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Videographers Adopt New Nonlinear Editing Software

Driven by the increased adoption of products for digital video creation, there is an increased availability of enhanced, feature-rich, nonlinear editing solutions for digital media post production applications.

According to the latest market study by Frost & Sullivan, that market had revenues of over $630 million in 2009 and is forecast to exceed $1.0 billion by 2016.

"Software-based nonlinear editing products are quickly making the leap from nice-to-have to need-to-have competitive professional products for both high-end and low-end video segments," says Vidya Subramanian Nath, Global Industry Manager for Digital Media at Frost & Sullivan.

The availability of highly competitive, economical, off-the-shelf products has ensured an increase in millions of professional and prosumer users for nonlinear editing software.

In addition, with increasing efficiencies of PC processors, capture cards, low-priced storage, and networked workflows, popular nonlinear editing software can be used for even high-end applications in broadcast TV and film editing.

While the price advantage has ensured mass penetration of these products, on the flip side, the low price points have had a telling effect on the market's revenue growth.

These products are available for as low as $800 and can be built on a complementary system for $5,000 -- which is typically one-fourth the price of higher-end systems.

To address these challenges, vendors will have to absorb the impact of drivers, such as open-source solutions, digitization, file-based and networked workflows, and high-definition (HD) video in the media market, and create competitive innovative products that are convenient for a versatile creative professional.

The growing avenues for video across multiple media are driving all vendors in the nonlinear editing market out of their respective niches and pushing them to launch competitive products for all segments, including independent professional videographers.

I've previously outlined my experience creating business video content, researching the available software and then selecting a solution that fit my particular application needs. My choice was the Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum software package. The creative video editing capabilities have evolved since that time, but it still meets and exceeds my requirements.

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