Santa Clara, Calif. –
launched Tuesday version 10 of its popular PowerDirector video-editing software,
which adds greater speed and comprehensive 3D editing tools to a host of
enhancements for “prosumer”-level makers.
PowerDirector 10, which will be offered in Ultra ($100 suggested
retail) and Deluxe ($70) configurations, is “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-in-picture video cropping tools.
The program also offers the ability to upload to the most popular
online video-sharing 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; professional
effect plug-ins supporting professional third-party plug-ins from NewBlue FX.
The software also has paint tools to record free-hand drawings
and integrate them into a video project, a time lapse video tool to speed up or
stretch out video and slideshow images, a multi-mode 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, and conversion
of 2D content into 3D using a new TrueTheater 3D feature. It also has 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 smartphones 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 beginning today from the
CyberLink online store or on disc via retail outlets including Office Depot,
Tiger Direct and Fry’s.
