Microsoft Windows Live Movie Maker review

Windows Vista’s Mail, Calendar, Photo Gallery and Movie Maker are missing from Windows 7, but there’s no need to panic. They’re all available – new and improved – as a separate download.

Perhaps the most significant Windows 7 overhaul of all the previously bundled applications is Movie Maker. The original interface has been completely ditched in favour of a hybrid timeline/storyboard view that's easier to use.

It's still no replacement for a dedicated video-editing tool such as Adobe Premiere Elements 8, with support for just the one video and audio track, but there’s enough here to enable most amateur videographers to produce quick, polished home movies with the minimum of effort.

There’s far wider support for the latest HD formats than before, including AVCHD, and with more output options too. You can produce a straightforward WMV file, for instance, but also burn a DVD or upload footage directly to YouTube.

Finally, there’s a selection of special effects and a Brightness tool for lifting dull footage, while the AutoMovie tool speeds up the process, automatically fitting your clips and photos to music.

Author: PC Pro