Magix Movie Edit Pro 17 Plus HD Review

“Its clear Magix has developed a fantastic piece of software full of professional features which seamlessly integrate into one easy to use package.”

Magix Movie Edit Pro 17 Plus HD boasts as being the next dimension of video editing, so we decided to take a closer look to see if this bold statement lives up to its expectation.

Installation
Immediately upon placing the software installation DVD into your computers CD drive, Magix ensure you are greeted with a simple installation welcome screen which provides you with a number of options.  The first is the ability to install the main software, and the second is the option of installing bonus software such as Photo Manager 9, Mufin Player 1.5 and proDAD Heroglyph 2.6 to name a few.

Although the initial installation screen is clearly laid out, the language options could be made more prominent than two small flags tucked away at the bottom of the screen.

For UK users particularly, it’s well worth noting that the default language is set to American, with the UK flag slightly grayed out. Clicking the UK flag easily changes the language setting, however, a more prominent language option would be an advantage.

With that said, if you’re new or familiar with installing software, you will have no problems in getting Move Edit Pro up and running.

The overall installation phase was completed with ease, had clear step-by-step instructions throughout and, was installed within a matter of minutes.

Layout
One element of Magix’s software we really like, is the company’s ability to incorporate professional features, yet present them in one easy to use interface. Movie Edit Pro 17 Plus HD is no different, with a whole host of professional additions including the Multi-Cam Mode, 3D editing capability and a full HD work flow. Additionally, Magix also make learning these pro extras a breeze, and provide built-in video guides on importing, editing and sharing your movies.

The new layout makes tasks such as setting up new projects straight forward, with, at a minimum, the user only requiring to name the movie file. A simple drop down list of pre-defined video setting is available to choose from, allowing you to easily set up your movie in either SD, HD, PAL NTSC etc. You do have to click the ‘options’ button to reveal these extra settings however. For the more advanced user, you can define your own video settings, which include custom video dimensions, aspect rations, frames per second and more.

After the initial movie configuration, you are immediately taken to the softwares main editing interface, which provides a sleek feel with its black/grey colour scheme.

The modern interface allows elements such as the video monitor and timeline to be expanded or contracted, allowing you to arrange your working interface to fit the size of your monitor comfortably.

Further evidence that Magix has developed Movie Edit Pro with the consumer in mind is apparent upon examining the way the software is laid out, with the Video Monitor, File Browser and Timeline making up the user interface. Nothing is there that does not have a purpose.

Easy access to important features such as titles, effects and video transitions can be accessed via the tabbed navigation menu found just above the File Browser. If that wasn’t enough, there is also access to all of the effects via the ‘effects’ menu found in the horizontal menu bar, providing a more traditional approach to accessing program features if desired. Quick access to the title tool, cut/scene split options and advanced editing features such as multi-track ripple is available from just above the timeline for quick and easy access.

Switching between editing, burning and export modes is as easy as one click, but the navigation buttons are slightly out of sight in the top right hand corner, and could be more prominent. Some users may have to look hard to see them.

Importing Video
Transferring video from your Camcorder to your Computer was once a major chore for many Amateur Video Makers, luckily, however, Magix has made this as simple as pressing the red record button.

Capturing video is no longer a problem, with dropped frames and stunted video usually the order of the day. One click of the large record button found just below the video monitor initiates the record options.

Upon opening the capture window, you are greeted with three very different import methods. The first allows for AVCHD import, next you can record video from a HDV Camera, and last, the good old DV, which has the option to record as MPEG to save hard drive space.

There are also options to record from Analogue TV, capture Audio, record your PC Screen and even the ability to work in conjunction with your Webcam or TV card. A clearer explanation of each option is available upon rolling your mouse over each recording format.

Importing AVCHD files is pretty straightforward thanks to Magix’s simplistic approach. Simply set the video source folder, choose the clips you want to import and let Movie Edit Pro do the rest. Your video files will be imported into your project in a format ready for you to begin editing.

The import from Camera option is as easy as it could be, with the software recognising the Camcorder almost immediately. The capture screen may initially look discouraging to a novice, but closer inspection reveals that it’s not to difficult to grasp.

Controlling the camera or video deck is easy during capture via firewire, with the recognised play, fast forward and rewind buttons ever apparent under the capture window, with the capture preview providing a a perfect approach to monitoring captured video.

On top of this, there is also the ability to batch record, which ads a very professional feature to a video editor of this price range.

Editing

With your footage captured, your next task is to begin the fun element of movie making – editing.

To begin, you need to add the desired clips to your timeline. This can be achieved with ease thanks to Magix’s simple drag and drop interface. To get started, you choose which clips you want to include in your move and drag them from the media pool into your projects timeline.

Editing your clips by shortening and cutting away unwanted footage is as easy as using the split tool found conveniently just above the main timeline interface.

Adding titles to spice up your video is also pretty straight forward, with one click of the ‘T’ button initiating the title properties which overlays on the video monitor for easy access. Font style and colour can be easily changed using the available control panel which appears on screen when the text control is in operation. There are also preset title animation effects, including end credit title scrolling, 3D titles and more you can choose from.

Transitions can also be accessed and added with ease. Simply clicking the fades tab will provide you with an array of transitions, which include the traditional dissolve, fade and the more creative 3D and wacky variants. Transitions are easily applied via the simple drag and drop system, with the duration easily set in seconds via the small properties box which appears just below the file browser. We do feel this feature could be made more prominent which could prove difficult to spot for novice users.

Magix Movie Edit Pro 17 Plus HD also comes bundled with a huge selection of video effects, with some being far more advanced than we initially anticipated.

The colour correction feature provides great control over altering your image colour. The software also has the ability to perform chromakey techniques, as well as providing you with the option for the more traditional effects such as speed control, art filters and more. Applying transitions is, again, drag and drop and can achieved with ease.

Magix is shipped with the ability to cope with up to 32 video tracks, providing plenty of scope for the more advanced video editors who may want to layer video for maximum on screen effects.

Including voice over’s and music is as simple as browsing for the files using the media pool and dragging them into your projects timeline. Magix also provides you with the ability to easily control audio volume and add audio effects. Cleaning up your audio has never been easier with a full array of preset audio filters.

With excellent editing features and ease of use, Magix stands out from the crowd in this stage of the editing process!

Sharing

Having completed your edit, you now need to export your movie into a format which can be viewed by family, friends or the entire world.

Magix provides you with two easy options to choose from, Burn or Export.

Clicking the Burn tab allows you to easily author a DVD from your compiled movie and takes you directly to the built in DVD menu creator.

Upon initial inspection, a novice user may feel slightly ‘put off’ by the interface of creating a DVD, however, Magix guides you through the entire process step by step via the introductory videos available from the help menu.

The DVD authoring feature also houses some professional pre-designed DVD menu templates, which offer excellent results, fast.

Advanced DVD authoring features such as chapter menus – complete with music, intro videos, and the ability to design your own menu theme  adds to the professional features included within the software.

Burning your DVD is as simple as clicking the small burn icon, or can be initiated via the task menu.

Options for DVD burning formats are presented, with Movie Edit Pro offering DVD, WMCHD, Blu-ray Disc and AVCHD as preset standard burning formats. You can also access further authoring options by clicking the ‘Other Options’ button, which presents you with the ability to burn a MultiDisc, Mini DVD, JPEG Disc or even a Backup Disc. A short explanation of each format is revealed upon rolling your mouse over the option.

Having chosen your format, you are ready to burn you DVD, of which Magix will guide you through the entire process with ease.

If you’re looking for an alternative to burning a DVD, Magix also offers the ability to export your movie to a number of other popular formats, including 3D, on your computer, to devices such as Smartphones, Memory Cards and even directly onto online portals such as YouTube, Vimeo and Facebook.

Each option provides easy to follow steps, with you simply choosing the video quality and video format at the very minimum.

The YouTube upload feature is handy for regular YouTubers and offers the ability to upload directly to the video sharing website. Magix requires you input everything from Title, Description, Category and more, and you don’t even have to visit the website to upload your movie, it’s all done from within Magix’s easy interface.

Magix does not disappoint in the export department, although the DVD menu creation tool could be made a little easier for more novice users.

Overview
Its clear Magix has developed a fantastic piece of software full of professional features which seamlessly integrate into one easy to use package.

Although Movie Edit Pro 17 Plus HD is not without faults or improvements, most notably enhancements such as making basic function more prominent on the user interface, the overall feeling towards the software is that it proved beyond our expectations for software within this price range.

With professional and futuristic features, Magix have set the standard for the industry to follow.

Excellent software, which is available at fantastic value.

You can pick up Magix Movie Edit Pro 17 Plus HD from Amazon, who currently have the software at great prices.