By Jan Ozer

Though Ulead's VideoStudio isn't the best pure video editor in its class, it's quite capable, and no tool converts DV tapes to DVD faster. More important, none can edit HDV more quickly. In fact, many apps have no HDV support at all. Throw in a cool new DVD menu paradigm and you've got a product worth considering. In fact, these extra abilities push VideoStudio over the top, making it an Editors' Choice in addition to Adobe Premiere Elements.

VideoStudio 10 comes in a standard version ($69.99 direct) and Plus version ($99.99).The latter, which I tested after an uneventful installation, includes support for HDV, 5.1 surround sound, and up to six overlay tracks. Both versions offer three editing options: the VideoStudio Editor, the Movie Wizard, and the DV-to-DVD Wizard.

Ulead provides a good complement of basic editing tools, including the unusual Multitrim feature, which lets you quickly pull scenes from longer video files. That, combined with storyboard and timeline tools as well as an increasingly functional interface (good riddance to the early boom-box–inspired look), make the editing function quite usable. Like almost all similar products, VideoStudio can do auto-scene detection and use what it finds to create chapters on its own.

Flash Tour

What's New:
· Full MPEG-4 support
· Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound
· Multiple Overlay Tracks
· Total High-Definition Solution
· InterVideo WinDVD Player included