was especially true after reading a post on this forum about how to use all the Movie Factory menu templates in it (which then makes them customizeable).
As for buying MSP7 now, from everything I've read, I would definitely expect MSP8 by the end of they year and it's rumored (from a beta tester who is under an NDA not to talk about the program specifically) to be fantastic. I'm sure that if you purchased MSP7 now, Ulead will offer some form of special upgrade, but buying MSP7 and then upgrading to 8 might be more than waiting to buy MSP8 (you're guess is as good as mine on that). If you don't want to take the chance on spending too much that way, I definitely wait for MSP8 with all the new (rumored) bells and whistles.
Again, the bottom line is that if you want more control over the entire process, upgrading to better software (in this case, MSP and DWS) is great.
Remember, MSP is a video "editing" program and should replace VS. Although DVD Workshop Express has some editing capabilities, they are extremely limited--it's purpose is dvd authoring.
I upgraded to MSP7 about 6 months ago and am extremely happy with the program and its capabilities.
About that same time, I purchased Sonic's DVDit for authoring which turned out to be a great program, with the exception that it really doesn't contain many ready-made templates. Although I like DVDit, when I saw the $99 offer for DVD Workshop Express I couldn't help but investigate it. I had heard many great things about DVD Workshop but wanted to see what was "lost" by going with "express." Looking at the comparison chart, the full program had some extra features (than the express) that really didn't matter to me and some extra templates, etc. For $99, I thought it was worth a try. So, I've had it less than a week and like it quite a bit (well worth the price). This was especially true after reading a post on this forum about how to use all the Movie Factory menu templates in it (which then makes them customizeable).
As for buying MSP7 now, from everything I've read, I would definitely expect MSP8 by the end of they year and it's rumored (from a beta tester who is under an NDA not to talk about the program specifically) to be fantastic. I'm sure that if you purchased MSP7 now, Ulead will offer some form of special upgrade, but buying MSP7 and then upgrading to 8 might be more than waiting to buy MSP8 (you're guess is as good as mine on that). If you don't want to take the chance on spending too much that way, I definitely wait for MSP8 with all the new (rumored) bells and whistles.
Again, the bottom line is that if you want more control over the entire process, upgrading to better software (in this case, MSP and DWS) is great.
I can't really compare, 'cause I've only used MF3, and it's been awhile... But, I really like Workshop express. It gives you lot's of control over the menus.
I have used the 2nd audio track a couple of times to give the viewer a choice of a censored or unsensored soundtrack. I have not used the subtitle feature.
I have used the 2nd audio track a couple of times to give the viewer a choice of a censored or unsensored soundtrack. I have not used the subtitle feature.
FYI- You can order a CD with all of the trial programs for $9.00 USD. You still need to download a user's manual....since I cannot download a trial...
Yeah, they claim that MF4 does everything, but they don't have a chart to compare it to Workshop or Video Studio... and Ulead offers no comparisons.
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beullar
Thanks...
Thanks all.... I will still research this weekend some more on MSP 7 but I will for sure get the Workshop Express. AS for downloading the trial versions, I have tried for 3 days and Uleads server is pathetic at best. I have been unable to access it and would rather not wait for 1-2 weeks for a disc (when I want something I want it NOW..
I would purchase MSP 7 now if I knew that Ulead would give me a descent upgrade price when MSP 8 comes out.....how about it Ulead, can you throw a bone here?
beullar
I would purchase MSP 7 now if I knew that Ulead would give me a descent upgrade price when MSP 8 comes out.....how about it Ulead, can you throw a bone here?
beullar
As no release date has been given for MSP8 and it is certainly not imminent, I would say that any MSP7 purchased now would not get any advantages over the normal upgrade price. OTOH, the price of MSP7 has already been drastically reduced, so you would get a better bargain by buying today - and several months' usage. As I don't work for Ulead, this is non-binding, of course - just an opinion.
DVDWS2 Exp. is streets ahead of MF4 in both features and flexibility. It is the difference between entry level and prosumer (the non-Express version being professional with DLT/regional and data encryption/multiple ST and audio tracks etc).
DVDWS2 Exp. is streets ahead of MF4 in both features and flexibility. It is the difference between entry level and prosumer (the non-Express version being professional with DLT/regional and data encryption/multiple ST and audio tracks etc).
[b][i][color=red]Devil[/color][/i][/b]
[size=84]P4 Core 2 Duo 2.6 GHz/Elite NVidia NF650iSLIT-A/2 Gb dual channel FSB 1333 MHz/Gainward NVidia 7300/2 x 80 Gb, 1 x 300 Gb, 1 x 200 Gb/DVCAM DRV-1000P drive/ Pan NV-DX1&-DX100/MSP8/WS2/PI11/C3D etc.[/size]
[size=84]P4 Core 2 Duo 2.6 GHz/Elite NVidia NF650iSLIT-A/2 Gb dual channel FSB 1333 MHz/Gainward NVidia 7300/2 x 80 Gb, 1 x 300 Gb, 1 x 200 Gb/DVCAM DRV-1000P drive/ Pan NV-DX1&-DX100/MSP8/WS2/PI11/C3D etc.[/size]