Corel VideoStudio Pro X8 is targeted as a fast and easy consumer-grade video editor, priced at only $79.99, but this is not dumbed-down editing — VideoStudio supports 64-bit editing in a traditional timeline with HD to 4K resolution, Dolby 5.1 audio, 50-some editing tracks, keyframed effects and file, mobile and web output. Instead, the simplification in VideoStudio comes from a design based on built-in presets with simple controls to avoid the complication and confusion of a plethora of overwhelming options.
Studio Tour
The Share workspace renders your projects to files for playback on computers, mobile devices, cameras and game consoles, the Web — including HTML5 — and to disc with chapters and menus. You also can upload directly to YouTube, Facebook, Flickr and Vimeo.
The main Edit workspace offers traditional timeline editing, plus a Storyboard view for quickly organizing photos, videos and transitions. The Timeline view offers 50-some tracks, including 20 video and 20 overlay.
VideoStudio X8 offers stronger support for working with larger projects, with the ability to import organized media folders into the Library and to import entire projects, adding the media to the Library and edited tracks in the Timeline.
For easy cutomization without a complicated interface, VideoStudio allow you to edit media and options in separate pop-up windows, which then provide tabbed access to different controls.These options are totally hidden until you are ready to use them.
The Options panel has an Edit tab with built-in controls for the selected media type: duration and speed, video fade in/out, color correction, photo pan and zoom and audio filters. The second Attributes tab allows you to apply additional built-in operations, including video distortion and photo masking and motion, plus add, reorder and customize from the full library of filters and effects. Again, you can customize from a collection of presets or choose to adjust the individual parameters or set effect and motion keyframes.
New and Improved
VideoStudio X8 offers stronger support for working with larger projects, with the ability to import organized media folders into the Library and to import entire projects, adding the media to the Library and edited tracks in the Timeline. You also can save customized filters or transitions as favorites.
X8 also includes important technology upgrades, especially for editing Ultra HD video, with hardware acceleration for 4K video, support for 4K XAVC S format and expanded export to H.264 MOV format.
The real fun comes from interesting new capabilities included in VideoStudio that you can experiment with, including freeze frame and more. Audio ducking automatically lowers the background volume when it detects audio or narration in the foreground video, conversion of titles to alpha channel images allows titles to be blended and animated with the full power of the timeline editing tools and effects and overlay blending includes semi-transparent and chroma key blends, plus motion video masks.
Other improvements include improved screen capture with audio, plus enhanced motion tracking to track objects and connect them to text and image elements with better mosaicking to blur portions of the image.
Plus, Corel has included additional plug-ins and tools in X8, with the NewBlue Video Essentials II effects pack, ScoreFitter to customize soundtracks to fit the length of your videos and 17 royalty-free music tracks from Triple Scoop Music.
VideoStudio
VideoStudio is a powerful and effective video editing tool, especially at the $79.99 consumer price. It’s approachable for beginners, with drag-and drop and even storyboard editing and the FastFlick auto movie generator.
Starting with the core of a traditional timeline editor with familiar tools, VideoStudio still does not skimp on technical capabilities or support for formats, all the way up to 4K and HTML5. Plus it provides extensive room to grow with customizable effects, plus a bevy of interesting capabilities to experiment with, from stop motion to motion tracking.
SUMMARY
VideoStudio is a powerful and effective consumer video editing tool. Plus, it provides plenty of headroom to experiment and grow with support for formats up to 4K and HTML5, customizable effects and other interesting capabilities from stop motion to motion tracking. The full VideoStudio Ultimate X8 edition then adds an impressive collection of additional effects and tools.
Corel
www.corel.com
$80
TECH SPECS
OS: Microsoft Windows 8 or Windows 7 with latest service packs installed (32-bit or 64-bit editions)
CPU: Intel Core Duo 1.83 GHz Processor or AMD Dual Core 2.0 GHz Processor (Intel Core i5 or i7 Processor, or AMD Phenom II X6 or X8 Processor recommended for HD; 4th generation Intel Core i7 processor is highly recommended for 4K)
Storage Space: N/A
Required software (plug-ins only): N/A
RAM: 2 GB of RAM (4 GB of RAM or higher and 1 GB of VRAM or higher recommended)
Graphics / VRAM: 1 GB of VRAM or higher recommended
License restrictions: 1 copy on 1 computer, http://www.corel.com/en-ca/eula/, Corel EULA: “Unless you have a written agreement with Corel providing for additional Use, the below agreement gives you permission to install and Use one (1) copy of this Product on one (1) computer or electronic device at any given time as set out in more detail below.”
Trial Version (include with summary/price–not system requirements) 30-day, fully functional, 64-bit and 32-bit
Requires Internet Connection: No
Douglas Dixon is a developer and writer who covers digital media at Manifest-Tech.com.
