Best PC Editing Software??

[Randall Ayers]

Just curious as to what you guys like better. I'm stuck with using a PC and I am trying to find the best available editing software, If I'm not retarded I have basically narrowed it down to Adobe Premier and After Effects and I was just curious as to which everyone takes a liking too. To be honest I'm not too familiar with either of the programs and I was just wondering which one I should major in, if it's not personal preference...

Thanks.

[milksac]

If I'm not retarded I have basically narrowed it down to Adobe Premier and After Effects ...
Retarded is probably a bit strong. How about misinformed?
You've narrowed it down to apples and oranges. Premiere is a NLE, non linear editor and After Effects is a compositing/motion design program. They are designed to compliment one another. IMHO, the best PC based NLE is Avid. But hey it's just an opinion. I'm sure you'll get a response from those that love Premiere, Vegas or even Windows Movie Maker.

[Jason Ramsey]

The best thing you can do is try the various available demos for all of the NLE's that you can. See which one fits your workflow/style the best and go with it. It also matters to some extent (in terms of workflow) what you will be editing. dv, hdv, dvcprohd, etc.

Jason

[troypod]

you can get a free version of avid from their website, check out avid free dv.
premiere does the trick too.
as for motion graphics, even after i bought all the special FCP studio apps. (motion and what not) i still always use After effects. it's a solid choice...

[Jason Ramsey]

Here are some links to download demo versions of various NLE's for the PC:

Canopus (Thompson/Grass Valley) EDIUS Broadcast 4:
http://www.canopus.com/products/EDIUSBroadcast/index.php

Canopus EDIUS 4 Pro:
http://www.canopus.com/products/EDIUSPro/index.php
(note: I am not sure, but the demo may be the same for broadcast and pro. I do know that there is a demo now available with broadcast features if you need them. This would depend on the type of footage you are editing.)

Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0:
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?platform=Windows&product=98

Sony Vegas 7:
http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/download/step2.asp?did=698

Avid Liquid:
http://www.avid.com/forms/infoLiquidTrialSoft.asp?product=Avid%20Liquid&iTrackingID=LQTRLDVDPRMDWNLDBTNQ106

Avid Xpress Pro and Studio:
Didn't see these

Avid Free DV:
http://www.avid.com/freedv/resources.asp

Hope that helps,
Jason

[Randall Ayers]

Thanks for the advice everyone.. and thank you very much for the links Jason.

I'm pretty new to this whole filming and editing scene.. My brother went to film school and now he lives in Colorado doing small films and I wanted to kinda learn as much as I can on my own. Since I'm in California and I can't really have him teach me a whole lot I plan on learning as much as possible, then moving out there and maybe we can get some brotherly work. I'm looking into buying a DVX100a but for now i'm stuck with a low end consumer camera.. Panasonic PV-GS200 :( ... thanks for everything guys.. i'll try not to nag too much, I'm going to read and read and read..

[Jason Ramsey]

You're welcome. If you will be editing mini dv footage, any of the above editors will work for you. Any editor really. Out of the ones listed above, if you wanted a personal recommendation- I would say go with Vegas. For the money, it is super robust, has the best sound editing of any of them, and has a very good dvd authoring program as well, in DVD Architect. I haven't used version 7, but have used older versions a bit. That is just personal. I still recommend that you try them out.

If you're budget is less, or you require less, you could look at some of the cheaper programs like Sony's Movie Studio Platinum, for example. Which is closer to the 100 price range.

Anyways, good luck to you
Jason

[Randall Ayers]

well to be honeest. I'm on no real budget at all.. I've had family members tell me that whatver software I need they'll help me get, or possibly even get it for me for christmas.. I've just been trying to do research like mad and figure out what is best for me (I guess that's what it all really comes down to)

[William_Robinette]

Don't diss the GS200! It's a great little cam. Of course, no DVX, but I have had very good results using it.

As for an edit platform, I would go with Vegas.