Corel Videostudio Pro X8 Review

This is my Corel VideoStudio review covering the latest versions of Corel’s popular and feature packed consumer video editing software suites.

VideoStudio has been around for quite some time now and is a well matured, stable program which has benefited from active development since its inception.

In fact my very first copy of VideoStudio was version 6 under the now defunct Ulead name back in 2004!

Since purchasing the program from Ulead many years ago Corel have maintained a philosophy of engaging with and consulting their most active users on their excellent “user to user” forum.

VideoStudio Pro 2020 and VideoStudio Ultimate 2020 are both great examples of what can happen when a software company like Corel listens and makes an effort to not just correct errors, but to anticipate and satisfy future needs.

Join Gripps for his review of the new Corel VideoStudio Pro X8! Unleash your creativity with features including Freeze Frame, Audio Ducking & new Creative Overlay options. Powerful add-ons from NewBlue make it easier than ever to create amazing looking movies! Corel VideoStudio Ultimate X8 combines the streamlined editing tools and creative power of the Pro version with 10 premium special effects apps to help you make your most ambitious projects a reality. New Audio Ducking automatically detects audio and narration to keep foreground and background sound balanced. Corel VideoStudio Pro 2020 offers a complete package for making your own HD movies. While the newly optimized software allows for faster results, the feature set doesn't offer much that is different from the market leaders. But it's an easy-to-use package with a lot going for it. Add discount code: 10CORELSAVE for a further 10% off. This coupon code is available until November 31st, 2020. Re: Corel Videostudio X8 ultimate vs sony vegas In reply to apekkpul. Jul 23, 2015 I am not familiar the corel product, but most NLE allow you to select and change the quality of the various export codec bit rates. Admittedly I have been a Corel user since the days the previous company called Ulead made VideoStudio, so I guess I am somewhat biased with my review. My last version I had installed on my PC running Windows 8.1 was VideoStudio X6, but having recently moved to Windows 10, I decided to 'upgarde' to Videostudio X8 - albeit I bought the software.

The result of this has been steady forward improvement in the functionality, usability and stability of each year’s final release candidates.

I have no reservations in recommending Corel VideoStudio Pro 2020 or Ultimate 2020 to anyone looking for fully featured editing software program at this level.

It does everything it is supposed to do, does it very well and easily holds its own against the competition in the consumer grade editing software market.

Check out the video below to get an idea of what the software has to offer but bear two things in mind while you are watching.

First, the video was produced using VideoStudio Ultimate 2020… which is a good thing.

Second, it is an ad after all, so let’s not get too carried away just yet!

VideoStudio Pro versus VideoStudio Ultimate

Before we go any further let’s first of all take a look at the differences between the standard Pro version of VideoStudio 2020 and the Ultimate version.

The software is competitively priced within its market however by going from Pro 2020 to the Ultimate 2020 version you get some serious bang for your extra $20.00!

The two are essentially the same core editing programs having mostly comparable feature sets.

The real difference lies in the added features and functionality you get from the set of premium special effects packs and add-ons in the Ultimate version.

It is important to note that these extra modules are mostly plugins which integrate into the overall program and it is these that give VideoStudio Ultimate 2020 the pro tools appearing in many of the consumer level products these days.

Some brands have opted for developing their own integrated modules to extend the capabilities of their software.

Others like Corel have simply turned to the experts in their respective fields and incorporated those features into the main program through the use of plugins like these.

Neither system is superior or inferior to the other, however the real difference is in how the company has achieved that integration.

In the case of Corel that integration has been executed very well.

The additional features you get with the Ultimate 2020 version are:

Premium special FX packs from Prodad, NewBlue FX and Boris which takes the total number of effects, filters etc from 1500 up to around 2000.
In the multicam editing module you can simultaneously edit up to 6 clips at a time rather than the 4 on offer in Pro 2020.
The video mask creator.
Full color grading including the new Color Wheel feature.
Morph and seamless transitions.
3D Titling Editor.
Split screen template creator.
Advanced Video Stabilization

So What’s New and Improved?

First of all let’s be clear that this is not a “bells and whistles” update full of bright shiny objects designed to make the marketing department’s life easier.

In this release of VideoStudio 2020 the majority of the new or improved features are either consolidations of existing features into a more advanced form or genuinely useful upgrades to the core program.

So in no particular order here they are:

Rendering

First up the rendering engine itself has been updated to take advantage of the latest video hardware acceleration technologies from Intel and NVIDIA.

In most cases this should improve performance overall in speeding up rendering to popular file formats, including new support for output video with Alpha channel.

Color Grading

In VideoStudio Pro 2020 they have pretty much stayed with the existing color correction module which is perfectly fine for the average user.

However in VideoStudio Ultimate 2020 they have introduced advanced color correction and color grading tools allowing the use of HSL tuning, tone curves and more.

You can now use LUT (Lookup Tables) profiles in the software as well as store your own pre-sets to use later in other projects.

Improved Video Masking

The Video Mask creator has been re-worked to offer far greater control as well as more blending modes and better integration with other features.

Painting Creator

You can now create custom animated overlays using a selection of brushes which have been ported over from Corel’s graphics programs Painter® and PaintShop® Pro.

Using this tool you can record your brush strokes as you work allowing you add your completed graphics to your video.

They can be integrated as a as a static graphic asset, or as I mentioned already, an animated effect.

Corel Videostudio Pro X10

MultiCam Capture™

This feature allows you to capture footage live such as recording the screen as well as a webcam at the same time.

This feature then integrates with the MultiCam Editor to allow you to switch between devices in an easy way.

The Mask Creator and the Titling Module have been upgraded to offer greater options and better control.

Most of the included plugins from NewBlue, Prodad and Boris have been updated to more recent versions.

For the full rundown on what plugins come with which version just click here for the Feature Comparison Chart.

And finally! Speed and Performance

As has been the case with most major updates of VideoStudio Pro 2020 and VideoStudio Ultimate 2020 for the past few years, Corel have paid particular attention to optimizing the program for a smother and faster editing and rendering experience.

Both VideoStudio Pro 2020 and VideoStudio Ultimate 2020 can take full advantage of the latest video hardware acceleration technologies from Intel and NVIDIA improving efficiency and dramatically speeding up rendering to modern file formats.

So that’s it for what new and improved or enhanced… on to the review!

VideoStudio 2020 is now the newest version available

Explore everything new since our launch of VideoStudio X8! Our new video software has some new features that you are going to love. Multi-camera support, 360° video support, and many more video and top of the line audio tools make this version of VideoStudio our most powerful version yet. We think you will agree with us, so try it out for yourself and see what you think.

Access free valuable resources when you upgrade from VideoStudio X8.