Aimed primarily at beginners, Studio 9 from Pinnacle Systems impresses with its easy-to-use interface and new enhancements that allow one to quickly and painlessly create a home movie.
Although ideal for novices, the software offers some high-end features such as timeline editing, colour correction and DVD authoring, alongside automated functions and wizard-based features.
One new feature, SmartMovie, allows users to create music videos by automatically editing multiple clips and then adding a synchronised soundtrack.
Budding musicians can include their own digital audio file or use the SmartSound option to create music. Transitions - synchronised to the tempo of the music - will be added between scenes. Other features allow users to edit completed masterpieces by adding titles, changing unwanted transitions or including special video effects, such as more than 200 2D and 300 3D transition effects, a strobe effect and a 'stabilise' option.
Some useful filters and plug-ins include cleaning effects to stabilise video clips, noise reduction, auto colour correction to control brightness and contrast, echoing reverb effect and graphic equaliser.
The audio plug-ins use the VST format. Text can also be added to video clips.
Finished films can be recorded to DVDs, VCDs, videotape (analogue or digital), or saved as e-mail attachments or streaming video. Footage can also be output to a digital video camera.