The program supports all necessary video formats that you need to burn DVDs and upload video online. It retains everything that was good in prior versions. And perhaps most important, it runs under Windows Vista.
Easy Video Editing
As in earlier versions, Studio 12 is a first rate program for editing video, adding transitions and titles and burning video onto DVD or CDs. The software makes it easy to edit video by simply dragging and dropping scenes onto a visual and intuitive Timeline or Storyboard.
For all the improvements, which include: animated text and graphics, more themes, stronger audio control, HD support, additional editing controls and support for more image and video formats, Pinnacle 12 looks and feels like past versions, which is a good thing.
The interface remains intuitive and easy to understand. After a simple introduction, most should be up and running. There was no reason to alter a great interface and those who are familiar with past versions will immediately feel at home.
Going Online
To support online video, the program exports to 3GP mobile phones and Flash Video, and can directly upload to YouTube as well as create MP3 and wav audio files. You can also export video to Sony PSPs and Apple iPods. These features are welcome.
I like the automatic music generator that creates a soundtrack for your video and concludes the music as your video ends. The program now has some 40+ source tracks for more choices.
I've always enjoyed the pan-and-zoom features that allow you to add movement to still pictures. There's also capability to remove red-eyes, rotate and crop images, adjust lighting, enhance color and more.
Bottom Line
For those new to video editing, for price and features, there's no better program on the market than Pinnacle Studio 12. And if you’ve been shut out with your earlier version of Studio because it doesn't run under Windows Vista, you will probably be satisfied with the program’s support of additional formats, as well as other enhancements, to justify the price of this upgrade.
Pinnacle Studio 12 is available for $49.99. A Plus version retails for $99.00. The "Ultimate" version, which comes with more graphics capabilities, is available for $129.99.
