Any problems with VS2018?

[jparnold]

Since I purchased an action camera I noticed that a feature was introduced with VS 2018 to allow a 'fix' to the fisheye effect from those super wide angle lense on action cameras with preset for different Go Pro Hero cameras. I am interested in forking out money to buy VS2018 just for that feature but wonder if there are known problems with it having read some not so nice reports for VS 2019?
Or are there any 'filters' available for earlier versions which can be used to counteract the 'fish eye' effect?
I don't use the action camera often usually only for 'selfies' and when I need extra wide angle shots not available with my Panasonic camera. By the way I can highly recommend the Eken Hs6s action camera (4K and 1080p) at less than 1/3rd the price of the Go Pro cameras if you are on a budget as I am.
Thanks

[tletter]

Any problems with VS2018?

Yes like any software - search this forum for details to see if the bugs/problems will affect you.

a feature was introduced with VS 2018 to allow a 'fix' to the fisheye effect

"VideoStudio 2018 introduces new Lens Correction to quickly remove wide-angle camera distortion—better known as a fisheye effect" (https://learn.corel.com/tutorials/video ... orrection/).

tletter
https://www.youtube.com/user/tletter

[RobertOZ]

Hi John,

You have always been able to correct the fish-eye effect using the Lens Correction Filter, see Corel tutorial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGQkm4JAGe4

Ha, you beat me by 3 mins

[jparnold]

Thanks for your quick replies.

Since there is a thread named "so many issues with VS2019" I was looking for a similar one for VS2018 and 'searching' for something similar found many 'hits' and the first 2 or 3 I viewed didn't seem to have a similar view that VS2018 was 'buggy' to the point of (almost) recommending that it was perhaps not worth spending money on - let's face it most most new versions don't offer many would be buyers enough new features which the prospective purchaser to be worth the upgrade (I was only considering it as it has the lense correcion feature).

I was NOT aware that VS9 offers lens correction as I only have version VS7 (I am relunctant to fork out money just to have the latest). No I don't live in the dark ages. There are other users of this forum who also use older versions probably because of the same reason I don't. Hey I still use Office 2010 and Windows 7 because they do everything I want.

Regards.

[RobertOZ]

Hi John,

VSX9 was probably the last stable version, whilst it still had issues, most were of a minor nature

[lata]

Hi John
I cannot recall if you use MTS video with Digital Dolby
If you do then stay clear of Video Studio 2019 as Corel have dropped Digital Dolby support when running Windows 7

In addition Windows 10 users can only get Digital Dolby stereo, no surround sound

I agree with Robert re X9 being stable, don't think X10 was that bad, 2018 hmm, but the last service patch did address a lot of problems
That gave hope for improvements with the next version 2019

[jparnold]

Thanks for the heads up Trevor and Robert,
I really don't have any ideas of buying VS 2019 but would buy any version (whichever is the cheapest legitimate copy I can find) which supports lens correction to fix the fish eye look of video from action cameras (170 degrees lense) as that is the main reason I would spend. And that would be X8, X9 or X10.
And right now I see a couple NEW X9 listed on Ebay around $A60 which is half the cost of 2019.
My only concern is would I be able to import X6 projects into X9 or even X7 projects into X9 (I have X7 and know that X6 projects can be imported into C7 so maybe saving them from V7 will allow import into X9?

My input video IS type MTS H.264 with Dolby Digital Audio and I render to MPEG4 AVC.

Regards
John

[Davidk]

Hi JP,
You can't buy VS2018 from the on-line Corel store now - superseded in favour of VS2019 when it was released.

But the bricks n mortar stores which sell package DVD box sets - like JB Hi Fi and HN - are usually a bit behind the curve and (personal observation) seem to often have stock of prior versions for sale at a reduced price, which you may be able to bargain down further because it's a superseded version.
Another possibility is the educational software sites - similar comment.
If you can find a copy - say, of X9 - the Corel support site should have all the downloadable service packs for it. That facility stopped with the release of the new UI with 2018, and now for the later versions (2018 and 2019) you can only update with service packs by way of the application itself (Help/check for Updates).

As a general rule, any version of VS will import a project file (VSP) from a prior version. The reverse does not hold - you cannot import an X9 vsp into X7 - you'll get a file mismatch error. However, you can save an X9 vsp as an X7 vsp using the 'save as' function and then use the drop down filetype list to choose the version you want. Again, generally only for the current and 2 prior versions: from X9, save as X9, X8 or X7.

[jparnold]

Thanks David.
I always thought that projects created with versions more than x number of versions ago could not be imported inti later versions.
I have found some people selling 'new and factory sealed' versions of VS X9 so might consider that as they are about half the cost of 2018 and I only want a version which has the lense correction feature.
John

[lata]

Hi John
A little explanation on Video Studio version installations
Since the release of X9 Corel installs the programs with help from a Web Installer aka stub, think of it as a download / install manager
For X9 that file is called VideoStudio.exe at 10,928Kb, a small file.
Running that file asks us for our registration details and serial number, only then can we download the program.
Installation of the program has to be done using this file, completely different to installing X7
The overall look of X9 is very similar to X7

FX Lens Correction
As this is a free plugin I am unsure if it is provided by the program or by the Bonus Features from the Ultimate version
It would be a bad move to purchase the Pro version, being cheaper than the Ultimate to find “lens correction” not available.

I guess the message is make sure you purchase the Ultimate version.

typical view of web installer

[jparnold]

Thanks Trevor,
I was aware that later versions required a download and install from Corel. Strange that they come boxed when the install exe is so small.
And yes I would purchase the ultimate version to ensure I got everything possible.
For a minute I thought perhaps I could find and download a free FX Lens Correction plugin butr could not find one with a Google search.
I am still happy to fork out for X9.
John

[lata]

John
The boxed version does come with its own installation files, but by the time we receive that its probably out of date.
Recent versions have been updated very soon after release, I think its better to ignore the files on disc and run the stub to download the latest files from Corel.
Just had a look at the AU e-bay and quite expensive compared to UK prices

[Ken Berry]

Just had a look at the AU e-bay and quite expensive compared to UK prices

'Twas ever thus! And that's not saying anything about U.S. prices...

[Davidk]

One thing about the boxed DVD set is that it's normally a ready made backup. But from 2018, there's not enough disk space available to burn it all, so several items are "downloadable", and these show up in the installer file listing. One of my students got quite confused by this, thought she had to do that separately. But no - the installer will do the download.

And installing is not as simple as following the prompts, nor is un-installing which is what the user guide would have you believe. I wrote and Trevor critiqued a replacement section for the user guide which I give to new students. It was supplied to Corel but never taken up. So, it's attached.

Handout 32 - Installing and uninstalling the application.pdf

(287.1 KiB) Downloaded 90 times

[jparnold]

Trevor,
I don't quite understand that the boxed version might be "out of date". What happens then to those who purchased it when it came out and for no fault of their own (rebuild, reformat and reinstall etc) need to install it again. Wouldn't their version also be 'out of date' - sorry maybe I missed the point as I thought somone advised that all versions from X8 were via download using a 'stub'?
Ken,
On Ebay au there are listed quite a few from sellers in the US at around $A50 posted. Looking at the US Ebay site I only see the same ones and looking at the UK site (Trevor) I don't see any listed (if they are cheaper I would like to know).
David,
Thanks for the 'heads up' re installing and uninstalling.
Regards
John