Welcome to this weeks Friday Roundup starting with an explanation as to why there was no roundup last week!
Last week CyberLink released their updated version of PowerDirector and to be honest I was a little involved in trying to get my thoughts on it wrapped up and published.
You can click on these links to read the fruits of my labor:
CyberLink PowerDirector 12 Review Part One
CyberLink PowerDirector 12 Review Part Two
If you don’t feel like doing that then here’s the short version: PD11 was my top choice, PowerDirector 12 is now my new top choice… end of story.
What did become apparent though was the interesting new direction CyberLink have taken in the development of their product range.
The problem that exists within just about all of the major video editing software developers at the consumer level is how to continue adding value and features to what are already feature packed programs.
One choice is to simply keep adding more editing features but the downside to this is that the user interface progressively becomes more and more complicated and complex.
Hidden from view to the user is the other major problem this strategy causes: Jamming more and more stuff into the backend means that more and more components of the software have to be able to interact smoothly without breaking or interfering with other parts.
For a perfect example of this at work you only have to look at the Windows Operating System up to Windows 98.
An ever increasing number of functions being forced into one overall piece of software inevitably causing other parts of the software to either break, not perform correctly or requiring endless patches to plug holes.
CyberLink’s Solution?
Rather than go down that path this year CyberLink have decided to break out of their existing program paradigm and branch out with separate yet fully integrated software to enhance the base functionality of the PowerDirector product.
They have added three standalone products each dealing with an important aspect of video editing in a general sense that extend the functionality of PowerDirector whilst not actually residing within the product itself.
First up they have ColorDirector 2 which covers the important aspect of color correction and overall color balancing in your video projects.
The Second is AudioDirector 4 which again is a standalone audio editing, correction and manipulation program.
The third program is an image manipulation, editing program called PhotoDirector 5 which I must say is a very easy to use yet powerful image editing software.
Adding these three programs to the already powerful features of PowerDirector has achieved what I believe to be a great way of balancing the individual needs for their customer base.
Within PowerDirector there are still the same great tools for achieving excellent results with video, audio and images however with these new programs and packages you have much greater control over what features you want.
They have packed all this together into five product groups levels to suit each person.
At the base level is PowerDirector 12 Deluxe moving up to PowerDirector 12 Ultra and PowerDirector 12 Ultimate.
This range is strictly the video editing range and with each version from Deluxe through to Ultimate you are adding extra features and functionality.
Then we progress to PowerDirector 12 Ultimate Suite which is the Ultimate version packaged with ColorDirector 2 and AudioDirector 4 as well as the Windows 8 Mobile version of PowerDirector.
And finally they have released a premium package called Director Suite 2 which as a package would qualify as a fully fledged prosumer set of tools.
This one has the Ultimate version of PowerDirector, AudioDirector 4, ColorDirector 2, PhotoDirector 5 as well as the mobile versions of both PowerDirector and PhotoDirector.
Over the next few weeks I will try to get some full reviews done on the various components of this new product line up but in the meantime you can click the links below to check them out for yourself.
- Compare Director Suite and PowerDirector 12 Versions
- Director Suite 2
- PowerDirector 12 Ultimate Suite
- ColorDirector 2
- AudioDirector 4
- PhotoDirector 5
Other Video Editing News From This Week
Over at Techsmith they have been running a series of tutorials covering basic aspect of creating video for various purposes. The format of the series os to take a user generated video and offer a critique of it whilst outlining key concepts in making a video that will engage the audience. This week they covered viewer engagement specifically and it’s well worth a look.
- Screenchump to Screenchamp: Focus Viewer’s Attention
Story Boarding
YouTube Backup Tips
As you begin to build up videos on a YouTube Channel you are essentially trusting YouTube to keep all your assets nice and safe right?
But what happens if YouTube loses them?
Remember, YouTube is just a bunch of computers (OK a really BIG bunch!) connected to the internet and as such are liable to all the pitfalls can can become any computer setup.
Just as it is important to back up your own computer files regularly it is also important to have a plan for your online videos as well.
Check out this article for simple step-by-step instructions on how to back up individual videos or your entire channel.
- How To Backup your Entire YouTube Channel
How to Get That “Film Look”
Have you ever wondered what the basic difference is between the appearance of video and the way that films look? There is actually one setting on your cam that can take you very close to having that cinematic look to your projects.
Magix Release Updates
Magix have recently announced the release of the new version of Movie Edit Pro 2014.
With a little bit of luck I will have the CyberLink stuff finished soon so I can take a look at their new versions.
Low Budget Success
Here are some great examples pulled together in one place showing just how low budget video productions can still create success on the internet.
GoDaddy’s New Commercial
“Instead of rambling let me get right to my point and list the ways that Go Daddy nailed this commercial:”
DSLRs and Audio
“I remember the times when most DSLRs didn’t have manual audio levels; there was no way of controlling the audio I was recording. Just like the auto-exposure of a camcorder I didn’t know what the result would be. I am very glad those times are over and I can decide if I want to record automatic or in manual mode.”
Getting Good… Fast!
“Television news reporters often turn around a story in just a two or three hours. Their process is extremely efficient and hasn’t changed in decades and it’s an easy method of creating stories with impact very quickly. This process can be applied to video production as well. “
- A TV News Reporter’s Guide to Creating Interesting Videos Quickly
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