Video Editing Software Cost

Typical costs:

• Most camcorders include basic software for downloading videos and new computers often come with pre-installed video editing software. Apple Macs offer iMovie^[1] software and PCs running Windows Vista come with the MovieMaker program. This offers basic editing functions and can be downloaded for free, although it doesn't support many video formats. Similarly, free downloads of software such as VideoThang offer very rudimentary editing features and an output quality suitable only for posting video clips to social networking sites such as YouTube or Facebook.
• For more features, higher quality output and greater video compatibility look for an amateur home video editing program costing from $50 to $150. This kind of software is sufficient to capture, edit, author and burn home videos to disc or mobile devicesSony Vegas Movie Studio 9^[2] retails for about $60, is designed for Vista and Windows XP users and handles both standard and high definition video along with 5.1 surround sound mixing.
• At the next level up, Final Cut Studio^[3] , for Apple Mac users, includes Final Cut Pro 7 video editing software and costs about $1,000.
• The highest end video editing software is designed for professional editors who have completed training programs. Avid Media Composer^[4] is available in Mac and Windows versions and offers the ability to juggle between multiple DV formats. The software costs a shade under $2,000 and is one of the most popular packages for video editing and post-production professionals.

• A video editing package typically includes video, audio and photo editing software, along with DVD and slideshow authoring and data backup and archiving capabilities.
• The software should include technical support from the manufacturer. This may take the form of telephone or online support or both.

• Plan to pay for future upgrades to the software as they become available, which could run from $20 to $500.
• Avid^[5] offers worldwide training classes for its professional grade software. Expect to pay $100 to $550 or more.

• Many software companies offer discounts to students and teachers. Sites such as B&H Photo Video^[6] offer discounts for Federal, educator and student buyers.

• Online vendors such as J&R.com^[7] and Amazon^[8] usually have lower prices than manufacturers.

1.  www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/
2.  www.sonycreativesoftware.com/moviestudiopp
3.  store.apple.com/us_smb_78313/search/Final-Cut-Studio#searchReplacement=Final%20Cut...
4.  www.avid.com/US/products/Media-Composer-Software/index.asp
5.  www.onlineregistrationcenter.com/avid/allcourses.asp
6.  www.bhphotovideo.com/find/federal-gsa-contracts-gov-corporate-edu-sales.jsp
7.  www.jr.com/category/software/graphics-multimedia/image-and-video-processing/
8.  www.amazon.com/Photo-Editing-Graphics-Software/b?ie=UTF8&node=229621

Today's Featured Cost Articles

November is Child Safety Awareness Month. Is your home baby-proofed? Be ready if the worst weather hits -- a portable generator means fewer power outages. Change the batteries on the smoke alarm the same time you set the clocks back for Daylight Savings. After eating all that candy, is it time to see your dentist? Repair leaks before the rain starts pouring.

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

Bat bite Paid: 0.00 On October 25th I was bitten by a bat during mid morning, animal control told me to get the rabies shots due to the fact that several rabid bats had been found in the area... [more] -Rita W Rabies Vaccine Cost 7 stitches to shin Paid: 371.00 My son had 7 Stitches to his shin he fell in the woods and was cut by a old fence. They were super nice in and out, in about one hour. 155.00 for the visit and the remainder was for the Stitches ... [more] -Tavanna Stitches Cost 2 Car Garage Paid: 1700.00 Looks FANTASTIC! The guys done a fabulous job and did it in one day! Highly recommend! 615-739-2146... [more] -Chad Dunn Epoxy Flooring Cost Commercial Real Estate Brochure Paid: 200.00 Quick turn around time! 4 revisions with PDF and hyperlinks embedded. Website management available too... [more] [email protected] Graphic Designer Cost Fairly priced Paid: 0.00 My baby boy choked on some food this evening. While we were on the phone to the emergency services the blockage cleared. Ambulance was sent anyway to make sure everything was ok... [more] -Thank you NHS Ambulance Cost Ripped Off Paid: 46.00 I asked the nail technician how much for a full set. He said he will let me know as soon as he gets the nails on my fingers (WTH?) ... anyway on the board the price said $28 and up...... [more] -Kay. Manicures and Pedicures Cost