Customer Reviews

Pinnacle Studio Ultimate Version 12

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(28)

 

 

Let me start off by saying that I'm a Mac guy and I do a lot of video. I generally work with Final Cut Pro but often drop into iMovie '08 for projects that need to be done quickly without the need for precision editing. After spending a few hours with Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 12, I'm almost ready to boot my Mac into Windows for those tasks I'd normally edit on iMovie.

PROS:

1. Awesome plugins: It's funny, but what I like best about the Studio Ultimate are the parts of it not made by Pinnacle! Included on a second CD are titling effects from Boris and professional-grade color correction from Magic Bullet. Magic Bullet adds a 'film look' to your video as well as a number of other color related effects. Everything renders quickly and looks great.

Those two features alone usually cost several hundred bucks a piece (on top of the editing software), so their inclusion in the package certainly adds to its value.

2. Instant conversion from AVCHD. One of my complaints on the Mac side is that AVCHD video needs to be converted to an Apple codec prior to being edited. This usually adds a considerable amount of time to the workflow, as the video is 'ingested' at a rate usually double that of the length of the file (i.e. a ten minute clip takes twenty minutes to import). All Studio Ultimate needs is the drive letter for your card reader and the video is ready to be edited. Very cool.

3. Fast performance and mixed formats: Editing performance is very fast and responsive with fast render times too. Studio Ultimate also allows a mix of formats on the timeline. I tested editing a high definition AVCHD clip along with an included DV movie and all mixed together perfectly.

4. Green screen is included: Pinnacle even throws in a free green screen! It's large and can easily fit two people in front of it. A nice and thoughtful addition to the product.

5. Many export options: Outputting the video to something playable beyond the PC is very smartly implemented. Presets for basic exports (like YouTube and DVD) are available as well as fully customizable advanced settings into a variety of formats.

6. Multi-track video editing: Unlike iMovie '08 there are two video tracks that can be used for video overlays, etc.

CONs

1. Slightly complex: The developers tried their best to keep it simple and organized, but there is some complexity involved with doing anything beyond the basics. It's nothing that's not impossible to learn, but there are a few layers of menuing necessary to accomplish some effects tasks (like chroma keying or using a plugin). Additionally, the plugins (like the magic bullet software) all have their own interfaces separate from the studio interface. They also don't install themselves automatically, so you'll need to insert the second disc on your own to get access to them.

2. File management is confusing: Studio Ultimate forgoes the standard Windows file management routines and adds a multi-paged navigation to find items on your hard disk. Not very efficient and sometimes difficult to navigate back to where you started. It would be much easier to find files based on the standard windows file open dialog. When I did import an AVCHD file, it did not show up on the 'my movies' option on the file navigation window. I'm not sure exactly where it ended up!

3. AVCHD import follows a different workflow: The developers spent a lot of time with three simple top level tabs: Capture, edit, and "make movie." Unfortunately bringing AVCHD video in does not follow that same convention. It would be nice to have the AVCHD import options in the same place as the DV/HDV imports.

CONCLUSION:

Video editing is a very complex task and many products have tried and failed to make the process fast and easy. Pinnacle Studio Ultimate is probably the best of breed for consumer video editing apps on any platform. It is a little more complex than iMovie on the Mac, but it also adds considerably more creative options that rival professional-grade applications. It will import footage from cameras as old as Digital 8 (and even VHS with added hardware) and mix that footage with the latest AVCHD offerings very efficiently.

Overall Pinnacle has an impressive offering that I highly recommended to Windows users. This Mac user is just a tad bit jealous.

I own Adobe Premiere Elements 3 and 4, so I am going to be comparing Pinnacle Studio to Premiere Elements.

I have been using the Studio Beta 12.1 downloaded from Pinnacle's web site, so this review reflects the Beta program.

Studio is a decent program, it has features similar to Premiere Elements. In general, Premiere Elements has more tuning features than Pinnacle Studio. For example, consider the task of rendering a movie to MPEG. Pinnacle Studio allows you to choose bitrate and frame size, and that's about it. Adobe Premiere also lets you choose I-frame and P-frame spacing, and field order.

On the other hand, Premiere Elements crashes a lot. Some of the features appearing in its menus simply don't work. It is my least favorite piece of software by a wide margin. No bug fixes either: Premiere Elements 4 has lived its entire life without an update from Adobe. Premiere Elements 7 has already been announced. Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 12 is quite new, yet a 12.1 beta is already available. Pinnacle wants to fix problems, that's great!

My issues with Pinnacle Studio all seem to involve high definition video output, which is probably not used by most customers of this program. Here are the issues I have found so far:

I cannot find a way to output 1080P (progressive) video. 1080I (interlaced) output is possible though.

A Studio "project" has to be created as a high definition project or a standard definition project. You can't have it both ways. If you try, certain features will fail to work properly.

In a project consisting of still photos (a slideshow project), I started off by manually creating the project as a high definition project. After much time spent editing and authoring, I found that 1080I output failed. The program popped up a warning "aspect ratio is incorrect." The solution is to NOT use the manual method to set the project as a HD project. Instead, drop a large JPEG onto the editing time line, and wait for the program to ask you if you want high definition or standard definition.

That last bit of awkwardness is an example of how unpleasant Pinnacle Studio can be. On the other hand, Adobe Premiere Elements is far more unpleasant in this regard, and it has other problems (stated above). In fact, I would dump Premiere Elements in favor of Pinnacle Studio, except for the fact that I really need 1080P output.

For folks that don't deal with high definition video, this is a nice program to use. Certainly, it is much better than Premiere Elements. If there is a better product in the same price range, please, someone speak up.

It is not often that I give such a harsh review.

To set the platform, I am a professional photographer and semi-pro videographer. I typically work in an HD/HDV format. My primary editing system is CS3 Creative Suite featuring Premiere Pro, After Effects, etc. My hardware is a 2.2GHz Dual Core Athlon running 4GB of RAM with an 8600GTS (Nvidia 256MB) video card. I run Photoshop CS3, Premiere Pro CS3, After Effects CS3 and CS3 Bridge simultaneously without a hiccup. Sometimes, I am running Fireworks 8, in addition to these programs. (BTW - This is not an advertisement for Adobe products. Adobe has its own issues. I only mention the software to give a benchmark as to system demands/requirements.)

I purchased Pinnacle 12 Ultimate as an upgrade to Pinnacle 9. It was purchased as a work around to Premiere Pro's lack of HD MPEG4 .mov export capabilities. (I'm an i [...] contributor and this is the requisite codec.)

Pinnacle was raving about its new features, including HD/MPEG4 file export capabilities. Thinking this was probably a big fat lie, I contacted and inquired of Pinnacle. Here is my conversation with online "chat" support:

Hi, my name is Donna Jumao-As. How may I help you? [12:52:43 PM]
Tony Zinnanti: Hi - I have a quick question re exporting HDV files [12:39:38 PM]
Tony Zinnanti: Specifically, I need to export HDV format in MPEG4. Can Pinnacle Ultimate 12 do that? [12:40:03 PM]
Donna Jumao-As: okay, [12:53:34 PM]
Donna Jumao-As: yes [12:53:46 PM]
Tony Zinnanti: Is it possible to download a trial version of 12? I have v. 9. Also, is there an upgrade discount? [12:40:49 PM]
Donna Jumao-As: Answer Link: [LINK]
[12:54:45 PM]
Donna Jumao-As: there is no trial version for Studio 12. [12:55:06 PM]
Tony Zinnanti: ok - give me a sec to check out the link [12:41:52 PM]
Donna Jumao-As: But we offer upgrade version purchased for Studio 12 from older version. [12:55:33 PM]
Tony Zinnanti: Ok - how do I go about doing that? [12:43:09 PM]
Tony Zinnanti: U there? [12:43:36 PM]
Donna Jumao-As: yes [12:57:11 PM]
Tony Zinnanti: Hello? [12:44:09 PM]
Tony Zinnanti: Hi- how do I go about doing an upgrade purchase? [12:44:22 PM]
Donna Jumao-As: one moment please. [12:58:08 PM]
Donna Jumao-As: Since you have Studio 9 version you can avail the $69.99 for Studio 12 upgrade. [12:59:16 PM]
Tony Zinnanti: Ok - do you have a purchase link, or will it just ask at the time of purchasing? [12:46:18 PM]
Donna Jumao-As: Hold on please. [01:00:14 PM]
Tony Zinnanti: Ok [12:47:57 PM]
Donna Jumao-As: [LINK] [01:01:39 PM]
Tony Zinnanti: Ok thanks. I'll figure it out from here.Take care. [12:49:24 PM]
'Tony Zinnanti' disconnected ('Concluded by End-user'). [12:49:37 PM]

Part of the unrecorded conversation was my express inquiry of whether Pinnacle could read an .m2t (HDV) file and export is as HD .mpeg4. She stated "yes."

After spending a full eight hours installing, tweaking, hunting, pecking, uninstalling and reinstalling this program, not only does this program NOT have an "export" function, but it will not play HD/HDV clips. Pinnacle doesn't even recognize .m2t files in the file dialogue. Further, after trying MANY times, it will not render an HD/HDV video. After putting clips in the timeline and rendering "High Definition" "MPEG4", both in Quicktime and and Windows Media Player, you get a black screen with no data. Adobe Bridge CS3 doesn't even see the data. The rendered video just plays black and there is no compatibility/file reading error issued.

What was stated to me by the Pinnacle representative was total misinformation - pure and simple.

Any HD/HDV clip loaded into the file area does not play. You can "scrub" over it, but you can not play it. It will play intermittently if you play it as full screen, then reduce.

Additionally, when trying to create a "new project," the software has a bug which keeps loading the previous project.

After much hunting and pecking, I also found no .mov export capability.

About this time, I had to cut my losses and move on. I contacted Pinnacle/Avid for a refund and was ignored. I have neither time nor money to waste. This was a waste of both. Now I an left putting in a claim with my credit card company due to the false representations of the product.

Lastly, I am aghast that a company would so blatantly misrepresent a product. It's mind boggling that a company would put out a product that is so seriously deficient.

If there is anyone who takes issue with this review, send me a video made with Pinnacle 12 Ultimate that is an HD/HDV export. Explain your workflow and I will amend this review accordingly.

------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE: After calling Pinnacle to resolve a refund, I was told that I would be receiving a refund e-mail. It never arrived. Accordingly, I have had to take the matter up with my credit card company.

Personally, I find it very sad that a company would behave this way. A lot of people who will look forward to getting a product to put together family videos, etc. are going to find out they've been burned.

The Pinnacle representative with whom I spoke even stated that he could edit DV video with this, but not HDV.

Pinnacle's Serial Numbers and Activation Keys expire after two years.

This applies to all Pinnacle software, not just software downloaded online. Activation Keys bought online AND Serial Numbers for software bought in retail stores only work for two years.

It's in the fine print - which you can't even see until you rip open the box (thereby forfeiting your right to a refund) and click the "Yes, I Agree" button during installation.

If you have to reinstall the program (or any part of it) two years and a day after buying it, you will have to completely repurchase the software.

What's especially fishy about Pinnacle is how it will suddenly start crashing at 2 years after initial installation. My video drivers stopped working at a point, I'd later realize, coincident with the 2 year anniversary of my having installed the Pinnacle software.

In trying to fix the suspiciously-timed program crash I was mystified to learn that a number clearly printed on a CD sleeve was suddenly "Not a Valid Serial Number." The Activation Keys I'd bought online, and had on file, were suddenly incorrect.

I contacted Pinnacle, who informed me of the two year statement in the agreement. Here is an excerpt from their email:

"The reason you are not able to obtain a redownload of your purchase is
that the Extended Download Service was not purchased with your download
and the time to purchase this service has expired. Unfortunately, this
means that in order to obtain the product, you will need to repurchase
it."

Keep in mind - I was asking Pinnacle for no software. All I needed was a Serial Number and Activation Keys, because the Serial Number printed on the CD sleeve itself, and the Activation Keys I'd received two years earlier no longer worked.

Just something you might want to keep in mind before buying Pinnacle software.

I set about evaluating video editing software after getting a Canon HF100 HD camcorder (excellent, by the way). I spent a lot of time with CyberLink's PowerDirector 7 as a free 30 day download. I found it excellent in every way except its proclivity for making coasters out of expensive, dual-layer DVDs, and it did a lot of that. Everything was great until I tried to actually burn a DVD. Since that just wasn't working out, I turned to my second choice: Studio 12.

First of all, they don't offer an evaluation download, and by that fact alone I would not have even considered it if PowerDirector 7 had worked. After reading the reviews, I decided to take a chance and actually buy it without evaluating it first. Definitely a risk, and Pinnacle ought to be slapped for making people do that with software this expensive.

Anyway, I was able to bring in to my project the HiDef (.dts) clips I'd downloaded from the memory card in the camera. I didn't even try to see if Studio 12 would recognize the camera connected via USB. I found editing reasonably easy, although I missed the multi-trim feature in PowerDirectory. Once I took the time to actually read the manual (PDF file), things went pretty well, although I liked the simplicity of PowerDirector better, and more intuitive. So when it finally came time to render and produce a DVD, I was anxious to see if this actually would work under Vista. PowerDirector would crash almost every time during the burning process. An important feature in Studio 12 that PowerDirector lacks (apparently) is the ability to create a true image file that can later be used directly in the tool to burn a DVD. PowerDirector will save a series of files in a directory of your choice, but it can't burn a DVD directly from them, at least not on my computer. Studio 12 was able to create both a standard DVD of the HD content (not in HD, of course), as well as a AVCHD disc of true HD content (menus don't work in this format, but you get real HD quality). Both products support burning to true Blu-Ray, but the discs are too expensive to waste if anything goes wrong.

Without going to a lot of detail about how to do things in either of these products, here's what I would advise:

Download CyberLink's PowerDirector 7 and give it a try. I liked every thing about it better EXCEPT when it came time to burn a DVD. I thought the interface was more intuitive, easier to use, and at least as powerful as Studio 12. If you're able to burn DVDs successfully with it every time, then go with it.

If, however, you have trouble creating DVDs due to program crashes (and they were frequent), take a chance and buy Studio 12. I have issues with being nickel and dimed to death to unlock stuff, and installation took forever, but in the end, I got functional DVDs with regular and HiDef content that work on my Blu-Ray player, and I could burn new copies from the image files created without re-rendering. I should mention that I did not attempt all the things mentioned in other reviews, so I can't vouch for whether they work or not. If you don't like it, well, good luck getting your money back. There are lots of cheaper packages out there if you don't need HD capability.

All I can say is do not waste your time and money on a junk program like this. It constantly freezes, crashes, and I can't even burn a blu ray disc when I can burn it fine using other program. This program also runs extremely slow even on a computer with sufficient specs (i.e. core 2 duo 3.0ghz, 4gb memory, and dual 1024 ATI Radeon HD 4870 crossfired, etc.). Even adding simple transition effects takes forever; for example, you add some transtion effects between scenes and you have wait a very long time before you actually create a disc image, otherwise the program will freeze or crash.

I have spent many, many frustrating days trying to get this program working on my computer and I finally gave up. I will never ever buy anything that says Pinnacle on it.

I have owned Pinnacle Studio Ultimate Version 12 for five weeks and used it for less than a week before it stalled in Titles. I have a top of the line computer for editing video. In fact I purchased a new computer with the idea of editing hi def video. I've been in contact with Pinnacle Support during these last few weeks, and they have yet to solve this problem. I've done everything they have asked of me and more, including hiring a computer expert to also try to help me. I've been a Pinnacle user since version 9, and have upgraded every time it was offered. Version 12 is not up to their standards, or at least not the standards I've been accustomed to. When I asked Pinnacle Support why they stated that their product was compatible with Vista Home Premium 64 bit their response was "well not really".

I'll keep it short. I've used Pinnacle Studio since version 8. I've upgraded and used various add-ons and bonus packages. When it works it is wonderful and the best value hands down. When it doesn't work you will be frustrated and have absolutely nowhere to turn - except reviews like this one, and other forums. The Pinnacle support is horrible.

But, as I said, when it is good it is wonderful. I bought Ultimate 12 for the AVCHD support for my Canon Vixia HF100. It works wonderfully for everything except putting AVCHD on DVD's for my blu-ray player. There is currently an aspect ratio issue. However I can produce regular DVD's that are jaw-droppingly wonderful, so I'm not furious, just frustrated.

My advice to you. Read all these reviews. They're mixed, but there is good info there. Regarding AVCHD - make sure you have a honking computer to run this thing. Seriously - you must have a 3+ GHz dual core computer with 3 or 4 GB of RAM and two 500 GB disk minimum. Don't let anybody tell you that you can get by with less. Get the fastest CPU you can possibly afford because AVCHD is a resource hog.

Good luck! When it works it is wonderful and a great value.

Overall I am very pleased with this product - it's got a wide and impressive variety of included effects, transitions, templates, and video editing capabilities, but it's abysmally slow to render even on an Intel* Core2Duo* based computer.

What do I like: when comparing this to other products on the market like Ulead* or even Microsoft Windows Movie Maker, it's all about what I can do with the imported content. Can I snip clips, can I use powerful video filters and change the saturation/gamma/colour balance, can I have all the standards like titles, credits, transitions, and things like aging effects. This program has it all, and includes the ability to download additional content (with associated activation keys) if you want to pay to expand the offerings.

Here's what you can expect out of the box: import from pretty much any kind of video file on your computer, digital video from a camcorder, instant capture from cameras, and more; advanced options like sound editing and full video editing down to the detailed level (colour enhancements, noise removal, lighting correction, audio editing); green screen support - with included Chroma Key green backdrop for you to hang up and do cool effects with; automatic soundtrack generation (Scorefitter*) - you tell it how long you need the sound to be, and it fits it to your video; all the bells and whistles - you can pretty much do anything to your video that you can think of, including things like Picture in Picture; export to a wide variety of formats including MPG1/2/4, 3GP, WMV, Real, and many more.

And that's really just the tip of the iceberg. Uploads to YouTube are now pretty standard, but you can also create videos that will play on your iPhone* and iPod*, DVD, HD DVD, and AVCHD formats too. These are things you should expect from any product on the market today.

Let's pause to talk about themes - they are packaged in "families" and you can apply them directly to your movie which includes titles, sounds, music, and more. It's a way to brand your movie without having to do each bit individually.

What I don't like: so far the only problem I've found is rendering time. It takes a LONG time to render a movie. For example, I created a 9 minute and 23 second video (it had a title slide, credit slide, and transitions between 4 main clips) into a WMV 768k broadband file and it took about 10-15 minutes. That's really slow to me. It pretty much ticks along at processing second by second. It's the same regardless of the size of the output - and by that I mean it takes too long no matter what settings you choose. I don't need instant gratification, but today's tech should be able to render twice as fast as this.

What do you get in the box: Install DVD, Plug-in CD (contains the Boris Graffiti - enhanced title animations tool, Red Giant Magic Bullet Looks - style presents and imaging tools, and proDAD VitaScene - moods and transitions effects kits), a pretty significant user guide, green screen backdrop.

It's a very professional product with more effects and tools than you'll ever use, for a very reasonable price. If you need to do detail level editing and manipulation of your audio and video, this is a great prosumer tool.

* product names and brands are trademarks of their respective companies

Let's put our expectations in check. This is not a professional video editing program. Pinnacle Studio 12 is an amazingly easy to master, simple to use program aimed for consumer video editors. As I noted in my USA TODAY video review (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yYZYjRLpvk&feature=user) it's a program to learn with; eventually you will want to step up to a more advanced program like Sony Vegas or Final Cut. Thanks to a cool new feature, called "Montage," you can create a "video wall," of multiple images--a great way to open your show. I demonstrate on the USA TODAY Talking Tech web video show.