At last, those rather nice people at ULead have added a Video Scan capture facility to the already established single file and batch options. The Scan Capture facility scans the tape at up to 10 times normal playing speed, creating a list of thumbnails for the content. Thereafter simply select the thumbnails you want to keep and click the capture button. You can also, optionally, determine that shortcuts to these clips are automatically stored in the Video Editor Production Library.
Couple this then with the option to capture in DVD compliant Mpeg and seamless capture that will allow clips greater than 4GB on FAT32 drives, then the Video Capture Tool is simplicity to use and therefore enjoys almost full marks.
Video Editor
The main enhancements to the Video Editor include a general update to the User Interface (a tad more modern looking) and improvements to the Production Library to include a Storyboard section. The main enhancement though is the inclusion of software driven, real-time playback. So no more reading War and Peace whilst waiting to preview your transition masterpieces. Incidentally previews can be displayed within the editor's preview window, or output to an external monitor, or even your camcorder via a standard firewire lead.
The Video Editor is a fairly standard A/B Roll editing suite and supports up to 99 Video and Audio overlay tracks. The user layout can be fully tailored to suit each individual's preferences. The Production Library is simplicity itself and allows easy navigation of your video and audio clips as well as ULead's bundled effects (all of which can be customised). Speaking of effects, the bundle includes all manner of transition effects, as well as video filters and a comprehensive range of 2D and 3D moving paths.
Other improvements over earlier versions of MediaStudio include a complete overhaul of Title Effects. In earlier versions the user was limited to single colour, single effect (scroll) titles. Happily this ridiculous constraint has been addressed. Title manipulation within the Video editor now supports now supports a good range of animation and type effects.
Equally it is pleasing to note the significant enhancements to Sound manipulation within the Video Editor. Not only can sound be faded and increased on the timeline, but version 7 of MediaStudio Pro includes a fairly comprehensive Audio Mixing Panel where audio tracks can be combined and faded in real time. Whilst a bit cumbersome to use this is undoubtedly a significant improvement on earlier versions. Speaking of sound, it is also encouraging that MediaStudio Pro offers support for Dolby sound via the AC3 encoder.
So all round a fairly intuitive and professional video editing program!
Audio Editor
A straight forward enough Audio editor allow you to combine audio tracks, enhance them with Ulead's built in Audio Effects, or with Direct X effects. Amended audio sources can be easily dragged into your video project, or saved in a number of audio formats for later use. Whilst easy to use, the Audio Editor has enjoyed no significant enhancement (Direct X effects aside) over previous versions and therefore still has that rather clunky feel to it. Overall though not bad for basic sound editing!
CG Infinity
CG Infinity is ULead's vector drawing package that will allow the more creative user to take his/her Title skills to a new dimension. The software comes with a plethora of effects and moving paths. Be prepared to be patient though, whilst the outcomes are impressive enough, good results from CG Infinity take time to learn and patience to discharge.
Video Paint.
ULead's rotoscoping solution is simplicity in itself. Whether it is just retouching those blemishes in your video masterpiece, or highlighting your beloved offspring in the school sports day, then this is the tool for you. I should also add, for those light sabre fans amongst you - yes this too is achievable! The video paint tool also allows dynamic reproduction of video effects across multiple frames (ideal where your video image is reasonable static) for example where you want to add that thunderbolt.
The paint tool also features a range of built in effects and paint styles. A number of painting options are also available including filmstrip and onionskin mode. With video paint the digital enhancement world really is your oyster. A word of caution though, like all rotoscoping tools, your patience and imagination will give way long before the ability of the software.
DVD MovieFactory
A scaled down version of DVD Movie Factory is bundled with MediaStudio Pro. This is ULead's budget DVD Authoring package. Just export your AVI or DVD compliant MPEG file her. Add your chapter points and customise your menus and hey Presto, as easy as that. Output formats include DVD, VCD and SVCD. You can add your own background music and background images to the DVD menus. The only slight niggle is that you are limited to inserting one movie in this version, but hey, just compile your required movies in the video editor and the problem is resolved!.
Is it for me?
MediaStudio Pro 7 builds upon its already rock-solid foundation to provide an increasingly comprehensive video package, whose scope now ranges far beyond non-linear editing. Equally MediaStudio has always laid claim to a more intuitive interface than its main competitors. So how does it stack up?
There is little doubt that MediaStudio is as near to a fully featured Non Linear Editing package as you are likely to get under a single bundle. At $295 or £173 (Summer 2004 prices direct from ULead) the package really does take some beating on the price front!
ON the support front the bundled (or downloadable) documentation includes some excellent tutorials. Ulead Technical support is free to registered users via www.ulead.com. Equally there is a reasonable amount of non-Ulead support available from DMN Forums (http://www.dmnforums.com/cgi-bin/displaywwugindex.fcgi?forum=uleadmediastudio), Creative Cow (http://www.creativecow.net/index.php?forumid=10) and Digital Director (http://www.videoforums.co.uk/forums.html).
All in all a great package for a great price. OK we can complain a little about the quirkiness of the software in some modules. Yes and context sensitive help would be good, as would the ability to cut and paste all attributes between clips. But these are minor complaints for what is a overall solid performer. So if you are looking to upgrade from your current budget offering, then it is certainly worth including Media Studio on your shortlist.
Overall rating 90%
About The Author
Robin Miller is an Information Technology Manager in UK Local Government. He had been filming and editing videos for over 20 years, moving through from Super 8 cine to Analogue 8mm and then to Digital 8 and Mini DV. Robin enjoys a extensive user experience of Ulead Products where he specialises in Video Studio and Media Studio Pro. He has used both these software tools extensively including publication on the Digital-Director.com Website, where he was the winner of the inaugural Digital Director competition.
Articles submitted by Robin represent his personal views and are not necessarily the views of Digital-Director.com.
