CyberLink PowerDirector[1] is a
video editing software application for
non-linear video editing, published by
CyberLink Corporation.
PowerDirector allows users to capture, edit and output from within the
software and has semi-professional features suitable for the consumer
level. Its main competitors are
Adobe Premiere Pro and
Elements,
AVS Video Editor,
Ulead VideoStudio,
Pinnacle Studio,and
Sony Vegas Movie Studio. PowerDirector software can be purchased online or in popular computer retail stores.
Version history
PowerDirector Version 4 introduced the magic tools which fix video and photo content and add sound.
PowerDirector Version 5 added a second video track which allows picture-in-picture overlay. Version 4 also allowed for publishing videos directly to YouTube and output to playback devices such as iPod and PSP.
PowerDirector Version 6 (Release Date: Mar 14, 2007) included a menu designer for DVD authoring. MPEG-2 HD and WMV HD video format is supported with the option to write back to HDV tape. A slideshow designer and additional video effects were also included.
PowerDirector Version 7 (Release Date: May 7, 2008) is the first to be sold in two editions: Deluxe and Ultra. The Ultra version allows for Blu-ray Disc and AVCHD on DVD authoring, while both versions support Dolby 5.1 encoding. Version 7 supports up to 6 PiP tracks.
Version 7 introduces DirectorZone. DirectorZone is an effects, templates
and menus download website. There is an option to subscribe to other
creators which gives the opportunity to share effects and templates.
Other notable new features include direct links to Flickr and Freesound,
the option to apply multiple fixes at once using Magic Clean, and beat
detection technology – which syncs audio with movie content.
PowerDirector Version 8 (Release Date: Aug 3, 2009) introduces
a Particle Effects Designer, Power Tools, and Zoom-in Cut for
microscopic frame level editing. Version 8 allows for viewing and
sharing timeline settings for video project, direct Facebook uploads,
new special effects and a full-screen preview.
PowerDirector Version 9 (Release Date: Nov 18, 2010) is
CyberLink's first 64-bit offering and introduces the new TrueVelocity
video rendering engine for much improved rendering speed. Version 9 also
adds a 100-track timeline, customizable particle effects, and
functionality to output videos directly to the iPad, iPhone, iPod,
BlackBerry, PSP, Zune and many other mobile devices.
PowerDirector Version 10 (Release Date: Oct 11, 2011) features
a 2nd generation TrueVelocity rendering engine including support for
OpenCL as well as end-to-end 3D video editing (Ultra version only)[2].
DirectorZone, the companion online community for PowerDirector users,
now boasts over 2 million members and over 200,000 free effects that can
be downloaded and integrated into video projects.
Current version
PowerDirector Version 11 (Release Date: Sep 19, 2012) is the
latest PowerDirector release and features a 3rd generation TrueVelocity
rendering engine with multi-GPGPU acceleration and OpenCL. PowerDirector
11 is also the first consumer video editing software supporting 4K
resolution format. In version 11, PowerDirector further integrates 2 new
software - ColorDirector and AudioDirector in the highest-end version
PowerDirector Ultimate Suite.
Magic tools
PowerDirector has several tools to enhance and edit projects quickly.
The Magic Movie Wizard creates an edited movie with effects and
transitions. Magic Clean reduces ambient noise and enhances the video
color. Magic Cut cuts unedited video to a shorter duration. Magic Fix
fixes red-eye, blurry photos and stabilizes shaky footage. Magic Style
transforms clips into a finished movie. Magic Music creates background
music to match the project length.
SmartSound Magic Music Standard Packages:
Power Director 8: Bach Guitar, Blues To Go, Boulevard Funk, Cold Metal,
Hot & Spicy, Innocence, Island Party, It's cool, Kickin' Back, Motor
City Jam, Movie Logos, Mozart Night, New Vistas, No Borders, Olympic,
Orleans Romp, Piano Sonata, Power Drive, Queen Of Sheba, Rodeo Roundup,
Subterfuge
Power Director 9 & 10: Clear Vision, Feature Presentation, Future
Progress, Global Vibes, Introspective, Julie's Place, Pavane, Run Down,
Super Logo, Wild Chase.
OEM versions
When PowerDirector is bundled with hardware, such as video capture
cards, the version provided is often limited in features compared to the
retail versions. For version 7 of PowerDirector there are 4 separate OEM
versions: LE/LX, HE, DE and SE. The HE version is the most complete,
while the SE version is the least capable. The HE version is the OEM
version of the Ultra retail version and even includes some features not
in the Deluxe retail version, but lacks several features of the retail
versions such as QuickTime, Magic Music, Multiple PiP, Customised
motion, surround sound and includes fewer effects and styles. The other
versions have all the limitations of the HE version but also do not
include features such as precise cut, multiple trim, smart caption,
advanced title control and HDV tape write back. An OEM version usually
entitles the owner to a discounted upgrade to the latest full retail
versions.
