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Multimedia Software
The members of the SIG typically use software like those listed below. Click a software name for more information. (Note: Some of these software packages are free but you don’t get ALL the features unless you buy the full version. Some remain free if you opt to accept a watermark rather than pay for the license.) If cost is your primary concern and you are just starting out, recommend you look closely at OpenShot. If you have some experience and/or are willing to invest the effort needed to learn new things, then look hard at DaVinci Resolve. Come to a SIG Zoom meeting and ask for opinions!
Once we get past the pandemic, you might also stop by the Camera Club and see what software is available on the Club's computers.
Product (w/ hyperlinks) | Cost | SIG Users | Remarks | |||
Adobe Premiere Pro CC ** | Subscription – see website | 1 (?) | Pro level. Powerful but complex and costly option | |||
Adobe Premiere Pro CS6 | Discontinued * |
1 | No longer supported by Adobe. Do not recommend for newcomers. |
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Adobe Premiere Elements(2019) |
$99.99 |
5-6 | Less complex but very capable option. | |||
Proshow Gold* | $69.95 | 2-3 | Very good basic slide show editor, but no longer available. | |||
Proshow Producer |
$249.95 |
1 | Beginner to intermediate option with many features. | |||
Final Cut Pro X | $299.99 | 1? | Pro level. Powerful but complex and costly option | |||
Pinnacle Studio | $59.95 | 1 | Basic to advanced level options with many features. | |||
iMovie | Free for iOS/MacOS | 4-? | Very good slide show and video editor. | |||
Shotcut | Free (Open source) *** | 1 | Powerful but complex option with many features. | |||
OpenShot | Free (Open source) *** | 1 | Beginner to intermediate option with many features. | |||
DaVinci Resolve 17 | Free | 3-4 | Pro level. Powerful but complex option with many features | |||
Davinci Resolve Studio | $295.00 | 1-2 | Upgrade to free version of Resolve. One-time cost. | |||
Windows Movie Maker | Discontinued * | ? | No longer supported by Microsoft. Do not recommend. | |||
Windows 10 Photo App | Free | 1-2 (?) | Includes a very basic video editor. Might be a good place to start? | |||
Audacity (Sound editor) | Free (Open source) *** | 4-? | Outstanding free audio editor perfect for SIG members. | |||
Reaper (Sound editor) | $75 | 1 | Low cost, powerful, for intermediate to advanced users. |
Notes
"SIG Users" refers to the number of SIG members using a given software, which can represent a built-in knowledge base for help with a product.
* Discontinued products are no longer supported and at some point, OS upgrades will result them no longer working. Usually recommend to avoid.
** Premiere Pro CC also connects fairly seamlessly with numerous other Adobe products included in a Cloud subscription.
*** Cross-platform compatible, i.e., works on Apple or Windows. Continually upgraded. (May also support Linux.)
There are quite a few other software packages that are used by members of our SIG. The Camera Club also provides classes in some of the more popular ones – see the GVR Camera Club Calendar for class availability and dates.
VLC Media Player is a free, open-source multimedia player for various audio and video formats. It has been around since 2001 and continues to undergo continuing development. It is a recommended software for Windows, Linux, Mzc OS X, Unix, iOS and Andriod and is available at no charge here: Official download of VLC media player, the best Open Source player - VideoLAN Downloads for all the various operating systems are located at the bottom of the page.
Documentation is available here: User support and help - VideoLAN
Audacity
Audacity is a free audio editor that allows you to record and edit audio files. Members of our SIG have found this to be particularly useful in recording voice-over tracks for their videos. While there has been a great deal of angst on-line lately about foreign ownership of Audacity and changes to their privacy policies, we have experienced no issues. For getting started, there are numerous YouTube tutorials.
Last Update: 2/4/2022