Corel VideoStudio Pro X2
by Corel
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List Price: Category: Software See more product details and other editions |
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Software Reviews of Corel VideoStudio Pro X2
Customer Review: Performs like I want it to
Summary: 4 Stars
I am not a professional so wasn't expecting professional program. I've had this for about four months now and the software does exactly what I want it to do and fairly easily. I mainly film cheerleading competitions my daughters are in and then post them on our group's website and create DVDs for coaches and other parents. The software has allowed me to add some nice new touches that movie maker couldn't.
I am also one that hates instruction books so haven't even cracked this one open. I just sat down and experimented for a few hours using previously shot video and learned the different nuances of the program. There are still a few things to figure out, but nothing that is preventing me from enjoying this software.
Overall, excellent program! The only thing keeping it from getting the full five stars in my book is the shortage of extra graphics and effects in certain areas. Would recommend to the average layman who isnt doing this for a profession.
Customer Review: Does not work on my 64 bit laptop
Summary: 1 Stars
The title states the problem. I have tried all variables in starting up (run as admin - different compatibility modes) and it fails every time. I also have Sony Vegas Moviestudio 9 and it runs as does the older Ulead Videostudio 11.5 on this laptop. I wanted the improvements of VS 11.5 but I guess it won't happen. Too bad. Customer Review: Corel VideoStudio Pro X2
Summary: 3 Stars
I purchased this item to replace VideoStudio 8 which is no longer supported. I had good results for several years using VideoStudio 8 but it started locking up and reinstalling didn't help. The Pro X2 version is somewhat a dissapointment. It isn't compatable with my Plextor PX M402U Converter because the Pro x2 program gives a "Unusable and deleting" message when I try to edit the captured file. Until the -8 version crashed, it worked fine with this Convertex. Now I convert video using AVS Video Recorder program and there are no compatibility problems with Pro x2. I prefer the AVS Video Re-maker program for editing since it's simpler and faster to use. But the Pro x2 program is great to produce the finished video with. It has lots of templates and features to choose from and a color filter and other video correction features. Burning the DVD is easy with many different formats to use. My computer is running Windows XP Media Edition (SP3) with a 3.5 processer, 175 GB HD and 1 Gig memory.
Customer Review: It's Ok if you can find the way to work around the bugs
Summary: 3 Stars
Well part of my comments is from Trial Version.
But I have to say that full version of "Corel VideoStudio Pro X2 " (not Update not just X2) works much better.
Anyway I loaded video and audio over 2Gb and it still worked fine.
The solution I found in case when Corel Pro X2 started whining (Trial version) on "Insufficient memory" you just need to close program and open your project again. Make sure your disk has at least 13-15Gb free space for Win XP swap file and Corel when you come to burning. Otherwise you can end up with program crash on half way of rendering.
Another problem when I could see "Text effects" and changes of music track in "Time line" but I did not see last made changes in preview and on DVD after I burned project (I saved the project previously of course). The solution I found did not make a sense but worked. I changed type of output format to another ["Share" tab/ "Create disk"/ (SVCD)] then went through process of creating of disk till "preview" of creating DVD after that returned to "Edit " checked if my previous changes were staying the same then I switched "Edit" to "Share" tab and in "Create disk" changed back output format to DVD. That was the only way I found to cheat program forcing it to reset old changes and accept new changes made in project. So I was finally able to see changes in preview and then on burned DVD. This is a bug. weird one but I can work around.
Output DVD film has a defect which appears after transition effect. In about second after you see on screen transition you can see freeze for 1/3 second or so then jump to the next frame. In two words you can see short shudder. I found solution in changing some settings. When you ready to burn go to "Share" tab then select "Create disk" then select "DVD". When it will open project in new window go to "Disk Template Manager" (left down corner button). Open "Disk Template Manager". You'll see "Available disk templates". Select "HQ 4:3 (Dolby digital)" press "Edit" button "Disk template options" dialog window will be opened. Click on "General" tab. For "Frame type" select "Upper field first" / press "Ok", close dialog window / proceed with creating disk (menu and so on). Then burn disk. Advice: clean up working folder - press left down button with disk and trash can picture icon on the same dialog window where you going to start burning. Then I'd strongly recommend to close application with saving the project open again then burn your project to DVD. It can help to clear the memory cash. This way can help to avoid another bug during the rendering such as message "Unexpected Error". In my case it happened when 60% of rendering was done. Selection of "HQ 16:9 (Dolby digital)" - if wide screen looks like it does not work the same way. But you still can burn with 4:3 ratio and zoom it on your TV. Just make sure that your "Text" effects in safety TV zone or even a little father from edge so you could see them when you'll zoom in picture on your TV if your TV has this feature. If you planning on switch back and forward 4:3 to 16:9 or back I'd recommend you to check Volume level in video track in time line. In my case this switches 4:3 to 16:9 ratio or 16:9 to 4:3 made changes automatically in Volume level in time line (3 - 4 of my video clips were changed) . Sound level was turned at fade-in from start video clip arising to the end video clip. The solution: reset volume of video clip.
What is good about this program that it does not have a frame drops in output DVD and your burned project does not brakes in pixels. I'm so tired of this defect in case of Nero-8 Video Editor where I threw away dozens of spoiled by Nero Video editor burned DVD's. It never happened in case of Corel Video Studio Pro X2. It has a lot of features like live sound adjusting and surround sound live editing, overlay (worked perfect for me) editable Text effects, burns in different formats, works with HD formats. You can add to time line pictures (*.jpg) and make slide show along with your *.mpg clips creating slide show between clips or right after your video. So your slide show can go on with the same your audio track at the time line which you just used for video background music. The way to adjust duration of pictures before you import them to go to drop down menu: "File"/ "Preferences"/ "Edit"/ "Default inserted image/color clip duration" and select your duration (I prefer - 6 sec.).
Bad feature when you in a process of creating chapters and menus closing window of edited "Main menu" for your DVD it save itself. So if you will make mistake there is no chance to roll back. In "Reassembling quality" (same dialog window of "Preferences"/"Edit") I would not recommend to change "Better" to "High". If you do so some DVD players will have difficulties to read your DVD-rom.
My last project about 27 min Corel rendered and burned for under an hour. Every time I burn the project the rendering and burning time depends on another currently opened active programs. The less activity you do on your computer during burning the the faster rendering/burning will be done. Last time it took about 37 minutes. THis time included rendering of all transitions for all video clips and pictures about 95 together + music, overlay, text effects, created menu. Right now when I'm writing this review it's rendering. It freeze my cursor for 10 seconds (then released) or so when it started to burn on DVD. Right now I can see message window "Operation successfully completed ". Sweet!
If you'll take my notes to your attention (clear working folder and restart application) you'll get the same nice result.
I burned 13 DVD's of the same project to find problems and show you the way to work around. 12 - thrown away.
I tried other different editors like: "Adobe Premier" - slow like hell, Nero (5years) buggy like ant hill, I tried "Power Director" ( the same CyberLink DVD Suite 7.0) - does not burn your project, VideoSpirit Pro 1.42 - chipmunk sound with normal speed of video no adjustments cold fix it, Ashampoo Burning Studio - is way too simple and does not work with AVCHD (most of digital recorders compression standard)- no sound as a result, Ulead and Pinical slow and bad rendering, VHD to DVD - 2 by Honestech - is just piece of junk no words just waste of money, Movie edit Pro 11 by Magix - does not take AVCHD also, Vegas Studio very very slow and I did not like Time line interface.
So you may have your own experience, but I finally found Video Editor I can work with and work well! You just need to find the ways around.
By the way for Corel Pro X2 to make your microphone recording or capture video from web cam work you may need to open Windows' "Master volume" find "Front pink in" (or Rear depends where you plugged in your mic) click button "Advanced " under that and turn on "Microphone boost". Then you can record your voice. It worked for me.
However be aware that voice recording does not transformed automatically in .MPEG format. It remains in .WAV and take a lot of disk space.
Well
I think there is no perfect program so I've bought this one after all. At least I'll get rid of Nero, which I used about 5 years and so tired of its bugs limitations and crashes.
PS: 2 months later. Windows 7 works with Corel Video Studio Pro X2 but not totally correctly. After I finished my video project and created menu I noticed that I can't burn it simply because there are a lot buttons missing in dialog window especially button "Next". There was only half button "Back" in dialog window of creating DVD. So I ended up with saving project as MPEG file then transferred it to the computer with Win XP inserting this file in to the new Corel's project creating new menu and then burning it eventually.
4 Months later.
Another Bug. Oh damn ...
It does not burn the project with size over 4.7 Gb (DVD)
I've tired of working around ALL f bugs. And Now it does not even burn DVD if project size over 4.7Gb and I wanted put everything on 8.5 Gb DVD Double Layer.
Two days in the row I tried to find a solution. But it spiting out an Error.
So this software will allow you to burn only less than 4.7 Gb Project or you need to brake it on parts.
Customer Review: If only for the newblue filters
Summary: 4 Stars
As far as an editing program goes this stacks up to the rest in the same price range pretty evenly. However the big advantage of this software would be the NewBlue film effects filters. They are quite easy to use and very effective. I love the "film look" effect and use it on most projects to one degree or another. The presets can pretty accurately duplicate the look of old 8mm, Kodachrome or Ektachrome stock as well as a handful of others, however if you want to do some experimentation you could probably duplicate any number of film stock with these highly customizable filters. Definitely worth downloading the free 1 month trial if not just taking a chance and buying it. Keep in mind though, this is not a pro level software on the level of adobe, but for ease of use and customizable presets you can't go wrong.