Magix Cuts Price, Complexity of PC Editing

Where only a few years ago digital editing software was well beyond the resources of the average consumer, now consumer-versions of pro packages are not only inexpensive, they’re as good as free.

The latest entry for Windows users, announced yesterday, is Movie Edit Pro 2004 from Miami Beach-based Magix. Edit Pro combines top-drawer pro features with the drag and drop ease-of-use functionality PC users now take for granted. Among the many features adding to the pro feel of Edit Pro are batch digitizing, 16 tracks of sound and real-time transitions and EFX. Moreover, the $99 software package includes DVD and CD authoring tools.

Edit Pro features include: automatic scene detection, simplified storyboard, multi-scene overview, in-depth 16-track stereo timeline edit modes and real-time video and transition effects. Image restoration, motion stabilizing, compositing, and a variety of preset effects and transitions may be applied and immediately viewed onscreen or removed without affecting the original file. Consumers can record content using the programmable timer, make precise edits, select from a wide variety of transition effects and even create a custom soundtrack. The EFX templates and 3D transitions give professional polish to home movies. In addition to split screen and virtual camera panning effects, users can get more creative with the Hollywood-style “blue screen” effect. Movie soundtracks can be edited and enhanced with voiceovers, songs and audio effects that add atmosphere to any scene. The title editor creates rolling credits to finish any home movie project with style.

The Edit Pro CD and DVD authoring utility creates multimedia disc selection menus with intro movies and custom backgrounds that can be played on a home DVD player. Video CD, Super-Video CD, DVD and mini-DVD disc formats are all burned with ease. Users can also burn re-editable project backups and autoplay CD-ROMs, simplifying project archiving and sharing. The disc-spanning feature enables longer projects to be burned across several discs.

Edit Pro imports and exports a variety of formats, including DV-AVI (Type 1 and 2), MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 compressed video and streaming formats including Windows Media 9. It supports MPEG-4 and DivX if codecs have been installed. Magix Movie Edit Pro 2004 for Windows will be available in early September for $99.99 and includes a special rebate offer for users of competitive products. Visit www.magix.com for more information.