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Pinnacle Studio 18

Pinnacle Studio 18 is part of the latest wave of video editing tools that have stepped up to 64-bit processing, providing the performance and capacity to handle the demands of high-definition video editing on today's PCs. (Studio also still is available in a 32-bit version.)

This new version offers more power, precision, and creative control -- as well as mobile integration with the Pinnacle Studio app for iPad and iPhone.

For more power, Studio 18 supports 4K editing and smart encoding and XAVC 4K HD cameras, and is optimized for Intel Quick Sync hardware video encoding and decoding.

For more precision and control, Studio 18 adds interface enhancements including segment grouping and Close Gap to clean up in the timeline. There are also new tools like the Scorefitter music library for custom-fit soundtracks, plus additional creative assets including 17 royalty-free tracks from Triple Scoop Music.

Studio extends its range through three versions, increasing the timeline tracks, stepping up to 3D and then 4D editing and adding more effects, libraries and tools as the versions progress:

- The base Pinnacle Studio 18 for around $59 supports HD video editing with up to six timeline tracks and includes 1500 2D and 3D effects, titles and templates.

- Pinnacle Studio 18 Plus for around $69 supports up to 24 tracks and includes 1800 effects for more advanced editing. Plus, it adds Dolby 5.1 audio, stereoscopic 3D editing, live screen capture and the Scorefitter music library.

- Pinnacle Studio 18 Ultimate for around $119 steps up the power with unlimited timeline tracks, 2000 effects and additional NewBlue presets and plugins, plus 4K Ultra HD editing, Blu-ray authoring and XAVC S support. It also adds the iZotope Music & Speech Cleaner tool and additional Scorefitter libraries.

Studio 18 offers a nice graduated approach to the complexity and possibilities of video editing for new users who have ambitions to get serious. And it's a compelling upgrade for current users. There is no evaluation version of Studio 18 available, but you can check out the YouTube tutorials and download the User Guide from the Corel site to see how it fits for you.

See full review article for Videomaker magazine.

Find Pinnacle Studio 18 on Amazon.com

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