Which Editing Software ?

So first week out with the 5D MkII, for me photography is not a problem as I use Lightroom, but video is a whole new ball game!

I've got a load of video that I need to edit down to around 5-10 mins add a soundtrack, colour correct, maybe correct some camera shake etc, there is a a bewildering choice of software from the top end pro of FC studio or Adobe premiere pro at around £lots to the express versions at £reasonable.

I'm running a Macbook Pro but also run a quad core PC (I prefer the MBP though). Would iMovie suit my needs or do I need to spend a bit more on FCE or will I outgrow FCE and should I go the whole hog and buy FCP or the Adobe equivalents or any other editors that I should also look at?

Cheers for the help.

Tim.

So first week out with the 5D MkII, for me photography is not a problem as I use Lightroom, but video is a whole new ball game!

 

I've got a load of video that I need to edit down to around 5-10 mins add a soundtrack, colour correct, maybe correct some camera shake etc, there is a a bewildering choice of software from the top end pro of FC studio or Adobe premiere pro at around £lots to the express versions at £reasonable.

 

I'm running a Macbook Pro but also run a quad core PC (I prefer the MBP though). Would iMovie suit my needs or do I need to spend a bit more on FCE or will I outgrow FCE and should I go the whole hog and buy FCP or the Adobe equivalents or any other editors that I should also look at?

 

Cheers for the help.

 

Tim.

Some threads discussing the issues, whether MacBooks would work, etc. I think alot of it is covered in these.

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=30058

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=35834

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=35715

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=35090

Stick to stills ...

Dive safe

DeanB

Tim,

No matter which NLE you use, there is a learning curve. I do believe you would outgrow iMovie and while Final Cut Express is quite good it is a singular editing application. You need an entire suite, an NLE where you are editing, a app for motion graphic and titling effects, an app for sound/music production, an app for compressing your video for on line streaming or for DVD production and an app for the DVD Production. I am a long time Final Cut Studio user and glad I made that decision when version 1 first came out. The Adobe CS5 suite has dramatically improved itself and there are some amazing new features in Photoshop and After Effects, plus the CS 5 suite has its own applications for the various abilities a suite needs.

My biggest let down for CS 5 is that their new Mercury 64bit engine demands a hi end and very expensive video card which means that many will have computers where these new cards are not compatible which means having to buy a new computer just to be able to buy the latest video card. You can't believe how pissed I am about that. Never the less, the Adobe Suite is a viable choice.

Me, I'll stick to my Final Cut Pro suite.

Steve