Ideal For Video Editing. (Cyberlink PowerDVD Deluxe 8)

Member Name: boredindunoon

Product:	Cyberlink PowerDVD Deluxe 8
Date:	22/11/09 (76 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Huge Range Of Video Effects, Easy To Use, Restore Old Videos, HD Upscaling.

Disadvantages: Problems With Microphone, No Printed Manual. Demanding On System Resources.

With video technology advancing on a day to day basic, the software to allow you to fully utilize the latest technologies also has to advance. Having being slightly disappointing with previous software from Cyberlink, I was slightly apprehensive in using "PowerDirector 8 Deluxe" however the promise of "many new video enhancement and editing tools" along with the ability to upscale video to HD quality was too tempting to turn down. Thankfully my previously below par experiences of Cyberlink were not repeated, and I found PowerDirector 8 to be an functional, production, and enjoyable piece of software.

There is no doubt that PowerDirector is a powerful piece of software. Offering the ability to edit a video frame by frame if need be, automatic correction of video, being able to add virtual surround sound, 16 timeline tracks, as well as offering thousands upon thousands of video effects and templates (via DirectorZone.com) to name just some of its abilities. The upscaling ability is a great benefit on offer and is easy to use within a few mouse clicks.

The layout and menu structure of the software is reasonably well implicated, but being used to Nero's software (and not having used any Cyberlink products for sometime) it did take me sometime to fully get to grips with things. I can't really fault Cyberlink for this, as to hand I'm unable to think of any improvements they could make, but be aware that you may have to set aside time to learn where everything is.

While I'm somewhat new to video editing (being a more seasoned photographer) when the software was installed (which it did without any difficulty) I was able to instantly begin experimenting with my existing videos and thanks to the easy to learn software actually enjoyed myself adding effects, editing timelines, and enhancing both picture and sound quality.

When the software is ideal for today's hardware, with a range of tools on offer such as white balance and noise removal you can quickly it's also ideal for enhancing old home videos and giving them a new lease of life.

The only problem I have encountered to date is the fact that my microphone doesn't work with the software. Normally you would be able to record voice-overs and despite the fact that my microphone works with Skype, Windows Live and everything else, PowerDirector simply tells me that I don't have one. As of yet I'm unable to find a solution.

The user manual is pretty good in explaining all aspects of the software but sadly it's included on the CD and not as a hardcopy. Considering how many times I've had to refer back to it (really just to see everything on offer), I would have personally preferred to have a printed version next to me. Of course I could print it out myself but others many not have that ability.

When it comes to video editing the more advanced your computer the better, just because you meet the minimum system requirements don't think you can charge through the software. I have a relatively advanced computer with a quad core processor and four gigabytes of RAM, and there were certain points when using various features I had to sit and wait for my system to catch up. I've read many reviews online about users having difficulty with the software freezing or crashing, and I suspect that this maybe the reason as I have yet had no such problems.

Regardless of your skill level - if you need a powerful and comprehensive video editing suite then PowerDirector 8 Deluxe is well worth considering.

(I'm a reviewer on Amazon, and some my reviews are copied from there to dooyoo. Please feel free to check out my Amazon profile under my real name of Mr Andrew M Kerr.)

Summary: Thanks For Reading.

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