Skip to main content

CyberLink’s latest photo and video editing software tout pro features with ease of use

When it comes to photo and video editing software, names like Adobe and Corel might come to mind, but one of the best options comes from CyberLink. You might be more familiar with the company for its long history of the PowerDVD media player, but its Director suite of video and photo editing software is packed with pro-quality features, consumer ease of use, and an affordable price. Based on a concept of “extreme editing,” the software are designed for all user levels. The company recently released the latest versions of PowerDirector, PhotoDirector, AudioDirector, and ColorDirector, adding new features like the Action Cam Center that’s devoted to editing popular POV camcorder footage.

Collectively the aforementioned programs are bundled as Director Suite 4, but they are also sold separately as PowerDirector 14, PhotoDirector 7, AudioDirector 6, and ColorDirector 4. Each program has a good number of features, but here’s a look at what’s new and improved.

In PowerDirector 14 ($70-$250; the Ultimate Suite version includes AudioDirector and ColorDirector, plus 40GB of cloud storage), the highlight feature is the Action Camera Center. Besides letting you easily and quickly assemble a video from footage, this dedicated interface lets you stabilize video (most action cams lack any image stabilization, hence the jerky content), correct coloring and distortions, apply effects like slow motion, instant replay, etc. There are also camera profiles for major brands like GoPro and Sony, which correct fisheye distortion. During a demo, we captured a skateboarder, dumped the footage into a PC and started editing, applied effects, and created a video in less than an hour.

Also new are the Precision Motion Tracking for following a moving object or subject. With this feature, you can insert text or graphics (say, a dialogue box above a person’s head) and the software will automatically track it with the moving item. There are now more than 500 templates and effects to choose from, and 64-bit video rendering (using machines that support it) allows for improvements in speed of handling footage, including 4K. Besides the standard codecs, PowerDirector 14 also supports Sony’s XAVC-S format, and the HEVC (H.265) format used by Samsung in its NX1 and NX500 cameras.

Users can choose between a simplified Easy Editor or Express Project mode if they’re a beginner or want to put together something quickly, or the Full Feature Editor when they want to go deep.

AudioDirector 6 ($130) and ColorDirector 4 ($130) are designed as companions to PowerDirector. In the new AudioDirector, there’s Auto Voice Dub Syncing that automatically aligns voice-over recordings over a video, matching mouth movements. For example, you shot some outdoor scenes but the audio wasn’t clearly captured. You can record the dialogue again in a quieter setting, and then use the auto feature to replace the original dialogue. AudioDirector lets you edit and fine-tune soundtracks, create surround-sound, remove imperfections. ColorDirector, as the name suggests, offers color correction, high-dynamic-range video effect, and Intelligent Motion Tracking.

Finally, there’s PhotoDirector 7 ($60-$150). The software offers a lot of Photoshop-like tools, like content aware object removal, smarter layer-based editing, and photo merge. New is Face and Body Beautification, which are retouching tools for manipulating facial and body features. The feature has its roots in CyberLink’s popular mobile apps, with tools like eye bag remover, eye enlarger, and skin smoother. Now, “beauty” tools like these are controversial, as they have a tendency to over-exaggerate, but from a demo we saw, the software is able to enhance a person without making her or him look ridiculous, as some mobile apps tend to do. PhotoDirector 7 also supports the latest RAW formats.

With the exception of PhotoDirector, all programs are for Windows. The Mac version of PhotoDirector requires purchasing the Ultra version.

The programs are available at retail or via online downloads. The full suite costs $300, which isn’t that expensive considering the features and extras. Yes, you can do basic photo and video editing using free online services or the programs that came with your computer, but the Director suite has some useful and advanced features that will appeal to many, and they’re not too difficult to use. If you want to go the Adobe-esque subscription route, CyberLink offers plans at $100 for 12 months, or $50 for three months. The idea here is that you’ll always have access to the latest version of the software.

Editors' Recommendations

Les Shu
Former Digital Trends Contributor
I am formerly a senior editor at Digital Trends. I bring with me more than a decade of tech and lifestyle journalism…
Best Camera Deals: Save on Canon, Panasonic, Nikon, and GoPro
fujifilm x t4 review set 2 dm 1

Whether you're looking for the best digital cameras or the best travel cameras, there are a ton of options out there, sometimes too many options, especially for those who aren't familiar with the photography world. Luckily, we've done a lot of legwork for you and collected a range of great camera deals across the spectrum, so even if you want something more sports-oriented, like a GoPro, there are a couple of deals for those too. So, let's jump right into it.
Today's Best Camera Deals
One of our favorite deals is the Canon EOS Rebel T7 going for $400, as it's one of the better DSLR cameras on the market, and it has a reasonably budget-friendly price on it, making it a great starter camera. Of course, if you've been in the game for a while and are looking for a powerful upgrade, the Sony Alpha 7R IV is one of the best full-frame cameras on the market, and while it still costs a hefty $3,200, that's still $300 off the usual $3,500 price tag. That said, if you're looking for something more portable and action-oriented, you can't go wrong with the GoPro HERO11 Black Mini, although if you're a professional content creator, the GoPro HERO9 Black 5K is probably the one to go for instead.

Do I Need a DSLR or a Mirrorless Camera?
Like most things, this really depends on what you're trying to do. Mirrorless cameras have fewer internal moving parts, which generally means they can capture images quicker, so if you're taking pictures of action-packed stuff like sports or animals in the wilderness, a mirrorless camera is a great option. On the other hand, DSLR cameras are great for low-light conditions and are great for anything from portraits to landscapes. DSLRs are also cheaper and have much better battery life, as well as having a decade or two worth of lenses to choose from.

Read more
How to blur a background in photos
A person photographed with iPhone 11's portrait mode.

Introducing a background blur to your photos can draw attention to a specific subject, such as an individual in a portrait or an item in a still life, while also adding a professional flair to your image. This beautiful background blur, also known as bokeh, can be achieved even after shooting your photo, thanks to advances in editing software. This guide will walk you through the process on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.

Read more
How to download Instagram photos (5 easy ways)
Instagram app running on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5.

Instagram is amazing, and many of us use it as a record of our lives — uploading the best bits of our trips, adventures, and notable moments. But sometimes you can lose the original files of those moments, leaving the Instagram copy as the only available one . While you may be happy to leave it up there, it's a lot more convenient to have another version of it downloaded onto your phone or computer. While downloading directly from Instagram can be tricky, there are ways around it. Here are a few easy ways to download Instagram photos.

Read more