Which version of Power Director is best for me?

Fletcher500

Newbie Location: San Diego, CA Joined: Mar 05, 2016 18:44 Messages: 13 Offline

Solved by

Mar 05, 2016 18:55

Hi,

I have been editing go pro footage for about 2 years on the free go pro studio software. I am very comfortable with it, but I need to move up with a better editing system. Most of my videos are ocean based, for fun, family, etc.

I purchased a Nikon aw130 and their free software is not very good. I therefore need a package that will handle both formats.

A couple questions

-Will the PD software handle the go pro and Nikon video formats?

-should I start with the lowest level, home type version, or go to the next step?

Thanks in advance.

stevek

Senior Contributor Location: Houston, Texas USA Joined: Jan 25, 2011 12:18 Messages: 4663 Offline

Mar 05, 2016 19:21

Start here for the version comparison. Buy as much as you can afford and what your needs are.

http://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdirector-ultimate/compare_en_US.html

What format is the Nikon video files? How do you get them on your computer? Are they mov files? I don't own a GoPro but I doubt that you will have any issues with the files once they are on your computer.

There is some trial software but there are limitations in them. You can also buy and return it with 30 days for a refund.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at Mar 05. 2016 19:25

.
.
BoilerPlate: To posters who ask for help -- it is nice to thank the volunteers who try to answer your questions !
Anything I post unless stated with a reference is my personal opinion.

Fletcher500

Newbie Location: San Diego, CA Joined: Mar 05, 2016 18:44 Messages: 13 Offline

Mar 05, 2016 20:13

The go pro files are mp4, and the Nikon camera are mov.

Does anyone know if both file types can work with this editing software? I cant find the answer on the web.

I realize I should buy what suits my needs. I am looking for advice from others, as to which version makes sense for routine, ocean type vids for my personal use. Sometimes less is more, so I was thinking either of the lower 2 suites would be best, but curious to hear what others have to say.

Thanks.

Anonymous

Mar 05, 2016 21:08

Hello, Fletcher500

Power Director can handle MP4, MPEG2, AVCHD, AVI, WMV(Windows Media Video) and a few others that I can't think of at the moment. Some of these file types will generate "shadow files", but if you've been following any of the comments on this forum, you'll be aware of what shadow files are, don't let that put you off though. PD will very likely meet your editing & producing requirements.

Cheers!

Neil.

BarryTheCrab

Senior Contributor Location: USA Joined: Nov 06, 2008 22:18 Messages: 6240 Offline

Mar 05, 2016 21:43

Fletcher500,
welcome to the Forum.
I have a Nikon that creates MOVS (720p), they import fine.
You can attach a virgin sample file of the Gopro, about 5-10 seconds and we can test it, but other members here have them so I suspect no issues. Please look at hardware minimum requirements. What are your computer specs?

EDIT: At the time of this post March 5 the Ultra is very cheap. Do not buy the bottom version, it's a toy.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at Mar 05. 2016 21:55

HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
Canon Vixia HV30/HF-M40/HF-M41/HF-G20/Olympus E-PL5.
Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
https://www.facebook.com/BarryAFTT

Theolilou

Member Location: France Joined: Feb 07, 2016 11:27 Messages: 107 Offline

Mar 06, 2016 02:56

gopro files are very well supported. Pd14 removes fisheyes effect and includes go pro templates.

this tool works fined.

Fletcher500

Newbie Location: San Diego, CA Joined: Mar 05, 2016 18:44 Messages: 13 Offline

Mar 06, 2016 09:05

Excellent, thank you for the feedback.

I am really glad to hear the software will support both my Nikon and go pro vids.

i was trying to decide between the Delux or Ultra, but it sounds like Ultra is the best route. It was not the cost of the software, just concerned which one would be be best for a relative novice editor like myself.

The go pro studio was fun to use, but I have definitely outgrown it and want to take editing to the next level.

Carl312

Senior Contributor Location: Texas, USA Joined: Mar 16, 2010 20:11 Messages: 9090 Offline

Mar 06, 2016 09:32

Quote: Excellent, thank you for the feedback.

I am really glad to hear the software will support both my Nikon and go pro vids.

i was trying to decide between the Delux or Ultra, but it sounds like Ultra is the best route. It was not the cost of the software, just concerned which one would be be best for a relative novice editor like myself.

The go pro studio was fun to use, but I have definitely outgrown it and want to take editing to the next level.

You should choose Ultra, Deluxe does not support 4K editing.

Ultra is more than Deluxe but a little less than Ultimate. Ultimate adds extra content, which you may never need. Carl312: Windows 10 64-bit 8 GB RAM,AMD Phenom II X4 965 3.4 GHz,ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB,240GB SSD,two 1TB HDs.

BarryTheCrab

Senior Contributor Location: USA Joined: Nov 06, 2008 22:18 Messages: 6240 Offline

Mar 06, 2016 09:37

I think some of us would still like a peek at your dxdiag. This is great software but can be a little hungry for horsies under the hood, especially as you get into it's video-fixing powers, color, speed, stabilizer.
HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
Canon Vixia HV30/HF-M40/HF-M41/HF-G20/Olympus E-PL5.
Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
https://www.facebook.com/BarryAFTT

Fletcher500

Newbie Location: San Diego, CA Joined: Mar 05, 2016 18:44 Messages: 13 Offline

Mar 06, 2016 09:52

Barry, good point. I bought a Dell laptop 4 years ago, but it has most horsepower I could get back then because I do some basic CAD drafting on occasion. It is:
-Intel, Core TM i5-2430M CPU
-2.4 GHZ
8.6 GB RAM
Sufficient for Ultra?

Fletcher500

Newbie Location: San Diego, CA Joined: Mar 05, 2016 18:44 Messages: 13 Offline

Mar 06, 2016 09:53

I am not sure if I answered your question. DXDIAG?

BarryTheCrab

Senior Contributor Location: USA Joined: Nov 06, 2008 22:18 Messages: 6240 Offline

Mar 06, 2016 10:07

Fletcher500,
I should be clearer on that. A DXDIAG is a file created by your computer that summarizes all the hardware and driver items in your setup.
http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/45453.page
Part B will show you how to do it, very easy, and no personal info is included. Your brief specs show you should be OK, but the DXDIAG is a much better assessment. HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
Canon Vixia HV30/HF-M40/HF-M41/HF-G20/Olympus E-PL5.
Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
https://www.facebook.com/BarryAFTT

Fletcher500

Newbie Location: San Diego, CA Joined: Mar 05, 2016 18:44 Messages: 13 Offline

Mar 06, 2016 13:47

I have the DXDIAG file from my pc, as noted in Part B of the previously referenced thread.

I would like to post it, so you could see it, but i dont see an attachment manager where i can attach this file? I can only see links that use web addresses?

BarryTheCrab

Senior Contributor Location: USA Joined: Nov 06, 2008 22:18 Messages: 6240 Offline

Mar 06, 2016 15:49

If you EDIT your reply the big painful UI will show up! HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
Canon Vixia HV30/HF-M40/HF-M41/HF-G20/Olympus E-PL5.
Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
https://www.facebook.com/BarryAFTT

Fletcher500

Newbie Location: San Diego, CA Joined: Mar 05, 2016 18:44 Messages: 13 Offline

Mar 06, 2016 17:25

Hmm, all I can see are URL/web links. I don't see a link directly to my hard drive.

I purchased the PD/Ultra and it seems to be running ok on my machine. I am looking forward to learning the software and have checked out some of the instructional vids on this site.

Thanks again for the help. I will be back..

tomasc

Senior Contributor Joined: Aug 25, 2011 12:33 Messages: 6464 Offline

Mar 06, 2016 18:56

The blue color attachments button is 5 lines above the submit button that you used to post your message.

Fletcher500

Newbie Location: San Diego, CA Joined: Mar 05, 2016 18:44 Messages: 13 Offline

Mar 06, 2016 20:22

Found it, thanks.

Filename	DxDiag Fletcher500.txt	Download
Description
Filesize	33 Kbytes
Downloaded:	316 time(s)