Perhaps the nicest thing about using a Windows PC is that no matter what you want to do, lots of software is available to help you. Countless video editing programs are available.Video-editing software for Windows breaks down into three basic categories:
- Basic: At the low end of the price-and-feature scale are free programs (such as Windows Movie Maker) or programs that come free with cheaper FireWire cards (such as Ulead VideoStudio or Roxio VideoWave). These programs are usually pretty limited in terms of what you can do with them; I recommend moving up to the next level as soon as your budget allows.
- Intermediate: A growing number of video-editing programs now offer more advanced editing features at a price that is not out of the average consumer’s reach. Pinnacle Studio — featured throughout this book —is one good example. Studio retails for $99 and offers more advanced editing than most basic programs — plus you can expand the capabilities even more with the Hollywood FX Plus plug-in ($49).
- Advanced: If you’re willing to spend $400 or more, you can get some of the same programs that the video pros use. Advanced video-editing programs include Adobe Premiere, Avid Xpress DV, Pinnacle Edition, and Sonic Foundry Vegas.
