Would you recommend Screenblast 3, for this price-point?

Peyton wrote on 2/26/2004, 6:51 AM

I've been using Vegas + DVD for about a year, and love it. One of my associates is looking for a basic video editing and DVD authoring suite, for less than $100. I'd be inclined to recommend Screenblaster 3, because of its use of Vegas code and features. I bet it'll work, and I can help her with it.

What do you think? Is anyone really sorry they got Screenblaster? Really glad? Much happier with something else? Please answer any of those ways, and mention why.

Cheers,
Peyton

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 2/26/2004, 8:13 AM

I think it's a steal for the price! However, you may want to look elsewhere for the DVD burning part of it. I think lots of people out there are editing in Movie Studio and then burning in Ulead or DVD-Lab's authoring software.

allyn wrote on 2/26/2004, 8:24 AM

i think screenblast is the best value for editing in the under $100 market. it is both feature-packed and ultra-stable (which can't be said for its major competitor). the only weak part of the package is the dvd authoring tool (mydvd v4.5) which is extremely basic. but mydvd does work if you have low requirements.

there's a 30-day trial version available for download. try it out. i think you'll be impressed at how much of vegas is available at this price point. (the trial version does not include the mpeg-2 encoder or mydvd software).

Peyton wrote on 2/26/2004, 9:46 AM

Thanks very much!

I think I'll tell her to get Screenblast. For someone who's never done any sort of video work or DVD authoring, it should be a while before she wants to get beyond extremely basic for her disks. When she does, I'll point her at a dedicated DVD authoring package like you mention.

Cheers,
Peyton

Chienworks wrote on 2/26/2004, 10:06 AM

One possibility to consider is not authoring DVDs. If your friend is merely making short personal videos for her own enjoyment, it's possible that the authoring step can be skipped completely. Many modern DVD players will handle a data disc with MPEG files on it. If i burn a bunch of MPEG files to a data disc it looks like a regular MS-DOS disc with a directory of file names. When i drop this disk into my DVD player the filenames show up on the TV screen and i can use the cursor keys on the remote control to select a name and press enter to play it. If i let it go past the end of that file the next will start playing automatically. Pressing the menu button at any time returns to the list of files. True, this isn't very elegant, but it gets the job done for my personal stuff. Total authoring time involved: none. Software needed: whatever burning program that comes free with the drive. It might be worth trying a disc like this on her DVD player to see if it works and if it meets her needs.

Gonzoman wrote on 2/26/2004, 1:22 PM

You can find some excellent deals on ScreenBlast on eBay. I just bought a brand new copy stll in the box for $40.

Just go to ebay and type "ScreenBlast" into the search feature.

GM*

Electromen wrote on 2/26/2004, 6:33 PM

I started with Screenblast in December and bought Vegas+DVD in January. I did lots of research before I bought any video editing package and I am very happy with Sony products. If she is willing to read the book from page one, she will be happy.