This program includes everything you need to edit your home videos and create DVDs or export to several other options. When the program is launched, the screen resolution is increased if not at the required level, and it is returned to the previous level automatically when the program is closed.

If your computer is equipped with the necessary hardware, the program accepts input from a digital camcorder, VCR, video clips and graphic files of many formats. I found guidance through the movie making process straight forward and better than most for similar programs I have used. I hasten to add that it does require reasonable study of the installed Help files and the tutorial that can be downloaded from the web (www.arcsoft.com), plus some practice. I completed a relatively simple project without needing to become very proficient although being familiar with other editing programs helped. However, time and more experience will be required to utilize the many editing and authoring features offered by the program. A Quick DVD option is available that presents a wizard that walks you through each step of the process to capture and create a movie. This provides an especially easy route to transfer video from a camcorder to DVD.

Typically, a project (called an Album) is started by inputting or selecting the video files to be used and then adding text, graphics & photos (can be yours), transitions and special effects from the large collections provided. Included are sample animations, stills, colors, videos, and audio bites. These are placed on a Storyboard template strip where individual or all the scenes can be previewed, trimmed and rearranged in any order desired. You also can change the clip playing speed and enhance picture color, which I found especially useful. An introduction clip or a slide show can be created and customized for inclusion in the overall video or for a stand-alone product. The preview window at the side of the screen has buttons to print the current frame in the widow, save it to a standard image file or expand the widow over the entire monitor screen.

A total of three audio tracks are available. One is the audio embedded into the video components and the other two can be used to include music, sound effects, narration, etc. Multiple files can be added to each track and the volume adjusted at any point and for any duration. Several program options provide the means to create special menus, backgrounds and themes for different albums. Each video file can be added as a separate chapter in your DVD movie or can be divided into multiple chapters grouped together under a subsection. When ready, the assembly is compiled for exporting and saving to any of several format options (DV, VCD, AVI, WMV or MOV) for writing to a disk, saving on the hard drive or transferring to a digital camcorder or a VCR.

In my opinion, this is very satisfactory program. It is relatively simple to use and contains all the editing and DVD authoring features that I (an amateur) could want. The Help file includes an extensive list of keyboard options for those who prefer this vs. actions by tab and mouse .The fact that the program can utilize AVI video files directly is particularly useful for me since I import many old analog video tapes to AVI files via a Dazzle ^TM Hollywood DV-Bridge.