Corel Ulead VideoStudio 11.5 Plus [AMAZON.COM EXCLUSIVE]

I'm still experimenting around with this. But so far I've made 2 videos and it's pretty good and fast. First I used the wizard to make a really short clip and then I used the Editor (more advanced but really easy to use with drag drop and simple interface). When I converting the file to SVCD using the Editor, I thought wow...it took so long, but then I didn't realize my Spyware program started running its usual scan on its own so it's slowing down the progress. Once I stopped the scan, it sped up real fast. Even the burning was quick. Since I had a regular Sony point and shoot digital camera (MPEG4 file), I think it couldn't take advantage of the high quality videos that could be produced because my SVCD quality wasn't that great. But I seriously do think it's more because of my camera than the software. I'm saving up to buy a real HD camcorder but this handheld digital camera will have to do for now.

The manual is very easy to read with sufficient pictures to guide you. I actually could read it and I'm horrible at reading manuals so this says a lot. It has a lot of cool features I have yet to explore because it's so many. It's definitely designed for PC since the manual seems to be written in such way, so I can see how some people might find it frustrating to use with Mac.

Not unlike the stereotypical male, I've never been one to give serious thought to cracking the owner's manual. However, I am not askadirectaphobic (the aversion to soliciting directional vectors for fear of appearing testostoceronically-challenged), but that's another story. My point is, this program is (mostly) intuitive and relatively easy to use, right out of the box. I was charged with the task of creating a 2 minute overview of a new product that would eventually be depoloyed to web. As a first-time user, I immediately discovered you could not only use layers of video, but you could transition back and forth using their canned library of lovely and diverse effects. And, as a proficient Flash animator, I was delighted to see it was easy-peezie-rice-and-cheesie to import .SWF files. This opened a 500-foot garage door of creativity to my new life as a video impresario.

In all honesty, this software is great for newcomers to video editing. If you are an amateur looking for an intermediate and budget-friendly solution, this application goes above and beyond. For example, you want to make your family movies look big budget. Or, if you're like me, and need an occasional solution for minor presentations, but demand quality output, the program really delivers!

If I had but one criticism, I would protest against it's flagrant and grotesque use of system resources. Even though I run a reasonably fast machine, there are times it performs as slowly as a Congressional debate. Okay, I exaggerate...NOTHING runs THAT slowly.

I have successfully used Pinnacle's V10+ but this product seemed to include what Pinnacle/Avid wants you to buy as add-ons. The systems I use more than meet the highest requirements for the product.

During install of the product AvControlSDK message stated error installing ikernel though the product seemed to install. The Corel web site said 'ikernel' was a problem with the installation program and pointed to a web site for a 'fix'. There was a VS11 'hotfix' also that I applied. But tryinig the sample program gave failures in hedocdll.dll, trying again it ran ok. Import of video from a dvd's gave 'import DVD failed 2396'. Couldn't get the DVD out of the computer, seems COREL IO manager that gets installed has a known bug. There was a hang trying to trim video. UVPL.exe caused a problem. DDE server stuck. etc ad nauseum. InterVideo Windvd kept trying to go online, seems it's a come-on product and you can buy a useful one for $80 or so more.

Well, I uninstalled, manually uninstalled and reinstalled as suggested by their website 'help'. This time it seemed to install ok (left out Corel IO manager). You have to manually move over some files (though it's not real clear where). This time the sample program ran and rendered seemingly ok til it got done then Windows apologized again because VS11 had another problem. The rendered video played ok. But trying some real editing gave vstudio.exe failures dutifully logged and sent off by Windows.

The help offered by COREL is either non-existent or very very difficult to get to.

This would be a great product. It has an excellent interface. Seems much easier to use than Pinnacle's product. If it only worked!!

5 STARS for the ability to burn/edit/ watch in AVCHD.

Well, I just got ULEAD VideoStudio 11.5 Plus software and the Sony PS3 yesterday. Although I prefer Sony Vegas Studio to do the editing, I bought the Ulead because of the claim that Hi-Def videos could be burned on standard DVDs and viewed through the PS3 in Hi-Def. I have a Canon HG10 camcorder and so far Sony Vegas Studio is incompatible with Canon AVCHD format. Editing and burning to a standard DVD is a benefit because Blu Ray burners cost around $400 and up, and Blu Ray blank media costs $10 PER DISC and up. Well, the software works well! If you tape,transfer, edit, and burn in the AVCHD format, the resulting DVD plays in (BluRay compatible) Hi-Def video. It looks fantastic!