Alternatives to Video Studio?

[Davidk]

I've used Video studio for 12 years, from then Ulead 11 days to Vs2019, and most versions between. But Corel is changing it . . and mostly breaking it, the issues with 2019 that have been flagged in various posts to this forum are evidence of that. To the point where I am seriously considering changing my main editor software.
Does anyone have a comparison chart - or a weblink to one that is reasonably independent and not fluff for one vendor or another - where some home use functions and usbability for alternative products are assessed?

[asik1]

David, no comparison chart will replace getting your feet wet, trying a software.
One thing I can clearly tell you, no software (<$80 ) got the ease of VS with overlays/masks/key frames.
But... many can do basic editing/trimming stuff much better than VS.

If you need to edit a lot of verbal content than VS is hell with it's discrete TL zoom and poor wav display, this alone should be a reason to move elsewhere.
Unfortunately there isn't a single gem in the mine, it's only the one you learn to adopt.
When I searched for replacement I went to the NLE user forum and read the complains and vibes.

[jdowney]

Hi I too have been using Video Studio for almost 18 years dating back to the Ulead days, upgrading every year EXCEPT VS 2019.

Please let me know if you find any good easy to use software, and I will change along with you...

Regards
Jeff

[metmot]

I have resisted the temptation to upgrade despite the constant nag when running the program. X9 does everything I need. I see no reason at this point to upgrade or move. I too have been using this software for a very long time.

[Dirk184]

Maybe everything will be fine again with Version 2020

[max]

I agree with the second poster, stay with Video Studio. For example, you can compare it with the alternative freeware video editing program Shotcut which is ok for some basic stuff. However, Video Studio is more powerful.

[xfsgpr]

I agree with the second poster, stay with Video Studio. For example, you can compare it with the alternative freeware video editing program Shotcut which is ok for some basic stuff. However, Video Studio is more powerful.

There are other paid versions such as Premiere Elements and Premiere Pro CC but Adobe is a monopoly so developements and new features is very slow.

People can use their trial versions but uninstalling them after the trial expires becomes a nightmare!! It does remove everything.

[brouillette]

I too am a long time VS user (back almost 20 years to Ulead 6 Basic).

The problem is that I have extensive FAMILY and TRAVEL movies that date that far ; once in a while I need to update and upgrade them (higher resolution photos and videos, and from DVD to HD to 4K...) to keep pace with evolving technology and resolution.

Going to another software would prevent that evolution for my older VSPs.

Also, though similar, the learning curve is there when you switch... and they must have their issues as well.

I never looked elsewhere except since VS2018 and VS2019 bogs, freeze, crashes and unreliability... always something.

I then tried Cyberlink Power Director trial version and forum... but quickly came back to VS hoping they were "bad versions" that would be fixed by VS2020 (... a leap of faith ???) ; as an example, just trying the Cyberlink "Crossfade" transition convinced me...it is not as clean as VS. Also people are complaining as much on their forum...!!!

The main asset of VS is their FORUM....you guys... by far the best and most reknown forum... as often mentioned in the reviews. A forum that helped me resolve most of my issues thru the years.

VS2019 was the climax of VS issues for me... so I will follow this post with interest in case some other softwares become extremely attractive... but deep down I hope somebody in Corel Management is hearing the noise on the FORUM about dissatisfaction of long term dedicated users... and will get VS back on track !

Guy

[asik1]

Guy, if you mainly into crossfades, take a look at this

and if you have a VS 'collection' than the best advice to you is to stay with the workable one. For me it's X9.2, even though I'm shifting away I'll keep it.

[brouillette]

asik1,
how do you get to that in VS ? I'm always using the "Crossfade" in F/X transitions...the only one to my knowledge...so I'm curious to find out how you get to those options (I am not getting anything by clicking in Options > transition tab ?

[asik1]

asik1,
how do you get to that in VS ? I'm always using the "Crossfade" in F/X transitions...the only one to my knowledge...so I'm curious to find out how you get to those options (I am not getting anything by clicking in Options > transition tab ?

The answer is simple... it's not in VS, it's a different software.

[canuck]

asik1,
how do you get to that in VS ? I'm always using the "Crossfade" in F/X transitions...the only one to my knowledge...so I'm curious to find out how you get to those options (I am not getting anything by clicking in Options > transition tab ?

The answer is simple... it's not in VS, it's a different software.

You should have mentioned that in your earlier post. Just showing a picture without some reference is useless

[Telmo]

Maybe everything will be fine again with Version 2020

I do hope you are correct. So far I'm doing fine with version 2018, version 2019 didn't suit me. Let's see what version 2020 will bring. Fingers crossed.

[Davidk]

I did hope that a number of forum contributors who have indicated they have/use other editors would be willing to offer some comparisons . . .

[asik1]

What to compere David?
If you favor specific feature in VS ask how it's over "there".
Did you know that PS couldn't do mask at all until the recent PS23? It's crazy as it sounds. (I have no idea how it preform now though)
** Stability is not a feature, all software will crash at some point... he variables with MS OS are so wide that crashes become features.