12. Simply Video

With the Video Editor and its bundled software, creating good videos and your own DVDs is a simple operation and the resultant quality we found remarkable for the price.

The MPEG-2 quality is frankly excellent compared with other CPU-dependent software.

We admit that splitting the job between two programs seems artificial. For proof, most of the common functions are split between the two! This will be our biggest reproach for this "ensemble," which is clearly lacking integration. Creative Labs seem to have simply bundled ill-matched elements to create something admittedly functional but sometimes a bit baffling. Of course, this step helps in creating a product at an attractive price from the point of view of the performance delivered but we would like to see one improvement: above all the software.

In practice, it's simple to use even though it could have been easier. Principally, it's with VideoStudio that you'll have to record and edit your movie. A CD tutorial is provided and will, if necessary, give you the idea. It also contains components that you could integrate with your videos (backgrounds, opening titles and credits, DVD menus, etc.). Recording is very simple, and the Video Editor starts automatically. All you need do is choose the recording settings (file format, etc.) and start recording while keeping an eye on what's happening on the screen. The real work comes later; the minimum being to get rid of the boring bits and mistakes! As far as that goes, after clicking the edit tab, you'll need to open the Multi-Trim function and select those bits to keep and those to delete.

A typical VideoStudio display while editing a video. The tabs enable selection of the major functions.

The Multi-Trim window is used to select which shots you want to keep and those you don't.

VideoStudio provides a lot of functions if you want to produce sophisticated videos, such as transition effects between shots, superimpositions, titling and soundtrack editing. You'll need to resist the temptation to accumulate too many special effects! Making a good movie takes work even though here it's made easy enough, and everything is displayed at once on your screen.

Adding titles to your videos is really simple but don't forget to set the text styles and other parameters.