User review comments: CyberLink PowerDirector 7
SoftDeko Media asked a group of video editors to check out the new
(pre-release version of) CyberLink's PowerDirector 7 video editing software. The group are just like you, video edit for fun and a couple video
professionally. Here are their
comments.
My very first impression was that the fingers on the splash screen should be removed; they do not do the program justice. But when the program does open, WOW, what an improvement on PD6, the black interface is very pleasing and is following the tradition set by Power2Go 6 and Power Producer 5. Loved the new magic motion, the range of available options for movement is very impressive. The multiple PiP tracks has been a long awaited welcome addition, however, very disappointed that the fade in/out
had been missed out in the beta*, there were times when I wanted to revert back to PD6.
*CyberLink have been advised by many Beta testers of their
displeasure, and is set to be corrected in a release.
There were a couple of other niggles I reported on which is the role of a Beta tester. Overall PD7 is a great improvement over PD6 and with a few tweaks will be even better.
.... by Robert Jeffree
The latest version of PowerDirector is exactly the software
I hoped it would be. A handsome new interface with familiar
icons, Smartsound, Youtube, all the elements are there to make me very happy with
PD7. The inclusion of multiple pip is especially important to me
so I can more easily produce a video full of action.
Motion menus are also very impressive and show great growth in quality.
The addition of DirectorZone and other links to further creativity,
I believe will be a big factor in future sales of PowerDirector 7.
... by Barry P. Gill
First off, I was looking for a different interface. I thought I was using PD6 with MAYBE a few add-ons.
Underneath, well, you can see the changes. The changes were surprisingly easy to use. There were a few times that some
thought had to go into about how to use some of the features.
If someone coming off of PD6 and went right into PD7, then there will be no problem. They can be up to speed in minutes.
.... by Dale Ackerman
I really enjoyed having the opportunity to test such a wonderful product!!
My first take when I open the program for the first time was, “WOW!” Cosmetically, it looks great! Overall it was very user friendly.
This is the main reason why I started using PD 5 and have upgraded to 6 and will continue. Like you said, there are some
issues, but once that is corrected this software can be a very powerful tool in the video editing world. I love the Microsoft Office
07 feel that PD 7 has!
The only negative I have is the lack of features that other software offers. Here are a few that I have already sent to you: (1)
cropping video capability,(2) Dual Monitor Capability. Basically, the option to preview the video on a second monitor, and
last but not least, (3) the capability to edit audio like being able to apply VST or what would work just fine is the capability to
export just the audio. Then that would allow any user to edit in any third party software that they are comfortable with.
.... by Chris Morgan Note: In PD7 the Video audio can be split and
saved to a wav audio file format - missed by the tester.
I thought PD7 was a good program. For an amateur video editor I was able to easily
manoeuvre through the program and it seemed very intuitive. I was able to
accomplish pretty much what I wanted to. I was able to capture video from my camera Panasonic PV-GS 36) without any trouble in both AV and mpeg2.. I also
was able to convert footage from avi and quicktime to mpeg1 and 2 easily. I especially liked the multiple PIP tracks. The transitions were easy to use and had
quite a few I found to be usable. The PIP objects were okay. I really liked the frames. Would like to see some bottom thirds and more animated frames. Director
Zone has potential to enhance these though was somewhat limited at this time, which is understandable. I did like the title editor. Would like a more templates,
but again this could be helped through Director Zone. The video cleaner seemed to work well but the audio cleaner never really helped. Seemed to take out too
much audio. I thought the effects were interesting and could possibly use most of them at sometime for interesting results but didn't really have the need them for
any projects I was working on. i did play around with them some though and liked what I saw and like being able to fine tune them. I really did not have any trouble
with the program. It looked and felt a lot like PD6 but with some good additions (notably the multiple PIP tracks). All in all pleased with the product.
.... by Ron Moser
PD7 is a good step forward from 6, bearing in mind each version (4 & 5 in my instance) has brought additional features from its predecessor. Nice touches are the addition of multiple PinP capabilities, and the enhancements to slide show. On the negative side it still calls on more processing capacity than competing products, which can lead to stalling and crashes, but the payback is the flexibility and finished quality that PD7 offers in so many areas. Deal with the issues raised by the various testers and it is undoubtedly a winner.
.... by Julian Hall
Overall, I personally think that PD7 is a great improvement over PD6. I like
the enhancements in the menu structure, the overall look and functionality.
The appearance is much improved and more professional/Hi-tech looking. The
tie in with ability to download templates from the new web Director Zone web
site will be a well received feature. Overall, I feel that they have greatly
improved the product and that it will be well received by the marketplace.
.... by Kurt Kersting
1. Lose the splash page throbbing middle finger - Could be
misconstrued.
2. Was surprised to see the application was skinned in Black - This is not a racist remark, but I
really preferred the original white skin.
3. I do like the combo-box in Edit [Media-Video-Audio-Images-Colorboard drop-down] That's new
from the previous edition?, I cant check cuz I had to un-install it.
4. Multi-PIP feature, Love it - Especially now the audio an be muted on each track.
5. Test-X-Ray Effect. A promise of the future? Needs to be configurable for user text, but this is
the Professional Tool I want.
6. Three words 'Effects Design Manual' I would buy a book that explained how to build/create new
PIP, Text Effects and Transitions, even if I need to use VB or C++ to build them. Like a User-DLL.
7. 'Compare Video Qualities in Split Preview' - I love it , Thanks so much Team
8. SVRT - Amazing, under the right circumstances it blazes through the .AVI and creates the WMV in
seconds. I could use some insight into just how to best edit with Text, PIP, clips etc to get the best out
of SVRT. Right now I make intermediate AVI clips from Text/audio/PIP and re-use them later rather than
try to make one huge complex PDS which takes ages to render..
9. This may be VISTA but I can still cause the PD7 app to freeze by dragging a timeline too quickly
or clicking on another function before a current one is complete. - Needs a GUI lock until a function
completes So the solution is Don't - wait till the cursor is free-moving before doing new stuff.
10. The Audio Panel, now with multi-PIP is a pleasure to use. Just like a real sound board (almost)
but from a program GUI point of view, very useable and no extra window area required..
.... by Ron Cairns
My very first impression without using the app was it's
very pleasing black colour. Secondly I was also very impressed with the new
Titles setup. I think the Menu Titles available is really outstanding,
especially the ability to create your own but even those provided are
superb. The ability to manipulate everything on the menus is terrific.
All in all I am VERY impressed with this product, I think it knocks the
bottom right out of the competition for ease of use, it's many and diverse
attributes and possibilities and it is without doubt the best PD ever
produced as far as I am concerned and I started with a magazine free issue
about version 1.1 if I remember correctly and I have stayed with PD ever
since.
.... by Ron Welsby.
I enjoyed testing PD7, I had issues with the first Beta but the second
series was very stable. On opening the program the interface was very
striking and I did not think I would be able to get along with it but it
proved to be very easy to handle and, as I say, no stability issues.
All of the segments worked very well and I was able to proceed with the tasks
without any problems, I am looking forward to using the finalised PD7 with
interest, should be ready for the new summer season of videoing!
... by Dave Gamble
First Impressions
New Slick and Sexy, great look and feel.
Detailed THOUGHTS
I used PD7 to do five projects. All involved using stills and video from
my HD Sanyo HD100 camera imported in straight from the SD card. I add
fade transitions, titles, magic motion to stills, adjusted with motion
designer, music and commentary. Then produced for HD computer playback.
I found Beta 2 to be great as is and my choice for future projects. It
does the above very easily and quickly much easier than my previous Sony
Vegas.
.... by Bob Bamford
PD7 has an impressive stylish look (I wasn't too crazy about the black background at first, now I love it), well organized set of buttons and functions with a
more intuitive/user friendly design than previous versions. The linking to services like DirectZone and FreeSounds is a plus, it will not only expand the
creativity and the maximization of the program but, it will also bring the PD family closer. Other outstanding advances from previous versions are: 6 PIP
tracks, scroll left/right title, user designed objects, templates, tittles, write back to HDD camcorder and HDV tape, customizable effects, etc.
I have codecs conflicts and issues I didn't have with PD5 or PD6, I can't produce a DivX file and, I can not produce to YouTube. It's probably my system
problem, I'm working on it. The "auto-save" function is not working for me either.
Overall, PD7 is a huge advance over PD6, it looks and acts more PRO.
.... by Jose Gutierrez (Armano)
I was really impressed with PD7's desktop appearance and functionality with the exception of the PIP overlay movements, which I documented. The AVCHD format presented no problems and
overall I really enjoy using the product. The video editor worked well for me. Overall I was very impressed.
.... by Richard Hendee
The improvements over PD6 are too numerous to describe adequately in less
than 100 words. I am thoroughly impressed with the work that the software
engineers have done. I particularly like the more flexible workspace and
the much improved disc menu. As a newbie to movie editing my first reaction
to the multiple PIP channels was that I was unlikely to use such a feature.
That reaction was wrong. I've made good use of it already. The access to
Director Zone and to online music are definite assets. This program must be
the best value for money in its class.
.... by Somhairle (Sam) MacKenzie
I have really enjoyed being a tester for the new CyberLink PowerDirector 7.
Having used PowerDirector 1.1, 4, 5 and 6 I find the step up to
PowerDirector 7 a massive leap forward. After some initial reservations, I
now particularly like the new dark grey screen better than the white.
The addition of six PiP tracks with a PiP Designer and Motion Editor opens
up many creative options. The abilty to download PiP objects from Director
Zone free, and to upload title templates is really great.
To be able to both download and upload sound from Freesound free is also
fabulous.
The templates and flexibility in the Menu Designer makes this task so easy.
The enhancement of the Magic Tools make them so much easier to use, and
being able to multi-task in Magic Clean is great.
There are so many enhancements and extra features, it is impossible to cover
them all.
CyberLink is to be congratulated on producing a very smart, user friendly
video editing package with so many features at such a low price.
.... by Des Towers
First off I would like to thank-you for allowing me to beta test CyberLink's Power Director 7. I was off to a slow start with it's installation but help from a
CyberLink technical staff helped to resolve that issue. I did manage to create 3 wonderful DVD Movie presentations of my trip to Cuba which took up several
weeks of the beta review time. I had no complaints importing my video data from my Sony DCR HC21 Digital Cam recorder. My Presario V6000 laptop easily
handled the load and was able to create the completed DVD's in quick fashion. I had no real complaints.
.... by Alexander van Loon
