Next, a dialog tells you that the Import feature lets you record and open media files. When you first run the program, you're invited to the program's User Experience Improvement Program, which sends anonymous usage data back to the company turning that off is straightforward if you're not interested. The installer also installs separate MultiCam Capture Lite and MyDVD programs. Of course, if you're editing 4K video, you need a big disk anyway.

It's an over-2GB download and takes up 3.6GB on-disk after installation, so you'll want a fast internet connection and plenty of space on your hard drive. To get going you first download a small installer stub app, which then downloads the massive full program. Windows 10 (64-bit) is now required, as well as an Intel Core i3 or AMD A4 3.0 GHz or higher, an Intel Core i7 4th generation or later or AMD Athlon A10 or higher for UHD, multicam, or 360 video, and you'll need at least 4GB RAM, with 8GB recommended. Several competitors, including Adobe Premiere Elements and CyberLink PowerDirector, offer free trials. Unfortunately, there's no free trial version of any of the Pinnacle Studio levels. It's the only level that includes some of the new features detailed here. If you need to edit 360-degree or 4K content, you'll need to spring for Ultimate, which also adds color grading, video masking, and high-end effects from NewBlue, along with unlimited video tracks. Upgraders from previous versions of Plus and Ultimate save $30 and $40 off the full price, respectively.

Prices are for perpetual licenses, with no recurring subscription fee required. Like most video editing software aimed at consumers to near-professional users (a group sometimes known as prosumers), Pinnacle Studio is available in a trinity of good, better, and best levels, with the entry-level Pinnacle Studio listing for $59.95, Plus for $99.95, and Ultimate (reviewed here) for $129.95.

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