Adobe Premiere Elements 7 – Review
Today I had the opportunity to try out a piece of video editing software called Adobe Premiere Elements 7. This version of the popular Premiere line of video editors is aimed at the novice to intermediate editor that likes to make relatively basic video with simple cuts, effects, and transitions. I have used Premiere Pro extensively in the past, so I was curious to see how the simplified version stacked up.
The first thing that stuck in my mind when I started the software was the web integration. Immediately upon start up the program asked me to create an online storage account at Photoshop.com, which is free for the basic 2BG of storage. After the quick sign up, I realized that my new Photoshop.com account also includes tons of ever-changing tutorials and project ideas. This “inspiration gallery” is definitely a cool bonus feature, and the tutorials are a great way to get on your feet quickly. Now on to the editing window.
Since I am at work and don’t have any videos on me, I decided to create a simple slide show from some Flickr photos from the web. I also grabbed an mp3 file for some background music. In Premiere Elements 7 there are ready made video templates that let you create a polished movie in a matter of minutes. The software goes through your video clips, analyzes them for the best quality ones, and splices them together in a random order with tons of graphics, visual effects, and music. These templates are more of an amusement to see what the software will come up with, than a way to create meaningful videos. But having fun is what this software is all about, right?
The editing timeline and timeline controls in Premiere Elements are very similar to those found in Premiere Pro, just slightly simpler. Even a novice could pick up the timeline process quickly; the process of trimming and arranging video clips and images is straightforward and pretty simple. Premiere Elements 7 also has a good size library of digital effects and transitions to add some style to your editing. The title creation feature is also straightforward and allows you to create everything from a simple text overlay to long, rolling final credits. There are tons of pre-set font styles and colors to choose from as well.
Once you finish your editing, exporting your movie couldn’t be easier. This is where Premiere Elements 7 really shines. There are no complicating formatting menus and export options to deal with. Quick links from the main menu allow you to send your video straight to your You Tube account or personal website, or you can format your movie for your iPhone or other mobile device. Of course you can also easily burn a DVD or Blu-ray disc.
I am definitely impressed by the capabilities of Premiere Elements 7. The timeline is just as versatile as that found in Premiere Pro for most tasks, and cool features like Videomearge (using a green screen) make special effects a breeze. Once you spend about an hour with the program to learn how to get around and where all the features are located, you will be able to create great You Tube video edits in a matter of minutes. For less than $100, Adobe Premiere Elements 7 is truly an excellent deal.
Check out my first use of Premiere Elements 7 to see how easy it is to create a photo slideshow:
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