While Nero Video is more affordable than many other video editing software we have evaluated, it boasts features such as 4K effects and templates, the capacity to export HEVC H.265, and even the importation of 8K content. The software from Nero also has some notable capabilities when it comes to handling your digital video content. However, there are trade-offs, including a lack of advanced functions, less refined user interface, and slower operation speed. Specifically, Nero’s project rendering velocity lags behind its competitors, and you won’t find support for cutting-edge techniques like multicam, AI art effects, or contemporary formats such as 360-degree VR. If those features are essential to you, consider our Editors’ Choice applications, such as Corel VideoStudio, CyberLink PowerDirector, and Adobe Premiere Pro (which is recommended for professionals).
The Advanced mode aligns with the traditional concept of editing. Here, each clip is depicted as a rectangle, its length corresponding to the clip’s duration. You can utilize multiple tracks, permitting clips to overlap. Trimming clips is a breeze – simply drag their edges inward. Several tools on the right allow you to select multiple clips, divide a clip, and the magnet tool assists in aligning your clips to edit points, making it easier to position footage accurately as you rearrange it on the timeline or introduce new ones from My Media.
Switching between the two modes is possible, but any modifications made in ‘Advanced Editing’ won’t be preserved once you revert to ‘Express Editing’. Adding to the frustration, if you attempt to return to ‘Advanced Editing’, you will be asked whether you want to commence a new advanced project or reopen the existing one. If you opt for the former, all your preceding ‘Advanced’ work will be wiped out; if you select the latter, all the work accomplished since reverting to ‘Express’ will be discarded. It’s essentially a no-win situation, so it’s advisable to remain in one mode during a project or switch modes only once if necessary.
Both editing modes come with dedicated tracks for adding music or a narration to your project. However, regardless of the interface you pick, your options may seem somewhat restricted. The overall aesthetic of the software, reminiscent of early consumer editors from the late 90s, contributes to the feeling that it hasn’t incorporated more recent advancements in the field.
There are, of course, exceptions like the capacity to edit vertical video (a feature TikTok enthusiasts will appreciate), with a straightforward method to reframe a clip if it was shot in landscape. So, at least there’s that!
In this video editing application, there are two editing modules which are: Express Editing and Advanced Editing. The difference between these two modules is similar to that between storyboard editing and timeline editing.
One major difference in Nero Video is that one cannot switch back and forth between the two modules. So, you can make a project in Express Editing (storyboard) mode and then switch to Advanced Editing (timeline) keeping you project intact.
But once you make even a single edit in Advanced module, you are barred from returning to Express mode. This video editing application has a huge list of phenomenal video editing tools which allows you to construct a spell-bounding video.
However, its interface, workflow, and the organizational structure are quite confusing and counterintuitive, majorly for users who have some experience with other video editing software.
Having said that, once you get mastery on using the tools, they will work well and will yield quite impressive results. It also has motion text effects, disc menu templates, and tilt-shift.
Nero provides great online support for Nero Video, but it is somewhat difficult to find – the corresponding support link which is buried at the bottom of the homepage. This link also gives you access to a knowledgebase and a forum of FAQs.
The option to call technical support is also available, but it will cost you $1.29 per minute. We would have really appreciated this software if it has provided free technical support.
Summary
Nero Video is an acceptable option when it comes to video editing software. It offers great tools which allow you to create videos and share them with your family, friends and rest of the world. However, it lacks few of the intuitive usability that segregates good software from the best video editing applications.