Canon grabs the crown for the most fully featured HDV camcorder for under $1500

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

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

Great audio, but gaming ability hinges on the success of Dolby and DTS

AVCHD support and some useful new effects keep this as the leading entry-level video editor.

Editing performance with HDV remains sluggish, but DV-editing ability is formidable.

This version brings some real improvements, but there are still a few features missing.

Vegas has a huge array of editing features for the money, plus powerful bundled DVD authoring.

Surprisingly powerful for the price, even if the best features are reserved for the more expensive Plus version.

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

Some substantial new abilities, including support for the new wave of high definition optical discs.

Nero 7 Premium Reloaded adds mostly esoteric features to regular disc burning.

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

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

Bring PC-based intelligence and automation to your home with this complete guide. It's cheap and easy to now have the 'Jetsons' house.

HD camcorders enter the mainstream once and for all. With image quality like this, there’s little reason to spend more.

HD DVD support is the big new feature, but the automated ad-removal tool and enhanced menu customisation make this a great app for the money.

With its limited editing features, it would be hard to see anyone choosing PowerDirector 5 over the Adobe, Pinnacle or Ulead competition.

Buffalo is first to show off the recently ratified Draft 802.11n specification, but the Nfiniti doesn’t really showcase its talents

HDV support and seven video tracks make this a massive upgrade, but only for the plus version.