Adobe Premier Pro

The latest version of video-editing software from Adobe Systems Inc., Premier Pro 1.5, gives users real-time tools that provide precise management for virtually every aspect of video production, Adobe says. Frame-accurate control for short- and long-format projects enable precise results for every edit; a new project-manager feature simplifies consolidating, moving, and archiving content; and new audio and video plug-ins enable users to enhance the quality of the entire production.

Built to perform best on Microsoft Windows XP systems, Premier Pro 1.5 now integrates more fully with other Adobe products, such as Adobe After Effects 6.5, Photoshop CS, and Encore DVD 1.5. All of these applications use and recognize common elements and share familiar interface standards. Adobe says its latest software delivers the power and precision for outstanding performance on projects ranging from student or educator presentations to feature-length films.

Adobe Premier Pro 1.5 is available at a retail price of $699, though the company provides education and volume licensing discounts through third-party providers.

(800) 833-6687

http://www.adobe.com/education

Apple's Final Cut Studio

Final Cut Studio, a new suite of tools from Apple Computer, bundles together several applications, including Apple's high-definition (HD) digital video editor, Final Cut Pro 5; Soundtrack Pro, an audio editing tool; the graphics animator Motion 2; and a DVD authoring program, DVD Studio Pro 4. It retails for $1,299 but costs just $399 for schools. Volume licensing discounts also are available. The additional maintenance program, which costs $399, provides free upgrades for a period of 36 months. Anyone who purchased the maintenance plan for Final Cut Pro can upgrade to Studio at no additional charge, said Kirk Paulson, Apple's senior director of professional application marketing.

"We're providing [these customers with] the ability to produce [videos] in high definition with no incremental cost," Paulson said. "There hasn't been any other suite of applications that is as complete or integrated as the Final Cut suite."

Final Cut Studio is a professional-grade tool that allows you to edit video and audio files on a laptop or desktop computer without the need for additional hardware. Motion 2 is a real-time graphics engine that animates text and objects on the screen. Soundtrack Pro helps editors perfect their soundtrack with music, dialog, and sound effects. Filters can remove wind, a cough, or the sound of an airplane overhead. Plus, there are 4,000 music loops and 1,000 sound effects to choose from, including scary or mystery music, footsteps, doors opening and closing, cars starting, and so on. Once a project is complete, you can compress the video for the web or burn it to a DVD in HD. It's important that students start learning to edit in high definition, Paulson said, because that's where the industry is headed.