editing software

[TexasDave]

hey everyone - I have slid into a new role, doing production work outside of news. I have the opportunity to 'build' my own system. I am looking for feedback on some editing software. I have it narrowed down to a few choices...I'm leaning towards Final Cut Pro Studio, but I am also considering:

Adobe Production Studio
Sony Vegas
Avid Express Pro

Just looking for opinions on these. I have some knowledge of FCP, but here's my delimma - the new FCP can be used only on Mac - which is fine. I know mac's are better for things like that. But I just got a new, fast laptop (PC) and wanted to at least consider other options that could also me used on a PC. That way, as deadlines approach, I have the luxery to work on it from home on nights and weekends.

I have one HD camera now (recently started the job, so they haven't gotten all the equipment together yet) - but I assume pure HD isn't a top priority for the work I'll be doing.

Just wanted to see your thoughts on the matter. Do any of ya'll have experience on any of these platforms? And if so, what are the pros/cons to each.

Any information you can provide will be helpful.

[Necktie Boy]

I have worked with FCP,Premiere Pro, and Avid....They all do the job.
You didn't say what type of production you will be doing. For Commercial Production, I like Premiere. If you don't want to step out of the program. At work, I use FCP to do training videos. This works fine for me....I don't do that many titles or effects. Avid is also good for projects that don't have that much graphics or effects.
FCP and Premiere are bundle with motion graphic software. Avid is not. Also, FCP and Premiere use outside venders' products for the step up to HD. Avid has to use their products. All will handle HD, but you will need a card and a monitor to see it. To go HD, the cost is will cost more than the software that you bought. You can't play HD down via the firewire.

One item that I don't like about Premiere that it handles audio as stereo, while FCP and Avid handle as two track audio. It does let you separate the tracks. I use Premiere Pro. I don't know about 1.5 or 2.0. A cool feature in Premiere is you can create a DVD from the time line. No chapters, but when a simple DVD has to be created, Premiere Pro does it easy.

All of the editing software has the same keyboard commands. I do use Boris for titles and effects besides Affect Effects. It just depends what projects you will be working on and which system fits your style.

[sixtycyclehum]

I use Avid at work and FCP at home so I'm partial to both. But since your limited to working with a PC, Adobe Production Studio may be the way to go. Since it includes Premiere, Photoshop, and AfterEffects you won't have to supplement as you would with the others. And if you like FCP, Premiere is very similar.

[Necktie Boy]

The software writers of FCP were writers of Premiere. The first version of FCP was a copy of Premiere.....

[TexasDave]

Thanks so far everyone - let me also explain a little of what I'll be doing. I'll produce, write and edit training videos and corperate videos. Not much shooting right off the bat - my goal is to get everything in-house, but for now, I have to hire outside production companies.

I am not limited to PC - I will consider a mac w/fcp. So far, I'm leaning that way.

The work will be what I make it, meaning there was never a video expert on hand. All work was outsourced. The old videos, needless to way, were not very.....uh....I'll be polite and say not very 'professional'.

The company I work for examines fraud, so I will be catering to that audience. Obviously, I still want to stay as creative as possible.

Thanks for all the input so far and keep it coming!!

[Canonman]

I am not limited to PC - I will consider a mac w/fcp. So far, I'm leaning that way.

Keep in mind that the new Intel based Macs can run Windows but not the other way around. Also, Adobe has announced that Premiere will be returning to the Mac platform (Intel Macs only). I think the Mac would result in more flexibility of what you want to use in the long run.

JMO,

cm

[ssgrocks]

I've read a LOT of really good things about Sony Vegas. I haven't used it but I hear it's a great system.

[A/B roll]

I've heard a lot of good things about Vegas too, but I'm not so sure about it. I just started using it and it's been nothing but trouble. Because I'm still learning I havn't made up my mind yet. I can tell you FCP and Avid are powerful as hell and FCP is the most user friendly system I've used.

[Walter Graff]

I edit hundreds of commercials, corporate videos, news pieces, television series, and just about everything else on FCP every year and I wouldn't use anything but. For the money you will not find a better system to edit with. All the edit systems mentioned work well, but I have not wanted to use anything once I started to use FCP.

[cameragod]

Have a serious look at Edius (http://www.trustedreviews.com/graphics/review/2006/08/17/Canopus-EDIUS-Pro-4/p1)especially if you are going to shoot some HD.
If you do bookmark this (http://www.ediustips.com/index.html) page

[Chronically Confused]

I'm a big fan of avid, but avid isn't that easy to use at first. If you're looking for a user friendly interface, perhaps final cut is better. I've never used it, but I hear it's really easy to use...and powerful too, I'm just not sure.

When I went to college, they were Avid oriented. We used everythign avid. Avid iNews, Avid DV, Avid Newscutter, Avid Airspeed...perhaps that's why I like avid so much. It's just really great and fast once you know how to use it...it's just getting there that is hard.

[2gigch1]

I use Avid at work and have FCP 5.1 at home. Biggest thing I've noticed is when you get FCP you get EVERYTHING. The program you get is the same one the guys in Hollywood use. It is capable and scaleable and it's all in your box.

So if you are not sure what you will need but you might want it all, you'll already have it....

[TexasDave]

Thanks everyone for all the input. This has all been very helpful. From all the feedback, I think I will go with the mac and FCP. It seems like they have all the software goodies I'll need and then some.

With everyone saying how 'user-friendly' it is, that does help sway me in that direction.