Adobe Systems Inc. Music and video

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

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, 1.4 GHz or faster for DV, 3.4 GHz for HDV 2 GHz, Dual 2.8 GHz for HD (Windows), Intel Multicore (Mac), DVD-ROM, Sound card, 1280 x 900 monitor resolution, 7200 RPM or faster hard drive, OpenGL compatible graphics card, 1.4 GHz or faster for DV, 3.4 GHz for HDV, Dual 2.8 GHz for HD (Windows), Intel Multicore (Mac), 2 GHz, Windows, QuickTime 7.x

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

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 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1, 2 GHz or faster for DV, 3.4 GHz for HDV 2 GHz, Dual 2.8 GHz for HD (Windows), Intel Multicore (Mac), DVD-ROM, Sound card, Internet connection, 1280 x 900 monitor resolution, 7200 RPM or faster hard drive, OpenGL compatible graphics card, 2 GHz or faster for DV, 3.4 GHz for HDV, Dual 2.8 GHz for HD (Windows), Intel Multicore (Mac), 2 GHz, Windows, QuickTime 7.4.5

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.4.11 - 10.5.4, 4, DVD-ROM, Internet connection, 1280 x 900 monitor resolution, 7200 RPM or faster hard drive, OpenGL compatible graphics card, Core Audio compatible sound card, MacOS, QuickTime 7.4.5

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, 2 GHz, 8, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, DirectX 9.0 compatible sound card, DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics card, 2 GHz, Windows, QuickTime 7.x

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 1.4 GHz, 3, DVD-ROM, 16 MB video memory, Internet connection, 1280 x 900 monitor resolution, DirectX compatible sound card, 1.4 GHz, Windows, QuickTime 7.0 or later

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, 1.4 GHz, DVD-ROM, SXGA monitor, Internet connection, DirectX compatible sound card, 1.4 GHz, Windows, QuickTime 7.1.2