I have Pinnacle and I like it. I never read the instructions, just did the trial and error and I’ve made some pretty cool short movies. Good Luck

It all depends on how ‘involved’ you want to get in video editing. As a graphics designer, you know there are a variety of graphics and photo editing programs out there. Some are simpler and easier to use but may not have all the features you need in certain situations. Some have all the features you may ever want or need but may be a bit pricey for your budget and require a steep learning curve.

Microsoft Windows comes with Windows Movie Maker, and Macs come with iMovie. Both are very good for home video use, and iMovie has been used for some very good documentaries and short films. Depending upon your platform and needs, you may want to move to a higher level choice. Unlike most graphics editing software, video editing software can come as a single editing program for less than $100 or a complete suite of software programs at over $1,000. Some systems come with entire server level hardware components that incorporate with the software to handle much more advanced projects. Either way, be aware that some choices only work in Windows, some only work with Macs, and some choices are available for both platforms.

Start with your video editing needs:

Do you need something quick and clean for simple clean up of home videos and to mix and match video segments before burning to DVD for friends and family? Then the free video editing software on your computer will be fine. A lot of people use them and are happy.

If you want something with a little more ability but not a lot of price, Sony Vegas Movie Studio 8 Platinum Edition http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RLQNR6?ie=UTF8&tag=motionpicturecentral-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000RLQNR6 is available for Windows, and Final Cut Express http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Z3DXT2?ie=UTF8&tag=motionpicturecentral-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000Z3DXT2 is available for Mac. You may also be interested in Thompson Grass Valley’s Edius Neo Xl http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00124N8O8?ie=UTF8&tag=motionpicturecentral-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00124N8O8 (comes compete with its own video capture card) or the software only version Edius Neo http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00125L34E?ie=UTF8&tag=motionpicturecentral-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00125L34E .

If you need something for more professional needs, there are a few options:

If you only need the basic video editing software, try Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OGSGZQ?ie=UTF8&tag=motionpicturecentral-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000OGSGZQ for both Windows and Mac – it is available in a full version, 30-day trial from http://www.adobe.com/downloads/ .

If you need a more advanced editing suite that allows you to handle much more advanced camcorders, video, audio, codecs, compression formats, and graphics, then you might want to try something like Apple Final Cut Studio 2 (Mac) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PGVK5S?ie=UTF8&tag=motionpicturecentral-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000PGVK5S , or Adobe Creative Suite 3.3 Master Collection http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018QYAH4?ie=UTF8&tag=motionpicturecentral-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0018QYAH4 available for both Windows and Mac. If you choose Adobe Premiere, be sure to also install Quicktime 7 to unlock some hidden features in Premiere Pro.
* As a graphics designer with fairly good computer skills, either of these two editing studios are your best choice. Both video editing suites will allow you to provide a new service of incorporating your customers graphics cleanly into videos for their needs – as well as use much more advanced editing techniques.

Another option available for both Windows and Macs comes from Avid. Avid produces top of the line video editing systems which can be software only or hardware systems. Some of the movies and TV shows you have seen in the past decade have been edited on Avid hardware systems. If you need this advanced level of professional editing, try the software based Avid Media Composer http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017V84TA?ie=UTF8&tag=motionpicturecentral-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0017V84TA. If you are a student or work with a media school, you may be able to get the software system for a fraction of the price http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0019L7FCK?ie=UTF8&tag=motionpicturecentral-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0019L7FCK
* Avid also makes Pinnacle Studio Ultimate Version 12 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AMSZSQ?ie=UTF8&tag=motionpicturecentral-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001AMSZSQ which is considered to be close to the same level as Sony Vegas Movie Studio mentioned earlier.

Other advanced professional options include Apple Final Cut Server Unlimited Client http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014JZ9RK?ie=UTF8&tag=motionpicturecentral-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0014JZ9RK