All Video editors

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1, 1.5 GHz or faster (Windows), Intel Multicore (Mac) 1.5 GHz, DVD-ROM, Internet connection, 1280 x 900 monitor resolution, OpenGL compatible graphics card, 1.5 GHz or faster (Windows), Intel Multicore (Mac), 1.5 GHz, Windows, QuickTime 7.4.5

The Bottom Line: Adobe CS3 Production Premium is ideal if you handle a mix of design, animation and editing tasks for video, the Web, and mobile gadgets. However, beginners should think twice about the splurge, and film pros without deep animation needs should probably stick to Apple Final Cut Studio 2 or AVID.

The Bottom Line: Roxio Popcorn 2 is a simple and excellent solution for users who have lots of unencrypted DVDs that they want to copy or who have video files sitting on their hard drive that they wish could be on their video-friendly iPod.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.0.4, 2, MacOS

Editors' Take: Final Cut Express HD is Apple's first affordable high-end video application to include the HDV standard.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 500 MHz, 500 MHz, MacOS

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 3 GHz, 4, CD-ROM, USB port, Sound card, XGA monitor, Internet connection, 3 GHz, Windows, DirectX 9.0 or later

Specs: 1 user, License, Windows

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, CD-ROM, Sound card, Windows