The biggest change in Premiere since the 5.1 release was the addition of support for OHCI capture cards. (This feature first appeared in version 5.1c).
Premiere 6.0 was a competent video-editing package, but, due to an interface that is both clumsier and slower to use than that of many competing titles, version 6 of the US$549 app didn't make our list of recommended video editors for the PC.
Facing competition from titles including Sonic Foundry Vegas Video 3, Ulead VideoStudio 6, Pinnacle Studio 7 and Apple's own Final Cut Pro 3, Adobe, in July 2002, finally added real-time effects support with its announcement of Premiere 6.5. This feature, already offered by virtually all of its competitors except Apple's low-end iMovie, allows video enthusiasts to try out different effects without waiting through lengthy rendering cycles.
In addition, the new version includes expanded tools for creating title sequences including 90 titling fonts, more than 30 After Effects plug-ins and new sound-editing tools.
Note, however, that several key features are supported only in the Windows version of the program. Mac users miss out on the three audio plug-ins that allow PC users to sweeten audio reverb, EQ and dynamics directly within Premiere -- or any other DirectX audio-compatible program. Apple users get a standalone audio recording application (TC Works' SparkLE) instead.
Also, Mac users miss out on the ability to render files for DVD, Super Video CD, and Video CD via the new Adobe MPEG Encoder. It, like import and export support for Windows Media files, is for Windows only.
Those aiming to author DVDs are better off with the Windows retail version, too: it includes Sonic DVDit! LE software; Adobe expects Mac users to pony up an extra $1000 bucks for Apple's DVD Studio Pro to achieve similar results.
On the bright side, Premiere 6.5 for Mac is OS X-native for the first time. The Windows version supports Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP. Upgrades are US$149.
Find out more at http://www.adobe.com/
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