Pinnacle has improved its consumer-based video-editing program over the past couple of revisions, pro-viding a reasonably solid application for new users. Studio 9 doesn’t force the user to follow the strict ‘step-by-step’ process favoured by programs such as Ulead’s VideoStudio 7.

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However, the program is less than perfect when it comes to stability, necessitating upgrades, patch downloads and bug fixes.

The timeline and storyboard framework is clear and easy to navigate, and the fundamentals of insert editing are applied in a simple-to-understand way that should appeal to the new user. Three distinct areas within Studio 9 include capturing video, editing the footage, and output options. The addition of DVD authoring tools from within the application provides a level of integration not possible by merely including a DVD authoring application in the box.

Studio 9 provides all the titling, tran-sition and Hollywood 3D effects that you could possibly want, with a nicely con-structed preview area to sample the effect before committing to the render. New features in Studio 9 include tools to correct video, with colour correction tools and professional quality stabiliser utilities as well as noise reduction tools.

A SmartMovie feature splices together all your scenes, adds transitions and soundtracks appropriate to the editing style you choose, and even recuts the video to fit a selected music track. It doesn’t always work the way you want it to, but it can produce some interesting results.

In brief:

Studio 9 is less than perfect when it comes to stability, but comes with enough titling, transition and Hollywood 3D effects to keep most users happy for some time.

Price: $249; $129 (upgrade)
Distributor: Lakopacific
Phone: 1800 657 601
URL: http:// www.lakopacific.com.au