Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 11 is a video capture, editing and output studio that sits in between the more prosumer packages such as Adobe's Premiere, and more consumer (but limited) "fun" packages like Windows Movie Maker. It supports a raft of standards and outputs -- everything from HD Video down to lowly iPod and PSP profiles -- and in the Ultimate version, comes with a slew of bonus content, ranging from additional transitions, special effects and audio editing tools. Space prohibits us listing them all, but the essential upshot is that Studio Ultimate is a very feature rich video editing application from capture to output.
The package
We were in for a shock when we opened the Studio Ultimate 11 box. Pinnacle's broken from a very longstanding tradition in big box software products. That's right -- there's actually more in the box than just a CD or two and lots of (presumably very expensive) air. For a start, you get not one, but four discs -- three install discs and an update disc for the third DVD. There's a moderately chunky Studio manual, which is also a break from recent traditions, which have seen annoying PDF manuals becoming de rigueur. Lastly, and not all that incongruously, there's a large green sheet, for compositing special effects into your movies. We suspect that the inclusion of the sheet will lead to many Studio Ultimate users experimenting with dodgy special effects and overlays. Remember, it's all fun and games until somebody posts it up to YouTube.
Installation
Installation of Studio Ultimate was a rather tortuous affair. We installed it on a Windows Vista Ultimate machine (the outside of the box proudly proclaims that it works with Vista) that was well above the recommended specification. On our first attempt, it took around 30 minutes to install, and then it crashed. Our second attempt took around 10 minutes to process the first disc, and that worked fine, but then it crashed on the "bonus" DVD, so we started all over again. Finally, after what amounted to a number of hours trying, we were able to get everything installed and we fired up Studio Ultimate to give it a spin.
At that point, it jumped in and demanded that we activate it online. We're not great fans of online activation, especially for products such as Studio Ultimate that don't necessarily revolve around online functionality. Studio's buggy activation gave us no reason to suddenly start loving it. After a number of aborted attempts -- wherein Studio Ultimate resolutely told us we had no Net connection even when we did -- we got angry and did a complete (and slow) reinstall. That did the trick, and eventually, after many bad words were uttered and a couple of reboots, it was finally actually installed, activated and was ready to run.
Performance
The basic workflow of Studio Ultimate 11 doesn't differ that greatly from many other video editing and creation packages -- you're still working with importing or capturing video from a number of sources (including AVCHD Camcorders if you're lucky enough to have one) -- editing it together and then choosing an output destination and style.
Where Studio 11 really impressed us was in the way it intelligently laid out projects such that nitpicky prosumers could use it to tweak their projects down to the last keyframe, while offering enough intelligent tools for less experienced shooters to quickly create video packages, along with custom soundtracks and lots of easy to use effects. There is a risk here -- our experience suggests that if you give people too many choices when it comes to effects and transitions, they'll use them all and end up with a stylistic mess -- but that's a human problem, not a software one.
We're yet to hit a video editing package that wasn't prone to the odd crash here and there, and sadly Studio Ultimate 11 joins that not-so-august pile of applications. It's somehow even more annoying when a video editing application crashes than any other. This is probably down to the fact that most video packages are very slow to run -- rendering does take time -- and tend to eat every system resource they come anywhere near, rendering your PC lifeless while they get on with it. Studio Ultimate crashed a handful of times during our testing process, mostly when doing a final render. It's thus a good idea to save your projects regularly in order to eliminate needless extra work, but wouldn't it be nice if video editing packages just worked instead?
Like this article? Click below to send it to your mobile for free!
al
06/08/2008, 09:33 AM
rating
1/10
Would be great if it worked. Using it with Vista is almost impossible. The program crashes my whole system every time. Not just Studio, but the entire system. No other program I've used creates such problems on my system. The fact the Pinnacle just denies the problem is even more insulting.
Pros: Theoretically has good features for a good price.
Cons: Not usable under Vista due to constant crashes.
Report offensive comment
jwpinnacle
04/08/2008, 08:05 AM
rating
3/10
I have bought version 12 plus and having problesm making a movie- I keep getting error messages. I have reinsattled remove axuilary files and still no luck and wondering what I am doping wrong I have vista installed also. It is getting so frustrating feel like thgrowing the thing away but spent hours making a vido but unable to load it onto a DVD- Any assistance would be appreciated- I live in Melbourne Australia
Report offensive comment
Smith
16/07/2008, 03:07 PM
rating
7/10
I am a professional designer and use pinnacle for last 5 years. Its 11 version is great and its rocks. Its very easy to use for novices and we are a professional. No any buggy or lacks function. Runs best in vista. This works on software software gestionale. Which is best. This program is very fast responsive.
Pros: Fast and efficient program.
Easy to novices.
Cons: Nothing.
Report offensive comment
Malcontent
28/06/2008, 09:02 PM
rating
3/10
Can't get the upgrade to V11 to install. Says serial number is invalid. Bought from a reutable dealer properly packed. Now I read all thisa stuff I realise thta this is just a foretaste. Damn - paid cash!
Pros: Kbown interface if you have the okder version
Cons: No tech support AT WEEKENDS WHEN MOST ARE SOLD. Can't even get the install wizard right
Report offensive comment
scisport
17/06/2008, 03:38 PM
rating
1/10
Please, under no reason buy a single product from Pinnacle. I work in TV and have never been around a worst piece of junk. Crashes constantly, green screen is useless, and you do have to spend a ton of money on all those so-called free extras. Support is the worst I have ever experienced, and of course no one speaks good enough english on the other end of the line. They charge for anything after the first call for support. I cannot WAIT to buy a MAC and get a real editing system. After reading the CNET review I now have to really question them. This is far from the first item I have seen them review well and the web is awash in consumers who've been defrauded by software developers.
Pros: None. Zero. Nada. Zip.
Cons: Every single thing about the software. Power Director is much better and rarely crashes. STAY AWAY!! DO NOT PURCHASE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!
Report offensive comment
hammy
15/06/2008, 09:17 PM
rating
2/10
I am lucky to chance this website before
becoming another unhappy victim, I will stick with SONY Vegas, thanks fellas for
the tip off !
Pros: Don't think there's any worth mentioning
Cons: BIG time con I would say
Report offensive comment
mike
08/06/2008, 11:02 PM
rating
1/10
I Paid $300 for a basic program (ultimate???)that is, poorly designed, consisting of incomplete and out of date content. I feel cheated.
Pros: good con
Cons: Cant get it to work with AVCHD
Its hard to set up
They expect You to Buy extras that you'd expect as standard content for the price.
Report offensive comment
pinnacle_sucks_c0ck
11/05/2008, 04:31 AM
rating
1/10
I wasnt stupid enough to buy version 10 (used a crack), but I still felt cheated with this peice of sh** offering from pinnacle. I assumed they needed another version to iron out the wrinkles but after reading these comments its obvious this company has no business releasing video editing sw...LOOK ELSEWHERE!!!!
Pros: Never wasted a dime...
Cons: Wasted alot of time and tylenol and had bad dreams after using. Now I use SONY VEGAS movie studio 8 and sleep much much better.
Report offensive comment
MJ
04/05/2008, 12:41 AM
rating
1/10
What a ripp-off! I purchased Pinnacle's Studio Ultimate ($130). I figured why not start with the best. It was supposed to include all kinds of extra special effects, etc. I WAS VERY WRONG. For starters, the program CRASHES ALL of the time. As for the 'extra' features...they do not come with the program...you have to go to a special site to 'unlock' them. What you get is not worth the extra money i paid for the program. THey were just teaser effects. The good stuff you have to pay for. I thought I was already doing that by spending the extra money on their 'Ultimate Studio'. I could have saved my self $80 by buying their starter Studio program for $50 and gotten the same thing. I cant imagine the SMALL green cloth and the sound effects are worth $80. I found the company unresponsive. They certainly dont appear to stand by their product. Stay away from Studio unless you have some super computer that wont crash. Neither Best Buy nor Pinnacle would accept the program in return. Stay away from this product!
Pros: Ease of use. Cool features. Great final product (if you are making a 2 minute movie). Given that it crashes all of the time you really cant create anything.
Cons: IT CRASHES ALL OF THE TIME. The company promises a lot about the program and greatly UNDER DELIVERS.
Report offensive comment
gungulen
04/05/2008, 12:17 AM
rating
1/10
love all the features and very easy to use. unfortunately it CRASHES ALL THE TIME!!!! I was unsuccessful in returning the product. my mistake was buying this top of the line product. BIG WASTE OF MONEY. I am very dissapointed with customer service and inability to return the product given that it did not live to its expecations and that constantly crashes.
Pros: easy to use. cool features
Cons: CRASHES ALL THE TIME. NOT WORTH THE MONEY!!!!!
Report offensive comment