Version 2 of Adobe's enthusiast video-editing package sprinkles important improvements all around the program, making basic editing easier, allowing the program to import video from more than just standard camcorders, providing far better DVD menu options, and much more.
It's by far the most professional of the consumer-level video editors, and as before it can be intimidating and isn't for the dabbler. If you'd prefer to turn out attractive videos quickly, look to Ulead VideoStudio 9; but for creating polished videos on a budget, Adobe Premiere Elements 2 can't be beat.
Though feature-rich, not everything about the program inspires devotion. For one, it's a big system hog. Installation is simple but slow; it took around 20 minutes on our test system. Occasionally, we thought it must have frozen, but no, it's just poky. The program requires 2GB of drive space for the installation: to edit video, a rep recommended having at least 20 percent of the hard drive free.
While our test system met the requirements, playback of a simple video clip was extremely jerky, which made creating edits and viewing our work a chore. In fact, playing a clip was all it took to drive our system usage meter to 100 percent.
A rep told us that the new MPEG decoder takes a sizable system hit and suggested defragmenting the hard disk; it didn't help. We suggest having a lot more than the 256MB of RAM that Adobe says will work. In addition, we did a lot of resizing on our 17-inch screen and recommend at least a 19-inch display.
Furthermore, Adobe hasn't improved the subpar support options. The company still offers only a bare minimum of FAQs and support documents on its site, and there's still no free e-mail or phone support. That's poor for a consumer program this complex. A rep told us that how-to books for Premiere Elements (such as one that Adobe itself sells) do especially well. We can see why.
Like this article? Click below to send it to your mobile for free!
Videobug
10/03/2007, 11:40 AM
rating
4/10
I just picked this program up and thought I had an ok computer, certainly more than they say is required. It seems to be about 10 seconds behind every command I issue, no matter the command. This is simply unacceptable. If I could return opened software I certainly would return this disappointing bit of software. I don't know what its supposed to run on. I have 1gb ram, Hp Pavilion dv8000 128mb video ram, 1.8ghz 64bit AMD Turion CPU. That should do it!
Pros: It looks promising
Cons: I can't do anything to access any of its supposed powerful features. It is soooo slow, I can't even get off the ground with it. I don't think it is meant for any modern computer.
Report offensive comment
kausik
23/02/2007, 07:10 AM
rating
9/10
fine.very fine.
Report offensive comment
anonymous
15/12/2006, 04:26 PM
rating
9/10
Fantastic program. You need a good system to run it though. I have 1 gig of ram and its still a bit sluggish. Takes a little time to learn how the program works, but has an exellent help centre. I used to use pinnacle studio 9.3 and compared to Premiere elements, its rubbish. The final product is much better. You have full control of your work.
Pros: -Exellent help centre (built in)
-Full control of your work.
-You can practically do anything you see on TV including bluescreen and chroma keying.
-Many video and audio effects and transitions.
Cons: -Needs a good system to run.
-A little sluggish.
Report offensive comment
Kenneth Beer
30/10/2006, 05:36 AM
rating
3/10
Lacking in many respects
Pinnacle Studio 10 has all of the above, is far easier to use, and has a much better user interface. I cannot understand all the positve reviews.
Pros: Many features, good menu creation.
Cons: No USB input from tape deck through anolog converter, no USB input from microphone for narration, no music files to add to video, title editng and creation poorly designed, chroma correction poor or lacking, editing limited, no title backgrounds
Report offensive comment
05/08/2006, 08:04 PM
rating
10/10
fantastic
Report offensive comment