Upgrade - PD 17 or 16?

Golfister246

Newbie Joined: Oct 23, 2010 11:43 Messages: 28 Offline

Solved by

Jan 14, 2019 03:08

Just after some advice please. For 10 years or so I've been using a (now very) old laptop with Windows 7 and successfully, the PD version new at that time. I am just about to invest in a new laptop and obviously want to upgrade my PD. I am by no means a professional but am looking forward to getting to know a new version with updated features. My question is - should I go straight for Version 17 or is Version 16 more established with less "glitches" for a mere home user like myself? I consider myself reasonably tech savvy but don't know enough to be able to work out what might cause things to go wrong. Apologies if this question is a bit vague - just trying (perhaps in vain) to save myself headaches and frustration getting to know a new system after so long, if the new version is too complicated for my needs. Thanks in advance for any tips.

AVPlayVideo

Senior Contributor Location: Home Joined: Apr 06, 2016 19:03 Messages: 703 Offline

Jan 14, 2019 06:12

Take test with trial version for 30 days to decide.
I have the PD16 and bought PD17 that comes within the option PD365, For unlimited access to premium plug-ins & effects, get PowerDirector 365, see here https://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdirector-video-editing-software/features_en_US.html?affid=2581_1369_540

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at Jan 14. 2019 06:26

XEON-E5-2680 v4 / Mem. 16GB DDR4
M.2 NVME 512Gb / 2-SSD Sata3 1TB
AMD RX570 / Display Philips 272V8
Windows 11_64Pro / PD22/365

optodata

Senior Contributor Location: California, USA Joined: Sep 16, 2011 16:04 Messages: 8630 Offline

Jan 14, 2019 12:18

Another thing to consider is active developer support.

PD 16 was released in Sept 2017, and PD17 followed in Sept 2018. PD17 is now approaching the midpoint in its 12 months of being the "latest and greatest" product, and will be getting a major patch/update in the coming weeks.

PD16 is fading and will likely only receive patches until PD18 is released this Sept.

YouTube/optodata

DS365 | Win11 Pro | Ryzen 9 3950X | RTX 4070 Ti | 32GB RAM | 10TB SSDs | 5K+4K HDR monitors

Canon Vixia GX10 (4K 60p) | HF G30 (HD 60p) | Yi Action+ 4K | 360Fly 4K 360°

Golfister246

Newbie Joined: Oct 23, 2010 11:43 Messages: 28 Offline

Jan 16, 2019 07:28

Thanks for your help guys. Would I need an i7 processor or would i5 or i3 be acceptable for PD17?

StevenG

Contributor Joined: Jan 14, 2014 14:04 Messages: 513 Offline

Jan 16, 2019 08:17

I wouldn't recommend trying to edit video on an i3, but your i5 might work. (Though, if you're shopping for a new computer, an i7 is a better alternative and a fairly beefy one can be had relatively cheaply.) But it depends on which format of video you're editing, how long your projects are and how many effects and overlays you add.

I'd recommend you download the free trial and give it a good, hard test drive.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at Jan 16. 2019 08:18

Golfister246

Newbie Joined: Oct 23, 2010 11:43 Messages: 28 Offline

Jan 16, 2019 10:07

Brilliant, thanks. That's decided me then - i7 it is :

GGRussell

Senior Contributor Joined: Jan 08, 2012 11:38 Messages: 709 Offline

Jan 21, 2019 08:33

Quote . I am just about to invest in a new laptop

Be aware of the nVidia optimum or MSHybrid mode for GPUs. Meaning the laptop boots with the i7 CPU. if the laptop includes a nVidia GPU, it won't be used unless triggered by the app. I don't know of ANY PD version that works correctly in this situation. I bought/returned several laptops until I found Sager Notebooks where I can 'turn off MSHybrid mode' in the BIOS so it boots with the GTX1060. I have no idea if this situation exists for laptops with AMD GPUs, but is an issue with nVidia GPUs. Of course this would not be an issue with a laptop that has no discreet GPU chip.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at Jan 21. 2019 08:35

Intel i7 4770k, 16GB, GTX1060 3GB, Two 240GB SSD, 4TB HD, Sony HDR-TD20V 3D camcorder, Sony SLT-A65VK for still images, Windows 10 Pro, 64bit
Gary Russell -- TN USA