Camcorder News

May 01, 2007

AVCHD Editing Is Here - Sony Vegas 7.0e and Ulead Video Studio 11

By Michael Perlman

May 1, 2007— The light at the end of the tunnel for AVCHD editing is growing brighter as two new NLE updates were recently introduced. This week, Corel announced the release of their latest Ulead video editing software, Video Studio 11, which features AVCHD support for all AVCHD camcorders. Sony recently announced an upgrade for their Vegas 7 software, Vegas 7.0e, an AVCHD editing solution for their line of AVCHD camcorders (and only their line) including their new HDR-SR5, HDR-SR7 HDD models, and HDR-CX7 Memory Stick model.

Corel Ulead Video Studio 11

Video Studio 11 joins Ulead’s DVD MovieFactory 6 to bring AVCHD support to the timeline. Corel’s latest version of Video Studio utilizes "PureHD" technology to import HD video from HDD and AVCHD camcorders for real time editing, and claims footage can be edited as easily as DV. Video Studio 11 Plus also includes InterVideo WinDVD 8 Silver, which is reportedly the first AVCHD certified playback software. This stands in contrast to the grievances various engineers have voiced in private, stating that AVCHD editing will prove to be difficult and time-consuming for all but the most robust computers.

There is a bright side, however: universal compatability. 'UVS 11 supports all camcorders that support AVCHD today,' says Catherine Hughes,

Director of Corporate Communications at Corel. "Now, consumers have an easy-to-use solution for capturing video from the new crop of AVCHD camcorders; editing without quality loss; and outputting to disc, tape, or Web," according to Blaine Mathieu, Vice President and General Manager, Products and Strategy, Digital Media at Corel.

Video Studio 11 includes an MPEG Optimizer, which allows editors to select the MPEG settings most conducive to multiple-clip rendering by analyzing the bitrates of each individual clip in the timeline. The best quality and speed for output is then suggested based on the clip analysis. The ability to Safely Pause the rendering process is a now reality, allowing editors to adjust their project as they render.

Ulead’s new NLE supports SD and HD video, images, and audio, and captures footage from DV, HDV, AVCHD, HDD (.MOD file format), and USB camcorders. Mobile phones, set-top DVD recorders, digital and analog TV tuners, VCRs, and Webcams are also compatible. In Video Studio Plus, users can output to iPod, PSP, YouTube video, and Nokia mobile phones.

The new Video Studio 11 also includes features such as a DeBlock filter, which is designed to reduce blocky compression artifacts, and DeSnow filter, said to reduce graininess and noise from analog sources, like a Hi-8 camcorder. Overlay tools are also available and allow users to work with transparency, mask, or chroma key effects.

Ulead Video Studio 11 is currently available from www.corel.com and www.ulead.com, and will hit the shelves early this May. Video Studio 11 Standard ($89.99) offers basic editing and DVD authoring while Video Studio 11 Plus ($129.99) includes InterVideo WinDVD 8 Silver playback software along with additional advanced features. Upgrade pricing is available at both Corel and Ulead websites.

Sony Vegas 7.0e

Sony’s NLE, Vegas, received an upgrade from version 7 to 7.0e, providing support for their HDR-UX1, HDR-UX5, HDR-UX7, HDR-SR1, and newest models—HDR-SR5, HDR-SR7, and HDR-CX7. Like Video Studio, it grants the long-awaited ability to edit AVCHD footage, though Vegas will not support any brand of camcorder other than Sony.

'Panasonic and Sony AVCHD differ slightly,' according to Matthew Brohn, Product Manager, Sony Creative Software, Inc. 'With such a new technology, we choose to ensure that the Sony AVCHD workflow meets specification as soon as possible.' Sony claims support for AVCHD Panasonic camcorders is still in development, but will be available soon.

The new version of Vegas allows users to create SD or HD videos via files from an AVCHD HDD, flash memory, or DVD. Other than AVCHD support for Sony’s camcorders, there are no additional upgrades to the Vegas software.

Overall, Sony Vegas is far more advanced than Ulead's VideoStudio. Sony has done much to propel the NLE beyond consumer and into the professional range. Owners of Panasonic AVCHD camcorders are now stuck with the choice of opting for the weaker NLE, or waiting for yet another Vegas update that will offer universal support.

Upgrades are free for Vegas 7 owners starting May 1^st, and are available at www.sonycreativesoftware.com. Sony Vegas 7 retails for $699.

Latest News
& Reviews

16-May-2012
Panasonic HC-V500M Camcorder Review

The Panasonic HC-V500M is a small, lightweight, budget camcorder that offers a lot for its $499 MSRP. Read More...
04-May-2012
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Digital Camera Reivew

Along with its retro design and weather-sealed body, the Olympus E-M5 features a robust movie mode that provides you with a variety of manual video controls and features. Read More...
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Digital Camera Review 01-May Read More...
Canon 5D Mark III DSLR Camera Review 30-Apr Read More...
Canon Vixia HF M52 Camcorder Review 27-Apr Read More...

Loading Recently Viewed Products

Top Rated Camcorders

$1,499.99
1
Canon Vixia HF G10

With the Vixia HF G10 ($1499 MSRP), Canon's latest flagship camcorder, the company decided to use a completely different image sensor with a smaller amount of pixels. If you check out the results from our performance testing, you'll quickly see the change paid off—particularly in low light situations. Read full 5-part review

$1,499.99

Read full 5-part review
$1,099.00
2
Panasonic HDC-TM900

The Panasonic HDC-TM900 is the successor to the lauded HDC-TM700, our pick for Camcorder of the Year in 2010. The TM900 offers the same fantastic video performance as its predecessor, particularly with its widely-praised 1080/60p mode, but Panasonic didn't improve on much else. Read full 5-part review

$1,099.00

Read full 5-part review
$999.00
3
Panasonic HC-X900M

The HC-X900M is the replacement for last year's HDC-TM900 flagship HD camcorder from Panasonic, but if you're looking for hot new features or exciting updates then you should prepare to be disappointed. Other than a few design alterations and some slight tweaks to the lens and sensor, the HC-X900 is identical to its predecessor. Read full 5-part review

$999.00

Read full 5-part review
$599.99
4
Canon Vixia HF M40

The Canon HF M40 is the latest mid-range camcorder from Canon. With the same risky new sensor, this impressive bargain has great low light performance and a plethora of manual controls. Read full 5-part review

$599.99

Read full 5-part review
$1,499.00
5
Sony Handycam HDR-TD10

The twin lens system featured prominently on the front of the Sony HDR-TD10 should tell you one thing: this is a camcorder that can record 3D video. Read full 5-part review

$1,499.00

Read full 5-part review
More Camcorder Reviews...