It’s been nearly 2 years since we last looked at Corel VideoStudio and so the announcement last week of the release of a new version for 2021, called VideoStudio Ultimate 2021 (not surprisingly) is timely.
It turns out there was a 2020 version, but sadly, for whatever reason (and I suspect COVID), we never got to see it.
So what do you get in this latest carnation from industry stalwart Corel which initially made its name in the 80s with the venerable Corel Draw?
Whilst it is fair to say that a lot of the functionality of its more thought of “industry standard” brethren is available in VideoStudio Ultimate 2021 – think Motion Tracking, Masking, special effects, multi-camera editing, colour grading, incorporation of LUTs, transparency, chroma key / green screen, time remapping and time lapse and the like – the program is certainly aimed squarely at the consumer market.
Features such as AR Stickers which allow the user to add face tracking stickers that apparently “enhance emotions and introduce playful moments to your videos” and Instant Project Templates emulating “popular video styles” are things I doubt any professional editor would ever use.
The interface is also designed with a specific purpose in mind, so that a new user can quickly get their hands and rapidly produce videos for social media and even burn video to disc (do people still do that?). The workflow process is broken down via the interface into the tasks of Capture, Edit and Share and tutorials on all aspects are available right there from the main interface.
On the up-side though, 360 degree video along with 4K editing is supported and audio tools, whilst not in the realm of Sound Forge Pro or Audacity, are available for audio sweetening.
For gamers, screen capture is available from within VideoStudio Ultimate 202.
3rd party tools have also been incorporated with Corel calling on ProDAD Mercalli to supply its video stabilisation as well as Vitascene, Handscript and Adorage for effects along with NewBlueFX for further effects and titling.
Video acceleration is also in the mix for Intel, NVIDIA and AMD cards along with CUDA.
For the first time user, or someone moving up from some of the more basic NLEs, Corel VideoStudio Ultimate 2021 is an excellent option as all the functions and features you might want now and in the future are right there.
And at a price of AUD$140 from the Corel on-line shop, it is not a bank breaker. A try-before-you-buy version is also available for download, but bear in mind it is around 5GB for everything.