Inexpensive "consumer" Video Editing Solutions - under $200

This market niche is very crowded with a diverse spectrum of products and bundles. Some are software only - some are "free" bundled software that comes with a video capture card or multimedia device; some are standalone solutions that incorporate both software and hardware. Many of these video editing solutions provide the ability to control DV camcorders, capture DV video and audio, perform storyboard and/or timeline video editing complete with transitions, effects, color correction and titling. Most of them can also save the completed video productions in a variety of formats - including AVI, MPEG, RealMedia and WindowsMedia. Most can create streaming video files. Many can also be used to author and burn DVD video projects.

Several offer "automatic" video editing capabilities.  Automatic video editors enable you to select and capture various DV clips from your DV cmaocrder, pick an audio background and then after choosing from a varieity of various video and film styles, the program will automatically cut your video tot he music, adding various titles and special effects. Some programs offer this in addition to their regular video editing capabilities, while others, like muvee just concentrate on the automated features. 

We haven't provided details of each and every program as this market space evolves on a daily basis. Every month, these manufacturers change the product names or version numbers, add more features and capabilities, and change the prices (usually lower). Several of these entry level products have more sophisticated (and more expensive) versions listed in the Prosumer Video Editing Gear Section.

Here is a very brief guide to some of the entry level and consumer editing solutions as well as a link to B&H Photo Video to buy them. (B&H is our favorite online supplier - their prices are very competitive and their service and attitude is the best. We have been buying our video and camera stuff from them for over 20 years!) 

If you can't get it from B&H, we have provided a direct link to Amazon.

In alphabetical order ...

ADS Tech

Arcsoft ShowBiz

Belkin

CyberLink PowerProducer www.gocyberlink.com

Dazzle MovieStar and DVD Complete  www.dazzle.com

InterVideo - WinDVD Creator and WinProducer3 www.intervideo.com

Mainconcept MainActor  www.mainconcept.com

Nova Development - Video Explosion Deluxe  

(see review)

Pinnacle - Studio 8 www.pinnaclesys.com

Roxio - VideoWave Movie Creator and VideoWave  www.roxio.com

Sonic Foundry - VideoFactory

Ulead Video Studio www.ulead.com