CyberLink PowerDirector 7
All about the new and improved CyberLink PowerDirector Video Editing Software
more about PowerDirector 7
by Douglas Dixon, Manifest-Tech
CyberLink PowerDirector 7 is positioned as a comprehensive, semi-professional video editing tool (www.cyberlink.com). It really has stepped up as a convenient and powerful tool, combining a straightforward interface, well-packaged technology assists, plus extensive support for editing high-definition video formats and authoring to Blu-ray disc. For a consumer-priced tool, it's easy and quick, even when working with HD material.
The PowerDirector 7 interface makes video editing straightforward and simple, especially for home users who want good results quickly and with a minimum of fuss, including "magic" automated assists for video editing, and sharing through portable devices (Sony PSP) and the Web (YouTube).
The Ultra version adds end-to-end support for high definition / widescreen video, from importing to editing and output, with advanced authoring features for burning to DVD and Blu-ray Disc.
This new version also adds online access to CyberLink’s DirectorZone online community for video editors (directorzone.cyberlink.com), to share and download elements from a library of custom effects and templates, plus access to photos from Flickr (www.flickr.com) and sounds from Freesound (www.freesound.org).
Product: www.cyberlink.com/PowerDirector
Press release (5/07):
CyberLink Launches PowerDirector 7, the Video Editing Software for Creating Movie Masterpieces
www.cyberlink.com/eng/press_room/view_1707.html
Key new features of PowerDirector 7 include support for new high-def video formats, online access for downloading and sharing media and editing elements, plus editing enhancements and improvements.
HD editing support includes AVCHD video, Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, and authoring to Blu-ray disc.
Online integration includes downloading and sharing effects and templates via Director Zone and searching and downloading photos from Flickr and sounds from Freesound.
Additional editing enhancements include improved performance, adjustable editing workspace, easier media management, keyframe video and PiP effects, improved Magic tools, and 3D slideshows with beat detection.
PowerDirector is available in two versions: Deluxe for $69, and Ultra for $199, with support for high-def AVCHD disc capture, authoring, burning and Blu-ray disc authoring. Released in May 2008, it's available as a boxed retail product or as a download.
You can try out CyberLink PowerDirector for yourself by downloading the trial version from the CyberLink website -- it's a 30-day trial with some other limitations, and 240 MB (www.cyberlink.com/multi/download/trials_4_ENU.html).
See below for a summary of the editing workflow, highlighting the new features.
Find CyberLink PowerDirector on Amazon.com.
- PowerDirector 7 (Deluxe) - $69
- PowerDirector 7 Ultra - $119
Blu-ray authoring: Burn to Blu-ray disc, Blu-ray content on DVD
AVCHD disc capture, authoring, burning
New in PowerDirector 7
HD video editing: AVCHD (Ultra)
Blu-ray authoring: (Ultra) - with menus (BDMV), direct to disc (BDAV)
Blu-ray content on DVD - AVCHD & BD
DVD authoring: Dolby Digital 5.1, Subtitle button, Play All / Play Scenes menus
Download / share menus via DirectorZone
Magic Clean: Apply multiple fixes at once, Extreme backlight correction
Magic Motion: Preset motion paths for photos
Editing Workspace: Adjustable windows, Faster response, Media library tools
Sort and display tools for effects libraries, 1-click compacted timeline
Video effects: Adjustable keyframes
PiP Effects: User-defined key frame effects, Access PiP designs via DirectorZone, 6 tracks
Slideshows: Beat detection, 3D styles, Editable "cell"
Photo editing: Aspect ratio options for cropping
Video subtitles: Display date/time info as text overlay
Online Resources and Creative Community
- Director zone: Download / upload effects and templates
Subscribe to other creators
- Flickr: Download own, friends, Creative Commons photos
Search via tags, names, or descriptions
- Freesound: Download sounds, Search via tag
System Requirements
CyberLink recommends:
AVI Capture/Production: Pentium 2 450 MHz or AMD Athlon 500 MHz
DVD Quality (MPEG-2) Profiles: Pentium 4 2.2 GHz or AMD Athlon XP 2200+
High Quality MPEG-4 and WMV, QuickTime, RealVideo Profiles: Pentium4 2.4 Ghz or AMD Athlon XP 2400+
AVCHD and MPEG-2 HD Profiles: Pentium Core 2 Duo E6400 or Athlon 64 X2 5000+
The PowerDirector interface is built around a four-step workflow, using the Mode buttons at the top of the screen:
Capture mode: Capture from camcorders (DV, HDV), TV / Digital TV, PC cameras, CD, DVD
Batch capture, Detect scenes
Edit mode: Import Media, Trim, Fix/Enhance with Magic Tools
Add Effects, PiP Picture in Picture Objects, Titles, Transitions,
Audio Mixing, Voice-Over Recording, DVD Chapters, DVD Subtitles
Produce mode: Export to Video File, Streaming Video
Write to DV/HDV Tape, Write to HDD Camcorder, Upload to YouTube
Create Disc mode: Author and burn DVD / Blu-ray, Design menus
Input Devices
Select input device icon at the top left of the screen
DV camcorder, HDV camcorder
Channels from TV, Digital TV
Live from PC Camera, Audio from PC Microphone
Rip tracks from CD
Titles and chapters from DVD
Capture formats: MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, AVI, DivX
DV Capture
DV Backup: Capture direct to DVD burner
DV Batch Capture:
- Manual: Select clips by In/Out time
- Automated: DV QuickScan splits tapes into clips, then select clips to batch capture
Special Features
Add Text Captions: To DV/TV media, as overlays
Still Snapshot: Grab still while previewing in Capture mode or playing clips in Edit mode
Scene Detection
After capture, analyze clips in Capture or Edit modes
Detect by changed timecodes (DV), or by analyzing content of scenes
Extract audio: From clips in Media Library
Import Media to Media Library
Video: MPEG-2 HD, DVR-MS, DV-AVI, DAT
MPEG-1, MPEG-2
VOB, VRO -- with Dolby Digital 5.1/2.1
WMV, WMV-HD, MOV, MOD
TOD, MPEG-4 AVC (H.264)
AVCHD (M2T)
DivX (codec not included)
Live capture
Image: GIF, BMP, JPG, TIF, PNG
[REMOVE?] PSD
Audio: WAV, MP3, WMA
Video Capture: DV, HDV -- both Widescreen (16:9)
Audio, Digital & Analog TV, AVCHD disc
Import scenes from DVD camcorders
DV live mode: DV-->MPEG, DV-AVI
Audio capture: Microphone, Audio CD
NEW: Online Resources and Creative Community
- Director zone: Download / upload effects and templates
Subscribe to other creators
- Flickr: Download own, friends, Creative Commons photos
Search via tags, names, or descriptions
- Freesound: Download sounds, Search via tag
Media Library - "Rooms"
Media Room - Library of clips
Effects Room - Video or image effects
Multiple video effects onscreen
NEW: Video effects: Adjustable keyframes
PiP Objects Room - Picture in Picture overlays (static, motion, decorative)
Alpha-blended objects
Preset and user-defined motion paths, accompanying PiP audio
NEW: PiP Effects: User-defined key frame effects, Access PiP designs via DirectorZone
Title Room - Text titles
Dialog / speech balloons
Transition Room - Transition effects between clips
Audio Mixing Room - Mixing across audio tracks
Voice-Over Recording Room - Record narration from microphone
Chapter Room - Set chapter markers for DVD (manual, or regular intervals)
Subtitle Room - Text captions
Video subtitles, Import txt and export srt files
NEW: Video subtitles: Display date/time info as text overlay
Storyboard / Timeline
Storyboard view: Arrange clips in sequence
Timeline view: Edit multiple elements over time
Master Video Track: Main video and image clips
Effect Track: Special effects applied to clips in Master Video Track
PiP Track: Video/image clips and objects over clips in Master Video Track (up to 6)
Title Track: Title overlays and effects over clips in Master Video Track
Voice Track: Narrative voice-over or second audio clip
Music Track: Main audio and music clips
Editing Clips
Trim duration (can use separate Media Viewer), Multi-trim, Split, Align
Adjust playback speed: 1/2 to 2X with audio, 1/10 to 10X when muted
Adjust color and brightness
Adjust Aspect ratio: 4:3 or 16:9
Auto save projects
Pack projects: for use on other PCs
NEW: Editing Workspace: Adjustable windows, Faster response, Media library tools
Sort and display tools for effects libraries, 1-click compacted timeline, Freeze frame
NEW: Save/load library, library subfolders, mark clips, fit to timeline
Slideshow Designer
Create photo slide show, to specified style
Normal, motion, cell, collage, photo scrapbook styles
NEW: Beat detection, 3D styles, Editable "cell"
Magic Tools
Magic Movie Wizard: Automatically build edited movie from collection of clips
Use pre-defined style, add transitions, effects, additional music track
Control balance of use of videos and photos
Then can do further editing and refinement before exporting
Magic Style: Creates professional movies with pre-designed style templates
Opening sequences / title, transitions and effects
Particle effects and alpha-blended PiPs, Closing video
Magic Fix: Stabilizes videos, enhances photos
Video: Stabilizes shaky videos using motion compensation
Photo: Remove red-eye and sharpen photos to enhance focus
Magic Clean: Cleans audio, video and image clips.
Photo/video: Color, lighting adjustment, white balance
Correct backlight & lighting, white calibration
Audio: Noise reduction
NEW: Add multiple fixes at once, Extreme backlight correction
Magic Cut: Condenses long videos into shorter clips
(like Magic Movie Wizard, but on a single clip)
Choose scenes with dialog, moving objects
Select longer or shorter duration
Magic Motion: Adds zooms and pans to image clips
Random, Zoom, Pan and Zoom, set focus
NEW: Preset motion paths for photos
Magic Music: Adds background music to fit durations (SmartSound)
Select music by style, adjusts the playback to fit video / slideshow length
Fine-tunes audio for smooth cut-off
Production Wizard
Export to Video File: For computer playback
DV-AVI, AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, DivX (codec not included)
High-definition MPEG-4 AVC (H.264)
Export MPEG-4 H.264 file for Apple iPod / Sony PSP
Export to Streaming Video: For Web playback
Windows Media WMV, RealVideo or QuickTime Movie
Write Back to DV Tape: Record back to DV camcorder
Write Back to HDV Tape: Record back to HDV camcorder
NEW: Write Back to HDD Camcorder: Transfer back to hard disk camcorder
Upload to YouTube: Share on the Web [REMOVE StreamLoad/MediaMax]
SVRT / Fast Video Rendering: On AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, AVCHD (M2T)
Batch Produce: Multiple projects to multiple formats
DVD Menu Designer
Menu style, customize buttons, text, objects, music, background
Widescreen menus
NEW: Download / share menus via DirectorZone
Moveable buttons and thumbnails, Support imported images
NEW: Subtitle button, Dolby Digital 5.1, Play All / Play Scenes menus
Burn to DVD: DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, Double-Layer DVDs
VCD/SVCD: CD-R, CD-RW
NEW: Encode Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Burn to DVD folder
NEW: Blu-ray authoring: (Ultra) - with menus (BDMV), direct to disc (BDAV)
Blu-ray content on DVD - AVCHD & BD
Manifest Technology®
Copyright 1999-2008, Douglas Dixon, All Rights Reserved
Manifest Technology is a registered trademark of Douglas Dixon
