Not a big deal to those editing cellphone footage, but a potential deal-killer if you end up working with such high-tier technology. However, not all of them support Redcode, the 4K video format generated by Red pro-level cameras. For example, 4K-resolution video (3840 x 2160 pixels), used by a growing number of consumer-level devices, is supported by all the products in this roundup.
What constitutes a 'high-end' feature - or product, or suite - is at least as much about implementation as whether or not it's included. (Note: Only Adobe offers a version for Mac users.) These are available both as standalone items and as parts of larger suites or packages, and there's a price range and a feature set for most every budget or need. In this roundup, I explore four well-known video editing packages - Adobe Premiere Pro CS6, Corel VideoStudio Pro X6, CyberLink PowerDirector 11 and Sony Vegas Pro 12 - that are suitable for the ambitious amateur or for the professional who wants to complete a quick project. With HD-resolution cameras now standard-issue items in smartphones, 4K-resolution cameras falling into consumers' hands and multi-core processing power standard issue on desktops and laptops, the need for video editing suites with high-end features has moved into the mainstream.
