Is VideoStudio Reliable?

[MrVideo]

I know this is the official Corel VideoStudio forum so I don't know if I'll get honest opinions, but I am evaluating VS X6 to replace my unreliable video editor and need to know if users think Corel is the right choice. Although my username is MrVideo (that's just an online moniker to make me seem bigger than I am) I don't edit video often or with any extreme complexity. but when I do, I expect the codecs to work, the chroma key to be pretty smart, and the workflow to make sense. Is VS the right choice?

But first, the sob story... I am a CyberLink PowerDirector user. Though I haven't used it for a while, I turned it on to quick bang out a simple music video. Lo and behold, the high end codecs got de-activated, like I pirated the software. Being the trusting, naive video editor, I spent a day messing with the software hoping to figure out what went wrong. After much research, I discovered that CyberLink disables their codecs on a regular basis. So now I'm working with their support to get mine turned back on. I might not edit for 6 months, but when I do, I expect the license I bought to work!

So I spent more time messing with PowerDirector than it took me to bang out my project with an evaluation copy of VS X6. The feature set is decent, chroma key works well, and the workflow is very nice. Plus editing seems a bit more responsive than PD. But I can't go through this heartbreak with another new girlfriend. So I'm wondering what kind of experience VS users have with the Corel software. Is the license actually a perpetual licence and does the software keep working for you?

Please don't be shy about jumping in with an answer.

Thanks in advance.

[Ken Berry]

Welcome to the forums! And despite my title as one of the Site Administrators, in a sense this is *not* the official Corel forum. Yes, we use the Corel servers, but we are a user to user forum. None of us is a Corel employee. We are simply users who volunteer their time to help other users.

Next, this type of forum almost inevitably gets used to air problems and seek solutions for them. So that automatically tells you that the software is by no means foolproof. But then again, what software is?

I was a bit surprised to hear about your problem with Cyberlink. PowerDirector comes with a pretty good reputation. I just bought the latest package, indeed, though really just to try it out. I also have the latest Sony Movie Studio Platinum and the Magix editing suite. I like the Sony package though the learning curve is rather steep with it. But my major editing effort is usually done in Video Studio. I have been using it since version 7 over 11 years ago now, and I still keep coming back to it. For the things I use it for, both standard and high def, I don't have problems. Certainly I have never -- not once -- had any of the codecs conk out on me, though occasionally some users have trouble with codecs -- but usually not having the right one installed for a slightly unusual video format. In your terms, the licence is perpetual -- though of Corel goes through roughly annual cycles in issuing a new version. There may be patches for existing versions, but once a new version is launched, it is rare to see any more patches for previous versions.

That being said, the latest version X7 (17) is about to be launched officially next week, though some lucky users have already been given a chance to buy it in advance. This version comes in 64 bit (as well as 32 bit) so has finally caught up with other software packages in this regard. So before you launch out and buy VS -- if that is what you decided to do -- wait at least until next week (the 14th) and get a trial version of X7.

[Terfyn]

For what it's worth. I started with Pinnacle Studio 5 supplied as a freebe with my Canon HV20 camera, I worked my way up to 15 when a spectacular crash made me take my PC into my Dealer to sort out. He suggested I try VideoStudio X5 as he had heard of good reports as to its reliability.
As my Internet is so slow and a bit unreliable, I bought the disks. ( Plus in theory I could not be "got at" as I could always clean my PC and reload) I have run X5 and now X6 for 2-3 years now without problem and find it easy for straight forward editing plus it has more than enough "extras" . I have used chroma key effectively and found the audio side to be very flexible. You mentioned a music video, one of the strengths of VS X6 is the ability of introducing audio from any source to match with your video. A number of us use an independent recorder and then sync it up with the video afterwards. (my setup includes a Fostex MR16 and a Zoom H2.) You can also "lift" the audio track, edit in an audio editor (Audacity in my case) and drop it back under the video. Another feature I use is to "stretch or compress" the sound track to fit the video length, this works well within reason.

So in answer to your last questions,
So I'm wondering what kind of experience VS users have with the Corel software. Is the license actually a perpetual licence and does the software keep working for you? Yes and Yes. You will see questions being raised in the Forum over earlier versions VS X4 for example. So once it is bought you either have it for life or, like many of us, you can chase the joys of next years release!! Well Corel has to make money somehow.

[RobertOZ]

I am an ex PowerDirector user, gave up with version 9 as I found it too unstable.
Like Ken, I have 3 editing programs, Premiere Elements 12, Sony Movie Studio Platinum 13 and Video Studio. Video Studio is my preferred editor, it is relatively easy to navigate around, the other 2 have a long learning curve, but that said, I do sometimes create projects using all 3 editors, using the best features of each, then combining them into 1 project for completion with Video Studio.
PowerDirector 12 was released mid 2013, since then it has had 4 major patches plus another 4 Beta patches,an average of 1 per month, now you could say that CyberLink are on the ball with the release of patches, but on the other hand you could argue that the product was released full of bugs.
Another thing to remember with PoweDirector, which they do not mention, is the fact that the number of times you can uninstall then reinstall is very limited,something I was constantly doing with PDR9, then you will go through the hoops with CyberLink support getting the program reactivated again, also, from memory here, there a 3 sections when using the program that need to be activated within 30 days of purchase or once again you will need to contact support.
As Ken has said, VideoStudio X7 is being released next week, download the trial, it is a fully functioning version and try it out, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at its ease of use and its stability. The members of this forum are only too willing to help with any issues you may have.

Robert

[BrianCee]

As Ken explained we are all just users here - even the site admins do not work for or are paid by Corel - we almost never see any one from Corel in the VideoStudio forum.

Like many others I started over 10 years ago with VideoStudio version 3 - X7 which is about to be released is in fact version 17.

I just checked my registered products on the Corel website and I registered version 6 in Nov 2002 - which is the first version I actually purchased as version 3 had come free with a computer I purchased at that time - I wouldn't still be with it if it gave me problems.

I have never had anything just stop working in any version - since I became a moderator and then an admin on this site I have kept all versions installed so that I can check back when users ask questions - so I have version 12 onwards on my PC all available and working when required (only one at a time of course)

We still get questions from people using version 11 - the only thing which stops a version working or stops it working properly is Microsoft with their changes to the operating systems from XP to Vista to Win 7 to Win 8 etc. so as long as your version is compatible with the operating system it will keep working

I started with version 3

Version 3 interface.png (229.97 KiB) Viewed 11867 times

but the first version I purchased was version 6

Version 6 interface.png (267.87 KiB) Viewed 11867 times

[MrVideo]

Thanks for the great replies, and especially thank you for telling me about X7! I had X6 in my cart and was ready to checkout. Thought I'd ask if this de-activation ala CyberLink is an industry standard. Glad I did because now I know about X7. It seems like every time I buy a software package, the new version comes out a week later. History was about to repeat itself.

I won't need to trial X7. I already made up my mind to buy the product. It's not likely to be worse than what I already trialed.

RobertOZ, I'm curious, what features of Sony's product do you use that are better than VS?

Thanks again to everyone for replying.

[AussieTX]

I have been using VS since version 9 and then every version since (except 10. Couldn't afford the upgrade at the time).
I originally tried the product on recommendation from a co-worker after I expressed my total frustration with a Pinnacle product's lack of stability.
To my surprise not only was VS relatively easy to use but there was not one hiccup.
Not to mention that the quality of the disk I created was 5 times that of the previous Pinnacle attempts.
And the additional content was far more than other products.
Even today looking at the VSX7 Ultimate the features you receive, if bought separately, would add up to more than 3 times what Corel is asking.

As for reliability I eventually did have a failure at one point and went into a tizzy fit because I had forgotten to save.
With my fist poised to crash through my 15" CRT monitor I restarted VS9 and to my surprise the program asked if I would like to recover the previous project.
I selected yes and it all came back to where I was only a minute or so before the crash.
Tears of joy destroyed my keyboard and I have not looked back since.

A couple of times I have considered trying another editor but like you mentioned it is difficult to try and get used to the mood swings and attitudes of a new girlfriend.
So I'll stick with the ole lady for now because she constantly surprises me with her ability and her yearly face lift is yet to disappoint. I am still talking about VS BTW

Cheers

Pat

[jdowney]

Hi,


I have been a Video Studio user since 2002, and really never ad any major problem with it. In fact, I have recommended VS to numerous people who have purchased it, and are very happy with it.

Codecs have never been an issue, the biggest problem you see is typically a missing codec . Add it then you are good to go.

The user forums are GREAT! I have asked many questions over the years, and have always had them answered by one of the other users on the forum.

My 2 biggest complaints: I have found over the years is with Corel Technical Support (ULead days were good). One issue is that you have to pay extra for it. Two: they are very hard to get a hold of. Three: sometimes you don't get an answer to your issue depending on the person responding to your call (however, I then revert back to the forum to resolve the issue).

Number 2. You have to continually purchase additional content packs. Often the content packs have the same content with just a couple of new features added to support the latest version of the software. This is an optional purchase, but if you are a novice user like me, you want to have as many transitions, video themes etc as possible to use in your home made videos.

That's it. So by all means use Video Studio, and you will find that it is very easy to use and it typically gives you what you want.


Jeff

[BrianCee]

I am not quite sure what you mean by having to continually buy additional content Jeff.

I have never ever purchased any additional content - there is a lot of free additional content in the "Do More" section of the Corel guide in each version and it is added to with each release. You can also download numerous project templates for free from Photovideolife and a quick search around the internet can get you free images and stock videos.

What sort of additional content are you paying for ?

[MrVideo]

Hey AussieTX,

A couple of times I have considered trying another editor but like you mentioned it is difficult to try and get used to the mood swings and attitudes of a new girlfriend.
So I'll stick with the ole lady for now because she constantly surprises me with her ability and her yearly face lift is yet to disappoint. I am still talking about VS BTW

That was a great answer, spoken in a language I can understand!

[Ken Berry]

RobertOZ, I'm curious, what features of Sony's product do you use that are better than VS?

RobertOZ will probably answer separately, but I thought I would add my two cents worth here since I occasionally use, and like, Sony's Movie Studio Platinum. As I said above, the learning curve is steep. But the features which I find are better than VS are its chroma controls (with practice) and audio editing in particular. If you buy the Platinum package, you also get Sony's DVD Architect authoring program -- albeit a slightly older version, but it is nonetheless the same program which comes with the professional end Sony Vegas editing program.

I might add, with regard to chroma, that I have bought the NewBlue Essentials packages 1 through to 6, and these include quite advanced chroma related filters. These involve an even steeper learning curve, but certainly give more precise control over the process. And the NewBlue effects apply to VS, Sony and Cyberlink.

One downside is that the packages I have bought do not work in the VS X7 64 bit version (though they work in both Sony and Cyberlink 64 bit). They do work in X7 32 bit, and we have alerted both Corel and NewBlue to the need to adapt their installer for X7 moving into 64 bit territory (at last!!) NewBlue say they are working on it. I should also note that X7 (and X6) Ultimate come with a range of NewBlue effects, including the very useful picture-in-picture, but not the chroma-related ones. To buy each NewBlue package, however, costs more than VS, so you need to look out for special NB offers (which is how I bought mine).

[MrVideo]

Thanks Ken,

Good chroma keying is something I'm definitely interested in. The audio not so much as I have more audio tools you can shake a stick at. Anyway, in my case, I have to make the video go with the audio because the audio is set in stone. Would you say the NewBlue chroma tools are on par with what's built into Sony?

[Ken Berry]

Would you say the NewBlue chroma tools are on par with what's built into Sony?

No -- the NB effects give you even more control and fine tuning adjustments. I hesitate to say they are professional, but they are certainly heading in that direction. Sony is good, and IMHO a bit easier to use with a good result than VS chroma, but not by all that much.

[jdowney]

Hi Ken,


I always download whatever is in the Do More section. I have also purchased for Corel Video Studio Pro X5 and then X6 Ultimate the following: bonus content and theme packs:

• Flash Objects Vol. 1
• Flash Objects Vol. 2
• Flash Objects Vol. 3
• Positive Vibe Pack
• Wedding Pack


For purchasing these content packs, I was given a content pack called "Romance" for free by Corel. I have also purchased older content packs for X3/X4 and VS11... Not complaining because they were optional purchases, but I would like to see these content pack eventually rolled into the newer versions of the software. Now I will have to purchase them again for X7 (64 bit)...

Jeff

PS: Please let me know if you are aware of where to get any content material, free or otherwise...