Program Interfaces
Source: Tom's Guide | Keywords: video, editing, quicktime | Themes: Software
2. Program Interfaces
Apple QuickTime Pro doesn’t really look any different than the QuickTime Player that you’re probably already accustomed to seeing. When you purchase a license for QuickTime Pro, additional features already present in the QuickTime Player are unlocked, so that the Player can also be used for video editing.
QuickTime Pro’s entire help system is Internet based, which helps to keep the software updated, but the disadvantage is that Help options are unavailable if your Internet connection is down.
TMPGEnc has more of a traditional Windows interface. Most work is done with the Projects menu, with additional items available through the Tools menu. Note that in the Tools menu, TMPGEnc has a batch encoding utility, which can be very useful if you have several videos that need to be converted to another format.
TMPGEnc’s help system is PDF based, which is thorough, but somewhat bulky at 294 pages in length. Both QuickTime Pro and TMPGEnc XPress could benefit from a traditional Windows Help file with context-sensitive right-click help for critical items.
A mention seems necessary here about TMPGEnc’s unusual name. It comes from Tsunami MPG Encoder, a program originally developed as freeware and used to convert AVI and MPG video to the VCD (Video Compact Disc) and SVCD (Super Video Compact Disc) formats. These are the formats that were used to burn movies to CDs when DVD burners were so expensive that they were considered luxury items. Most CDs containing VCD or SVCD video could be played in typical set-top DVD players and watched on your TV. The popularity of the Tsunami MPG Encoder led to an entire line of TMPGEnc products, but the freeware version (with unlimited MPG/VCD output and 30 days of MPG/SVCD output) is still available.
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Is it just me or do other think this review is poorly researched. The idea is good. But the review picks a $30 to a $99 product. Once the review looked at TMPGEnc at $99, I seriously question the authors judgment and purpose of the review. There are many other products that are cheaper and could provide better overall solution. I am not biased against TMPGEnc. I actually own it along with many other video editing packages, but if the purpose is a low cost easy to use editing package this would not be the first or second choice. When I read this review it sounds like the purpose of the review was to attack Apple's licensing issue which is fine, but if thats the case then just be upfront about it rather then packaging it as some kind of legit review.
Hi Kito,
Thanks for your comment. Would love to see your suggestions of more comparable video suites to QuickTime Pro.
All the best,
Rachel Rosmarin
Editor, Tom's Guide
Sony's Vegas Movie Studio is generally available for $89.99 or even less, and is basically a full-featured video production tool.
XMpeg
VirtualDUB
Agreed. VirtualDub has been a wonderful program and helped me with loads of projects. If we are having a look at $30 and $90 software, why not throw free in there even if just to show that the interface isn't quite as friendly but has similar if not better functionality in many cases.
I didn't mind the article, but think it left out an important segment of the market.
Movavi Video Converter - Personal - $29.95
set preset to Youtube
http://movavi.com/videoconverter/
Download Free Trial
*Do it online ...
Movavi Video Converter -online
YouTube 320x240 size
iPod video 320x240 (.mp4)
YouTube is now limited to 10 minute videos
http://online.movavi.com/
I think it's funny how the first comment is "Anonymous" and the next by "TGRachel" refers to the previous commenter as "Kito".
wouldn't it have made sense to put the newest build of windows movie maker in there just for the hell of it?
Also since Adobe is the (seemingly) industry leader, it would have been cool to have a look at what features premier pro includes that the others don't. and like the other guys say, a freeware solution would have been pretty cool as well.