Video editors

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, 1.5 GHz or faster (Windows), Intel Multicore (Mac) 1.5 GHz, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, 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: Adobe Premiere Elements 2 is a great video editor for those willing to take the time and effort to learn it.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP1, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1, 800 MHz, 2.0, CD-ROM, XGA monitor, DirectX 9.0 compatible sound card, 800 MHz, Windows

The Bottom Line: Despite some stability problems, Pinnacle Studio 9.0 is a remarkably powerful video editor and authoring app for both home and professional use.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, 800 MHz, 9, CD-ROM, Sound card, Graphics card, 800 MHz, Windows

The Bottom Line: Most video enthusiasts won't miss what Apple omitted from this pared-down, affordable incarnation of Final Cut Pro.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.2, 40 MB, PowerPC G3 300 MHz, 256 MB, CD-ROM, IEEE 1394 FireWire port, PowerPC G3, 300 MHz, MacOS

Specs: Complete package, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, 2 GHz, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, DirectX 9.0 compatible sound card, DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics card, 2 GHz, Windows, QuickTime 7.x, Internet Explorer 6.0

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, 1 GHz, DVD-ROM, Sound card, XGA monitor, DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics card, 1 GHz, Windows

Specs: 1 User, Complete Package, Windows