The 2002 Videomaker Best Products of the Year Awards (page 4)
Best Effects Plug-in
Boris FX 6.1
First it was fancy plug-in transitions. Then Boris expanded into other types of plug-in special effects. Now Boris FX has evolved into a full-fledged, standalone compositing application. Sure, you can still use it within your favorite editor, but the multitrack timeline and extensive keyframable animation attributes make it much more than just another plug-in.
www.borisfx.com
$595
Best Advanced DVD Authoring Software
Sonic ReelDVD 3.0
We saw a few affordable applications that offer the DLT output professionals need to send projects to a duplication house for mastering, including top-rated Apple DVD Studio Pro and Sonic ReelDVD. You might blink at the $1,000 price, but factor in the expensive licensing fees for Dolby AC3 stereo encoding, and these products are suddenly a bargain. In the end, compatibility is a major issue, and ReelDVD uses the same software engine that Hollywood uses to create the DVDs you rent and buy, making it our winner.
www.sonic.com
$1,000
Best Intermediate DVD Authoring Software
Ulead DVD Workshop
There are a slew of beginner-level DVD authoring applications under $100 and a handful of more expensive applications, but Ulead DVD Workshop is currently alone in the intermediate range. Taking advantage of Ulead's considerable expertise in graphics and video, this is a great product that offers full creative freedom in addition to attractive templates to get you started. First play, motion backgrounds and menus are all supported.
www.ulead.com
$279
Best Introductory DVD Authoring Software
Dazzle DVD Complete
Introductory software products are often trapped between the apparently contradictory characteristics of ease-of-use and number of features. DVD Complete handles this with a unique system of templates and wizards that allow you to get as complex as you want. It even includes templates for printing jacket covers and disc labels.
www.dazzle.com
$100
Easiest DVD Authoring Software
Apple iDVD 2
iDVD 2 is by far the easiest introductory DVD authoring application we've seen. Nothing on any platform matches iDVD 2 in terms of usability and price. While we expected (and were not disappointed) to find attractive templates, the level of freedom you have is remarkable. Toss in a full feature set, including motion backgrounds and menus that preview in real time, and Apple grabs another award for the trophy case.
www.apple.com
$20
Best Music Creation Software
Sonic Foundry ACID PRO 4.0
Besides being one of the best loop-based music creation tools around, highlights of the 4.0 version include impressive 5.1 surround mixing capabilities and complex effects automation found nowhere else. Drop a video track into the mix and you have the perfect tool for frame-accurate scoring.
www.sonicfoundry.com
$350
