CNET Editors' review
NCH Software's VideoPad Video Editor Professional is a full-featured video-editing tool that is surprisingly easy to use. It can combine numerous clips and soundtracks in a wide range of video formats into movie projects, or build an entire production out of a single clip. It supports drag-and-drop editing, real-time effects previews, format conversion, importing and exporting files, captions, narration, and more. It can burn DVDs, HDs, and Blu-ray discs and output video to portable devices. It can also capture video from camcorders and other devices.
It's a rare video editor that you can just fire up and start making movies with, but that's what we did with VideoPad Pro. We browsed to a cartoon saved as an MPG file. VideoPad Pro scanned it and displayed it in the left half of the split main view, with its frames running sequentially along the bottom of a main preview window in a scrollable, time-marked view, and also displayed its information in the left-hand Media List panel. Pressing the Play button played the clip normally. Extracting clips from the main clip was incredibly simple; using the timeline, we selected an In Point and an Out Point and clicked the green down arrow. VideoPad extracted the clip and displayed it below in the Video Track section, which is just above the similar Audio Track. In this manner, we quickly cut up and rearranged the cartoon out of sequence, and then previewed it in the right-hand pane. The transitions between merged clips were seamless. We could save our finished clip or subject it to a wide range of processing and production tools. Toolbar icons let us quickly insert blank spaces or add narration, captions, and other effects. Clicking Build Movie called up a dialog that let us select the video format and whether to burn a disc, send it to a portable device, upload it to YouTube, and other choices.
With smartphones, video sharing sites, and Webcams everywhere, there's no lack of raw video resources, just a need for a powerful, easy-to-use tool like VideoPad Video Editor Professional to put your projects together, polish them up, and present them in the format of your choice. More than just fast and competent, though, we also found it fun to use.
Editors' note: This is a review of the full version of VideoPad Video Editor Professional 2.2.0. The trial version is limited to 14 days.
Publisher's Description
From NCH Software:
VideoPad Plus is a is a video editing application which allows you to create movie projects from various video clips or a single video file. VideoPad allows you to import various file formats including .AVI, .WMV, .3GP, .WMV, .DIVX and many others and then apply effects, cut frames, add captions, voice-overs and soundtracks. Touch up or enhance your video clips with color and brightness effects. Stunning Transition Effects: Fade transition effect gives your movie that professional touch. Preview the effects in real time. Customize the duration of the effect. Complete Video Optimization: Fine tune brightness, saturation and color for your video. Add still photos and digital images with a click of a button. Apply effects such as black & white, sepia tone and negatives. Add text captions to individual clips. Amazing Audio Tools: Add up to 255 music tracks to your video project. Record narrations with the click of a button. Import pre-recorded narrations. Share With Your Family and Friends: Burn to DVD and watch in your living room on your TV. Show off your latest pics and clips on PSP, iPod, iPhone, 3GP mobile phone or Pocket PC. Explore the most advanced way to burn HD DVDs and Blu-Ray Discs. Output video files and share your creation with more friends on computer or through Internet. Input Formats: Video: avi, mpeg, wmv, divX, Xvid, mpeg1, mpeg2, mpeg4, mp4, mov, asf, vob, ogm, .3gp, H.264, RM and many more. Image: bmp, gif, jpg, jif, jiff, jpeg, exif, png, tif . Output Formats: Disc export: DVD, CD, Blu-ray Discs, HD-DVD. Video export: avi, wmv, asf, mpg, 3gp, mp4, mov, iPod, iPhone, PSP, Mobile Phone, Pocket PC. About NCH Software: NCH Software is a leader in audio, video, telephony, dictation, business, and computer utility software for Windows, Palm, Pocket PC and Mac. NCH has released over 80 products since 1993 and have received many awards for software excellence.
What's new in this version: Version 2.41 added overlay track with easier indication for adding text.
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All versions:
3.2 starsout of 108 votes
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Current version:
3.2 starsout of 20 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Very good!"
Version: VideoPad Video Editor 2.41
Pros
Easy, safe and powerful. Before that, I used Windows Movie Maker. VideoPad Editor is has a bunch of more features. Also, you can download effects, many of then completely free.
Cons
It could be more user friendly and have more keyboard shortcuts. It would if it had a feature to mask portions of image.
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"Impossible to use for simple task"
Version: VideoPad Video Editor 2.41
Pros
Never got that far
Cons
I downloaded this program to add a simple 5 second credits to video. After spending hours trying to get this to work I gave up. Simple right. Video clip + New clip that lasts 5 seconds with text on it = easy, right? Not with this software. I'm an advanced computer user and do Enterprise level technical support. Although I don't regularly use video editing software I can say that this was not intuitive enough to allow someone without advanced background in this particular software to easily jump in and work with it. Total fail on a basic video editing software for the masses IMO.
Summary
Was a frustrating enough experience for me to take the time to create an account and write a review.
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"Trojan Viruses Do Not Install!"
Version: VideoPad Video Editor 2.41
Pros
None at all
Cons
My AVG picked up a Backdoor Trojan Virus after I downloaded this. It was from the extra application Wave Audio. Then when I went to uninstall, it triggered another Backdoor Trojan Virus.
Summary
Thanks for wasting my time and jacking with my computer. I guess if anyone wants a FREE TROJAN VIRUS download right away.
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"Covers the key bases very well; free version available."
Version: VideoPad Video Editor 2.41
Pros
Videopad has a clean and easy to use interface, simpler to get used to than the majors. It's reliable and versatile for basic functions, including a wide variety of supported file types. Inserts are easy to make with precision, so lip-sync. to your soundtrack is no problem for an amateur. The large preview screens are a joy. As soundtracks can be separated with a click, altering an existing video is a doddle - great for checking your work on Youtube, getting comments, then making improvements.
A key point is that the free version has all that's needed for basic jobs. It's accessed by attempting to remove the (downloaded Pro) program using the standard Windows tool, when an option opens up to 'downgrade' to free.Cons
* Transitions are good, but lack the huge variety available with more expensive alternatives like Vegas.
* The onscreen system is easier to use with shorter videos (or rather, not too many clips), but longer films can be made up in sections, which can then be quickly joined.
* Like a lot of free option programs (ZoneAlarm is the worst), you have to be careful not to load junkware as you download the Pro program from NCH or a reseller - and only to load their optional extras if you're sure you need them.
* The free version is VERY hard to find - see above.Summary
The free version of Videopad is by far the best free video editor available. The Pro version is good, but has some drawbacks compared to the majors. Try it to see whether its mid-price is better value to a professional than shelling out more for Vegas.
Final note: the companion Wavepad is the best way to edit a stripped sound file before restoring it to the video. -
"Great job!"
Version: VideoPad Video Editor 2.41
Pros
Pretty straight forward. The download comes with the option to watch tutorial videos as soon as it's downloaded. That really helped instead of having to search the program for how to's.
Cons
Even with the videos, I still had to figure out a bit on my own. It wasn't HARD but was definitely a challenge.
Summary
I needed a quick and easy video editor and found this one. It was great. Took a little getting used to but it's simple enough to figure out.
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"Intuitive interface. Fast learning curve. Audio tools."
Version: VideoPad Video Editor 2.41
Pros
Intuitive interface. If you know Windows Movie Maker you will be up and editing with VideoPad in a few minutes. VideoPad supports more video and audio formats than WMM. You can strip audio tracks from video files, and separately edit them. Audio and video clips are displayed in side by side edit windows. You can adjust the audio clip volume profile using a mouse controlled graphic level line.
Cons
Tools for titles and credits are minimal. WMM has better titles and credits tools. Contrary to want is stated in some reviews, VideoPad does not support AVCHD.
Summary
The full version includes a library of plugins with augmented functionality that are not available in the free evaluation version.
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"easy to use, practical"
Version: VideoPad Video Editor 2.41
Pros
very easy to use. can add and edit voice/music easily.
Cons
did'nt find eny.
Summary
recommended
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"Unusable!!"
Version: VideoPad Video Editor 2.41
Pros
It came with sound, and slideshow editing software as well
Cons
Crashes every time it is opened. The odd time it doesn't crash it does when you attempt to do anything.
Summary
Not worth the trial. The trial is meant to showcase the abilities of the product, if this is as good as it gets....
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"Videopad Video Editor Pro"
Version: VideoPad Video Editor 2.41
Pros
I have been looking for video stabilization software that won't break the bank. This product's stabilization is the best and least expense that I've tried.
I am still testing the product but so far only the problem listed in the Cons section.Cons
So far all files have been created successfully except one .MTS file that created lots of color issues at the bottom of the video.
But I have successfully used other .MTS files that have worked on.Summary
I use Adobe Premiere Elements 10, so I'm not looking for a Video Editor, only a program that will provide stabilization to many 8MM Films.
Based on what I have seen, I would buy this product. -
"Loaded with spam and crapware"
Version: VideoPad Video Editor 2.41
Pros
Excellent video editor
Cons
Installs crapware
Infects your system with other NCH products you did not wantSummary
Install at your own risk
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