Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 & Adobe Premiere Elements 4 [OLD VERSION] Reviews

• A bundle primarily for video editing

  
  By A3GM64N13BILUP on 2007-11-13
  This software bundle is primarily for people that want to do video editing, because that's how the product synergy goes - Photoshop Elements is extremely useful for making DVD menu templates and still images that can be used in Premiere, but Premiere Elements offers very little to those primarily working with still images (the still images Premiere can pull from videos tend to flicker and be of low resolution).
  
  So, if you're looking to buy this bundle, you need to ask yourself this question: are you interested enough in video editing to pay roughly $50.00 extra for such a program when Windows users get a basic video editor for free (most versions of Vista and XP come with Microsoft Movie Maker, but most people don't realize that they have it installed)? If you've used Movie Maker and you want something more powerful, then this package is a great deal. If not... why not try the free option first before investing in both programs?
  
  As to the individual programs... Longer, more detailed reviews for each can be found on their individual product pages. For those that don't feel like searching, though: Photoshop Elements 6 is one of the best versions of the software I've used in years, and I highly recommend it; Premiere Elements 4, on the other hand, is much less stable than the previous version, and ended up being a disappointment. I can still recommend this bundle, but those purchasing it should be aware that Premiere Elements currently has some issues that Adobe needs to address with a patch (a patch that was not available at the time of this writing).
  
  Note about system requirements: Premiere Elements is listed as requiring an Intel Pentium 4 or Celeron 1.7GHz (or compatible) processor (note the lack of support for AMD). RAM for XP is 512MB, 1GB for Vista. Photoshop Elements' requirements are slightly less, and are listed as only needing an Intel Pentium 4, Pentium M, or Intel Centrino 1.3GHz (or compatible) processor. Photoshop Elements also requires less RAM, and is listed at 256MB minimum.
  
  
  

• Elements 6 & Premiere Elements 4 Bundle

  
  By ABSL2SW4R2C5Q on 2007-11-07
  Please be aware that Premiere Elements 4 will NOT run on any computer processor that does not support the SSE2 Instruction set. The following comes from an Adobe Tech Note: Important: The following CPUs do not have SSE2 support and will not work with Adobe Premiere Elements 3.x: Intel Pentium III, AMD Athlon, AMD Athlon XP, or AMD Athlon XP-M.
  Elements 6 does NOT have this limitation. The bundling of the two products would cause one to assume that the requirements for each program was identical.
  Elements is a super program. The cost to upgrade from Elements 5 to 6 is questionable. However an upgrade from any other version of Elements is worth the cost. I cannot comment on Premiere since it would not run on my HP computer.
  Amazon refunded my money. Adobe ignored my protest that the limitation should appear in bold letters in the advertising literature.
  Hurray for Amazon. Shame on Adobe!
  
  
  
  

• Most of the power at a fraction of the price

  
  By A3OXHLG6DIBRW8 on 2007-11-10
  The Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 and Premiere Elements 4 bundle is one of the best values for the home photo/video editor. I use the full version of Photoshop and a fairly pricey video editing (Sony Vegas) package at our business, but needed a powerful yet inexpensive (a relative term, I know) package to use at home. Here are my observations on each package:
  
  Photoshop Elements 6:
  
  At first glance I was disappointed and thought I had made a big mistake as the default interface is fairly simplistic (which is a GOOD thing for most users). Being used to the some of the more advance features (such as "Curves") and the ability to load in templates, the one click tools (while great for the casual user) were a little underwhelming. Not to fear though, the more powerful tools are still available by getting into a different editing mode, which I would have found faster if I had read the somewhat skimpy manual. All in all, it is nice to be able to "one click fix" all of my family photos, and still have the ability to get more powerful tools for the work I bring home with me. This is a fantastic value for the money!
  
  Premiere Elements 4:
  
  Since most of my editing is done on higher dollar packages at work, I was just looking for a home software package to quickly assemble clips, make photo slide shows, and to convert clips for upload to YouTube. This package surprised me with it's drag and drop ease of use. It is fantastic for the home user and does exactly what it says it is going to do. One note about the YouTube integration, it is nothing short of fantastic! I had a clip that was just too big to upload and my expensive work software just was too hard to get the file size and quality they require. Using Premiere Elements, I was able to drop in the large clip, indicate it was for YouTube, and the software did the rest...Including logging in and uploading it to my account right from inside the program. No muss, no fuss, just as advertised!
  
  All in all, I think this is one of the best home user packages available. Simple enough for the basic user with access to the more powerful tools if needed.
  
  

• Great New Look and Feel

  
  By ANMF5A67XWBLP on 2007-10-05
  I just received the new updates today and love what I see so far. I've used Photoshop Elements since 3.0, but have never used Premier Elements. So far, everything is working better than expected and I finally feel like I can edit videos now since Premier Elements has the necessary features and is easy to use. As time goes on, I will probably find some things I feel need improvement but right now both products have exceeded my expectations.
  
  

• Premiere element 4 & photoshop 6

  
  By A3VS4TY7QDH74W on 2007-11-15
  I have been using Adobe premiere element software for some time now. I just upgraded it to the new version.Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 & Adobe Premiere Elements 4 As far as the video editing goes it is one of the best software available. It is very ease to use. I highly recommend it for the first timer user. If you are just starting out, read the manual or help full books on this product. Do not pay attention to manufacturer's PC requirements for this product. You need pretty fast PC to do any video editing. I have built my own PC so I know exactly my components' capability. This software is pretty simple but video editing is not like using word application. It is pretty involved and if you are stuck then you must troubleshoot it by yourself as the adobe support is minimalistic. It is recommended that you join user forum if you are serious about this product. The installation is fairly straight forward and you must have plenty of space on your HD. Also, defragment as often as you can to speed up the process. Make sure that you have at least 2G of RAM and choose 500G or higher HD as video files are very large. Use the firewire 400/800 interface as it is robust. Your graphic card needs to have 256 of memory and set the slot cycle on DA type. It will save a few PC cycles which helps. I do not use premiere for capturing as it is not stable. I use either Window movie make or use camera manufacturer software to eliminate any drop frame scenario. I have sony HD camera and its software works flawlessly. For the video editing you cannot buy a better software for the price it works very well. Editing the clips and setting key frames is a breeze and pretty robust. For the home movie enthusiastic the transitions and video effects are plenty full and will give you professional looking results. The DVD titles templates are very good and plenty to choose from. You can also create you own using Photoshop. The part which really sucks is the adobe DVD burning software. I could never make it work right. The best software that I know of which works flawlessly is NERO. I troubleshot every bit of DVd burning issues and still I do not get a reliable burning. To work around it I create the VOb files on the HD and use NERO to burn it. It works every time flawlessly. I also have had drop frame and sync issues with premiere for capturing my older analog tape. The best product which works flawlessly that I use is the ADVC 300 (Advance DV converter) from Canopus (Grass Valley Group). It is a professional product at a consumer price and canopus technical support just rocks.
  
  PRO: Very good for video editing provided you have a PC with plenty of Horse Power.
  COn: Manual sucks, DVD burning software is a real problematic. Save your sanity and use a third party software to burn the media. video editing is not for everyone because program crashes often and you have to troubleshoot the issue yourself and it could be pretty frustrating. I know I have been thru it many times. Always check and download the latest drivers and patches. It will fix all the known bugs for you.
  
  
• Best bang for your buck
  By A1E6UCZQCU70T7 on 2007-11-07
  I am coming from Adobe Photoshop Elements (PE) version 4.0 and Adobe Premiere Elements 2.0 and this review reflects that. Most of this review will be for PE 6.0 since I have spent most my time editing photos. I would not call myself a power user, but perhaps I am approaching an advanced user. As such, I hope this is useful for those with similar experience. There is no getting around that PE has a tremendous amount of power for the cost of the program.
  
  In a nutshell:
  An upgrade from PE 4.0 is highly recommended.
  From my understanding of PE 5.0, there are not enough new photo editing features to warrant an upgrade.
  
  Many of the small nuances in PE 4.0 have been smoothed out and there are a number of added features. Some of the more important features for photo editing include a better RAW conversion routine and a CORRECT CAMERA DISTORTION routine (although a lighter version than in Photoshop CS). These by themselves probably make version 6.0 a worthwhile upgrade from version 4.0. I also found the new ADJUST SHARPNESS tool easy to use with minimal edge highlights, although I have been using a third party sharpener that seems comparable. The new curves routine is really not very useful since it is not in an adjustment layer. This was disappointing and you would be better off downloading a third party curves plug-in of which there are several - both free and fee types. You would then have the full benefit of curves outside of an adjustment layer. However, I think all these tools were available in version 5.0. Also, and apparently beginning with version 5.0, Adobe has made it more difficult to install "Hidden Power" tools (authored by Richard Lynch - do a search). I use some of these tools extensively and probably would not upgrade PE if I were not able to install them. However, I was successful in installing them in version 6.0 using methods similar to version 5.0.
  
  Version 6.0 has a darker gray background. I have mixed feelings about this. At first, I found my pictures to "pop" and easier to view. However, after using it for some time, I don't know that it really offers much benefit. In fact, it can make your pictures appear brighter than they really are. Thus, it is even more critical to use the histogram (Personally, I thought it beneficial to use the middle gray that cameras expose for resulting in a good visual for a photo that is supposed to be a little darker or a little lighter. The background in the photo editor of version 4.0 was middle gray.). The second thing I don't care for is the coloration of the tools. They are very distracting. If Adobe darkened the background to be less distracting, why would they color the tools? Also, the various versions of a tool are no longer represented in the tool bar. For example, in version 4.0, when the BURN tool was clicked on, both the BURN and DODGE appeared in the toolbar. Now you have to right click on the tool to get the option (I guess power users would just use ALT-CLICK ;) ). Finally, it is clear that Adobe has spent some effort in trying to make the program run faster. I think in some respects they have succeeded. Unfortunately, they continue to offset the speed by bulking the program up with gimmicks. I guess they have done their marketing research and that is what people are asking for. I don't care for them but can understand that Adobe wants to reach a wider audience. Beginners will appreciate the "Guided Edit" to help them learn editing steps and there is a more extensive set of photo sharing tools.
  
  As far as Premiere Elements goes, the same dark background is used which sometimes makes the text difficult to read. From the little I have used it so far, the program seems more stable than version 2.0. One issue that you might come up against, as I have, is that not all the pre-made frames from version 2.0 were included in the new version. When I loaded some of my previously made movies, an error box came up asking where the frames were. Finally, Adobe replaced many of the markers such as the "In Point" and "Out Point". I preferred the older markers as they mimicked professional equipment that I have seen. Anyway, they will take some time getting used to.
  
  In spite of these minor nuances, the package easily gets a 5 star rating.
  
  
• Can't convert catalog from early versions into Photoshop Elements 6.0
  By A1NCHIVTAMZPDR on 2007-10-31
  I've been using Adobe PhotoAlbum for 3 years, been very happy. Decided to upgrade and it wouldn't do the catalog conversion. I even tried downloading an earlier version of photoshop elements, and was able to convert to that but not the 6.0 version.
  
  Researched and lots of folks having this same problem. It's a new database structure for 6.0 versus all prevous versions, and seems to be very fragile. I don't understand why they wouldn't do extensive testing with their own previous product lines. I have 15,000 photo's and video's tagged in my catalog, and it's not acceptable that this new version of adobe software can't import correctly the adobe catalogs from software written only 3 years ago.
  
  I put in this issues with their tech team, but have not gotten a response. I am resigned to return to Amazon the PSE 6.0. Maybe I'll buy a PSE 5.0 version instead.
  
  
  
• Adobe Photoshop 6 & Premiere Elements 4
  By A27MGVH039KU0O on 2007-11-04
  PSE6 is a typical Adobe upgrade, incorporating improvements in usability and performance over earlier versions (PSE2-5). The screens are more attractive and functional, and the tools are more functional in several cases. Organizer may even work this time.
  I was unable to determine the performance or value of PE4 because of a major omission in its labeling, which is the requirement for a CPU that has the SSE2 instruction set available. My CPU, while otherwise equivalent to those recommended for the product, does not have the SSE2 instructions, so the software will not load. I have transmitted this information directly to Adobe, and they agree that my evaluation of the labeling omission is accurate.
  
  
  
• Video Editing Not Useable For Me
  By A1HMV72KPI2JJI on 2008-03-02
  Photoshop Elements 6 is a great program. Adobe Premiere Elements 4 was (for my circumstances) a big disappointment. Premiere will simply not handle my video files (*.mod aka mpeg2) without crashing. Every time. Spent some time on the Adobe forum both looking for similar problems and posting my own problem and the general consensus is that Premiere is most reliable with DV-AVI file types and that other file types (certainly mpeg2 and it's derivatives such as my JVC camera's *.mod types) are very problematic. I am looking into a format converter but, meanwhile, using another movie editor. My computer is an HP with a AMD Athlon 64x2, 3 GB Ram, 400 GB of harddrive and Windows XP Media Center so it should have plenty of horsepower.
  
  
• Like to take chances?
  By A2XXNX53EKJGD0 on 2008-01-06
  Read the reviews! It has the potential to be a great program, but it's a roll of the dice weather it will work for you or not.
  I loaded the program on my machine (a pentium 4, 3 GHz with 1 Gig of ram and a 400 GB H.D.) and I couldn't complete even a basic single clip 12 min movie without it crashing - a total of ten times. I am so frustrated and let down with this program that the idea of editing movies is now way down on my list of things I plan on spending my valuable time on.
  I didn't get to choose the star rating for that this product deserved because there was no black hole listed.
  
  
• Great product that lacks basic documentation
  By ANZHPMJLXBU9T on 2007-11-03
  I opted NOT to purchase the download simply because as a new user of PS Elements, I wanted a manual to learn how to use the product I paid for. Apparently that was too much to expect. Now I see Adobe Press sells a book for Elements 6 & Premiere 4 for the small sum of $64.99 ($40.94 + 5% off for pre-ordering on Amazon) a month after releasing the software.
  Don't get me wrong -- I am enjoying the product immensely. I am irritated that Adobe opts to include nothing more than an idiot guide. I have never used Elements before, so the task of clicking "Help" and reading the online version while attempting to perform that task at hand is, shall we say, less than satisfying.
  Three stars for the lack of documentation, otherwise a fine product that people can use out-of-the-box in its simplest form. If you are new to the product, plan on spending the money for a book for the in-depth features of your purchase. There goes the $30 rebate...
  
  
• How do I use it? You need to BUY a manual!!!
  By A3MK4Q0VPFU7WS on 2007-12-07
  Have received and installed the 2 programs. Now how do I use it? The manuals (ha!) that come with are a joke. Info on what the programs CAN do but nothing on HOW to do it!! Am new to Photoshop so am at a loss, guessing my way through even the basics. You are expected to purchase manuals separately? I expected more out of an Adobe product. Were other versions sold the same way? You can get help on-line, but what a pain! If you are unfamiliar with the product and/or it's new features you will need to BUY a manual in ADDITION to the software. And before purchasing the Adobe "Classroom In A Book" published version shown at $41 explore the others available such as "The Missing Manual" by Barbara Brundage - customer reviews are high. Or upcomming "For Dummys" publication. Once I get the manual I decided on and learn how to use the programs effectively I may upgrade my rating, but for now the 2 stars stand because of the lack of documentation. Like I said - I expected more out of an Adobe product!!
  
  
• Not for anyone except professionals and Photo junkies
  By A26J4ENB3RUOOY on 2008-01-03
  Let me start by saying that I'm very computer savvy. I've been working as a software developer for 20 years.
  I recently purchased this product because I thought it was a step up from the current program I'm using, Picasa. Picasa is FREE product supported by Google.
  I agree that PS Elements is a powerful tool....if that's what you need. Do you plan to create artistic masterpieces? Do you plan to take photos apart and mix and match the pieces? Do you want to learn everything about file formats, overlays, and digital images?
  If the answer is YES, you're probably a professional and this is a good product for you.
  
  If you just want to organize your photos, touch up photos and create 'tags' so you can search through them, then I think you will be very disappointed at the STEEP learning curve presented by this product.
  First of all...the interface is not intuitive at all. If you're used to a standard Windows functionality it won't help at all here. Also, the only written documentation provided is a small, 18 page pamphlet called the "Quick Start Guide".
  
  The product is divided into 4 areas which all function as individual products: Organize, Edit, Create, and Share. This are Tabs on the right side of the page. When you are in the organizer and want to edit a photo it opens another separate window as though you had 2 applications running. It looks like they developed different applications and then just linked them together.
  
  The organizer is terrible! It is very cumbersome has limited drag and drop functionality. For example, you can create albums and copy photos between them, but you can't MOVE them. You have to go back and delete if from the original album. Also, you can't drag one album to another and have Elements create a sub album. You have to create sub-albums manually.
  There is no in-place editing of dates. You have to open pop up windows (2 deep) to get to the change date area.
  
  I have several hundred photos which I scanned as JPEGs. Picasa was able to "Auto-correct" the color beautifully. When I tried to use the "Auto Smart Fix" in the Elements editor, the color was way off and I have blue circles around everyone's eyes.
  
  Thinking I was just doing something wrong, I bought a book which may help me learn how to use this product. Now I'm beginning to wonder if it's worth my time.
  
  Adobe has a history of creating products which require the users to adapt to their terminology and their way of doing things. This is just the kind of thinking that was the demise of Lotus 1-2-3 and Word Perfect. I wonder how much longer it will be before Microsoft comes out with a similar tool that is easier to use.
  
  As for me....I'm going back to Picasa. I just don't have the time to waste on this one.
  
  
  
• Adobe Improves
  By A23FW53MWSBURA on 2007-10-31
  I have used Adobe products for years. In general they work but tend to be over featured for my personal use. However, when you need to accomplish something you can with the right Adobe product. Adobe seems have listened to the end users and have made PS Elements quite a bit more user friendly. The combining of the organizer and editor makes one life much easier.
  
  I have tried other "brands" and always find them lacking. I was forced to upgrade because of the previous version not completely functional with "Vista." Money well spent.
  
  Do your research. Decide what you need. If you are close to my needs you won't find a better product. Once installed, take your time and learn it's features. It will be worth your time.
  
  
  
• Great value, but expect frustration
  By A2KUXA1NI87TXR on 2007-12-19
  This is simply the best bang for buck package in the photo and video editing consumer market. There is a learning curve for the advanced features, but man you can do some awesome things once you learn. This package really makes most of the functionality of the super-expensive full versions accessible to the home user.
  
  The only problem is that these programs are very buggy (premiere more so than photoshop). There is a lot of frustration the first few weeks as you spend a lot of time losing and repeating work due to crashes. You eventually learn where the bugs are and develop the habit of saving after every edit you make.
  
  Adobe would be well advised to simply focus on bug fixes and polishing the product for an entire release. They keep losing folks, not because the user interface is too complicated, but because the program keeps crashing.
  
  
• Photoshop Elements good, Premiere Elements... not so good
  By A1QHJ1WMMA6Z3E on 2008-05-05
  Photoshop Elements
  
  I've been using Photoshop for years and I like Photoshop Elements for quick, simple edits (I use Photoshop CS for more complex edits). There is a definite learning curve to be able to use some of the more complicated editing tools, but this is a very powerful package for the price. The photo organizational tools and the ability to create albums are also nice and easy to use features.
  
  Premiere Elements
  
  Save your money and buy a different product. I've been trying to create a 5 minute video of my 2 year old son for 2 weeks and I've had it with this product. I have a 2.4GHz dual core machine with 4GB of RAM running Vista 32bit and have had nothing but problems. The software is great for editing 1 or 2 items at a time. I'm trying to put together 40 short clips into a coherent video and the product can't handle it. It was fine up to about 25 clips and then it started crashing. Also, if you're shooting high def on a new DVD, HDD or Flash camcorder, be aware that Premiere Elements does not support AVCHD. To be fair, the interface for the program is very intuitive and if it was stable, it would be a fantastic product. Unfortunately, it's not stable unless you're doing some pretty simple stuff. I'm doing home movies and I can't get it work without crashing.
  
  Bottom Line
  
  Photoshop Elements gets a solid 4 stars. Premiere Elements gets a solid 0 stars. Thus, a 2 star rating overall. My advice: buy the standalone version of Photoshop Elements and find something else to edit video.
  
  
• are you sitting comfortably?
  By A2993YNOT7WTKB on 2007-12-20
  I think the legions of Adobe fans, including expert/magazine reviewers, have forgotten how truly and shockingly frustrating the Photoshop Elements programs can be if one is new to them. Reminds me a bit of The Emperor's new Clothes -- people are hesitant to admit to anyone else that they are difficult to learn! Many buried and nonintuitive steps are required to do some of the simplest procedures. It took me an hour of online searching to figure out just how to add one picture to an existing project. It is not drag and drop! Until you uncover the convoluted processes, expect to write a lot of notes and have Post-it stickers all over your desk. You may get fabulous results, but man, prepare for a long learning curve. I sure wish Microsoft did not discontinue their super user friendly Digital Image series.
  
  
• Review of Adobe's newest PSE and PE software
  By A1900NU1OJIBQ8 on 2008-02-24
  Adobe has changed the face of both Photoshop Elements 6.0 and Premiere Elements 4.0. I don't like the change. Black is a difficult color to work with, finding the List Arrows and other adjustment levers is almost impossible.
  
  A request to Adobe on how to change this color wasn't productive since PSE cannot be changed...but PE can. As for using the software, each version of these two editing programs offers more options for the user.
  
  It would be so good if Adobe would take a page from Microsoft's book and offer free interactive tutorials for their products.
  
  
• Worth the price
  By A1636L9WAKK2D6 on 2007-11-02
  For the cost, I don't think you can get a more powerful or more useful package that is this easy to use. Personally, I do a lot of image work that I would have previously used PhotoShop (from school or work), but I use PhotoShop Elements now because I can do all that I need to do at a much cheaper cost. Premiere Elements has been very good to me as well for basic video editing (mostly home movies). I use a few free applications for special purposes, but otherwise Premeire elements is great for those who don't have the special training that the full version of Premiere probably requires.
  
  
• Problem with PhotoShop Premiere Elements 4 .....
  By AQ79IAM4FP7GM on 2007-11-09
  PhotoShop Elements 6 is outstanding, one should have these tools available in every computer, every household - no doubt. But I had a problem with Premiere Elements 4 - the video part of it - I could not
  load them into my computer, because of its Minimum Requirements. Please read through them first and see, if your processor is actually qualified enough to run the program. The otherwise better choice might be, to just buy PhotoShop Elements 6, without getting Premiere Elements 4.
  
  
• ADOBE ELEMENTS
  By A3NK3RPP79D6LF on 2007-11-15
  I have used the previous versions of the Adobe Elements softwares for Photoshop and Premier. They are both excellent scaled down versions of their full blown versions at an affordable price. I use the the word scaled down loosly as both of these packages "perform" like their expanded versions. Although each contain many presets that save time and provide very watchable results there is plenty of flexibity for invidual creativty. They allow the user to go way beyond the basic enhancement and editing tasks of other softwares and one can create very professional and unique final shows.
  
  
• A Reasonable Package
  By A3M9FZW4B9ZU4Q on 2007-12-16
  The value is good. With Photoshop the standard for photo editing, Photoshop Elements ends up being a good choice to get a taste of the higher end full Photoshop. The skills do transfer.
  
  I was a Microsoft Digital Picture Suite user before they decided not to support Vista. Compared to Digital Picture Suite, Photoshop Element is less intutive to use out of the box. By reading the included manuals and practicing with the software, I was able to figure out the basic tools. Elements is more powerful than Digital Picture Suite. The extra complexity in Elements is a typical trade off between ease of use (Complexity) and power.
  
  I am a user of Pinacle Studio 11. Compared to Premiere Elements 4, Studio 11 is a much better program. I would never buy Premiere Elements as a stand alone product but for the $50 extra beyond Adobe Elements, it is a good place to start if you are new to Video editing. Once you outgrow the capabilities of Premiere elements you will want to move to something like Pinacle Studio.
  
  
• Not compatible with my XP computer
  By A2CHAP733U11VM on 2007-12-18
  I tried to install the program into 2 different XP desktop computers and the first one wouldn't even install. The second computer was able to install and when I tried to start the program up, it would crash my system and the computer would restart on its own. I tried re-installing but it didn't work. Not sure why this happened, my computers have at least the minimum required RAM and processor speed.
  
  
• Solid and fun
  By A36QF1I9DT4N6V on 2007-12-26
  The learning curve for a new video editing program is steep, so I put off switching from my Pinnacle Studio program for quite a while. But while I could ignore Pinnacle's crashes and lockups, when it refused to render a movie that I put many hours of work into, I knew it was time to switch.
  I was more careful this time in selecting another movie editing program, and I picked Adobe's because of the quality of the other Adobe products I've used. I was not disappointed in selecting Premier. Not only is it more functional than my former editor, but it integrates nicely with Photoshop Elements, and it's *Rock Solid*. No lockups. Not only did it render my first significant movie without glitches, but it did so in about 1/2 the time it would have taken with my older program. The integration with Elements was a real plus, as most of my "movies" are mostly still images, with animation, sound, transitions, effects, etc. I've found this is a great way to organize digital photos... a replacement for the venerable photo album of days past. Premier + Elements makes this fun, and lets me create DVD's of my photos that can be enjoyed on the TV screens of my family and friends. Thanks Adobe, for keeping the focus on quality software that works well with other programs. Program performance is OK on my 2.4GHz 2GB Windows XP system, but more CPU horsepower would help some editing. My wish list for these programs would start with better documentation.. more examples for newcomers to flatten that learning curve.
  
  
• Needs a manual!
  By A8HIVNI8ZUSD2 on 2008-02-26
  Elements 6.0 was challenging at first but after trial and error you learn where things are. I'm sure that I'm still missing some things though! Premier though has been a laborious work of love. I went out to buy this and hoped that I'd have a slide show put together in a few hours time and that was just not the case. After I created it, I couldn't find the darn thing transferred into Premier! It was a nightmare!!!! There were no instructions, directions, nothing! Adobe was absolutely no help to me either. I finally figured it out by mistake and this was just in the nick of time for a Christmas present. After two months of "playing" with the program I'm still no expert with it. I haven't read the "Dummies" book so I don't know if it would help or not. Also, the program runs extremely slow. My advice, look around, if you can try out the version then definitely do so before buying.
  
  
• Great product but you may have to upgrade your hardware
  By A26U52GIMTKROJ on 2007-11-02
  This product works great for creating videos with multiple video sources. The only problem I had was that I needed to upgrade my computer to run it. I had an Athlon XP processor which does not support the SSE2 instruction set. This software won't even install if you don't have SSE2. I upgraded my system with an Intel Core 2 Duo and it works great.
  
  
• Adobe does not support on Vista
  By A1UDLOTFF3TZTI on 2007-11-30
  Adobe does not support the product on Vista. I tried to install the product without success. Two weeks ago I opened a customer service case only to be told that I have to open a technical case, which I would have done if their site had let me. Over ten days since opening the technical case and a week since opening a second technical case as the first one seemed to have got lost, still no reply.
  
  Adobe claims to respond to installation issues in 24 hours. It has been a week.
  
  I could probably have fixed the problem myself if the installer would say what the problem is. But it just says 'oops, problem, rolling back the install'.
  
  Over a week with no response is utterly unacceptable.
  
  
• Good program...No manual!
  By A3VEHPRCQEU7U0 on 2007-12-21
  I love the idea of this program. However, it is not nearly as simple to use as I had hoped. I had to purchase a book to tell me how to use the tools in the photoshop section and still have not completely figured out the premiere section (I need another book for that). It would be nice if the program came with a manual for those of us who do not find such programs to be intuitive.
  
  
• Difficult
  By A1DW4CMI8TNZFP on 2007-12-28
  I hope this program will be worth the effort. It is very difficult to navigate and is going to take a long time to learn. It does not come with good instructions.
  
  
• Upgrade from Premiere 2 to 4 is useless
  By ADXUQYLBRRJNO on 2008-01-09
  I have used Adobe Premier 2 to create 6 different DVDs for my family from all different sources. Trying to open a version 2 project in version 4 has taken more the 2 hours and it is still not done. I have a Pentium 4, Hyperthreading 2.6HGz, with 3GB RAM. Don't upgrade unless you have a new PC and want to take a risk. I have had to switch back to version 2 that will at least function but has problems generating deep submenus (10 Levels).
  
  

• Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 and Adobe Premiere Elements 4 Classroom in a Book Collection (Classroom in a Book)
• Photoshop Elements 6: The Missing Manual
• Photoshop Elements 6 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
• The Photoshop Elements 6 Book for Digital Photographers (Voices That Matter)
• Adobe Premiere Elements for Dummies