Corel VideoStudio Pro X4 [OLD VERSION]

I've used this software for editing home video as well as clips for YouTube. The price was right and it had far more features than Microsoft's standard video editing software, including slick transitions between clips, overlay/split screen capability, several export formats, and a convenient timeline interface for fairly intuitive editing.On the negative side, it's annoying that you can't disable full-screen mode. Moreover, the interface could be more user-friendly. For instance, the fade-in/fade-out setting was more difficult to find than it should have been. Sometimes certain features are grayed-out without any clear reason as to why. And it's annoying to be subjected to advertisements for other Corel products after having purchased this.In general, I am not as big a fan of this software as some of Corel's other offerings (CorelDraw in particular), but it gets the job done.

I, like you folks, did research and looked for a video editor that's compatible with Windows 7, has features and is a step up from the basics offered with Windows Movie Maker.I narrowed it down to Sony Vegas and Corel Video Studio. I bought both. When Corel VideoStudio arrived, I got the quick install book out, followed the instructions and a short video on how to install. It installed and I thought, "wow! here we go."Well that all came to an abrupt halt when Corel's VideoStudio Crashed! I got a pop up windows telling me to contact Corel and show them the "dump" file.I went to Corel's website, registered to access forums and help, did a fix and voila, CRASH! It all happened when I imported, using their recommendations, a single video. I opted to import a different video, right--all you have to do is click this and "drag and drop" to the time line. Well, I did that and, voila! It crashed again!I edited a file that Corel recommended and put off as a "Windows" issue (Corel Box clearly states, "Windows 7 Compatible"). After the file correction from Corel, I imported the file and "drug" it to the timeline. For few seconds it worked and then, CRASH! I got that same pop up window and CRASH!So, I have a leading software video editor that kept crashing and had to install a repair and go to a forum and log a repair request. Just a note,I got this software via USPS this afternoon and installed it an hour later.I am disappointed with the software. I don't want to hear about work arounds and "Window" issues. What it comes down to is I bought a software product that crashed after install.End users should not have to find work arounds and make calls, emails and other efforts just to get it to do what the maker says it will do from the outset.Completely disappointed with the software...as I did not get it to work, I did not get to use the "feature rich" applications in it.

I can only compare this product with a previous edition, Ulead VideoStudio 10 and the free Windows programs for making and editing videos. Corel bought Ulead. I have used VideoStudio 10 extensively while I have used VS ProX4 only sparingly at this point. I use VideoStudio mainly to make music videos and for simple editing of video that I burn to disk. I bought VS ProX4 mainly because VS10 would not work on Windows 7. Also, VS 10 was becoming more unstable and tended to lock up/free up more frequently on my Windows XP partition.Compared to VS 10, VS ProX4 is more stable. It has not locked up nor frozen up so far. VS ProX4 has more available tracks and Effects(FXs) to play around with. As for the Transitions, there are some that I prefer in VS10 but other than those few, the Transitions in VS ProX4 are adequate. I inquired via email about importing the Transitions and Effects from VS10 and was told that it was not possible.I have yet to burn a DVD but I have made 1 music video which I posted on Youtube. Creating and editing the music videos is no different with VS 10 or VS ProX4.The user manual is not always helpful but the video tutorials both with this product and also on Youtube are very helpful in using VS ProX4. That is a definite plus over VS 10. I prefer the layout and the color of the user interface of the editing screen with VS 10 to that of VS ProX4. I do not like the black background of the interface in VS ProX4 because I find it harder to see things on that editing screen compared to VS 10.As for customer support, phone support is virtually non-existent. When I initially installed the program, a message popped up indicating there was an update. The update program refused to install itself, and after several attempts I called the customer support number. After being on hold for over 30 minutes, I hung up. I was eventually able to get the update to install but every now and then I still receive that update message even though theVS ProX4 program indicates that I have the most recent update.I have to say that email customer support is excellent. I asked about importing some transitions from VS 10 and if I could install VS ProX4 on my XP partition which also has my VS 10. The next day I received an email response which completely answered my questions.Overall, VS ProX4 is an excellent program and improved in those areas that needed it. It is stable and easy enough to use. I have used the free Windows programs for making videos; VS 10 and VS ProX4 are definitely better. Both were easier and offer more options in editing and making videos than their free Windows counterpart.