Customer Rating:  
Summary: Functional at Best
Comment: The biggest problem I had with this product was that it uses so much processing power it drove my laptop to a near standstill at times, something which no other video editing or capturing software has managed to do. The interface looks fairly easy to use as most of the video editing software follow the same layout as Windows Movie Maker with its timeline bars etc. I was disappointed with the lack of transitions but there were plenty of video effects to keep you busy.
I've not tried any of the HD editing or blue ray disc stuff so I honestly can't comment on that but I found Roxio's and amazingly Pinnacles's efforts much more stable and quicker to process videos into finished products.
Adobe may have lots of extra bells on but if it kills your computer to get them to work, it kind of defeats the object!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good, but not perfect
Comment: After being disappointed by Power Director I wasn't holding my breath for this. Luckily I needn't have worried - Premiere Elements is a near-perfect video editor for home users. It is essentially aimed at being "Windows Movie Maker with bells and whistles".
There are a few problems though. The first is that you are forced to create a project file before you actually get to do anything in the program. Since the early 1990s it has been standard practice to allow the user to edit content _before_ saving it to a file - I wish someone would tell Adobe.
Second is that it didn't import the videos from my camcorder properly - failing to detect that they are widescreen. Now this is because of the unusual way in which some camcorders (mainly JVC and Sharp) save widescreen videos (one file containing the video, and another file containing a note that the video is widescreen). I wouldn't therefore hold the program responsible if it weren't for the fact that it specifically advertises compatibility with my camcorder (a JVC Everio) and its video format on the side of the box. Again, I believe it is normal practice in the software industry to check that a product is actually compatible with a particular format before claiming that it is.
These minor issues aside though, Premiere Elements really does get the balance right between features and ease of use.
Customer Rating:
Summary: APE 7
Comment: I am a novice to the video world - being a DSLR nut; however, I got this program up and running very easily. I threw some very large files at it and it coped very well - no crashing. It is packed with features to automate as much of the process as possible. It was very easy to cut a piece film and add a music track for YouTube viewing. I am going to enjoy this. I have all kinds of ideas for manipulating film and music and this looks versatile enough to let me achieve some of that. Reviews generally mark APE 7 as the best in its class.
Customer Rating:
Summary: does what it says - well.
Comment: i have mangaed to use this many times and have had no problems with it. it is easy to use and has a userfriendly interface. i have used windows media movie maker beore nad this is much better. recommended
Customer Rating:
Summary: Adobe Premier Elements 7 - Second Thoughts
Comment: I've waited long for the ability to edit AVCHD with Premier, having used the earlier DV versions with success. I have upgraded my PC (Quad 2.8GhZ - 4Gb RAM - 9800GT - Vista HP SP1) but I have to be very patient.
It tends to crash if I move clips quickly or click the next action before the last has been executed. Premier 'not responding' is an all to familiar line in task manager
Having said that, my previous experience with Premier, initially was similar but as I became more familiar with the earlier suites, crashes did reduce. Sadly this is not the case with PE7
I've tried to make BluRay DVD's but have failed abysmally. It destroyed two DVD's and I've returned the writer to the retailer (Not Amazon)I'm not sure of the cause.
The PE7 booklet and help are very poor. If I had no experience I would be really have been in trouble trying to carry out simple edits.
In desparation I have today bought Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum and so far it is excellent. Responsive with easy to learn tutorials. No crashes. Bluray? I'll see how I progress.
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