video editing software?

What video editing software to you guys use?  I have been taking a lot of video of both kayak fishing and hunting the last few months, but have yet to get any good software.  I got arcsoft mediaimpression for free, and it seems super buggy.  the music skips, and the video seems to freeze up a lot.  I think I need something more powerful.  What do you guys like?

thanks,
birddog.

Power Director is one of the best "pro" quality editing programs designed for casual home users.  There is a bit of a learning curve to learn all of the ins and outs of the program, but it is still a drag and drop timeline editor like Arcsoft or iMovie orWindows Movie Maker.

I use Power Director ver. 8 because it runs well on my 3 year old system. The newest version has a couple more features, but requires a pretty new computer with more than average horsepower.

Here's my latest Power Director video.   It took about an hour to produce.

I've been trying to use Pinnacle Studios Ultimate version 11 and I've got to say. It's a piece of dog shit. So  un-user friendly it's ridiculous.

Anyone have success using it? If so, could you please PM me? I've read the instructions and they make no sense and I can't do the most basic thing like put a song to a video.

Anyhow, I obviously wouldn't recommend Pinnacle Studios. All I want is something with good options to use for making videos that is user friendly. Someone please recommend something!

http://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdirector/overview_en_US.html?&r=1

Version 8 works fine, and can be found for less than $20 on eBay.

"Windows Live Movie Maker 2011"is a free microsoft product. Does everything I need but your needs might more demanding. Anyway it's free so give it a shot. Here is the link for more info and download at http://explore.live.com/windows-live-movie-maker

Windows movie maker works ok, but has limited support for mp4 files and the H.264 codecs that most HD cameras use.  You can convert the files before importing to WMM, but that's a pain.  It also has limited support for Advanced multi tracking. 

Here is a break down of different software options with comparison charts. Might be helpful. It's at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_video_editing_software Good luck.

That's a good list. Thanks for sharing.

I use Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11. I like it, but don't know if it's any better or worst than other programs. Sony offers a free trial version.

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/moviestudiope

I've read on other forums that there are some good open source video programs available.
Might be a good idea to try a few to see what your comfortable with.

http://savedelete.com/best-free-windows-video-editing-software.html

http://goprouser.freeforums.org/pc-f7.html?sid=57cdefd5357935ed62af00da752b1887

Let us know what you find.
Al

Thanks guys really helpful. I think I'll have Santa bring me software soon.

With Sony Vegas, can I just drag and drop a GoPro video to the timeline and get to work?  Or do I have to convert the file, and do a bunch of technical shit to start editing first?  All I want, is to upload GoPro videos to my computer and edit them without having to a bunch of stuff to the video file before I can even get to the editing. 

Drag into time line as-is. No converting.

Thanks for the feedback on the video editing S/W. I recently acquired a gopro hero and never imagined the conversion issues one has to go thru to edit and produce a vid that can be uploaded into youtube.
Wes, nice video of the POS stripers...what is the soundtrack that you used in it?
Don

I'm using iMovie on my MacPro...still learning Adobe Premier. I have Power Director on the PC but haven't done much with it yet. I've heard good things about Toast Titanium. Don, interested in seeing a GoPro video of my tuna trip? Have to send to you by snail mail...too large to post on YouTube.

Howard

I'm using iMovie on my MacPro...still learning Adobe Premier. I have Power Director on the PC but haven't done much with it yet. I've heard good things about Toast Titanium. Don, interested in seeing a GoPro video of my tuna trip? Have to send to you by snail mail...too large to post on YouTube.

Howard

Howard,
yes, send it. PM being sent with address. But you probably still have it.
Don

I use PowerDirector also, love it. FWIW