Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, 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 Premiere Elements 2 is a great video editor for those willing to take the time and effort to learn it.

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

The Bottom Line: This light version of Premiere Pro successfully brings that package's power to home users.

Specs: 1 user, 1.0, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, CD-ROM, XGA monitor, IEEE 1394 FireWire port, Intel Pentium, 800 MHz, Windows

The Bottom Line: Ulead has greatly improved VideoStudio with tools for all levels of users, though it's not without its problems.

Specs: 1 user, 9, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Sound card, XGA monitor, 800 MHz, Windows

The Bottom Line: MovieFactory 4.0 Disc Creator Edition is a terrific option for burning discs, although we wish its tools were a little more flexible. We still recommend Nero for hard-core users and Roxio EasyCD for the less tech savvy, but this is a worthy contender.

Specs: 1 user, 4, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows 2000, Sound card, CD-R, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-RW, DVD+RW, XGA monitor, Mouse or compatible device, 800 MHz, Windows, Macromedia Flash Player 7, Windows Media Player 9.0, DirectX 9.0, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

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, MacOS

The Bottom Line: VideoStudio 8.0 is a good pick for beginners who want to create and customize videos and DVDs.

The Bottom Line: If you're ready for advanced video editing and you have a Mac G4 or better, look no further.

Specs: 1 user, 4.0, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.2.5, 1 GB, AGP graphics card, PowerPC G4 - 350 MHz, 384 MB, MacOS

The Bottom Line: This is a great tool for experimentalists who want to tweak under the hood for more power and better performance.

Specs: 1 user, 7.0, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows 2000, CD-ROM, 500 MHz, Windows

The Bottom Line: Adobe improves its popular midrange nonlinear video editor with real-time previewing, a new titling tool, audio effects, and DVD authoring.

Specs: 1 user, 6.5, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, 600 MB, CD-ROM, Pentium III - 500 MHz, 128 MB, Windows