CyberLink Unveils PowerDirector 10 Software

By Greg Tarr On Oct 17 2011 - 4:01am

SANTA CLARA, CALIF. – CyberLink launched last week version 10 of its popular PowerDirector video-editing software, which adds greater speed and comprehensive 3D editing tools to a host of enhancements for consumer and “prosumer” level video makers.

PowerDirector 10, which will be offered in Ultra ($100 suggested retail) and Deluxe ($70) configurations, is said to be “the fastest consumer video editing software on the market,” according to Richard Carriere, CyberLink gobal marketing senior VP.

Upgrades from previous PowerDirector versions will also be available at prices starting at $50.

Notable new features include a choice of three different editing modes, enhancements to a flexible 100-track timeline, automated beat detection, integration of pro-quality plug-ins from third-party partners, animated painting tools, time-lapse controls, more than 300 editing tools, special effects and free-form picture-inpicture video cropping tools.

The program also offers the ability to upload to the most popular online videosharing sites, including the just-added Vimeo.

For the video industry’s newest technology, PowerDirector 10 also includes a set of 3D-video-editing tools that enable consumers to import, edit and produce 3D material for display on 3D PC monitors and 3DTVs.

Customers can transform their 2D videos into 3D, CyberLink said.

Users of earlier PowerDirector editions are likely to be impressed with PowerDirector 10’s new video-rendering engine, which has been made significantly faster and more efficient in video creation, regardless of format and resolution.

This is made possible, CyberLink said, through a new TrueVelocity 2 system that is said to improve the quality of the editing process by “harnessing system GPU power, via OpenCL, to deliver a six-fold speed increase in the rendering of effects.”

PowerDirector 10 also includes a new H.264 media encoder designed to rapidly process HD video, eliminating lag time seen in competitive editing software.

“Serious video hobbyists want more capabilities than simple tools or cameras can supply but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg for a professional solution nor do they want to spend weeks learning it,” said Rob Enderle, principal analyst for the Enderle Group. “PowerDirector 10 from CyberLink addresses this need with a comparatively easy to use set of tools that still provides professional level features. In short, with PowerDirector 10, they get the result of a professional tool without the cost in cash or time.”

Other features in the new version include pro-quality editing of video and audio tracks using a wide variety of tools, transitions and effects; perfectly timed editing using Beat Marker to analyze a soundtrack and place markers at major beat points for the placement of transition effects; and professional effect plug-ins supporting professional third-party plugins from NewBlue FX.

The software also includes paint tools to record free-hand drawings and integrate them into a video project; a timelapse video tool to speed up or stretch out video and slideshow images; a multimode program launcher; and movies in minutes video editing.

Other tools include an audio normalizer to normalize all audio files on a timeline track; support for native 3D videos and photos; conversion of 2D content into 3D using a new TrueTheater 3D feature; expansive editing support of 3D titles, particles, effects and menus, and broad 3D format output and disc burning allowing burning standard 3D Blu-ray, 3D AVCHD or 3D DVD discs to view content on a 3DTV, or output to side-by-side video or MVC files and then transfer to 3D smart phones and other devices.

The software also permits access to CyberLink’s popular DirectorZone online user community with more than 2 million members. Customers have free access to more than 200,000 effects, titles, menus and tutorials, which can easily be imported into their PowerDirector projects, and users can share tips and tricks, best practices and original effects and templates.

CyberLink is selling PowerDirector 10 now from the CyberLink online store or on disc via retail outlets including Office Depot, TigerDirect and Fry’s.