I just got the Panasonic HD-SD9 and ithas a CD which comes with it....a 15 day trial (Wow!) of Pinnacle studio....
It refused to install on my system because it said I didn't have WinXP SP2....(I have the SP3 beta)
I run a HyperOS system with a dozen installs of XP..so I uninstalled SP3 on one of them, just so I could try the pinnacle out...
It couldn't even play my Mpeg2 files made from the HD.....
...and looking at the general layout and capabilities of Pinnacle.....I would say it loses when compared to Cyberlink Power Director 6

I got Cyberlink Power Director and Power Producer ona Cd when i got my JVC Everio HDD camera....and they were not limited trial versions either.
I have since upgraded to their latest versions and am well happy...

so, if you are not happy with your Pinnacle studio...take a look at the cyberlink offerings

I've never heard of Cyberlink. One of the bothersome things about Pinnacle is the features you have to activate. For instance, if you want to get MPEG2 you have to upgrade to titanium. All of this can be done online, so it endlessly prompts you with "would you like to buy..." windows.

That's ONE of the things about Pinnacle I don't like.

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Check out my company's website:
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Cyberlink are the producers of that very popular video player "Power DVD"

looking at the interface of the Pinnacle studio...it is very similar in many respects to the Power Director..

when i tried to load files into pinnacle I had to do them one at a time too, it wouldn't allow me to select several or all from the folder to import...

that constant advertising is a pain too....don't get that with Cyberlink....you can choose to have it check for updates or not...and if you register it you get a bonus pack free....and they can send details of new stuff or upgrades to your email.

I don't work for them BTW...just like their stuff