Hey all,
I am looking to replace my prehistoric iMac sometime in the coming months with either a new iMac or PC. I do like the compact nature of the iMac... but I'm not sure if a PC would have better options, etc. -- I need some advice for what I should go with for what stuff I primarily will be doing with it. Excuse me if I ramble a bit but here we go...
Basically what I am looking to do primarily with my computer is to make movies/video projects and burn them to Blu-ray discs, edit and mix audio tracks, keep an extensive iTunes library and have a software with the ability to design and print professional looking disc artwork stickers and case artwork for my projects (I used to have a program and stickering/labeling equipment made by Avery back in my high school days). Back in my early DVD production days... the programs iMove HD (with its awesome but effective simplicity) and iDVD (with the ability to make several menus with custom music tracks, chapter selection, etc. etc.) and the Avery labeling program I previous mentioned, had served me very well. They didn't always look 100% professional but for an early student project, it certainly didn't look too shabby.
Basically that's the key here... I'm looking to create as professional looking Blu-ray movies without the use of super complex programs. I bought Final Cut Express years ago but once I opened it and took a look at the interface, I found that too complicated and daunting. Maybe I was just too young? I don't know... but compared to iMove HD, it looked fairly challenging to grasp. I'm not too fond of the current version of iMovie on the Mac compared to the very old version... but I manage. I'm not sure if there's any better and easier to use software out there (for Mac or PC or both) that would allow for professional and simple video file production. From there, I am looking to import my movie into a Blu-ray creation software that not only looks professional (I am basically trying to emulate a Disney DVD or Blu-ray in menu design quality here) but is also easy enough to use. I want to have customizable menus with a Play button, Chapters or Scenes button that I can select and name etc. (similar to iDVD), perhaps even a link to a Bonus Features menu, etc. etc. I also need a good Blu-ray burner to whip my projects off with... I'm just wondering if PC offers better video production software than a Mac does. Or if I can stick with Mac without much hassle in doing so. And finally... I'll be in need of some label design and print software for my disc artwork and case artwork. Does anybody know anything good for that? My old Avery one came with a little sticker to disc placer thing that you could put the sticker face down on the base and the disc face down on the center pedestal and then press down and the sticker would fix perfectly dead-center to the disc. It was quite handy... so something like that would be good!
Does anything exist like this in 4K yet? Or is Blu-ray as far as we've come for that??
If those who can offer assistance could link me to systems, hardware and software that they think could get these projects done... and maybe provide a little information on them... that would be amazing!
Thanks in advance for any advice and tips everyone!
I am looking to replace my prehistoric iMac sometime in the coming months with either a new iMac or PC. I do like the compact nature of the iMac... but I'm not sure if a PC would have better options, etc. -- I need some advice for what I should go with for what stuff I primarily will be doing with it. Excuse me if I ramble a bit but here we go...
Basically what I am looking to do primarily with my computer is to make movies/video projects and burn them to Blu-ray discs, edit and mix audio tracks, keep an extensive iTunes library and have a software with the ability to design and print professional looking disc artwork stickers and case artwork for my projects (I used to have a program and stickering/labeling equipment made by Avery back in my high school days). Back in my early DVD production days... the programs iMove HD (with its awesome but effective simplicity) and iDVD (with the ability to make several menus with custom music tracks, chapter selection, etc. etc.) and the Avery labeling program I previous mentioned, had served me very well. They didn't always look 100% professional but for an early student project, it certainly didn't look too shabby.
Basically that's the key here... I'm looking to create as professional looking Blu-ray movies without the use of super complex programs. I bought Final Cut Express years ago but once I opened it and took a look at the interface, I found that too complicated and daunting. Maybe I was just too young? I don't know... but compared to iMove HD, it looked fairly challenging to grasp. I'm not too fond of the current version of iMovie on the Mac compared to the very old version... but I manage. I'm not sure if there's any better and easier to use software out there (for Mac or PC or both) that would allow for professional and simple video file production. From there, I am looking to import my movie into a Blu-ray creation software that not only looks professional (I am basically trying to emulate a Disney DVD or Blu-ray in menu design quality here) but is also easy enough to use. I want to have customizable menus with a Play button, Chapters or Scenes button that I can select and name etc. (similar to iDVD), perhaps even a link to a Bonus Features menu, etc. etc. I also need a good Blu-ray burner to whip my projects off with... I'm just wondering if PC offers better video production software than a Mac does. Or if I can stick with Mac without much hassle in doing so. And finally... I'll be in need of some label design and print software for my disc artwork and case artwork. Does anybody know anything good for that? My old Avery one came with a little sticker to disc placer thing that you could put the sticker face down on the base and the disc face down on the center pedestal and then press down and the sticker would fix perfectly dead-center to the disc. It was quite handy... so something like that would be good!
Does anything exist like this in 4K yet? Or is Blu-ray as far as we've come for that??
If those who can offer assistance could link me to systems, hardware and software that they think could get these projects done... and maybe provide a little information on them... that would be amazing!
Thanks in advance for any advice and tips everyone!
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