Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0 $99

Adobe Premiere Elements has changed the game forever, making a video editing application that can please both the newbie and the more advanced hobbyists. Version 3.0 also adds more support for HDV, additional DVD templates and incorporates the same interface that we're very pleased with. Add in Adobe's trustworthy brand name and increased interaction with Photoshop Elements, and this product is bound to please the video editing enthusiast.

Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5 $50

These days there are as many ways to burn a DVD as there are ways to sing the National Anthem. Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5 stands above the crowded DVD authoring market with its addition of Blu-ray and HD-DVD support. It also has a healthy smattering of video editing and menu creation enhancements that make this a fun application capable of delivering stunning results. Ulead has made us proud.

Sony Cinescore $200

We got a good look this year at a multitude of music creation software, and Sony Cinescore surprised us with its approachable interface, including interactive tutorials for editors who are new to this type of application. Mix in its innovative music generation feature that allows you to make dynamic soundtracks for a variety of productions, and you've got a royalty-free music making machine. We look forward to seeing more musical themes released for this software in the future.

Adobe Audition 2.0 $349

It's no surprise that Adobe re-committed itself to market this software to audio professionals this year. When Audition hit our workstation we scratched our heads trying to decide how much time it would take to thoroughly review this application. All that is to say that we were pleased with the depth of this software package. Whether mastering a multitrack score or simply sweetening up a voiceover, Audition 2.0 can get 'er done.

Sony Vegas 7 + DVD Architect $699

Sony Vegas has always been a valuable tool for video editing hobbyist and professionals, balancing a straight forward user interface with powerful editing performance at a fairly low price. Vegas 7 with DVD Architect improves compatibility with high definition playback and incorporates a completely customizable workspace. With powerful editing capabilities and a feature rich DVD authoring application, Vegas 7 + DVD Architect is a wonderful solution for advanced users.

Adobe Encore 2.0 $349

When it's time to really mash things up, fulfill those "DVD extras" dreams or copy encrypting your worldwide release, Adobe Encore 2.0 proves to be a valuable asset for any DVD authoring guru. The 2.0 version update gives users increased stability and more flexibility. That's something professionals need 24 hours a day. Meanwhile, the program's logical timeline interface helps keep the learning curve lower than one would expect from such a powerful application.

Congratulations to this year's winners and the respective product teams who brought them to life. As always, there were so many great products to consider, test, compare and jealously fight over. In the end, we are proud to give this group our seal of approval and we look forward to seeing their successors in our office. To learn more about these products and all the others that caught our eye throughout the year, make sure to read our entire set of Test Bench reviews in every issue.