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Bit of a conundrum re which editing suite to go with?

twickers14

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Hi all, new Mac Book Air about to be ordered-first new computer for 13 years so you can imaging how creaky my current kit is! Shall I add Final Cut Pro for £299 or go with DaVinci Resolve which I can download from the App Store later, or not bother? I am not looking for a sophisticated edit tool as such but I really would like to test myself beyond iMovie which I have used for years and get on fine with. Nightmare question I know but I have read on the Forum many times how good DVResolve is but it takes a bit of getting used to, it‘s also cheaper. Suspect you will all have your favourite but a view would be gratefully received. PS I have a MA2 which could be upgraded sometime probably to a MA3.
 
My suggestion is to just download a video editing program which seems to be the best for you work and have have least impact on your budget. Whatever you select it will take a lot of dedication to lean. You will find that whatever program you learn it will be your favorite, so just get started.
I've been using ShotCut (totally free) for years and it works fine.
 
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Hi all, new Mac Book Air about to be ordered-first new computer for 13 years so you can imaging how creaky my current kit is! Shall I add Final Cut Pro for £299 or go with DaVinci Resolve which I can download from the App Store later, or not bother? I am not looking for a sophisticated edit tool as such but I really would like to test myself beyond iMovie which I have used for years and get on fine with. Nightmare question I know but I have read on the Forum many times how good DVResolve is but it takes a bit of getting used to, it‘s also cheaper. Suspect you will all have your favourite but a view would be gratefully received. PS I have a MA2 which could be upgraded sometime probably to a MA3.

As someone who has edited videos for several years, but said editing was pretty limited and simple (cutting clips, adding transitions, titles and overlay text mostly), my take is that DR is not that hard to get used to for basic stuff. If you want to get into the more advanced things (color grading, etc) it will definitely have a learning curve, but for basic stuff I found it to be very similar to other editing apps with a very minimal learning curve.

Since DR is free, my suggestion would be to download it and give it a whirl for what you do and see how you like it. The nice thing is that if you need/want to do something more advanced, you most likely will have it in your software - you will just need to learn how to do it - and there are a TON of videos on YouTube about DR.
 
I am a complete dummy when it comes to video editing. I use DR. LOTS of help and tips out there that make it actually pretty simple at times.
 
DR has a much larger learning curve and the serious color grading tools are not in the free edition. It does however have that FREE edition and the big brother is available if you want to grow with it. That said, FCP is probably easier to use for most folks and pretty straight forward. If you're willing to invest the time my suggestion would be DR but if it's just home video kinds of stuff FCP is entirely capable.
 
Another vote for Davinci Resolve. The free version can do almost everything that the paid-for "Studio" version can do aside from a few things like some of the more advanced video file formats and the AI-based tools such as Magic Mask. And even the Studio version is cheap considering what you're getting. (Hint - BlackMagic's Speed Editor keyboard is only $100 more than the Studio version and comes with a Studio version license).

IMHO it's well worth going through the tutorials and working through the lessons on your own computer using the sample files provided. You learn by doing, and at the end you'll be able to use Resolve like a pro and you'll understand all of its creative potential. Yes, it takes time, but that investment is recouped many times over each time you use it. IMHO.
 
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This is a good thread from not too long ago:

 
If you haven’t yet ordered you MacBook Air, go for as much disk storage and RAM as you can afford. You’ll need every bit and more.
Best…
 
If you haven’t yet ordered you MacBook Air, go for as much disk storage and RAM as you can afford. You’ll need every bit and more.
Best…

Especially if you go for Adobe Premiere -that uses all your system resources 😳😀
 
Another vote for Davinci Resolve. The free version can do almost everything that the paid-for "Studio" version can do aside from a few things like some of the more advanced video file formats and the AI-based tools such as Magic Mask. And even the Studio version is cheap considering what you're getting. (Hint - BlackMagic's Speed Editor keyboard is only $100 more than the Studio version and comes with a Studio version license).

IMHO it's well worth going through the tutorials and working through the lessons on your own computer using the sample files provided. You learn by doing, and at the end you'll be able to use Resolve like a pro and you'll understand all of its creative potential. Yes, it takes time, but that investment is recouped many times over each time you use it. IMHO.
So helpful and thank you for your “humble” advice. It took me a few minutes to work out that IMHO is not another editing tool but In My Humble Opinion! I’m only 13 years older than you and you shortcut like my Grand daughters!
Especially if you go for Adobe Premiere -that uses all your system resources 😳😀
Especially if you go for Adobe Premiere -that uses all your system resources 😳😀
Done 16GB unified memory and 1TB storage. Thanks for your help.
 
My suggestion is to just download a video editing program which seems to be the best for you work and have have least impact on your budget. Whatever you select it will take a lot of dedication to lean. You will find that whatever program you learn it will be your favorite, so just get started.
I've been using ShotCut (totally free) for years and it works fine.
Brilliant thanks. Will sieve all the great advice and jump!
 
As someone who has edited videos for several years, but said editing was pretty limited and simple (cutting clips, adding transitions, titles and overlay text mostly), my take is that DR is not that hard to get used to for basic stuff. If you want to get into the more advanced things (color grading, etc) it will definitely have a learning curve, but for basic stuff I found it to be very similar to other editing apps with a very minimal learning curve.

Since DR is free, my suggestion would be to download it and give it a whirl for what you do and see how you like it. The nice thing is that if you need/want to do something more advanced, you most likely will have it in your software - you will just need to learn how to do it - and there are a TON of videos on YouTube about DR.
Excellent advice and is in my pot for consideration. DR seems to be ahead with a load of benefits, just have to buckle down and watch YouTubes by the thousand!
 
This is a good thread from not too long ago:

This is so helpful. I do remember reading this thread at the time but then forgot it! Thanks.
 
If you haven’t yet ordered you MacBook Air, go for as much disk storage and RAM as you can afford. You’ll need every bit and more.
Best…
Thanks. Not sure if I have replied to this but I have added the spec below to someone else. Most grateful.
 
Hi all, new Mac Book Air about to be ordered-first new computer for 13 years so you can imaging how creaky my current kit is! Shall I add Final Cut Pro for £299 or go with DaVinci Resolve which I can download from the App Store later, or not bother? I am not looking for a sophisticated edit tool as such but I really would like to test myself beyond iMovie which I have used for years and get on fine with. Nightmare question I know but I have read on the Forum many times how good DVResolve is but it takes a bit of getting used to, it‘s also cheaper. Suspect you will all have your favourite but a view would be gratefully received. PS I have a MA2 which could be upgraded sometime probably to a MA3.
As a professional filmmaker I use the Adobe Creative Cloud series which has Premiere Pro. Adobe also has non professional editing software which works very well. Take a look at Adobe.
 
My suggestion is to just download a video editing program which seems to be the best for you work and have have least impact on your budget. Whatever you select it will take a lot of dedication to lean. You will find that whatever program you learn it will be your favorite, so just get started.
I've been using ShotCut (totally free) for years and it works fine.
Yes, Shotcut is a very good editor, that I used for ages, but now I prefer Filmora. So many out there, and it's what suits you.
 
Hi all, new Mac Book Air about to be ordered-first new computer for 13 years so you can imaging how creaky my current kit is! Shall I add Final Cut Pro for £299 or go with DaVinci Resolve which I can download from the App Store later, or not bother? I am not looking for a sophisticated edit tool as such but I really would like to test myself beyond iMovie which I have used for years and get on fine with. Nightmare question I know but I have read on the Forum many times how good DVResolve is but it takes a bit of getting used to, it‘s also cheaper. Suspect you will all have your favourite but a view would be gratefully received. PS I have a MA2 which could be upgraded sometime probably to a MA3.
If you know some one using Video Edit software, ask what they use and if you could "look over their shoulder".

Once you've some idea, take couple of courses.

I use Edius and David Clarke of DVC, provides a full tutorial DVD, plus he will also assist if you get stuck.

A lot to learn with any suite to get proficient hence the idea of some lessons. Much more rapid progress.

We don't live long enough to make all the mistakes ourselves.
 
My niece is a professional filmmaker. She suggested I use the free Davinci Resolve if I was on a budget and didn't mind relearning a UI, or Final Cut Pro if I was willing to spend money and wanted something easier to use for a iMovie veteran.

Then after looking at the specs for my ancient iMac, she suggested sticking to iMovie, which is what I've done. 🤣
 
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