Support for latest video formats and a batch-media encoder, but supporting apps have seen little upgrading.

There was a time when semi-professional video editors and home-video enthusiasts had little choice but Adobe Premiere. Back then, video capture and output depended on proprietary hardware, which often only worked with its bundled software.

Not only slightly cheaper than the last version, but now Encore CS3 and OnLocation CS3 are included too.

A massive bundle worth the extra money, containing absolutely every tool a video producer might need.

Canopus first made its name providing top-notch 3Dfx cards. Realising the deadly competitiveness and pace of that market, however, Canopus has moved on and repositioned itself as a company specialising in video editing.

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There’s so much to like about this package that it might just be worth switching operating systems to get hold of it.

Excellent features and performance, but it’s pricey and you need a suitably powerful PC to make the most of it.

A new interface, smart albums, guided editing and photo merging keep Photoshop Elements ahead of the pack

As it focuses more on the new user, beginners will find this release easy to get to grips with.

A more mature version, taking it from sound cleaning and score creation to a powerful soundtrack composition tool.

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Not content with dominating the semi-professional end of video editing, Matrox has reworked its 'Power of X' technology for a more humble audience.

Yet another leap forward for After Effects, which cements its status as the leading PC video compositing tool.

Packed with features and closer to Adobe Premiere Elements, CyberLink PowerDirector 8 is close, but still not close enough.

Not so long ago, Pinnacle concentrated on manufacturing graphics hardware and bundling third-party software with it. These days the company provides its own digital video editing software and makes no bones about competing with Adobe's Premiere.

The first Corel-branded VideoStudio adds one exciting new tool and lots of little improvements.

It's the return of the twin graphics chip powered laptop, but this time Core2 Duo power is under the hood.

Great real-time performance, particularly with high definition footage. But the EDIUS Pro software still needs a few more features to usurp the competition.