I would like to see a poll for who uses what NLE to do the job.

I'm currently using Premiere Pro 2.0 (about to upgrade to CS3). I've been using premiere since version 6.0, and it does what i need. At work I use Avid Media Composer but see no immediate reason to invest into Avid workflow for the event videography business.


What is everyone else using and why?

I bought (Avid) Liquid two years ago. I've invested a lot of time in learning to use it so I'm not inclined to change. But I may have to as Avid are planning to replace it.
However, I'm going to wait until I see the replacement before deciding. Liquid is doing a good job for the time being.

It has some features which I believe were once unique but are now common eg automatic back up every second and the ability to mix all kinds of formats on the same timeline.

It has a very good storyboarding tool which I find invaluable for constructing a sequence from many shots. I don't know how many other NLEs offer this function and would be interested to learn if others do.

Sony Vegas and Final Cut Pro.
The last two weddings I used Vegas, my next I want to use Final Cut from start to finish and compare the time and results between the two.

I'm also going to try a SDE and if it works then I'll show it, if not it is good practice (I haven't mentioned anything about it to the bride and groom) so they are not expecting it.

Have a nice day

I'm using Premiere Pro 2.0. Bought a mac and fcs 2 in march and trying it out now. Haven't been able to get any work lately so I can't really test it like I want.

Avid Liquid here.

I've been using premiere since version 6.0, and it does what i need.

That's the important thing here, does the program do the job you need? Everything else is secondary.

I'm an Apple disciple and therefore use FCP. I learned on Avid in college & worked with a Media Composer at my first job, but bought FCP3 coming out of school and never looked back. I eventually convinced my former employer to make the switch and they never looked back either.

I have Final Cut Studio and I think I am very happy with it. I was frustrated with the learning curve, but once I got he basics down, it was really easy. I also tried PP and Vegas a bit - but I settled with FCP. But hey, I'm a Mac guy...

...but I settled with FCP. But hey, I'm a Mac guy...

I think that in our level of the production world, which ever side of the Mac/PC thing you favor will partially determine your NLE of choice. There are a few Mac people who run Avid or Adobe, but the majority use FCP. PC users don't have access to FCP and therefore use something else.

Most of us aren't doing insane effects work or anything that. 90% of what I do are straight cuts. As long as you give me a NLE that can utilize my color corrector of choice, then I can cut & grade the same stuff on any of them. I'd imagine if iMovie could handle my color corrector then I could probably cut my stuff together on that. (it would drive me nuts, but it's possible) I use FCP Studio mainly because I'm familiar with the interface, know it's stable on my machines, and like the flexibility of the other tools in the Studio for non-wedding work.

I have to admit...I get a TON of criticism from the old school AVID editors that still believe that nothing but AVID is the way to go. I love the avid workflow but to be honest there isn't much different in my eyes between Premiere and AVID, or even FCP. If we were doing multi edit bays, offline footage, and high dollar budgets; then yes Avid would be the way to go more than likely. If I had a Mac I would definitely be using FCP over Premiere, but then again the dynamic link works out great for me so I might not switch. The biggest learning curve for me with Avid has been the layering of effects. In Premiere it treats just like what Photoshop would, I can put an effect ontop of another without chaning everything but in AVID you have to really think out what your about to do and how to nest things properly to get the result your looking for. Who knows, maybe a year from now I'll be all gunho for AVID but for now I edit much faster with Premiere.

I use Final Cut Pro

Sony Vegas here, from version 6 through 8. It works well for what I need, plus it's not too expensive. It's also much more stable than Premiere, which is what I initially started on years back.

Started with Vegas, then went to Premiere 6.0, then to Premiere Pro 2.0, now I'm using FCP and PP CS3 on Mac.

I just use PP CS3 for capturing though, FCP capturing was too complicated for me and I never got around to figuring it out.

PP CS3 seems like an expensive capture program.

I've been a fan of Vegas from the start. I did the whole "try out all of them" thing. I used Liquid for a project I did for a client on their hardware.... hated hated hated it. I tried Avid Express HD, Premier Pro, ULead, and Vegas 6. I decided vegas was the fastest to learn, seemed to provide the most number of tools with out needing expensive plugins, and had scripting if you wanted to add functionality. So I bought the full version and haven't even considered anything else. I skipped 7 though. Didn't see a need. But I did get 8. Much improved, if for nothign other than the window layout presets. Such a time savor when I want to switch to my work flow for CC work vs seeing all the time line and doing the rough cutting.

I use Edius here, which is one of the most common in our local association along with Premiere and Final Cut, plus a few Vegas users. Any sufficiently advance NLE will work fine if you learn how to make the most of it, and none of them are perfect for everyone in all circumstances.

PP CS3 seems like an expensive capture program.

Indeed. 10 characters

I'm using Vegas 8. I chose to go that path due to the PC base of my knowledge and support, and started with it's cousin "Video Explosion Deluxe." Moving to Vegas from VED was natural.

I've been a fan of Vegas from the start. I did the whole "try out all of them" thing. I used Liquid for a project I did for a client on their hardware.... hated hated hated it. I tried Avid Express HD, Premier Pro, ULead, and Vegas 6. I decided vegas was the fastest to learn, seemed to provide the most number of tools with out needing expensive plugins, and had scripting if you wanted to add functionality. So I bought the full version and haven't even considered anything else. I skipped 7 though. Didn't see a need. But I did get 8. Much improved, if for nothign other than the window layout presets. Such a time savor when I want to switch to my work flow for CC work vs seeing all the time line and doing the rough cutting.

I could not agree more...Vegas is a sweet app.

Sony Vegas 7 and FCP 6

We use Edius. I tried Premiere in 1999, but it was constantly crashing, so I used Rex Edit. It offered real time editing and was super stable, although it was so basic that it had a lot of limitations. I switched to Edius about 5 years ago. Edius is super stable and I can edit real time HD on a laptop or cheap computer tower. No need for special hardware.

Simple answer is that we use FCS.

The S is important. As a matter of fact, I imagine it is the same with Premiere users or even Vegas users. The NLE is one thing.... but what else can your package do? We have started using Motion, within FCS, to create custom menus for DVDs. Not really all that hard but makes a HUGE impact. We are moving from LiveType to Motion for most of our text. And I see Motion playing an even bigger role in our Highlights edits as we get more and more comfortable with it. We use DVDSP to author the DVDs. Again with custom menus and DVD-ROM access and so on. We just came back from a seminar where they showed some of the things that can be done within Soundtrack. I mean simple things like removing a "thud" of someone knocking the microphone. Or adding ambient effects that you wouldn't know were added but really add production value.

And I guess that's the key sentiment: Production Value. What can you do with your package to add production value. I think most NLE's will be very similar- but what else is in the bundle?

Mike

Vegas, versions 4 through 8 Pro. And accompanying DVDA 4.5. Additional other tools too, AE7, Particle Illusion, Paint Shop Pro X2.

I had been using premier since 97, but switched to Edius last year. So far I am very happy, although I did have to make some adjustments in how I edit.

I'm a PC guy soooo.... Mediachance EditStudio 6, Premier Elements 4.0, Visual Communicator 2 Studio and a load of other software to help my final product look more professional as I keep learning this stuff. I use EditStudio for most of my projects because I feel comfortable using it and most importantly, it does everything I need and more.

Simple answer is that we use FCS.

The S is important. As a matter of fact, I imagine it is the same with Premiere users or even Vegas users. The NLE is one thing.... but what else can your package do? We have started using Motion, within FCS, to create custom menus for DVDs. Not really all that hard but makes a HUGE impact. We are moving from LiveType to Motion for most of our text. And I see Motion playing an even bigger role in our Highlights edits as we get more and more comfortable with it. We use DVDSP to author the DVDs. Again with custom menus and DVD-ROM access and so on. We just came back from a seminar where they showed some of the things that can be done within Soundtrack. I mean simple things like removing a "thud" of someone knocking the microphone. Or adding ambient effects that you wouldn't know were added but really add production value.

And I guess that's the key sentiment: Production Value. What can you do with your package to add production value. I think most NLE's will be very similar- but what else is in the bundle?

Mike

Do you find it cumbersome to bring work from Motion into FCP? I've only used Motion a little bit, but I'd like to experiment some more. Any sources you would recommend for learning?

Each NLE has it's good and bad master one and your doing well

I began with PPro to many problems then i went to a mac and have never looked back FC studio the best investment i have ever made.

Rob.

I use Premier CS3 only because it's bundled to Matrox RT.X2, otherwise I'd use Vegas. Just like it better, although it pretty much does the same thing as any other NLE.

I tried a few consumer grade programs on PC and then went whole hog into the FCS package.

I just watched the DVD the box came with and got into motion to create some really killer title sequences. Making changes etc is super easy!

I have been frustrated by the no blu-ray issue so I have been looking at the Adobe products. Really hoping that mac will have a solution soon. I'm not in the mood to learn a new platform but I really want to do HD DELIVERY!!!

Here Casablanca and FCP.........

Final Cut Pro for us. I love it. For the first few years i took the time to learn all of the basic shortcuts and as i implemented and memorized the keystrokes my workflow become efficient and effortless. I eventually began using my mouse less and the keyboard more and things have never been the same.

We use a mixture of Vegas 8 and Adobe CS3 (After Effects, OnLocation, Audition, Encore, Photoshop).

I've been trying to wean myself off Vegas and move more into a complete Adobe workflow, but Vegas is too darn user-friendly. Perhaps the problem is I started with Sonic Foundry Video Vegas 3.0 as my first NLE, so I've got their workflow too engrained in my head.

Final Cut Pro here.

I'm glad to see that no one here is arguing that "their NLE" is the "best". What I am getting out of this is that if a certain program does what you need then why not use it, even if it isn't the industry standard (if there is such a thing).

Hi I am not a pro here so I am using Ulead VideoStudio 11.5 plus (don't laugh here..) but my clients never complained so far. The message that I want to deliver gets through with simple editing, the right music and overall simplicity is my main goal.

Stelios

Hi I am not a pro here so I am using Ulead VideoStudio 11.5 plus (don't laugh here..)

Stelios, it don't matter at all what you use, as long as it delivers for you it's OK. I started with Magix video deluxe, went to premiere/encore 1.5 and now I use Premiere cs3 and encore cs3.

My first NLE was a Video Toaster Flyer by Newtek 14 years ago. The change to PC was inevitable and I opted for a DvRexRT system by Canopus. Then I started using Edius since its first inception to this day.

It does everything I need extremely fast, in real time and without crashes.

Cheers

Alex

I use Edius here, I have FCP and CS-3 which I have tried to change to many times but for speed and the type of editing I do I just cant seem to shake off Edius. Maybe in CS4:)

Final Cut Pro 6

Vegas 8 + AE CS3. Wanted to try the FCPS way last year but I couldnt get much chances to try FCP over here.

Adobe Premiere Pro on top of Matrox RT-X/100 - The Matrox is buggy and prone to crashing and I need to upgrade anyway to edit HD so looking for alternatives.

Avid Xpress Pro HD...

another vote for FCP & DVDSP

Vegas 8 Pro. I started on Vegas movie studio 7 Platinum, then on to Movie Studio 8 Plantinum, then to 8 Pro. If you aren't using more than 4 video channels and 4 audio channels and aren't syncing multiple cameras, give Vegas Movie Studio Platinum a try. It's less than $100 and extremely powerful. It also is extremely similar to Vegas Pro. Its a low-risk, low-cost way to edit and see if you like the Vegas system.

V8Pro + DVDA5 now pretty happy with it, although it has it's quirks and crashes. Burned discs are good and compatible with ever player I throw them at, including now HD on standard DVDs in a BR player!

in the past...
Used Magix, liked it a lot, good multitrack capability, but at the time I used it, the burned disc compatibility was not so good...

Used Ulead Video studio - came with a firewire card for free, was worth quite a lot more... got a good start for me with a "real" NLE!

Movie studio (yeah the included Microsoft thing) - nice toy... took one look, didn't bother.

Sony Vegas studio... switched to this and finally got good compatibility of the burned DVD's, eventually went "pro"

In short, NLE agnostic, only thing I care about is how well the final product turns out and if the DVD plays (and all the menus work properly!!!) in whatever player I toss it into...

CS3. I've been using Adobe since Premier 1. I've also used FAST (one of the first hardware NLEs for the PC) and Media 100.

I really liked the Media 100, but I'm a PC guy now.

I just made the switch from a core 2 quad and cs4 to an octo mac and FCS2 and man my machine just chews thru video like butter. I couldn't be more happy.

Vegas 8 Pro. I started on Vegas movie studio 7 Platinum, then on to Movie Studio 8 Plantinum, then to 8 Pro. If you aren't using more than 4 video channels and 4 audio channels and aren't syncing multiple cameras, give Vegas Movie Studio Platinum a try. It's less than $100 and extremely powerful. It also is extremely similar to Vegas Pro. Its a low-risk, low-cost way to edit and see if you like the Vegas system.

Just looking at my current project, with barely any actually editing done... just putting the media on the timeline, I have 26 tracks. This is from a three camera shoot. That track limitation is pretty restrictive when you want better audio.

I played with a ULead system. I demo'ed Avid & PP. I checked out Liquid (could not stand the interface). I DL'ed Vegas 6 and it just made sense. The user interface was perfect for someone that had not been a NLE editor before. I jumped to pro because I never even considered that I might not need the many tracks, CC wheels, scripting, etc. Scripting has been a massive advantage for me (and a money earner for VASST). I got the bundled DVDA and have only ever used it for DVD authoring. I skipped V7 (no real improvements for my needs). I re-upped to V8. Not sure if I'll need the next one because i have no 64bit hardware / OS and I'm not shooting HD yet.

I checked out Liquid (could not stand the interface).
I don't know if there is any point in this thread. I love the Liquid interface. Which just goes to show how much it boils down to personal preference.

I don't know if there is any point in this thread. I love the Liquid interface. Which just goes to show how much it boils down to personal preference.

I totally agree. For some reason, the Liquid GUI just didn't make sense to me. I couldn't wrap my head around how to work it.

I think it also helped that I found DVInfo and there was pages and pages of great tips & tutorials available (and on VASST, and JetDV) for Vegas. I just saw the huge community and went with the NLE that seemed like it was the easiest to start right in with out the steep learning curve. Different brains work different ways

(my wife might say that my brain doesn't so much "work" as mysteriously function on nothing but coffee and oatmeal).