Pinnacle Expression: movies & photos on CD & DVD

Digital video editing is not a single application, but covers a whole spectrum of needs. Expression is designed at the entry-level for the home filmmaker, who may just want a more permanent storage medium than videotape for their home videos.

Expression is a simple program whose purpose in life is to prepare video CDs and DVDs. It's built around three main functions: importing a video; previewing and editing it on screen; and making a DVD or CD from the results. Each section is designed with large, clear graphics so it's very difficult to make the wrong choices.

The program can grab video from your DV camera, load AVI and MPEG clips and import stills from your hard drive, too. You can preview video before grabbing it and choose to detect scenes automatically, using date codes or scene changes. Once imported, the main editing screen opens up and you have a choice of menus to lay down for a DVD-style front-end on your finished disc. There are 45 of these predefined menu styles, but if that isn't enough--and some of the styles may be too "American" for you--you can create your own, specifying background, preview clip positions and text font.

Video editing functions are limited; you can join together separate scenes or split one into two and you can specify a blackout or dissolve between scenes, but that's about it. When it comes to writing your finished video you can choose VideoCD, S-VCD or DVD options, depending on the output media you're using.

Pinnacle also tries to sell Expression as a photo editing and slideshow tool. While it has reasonably good slideshow abilities, including the use of any of five transitions, you wouldn't really buy the product for its stills capability. Photo effects are limited to simple adjustments, such as rotation and colour correction and there are other products available which will give you more flexibility.

Bundled in with Expression is a Neato labelling starter kit and even a DVD-style library case for your first home-burnt DVD. This includes a handy label applicator and a limited supply of inkjet-printable disk labels and case sleeves. Expression works very well at its basic level, but don't expect a lot of versatility in the preparation of your videos. --Simon Williams

With Pinnacle Expression, you can make a CD or DVD of your home movies and photo slideshows compl ete with professional looking menus easier than you ever thought possible. All you need is a persona l computer with a CD or DVD burner, Pinnacle Expression, and a DVD player hooked up to your TV. With only a few mouse clicks, you'll have a disc you'll be proud of that you can share with family and friends, even if you have never edited video or had much experience with a computer. We've made the process as simple and as automatic as possible. Expression even comes with DVD/CD labels, a label applicator, a DVD case, and inserts for your jewel or DVD case. Expression's automatic label creation tool prints your project onto labels and inserts to give your home movies a professional touch.

Pinnacle Expression features all of the following: Capture from you DV camcorder or import video (capture card not included) Built-in Scene Detection creates your menu buttons automatically Import digital photos from your PC's hard drive Edit digital photos (crop, rotate, mirror, colour correction) Create slide shows from your digital photos complete with Hollywood-styl transitions and your own music Slide shows can be fitted to a music track automatically Automatic chapter/menu/label creation Includes pre-made templates for menus and labels or create your own custom menu and labels Preview your project in real time at any time no rendering or waiting Clips may be edited and trimmed before burning to disc Burn to VCD, SVCD or DVD