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PowerDirector 12 LE Giveaway
$34.95
EXPIRED

Giveaway of the day — PowerDirector 12 LE

CyberLink PowerDirector 12 takes video creations to a new level.
$34.95 EXPIRED
User rating: 195 39 comments

PowerDirector 12 LE was available as a giveaway on August 25, 2015!

Today Giveaway of the Day
$36.00
free today
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CyberLink PowerDirector 12 takes video creations to a new level. The MultiCam designer supports up to 4 cameras, allowing to arrange footage that are simultaneously captured with multiple devices. Also featuring Theme Designer enables users to generate impeccable 3D animated slideshow videos with their videos and photos.

Version LE Limitations:

  • PowerDirector 12 LE supports basic video editing including cut, trim, mix and edit subtitles;
  • Does not support Blu-ray, 3D, AVCHD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MKV, FLV & 4K.

System Requirements:

Windows XP SP3 x32 (Service Pack 3 is required)/ Vista/ 7/ 8

Publisher:

CyberLink Corp.

Homepage:

http://www.cyberlink.com/stat/edms/Giveaway/PDR_Giveaway/index.jsp?affid=2581_-1_809

File Size:

8.2 MB

Price:

$34.95

Comments on PowerDirector 12 LE

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#24

Thanks , it's working great on Windows 7 , i tred it yesterday and until now i don't have anything to say about this great software .

Reply   |   Comment by Markos Lativa  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#23

On Windows 7 when I run the installer it opens a black download window but then immediately crashes with a "Stopped Working" window. On Cyberlink's web site I found references to PD12 installer crashing due to a runtime library but this is not the same error. It is worth noting that this has been the case with every Cyberlink installer that has been offered at GOTD for me. I wish I had some idea what the problem was so I could try the software. PowerDVD came with my BluRay drive and has been cool for watching 3D BluRays. I'd like to check out their other offerings. Since I'm not having issues with any other softwares (and I have many) I don't really know what I could do as I don't want to mess anything else up in trying. I have been trying all day with no success and the giveaway is nearly over. I had no problem getting an activation number through the process but I can't install the software. :(

Reply   |   Comment by Francisca  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#22

I agree with the comments that this version is very limited. It does not give you a taste of the more full featured version which has been number 1 in the top ten video editors for a few years by a site that lists the top 10 of various software. Goodle "top 10 video editors" and you will find it but hey only review the full featured Cyberlink DVD Director.
I feel if your going to promote your product then you need to include all the features otherwise it's no more than any other basic video editor.

Reply   |   Comment by Brian  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#21

Doesn't seem to work with AC3 audio in the source files - which just about all modern cameras use. I imported an MTS file and no audio :-( .

Reply   |   Comment by Ron  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#20

As others, will not install on W10, Sad there is no explanation forthcoming.

John

Reply   |   Comment by Cloughie  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#19

Ok I downloaded it but where do I get the key code or number? did I miss something?

Reply   |   Comment by Chazzi  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#18

Same issue as number 8 above.
I'm on Windows 10 Pro X64

Reply   |   Comment by Shane J  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#17

Guys, I can't find the registration number. The installer worked, activation worked. Got to the Giveaway "activated" page. Got no email with a key.

Reply   |   Comment by Chamlin  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)
#16

On Windows 10 it wont install, you just get the window to register nothing els

Reply   |   Comment by Eric  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (-2)
#15

In the description: "Also featuring Theme Designer enables users to generate impeccable 3D animated slideshow videos with their videos and photos".

But then directly under the features it says this: "Version LE Limitations:...does not support 3D".

I noticed the limitations after I had already installed this nearly one gigabyte goliathon. Now while this software may be good in many ways, I give it a thumbs down for lying to me.Uninstalled the old fashioned way.

Reply   |   Comment by Injeun  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+9)
#14

I don't as a rule like Cyberlink software with the exception of their player, PowerDVD, which is what the company originally made its name with, back when anything DVD in Windows was new. I have to say PowerDirector 12 LE isn't bad for a more-or-less entry or home version video editor, though the installation, like all the other Cyberlink software I've checked out, is a bit atrocious, with ~3k new registry entries. As an older version, & a LE at that, I can forgive the installation of old Microsoft C/C++ runtime files, but make sure you check Windows Update afterward. I wouldn't expect that older runtime install with the current version if you bought it, though the number of registry entries is likely to climb as that paid version should include encoders missing due to the LE.

From time to time Cyberlink software is on sale at a good price through Amazon, Frys, &/or Newegg, though you have to watch out as all 3 have been known to sell older versions without telling you that something newer just came out. In terms of value, the advertised price going through today's GOTD [in the preferences dialog] is $50 for PD 13 Ultra -- I've seen Nero 2015 Platinum on sale for less than $30 maybe 1/2 dozen times in the last 3-4 months. In terms of features & capabilities I'd give Nero the edge. Personally I like the Sony video software the best, but haven't seen a lot of sales on it for the past several months. While I'm not a fan myself, till 9/8 Amazon is running a special on Pinnacle software, & some folks do like it. And of course there's always Adobe -- their Premiere Elements is always popular & frequently on sale, especially bundled with Photoshop Elements.

Some feel that the free version of Davinci Resolve [v.11, or the 12 Public Beta] is the most professional video software you can get for free, though it works a bit differently so you'll have to invest some time in learning it. Select Video Editors [there's actually a few categories of editors] on the software page at videohelp.com & you can see a fairly decent overview of what's available, along with user ratings & comments. There you'll find apps like Shotcut, a free, open source editor that's in constant, if early development.

Back to Power Director 12 LE, you register for a key, getting an email with the key & a download link -- the key is also shown on the web page. The initial download is a downloader app, that lets you decide where you want the download stored, & if you want to run the installation immediately or not. The actual download comes in at ~630MB. When you start the app it lets you choose the aspect ratio & whether to start the Easy or Full Editor, or the Slideshow app. The full editor starts in Timeline mode, but you can switch to Storyboard if you prefer.

With Storyboard each clip is a block that you can arrange, whereas with the Timeline you see the clips stretched out, so you can better work with the multiple tracks -- you start out with 2 audio/video tracks but can add more, & there are also tracks for things like FX. Imported media [video etc.] appears in a media browser window that's part of the overall PD window -- along the left you can select other things to view like FX -- there's also a dropdown box where you can select what's shown in a Window, e.g. downloads, which if you click it takes you to a Cyberlink site where you can download thousands from the look of it. Basically you find what you want in that window & drag it to the timeline or storyboard.

As far as importing media files go, there are so many formats & subformats out there [from all the different cameras etc.], about the only way to see if you're covered is to either Google or try it. It will import AVC Blu-Ray video [not DTS audio], & probably most common video formats, but export is a bit limited to DV avi & AVC/H.264. It's a shame that avi output is crippled with restricted output settings -- otherwise you could render your video to a lossless avi file & do your encoding with whatever you wanted, like x265. Cyberlink advertises PD's speed encoding -- they were pioneers in having your GPU assist encoding, so you'll probably find it's pretty fast. DO check your output quality however if you use hardware acceleration, because it can have a negative impact.

Reply   |   Comment by mike  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+35)

Rock, Mike is one of the few most regular consistent reviewers of GotD software giveaways that gives information on the giveaway, alternatives & other information that you rarely read. Skim it, read it, up to you, but that comment was totally useless.

Reply   |   Comment by Eternal  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (0)

Thanks a lot Mike, keep it up!

Reply   |   Comment by nek4d  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
#13

I don't see anything this does that VSDC freeware editor does not do. VSDC has a learning curve but there are YouTube videos made by users that help. http://www.videosoftdev.com/

Reply   |   Comment by Dave  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+5)
#12

I already have PowerDirector 12 Ultimate. For those of us who own PD12,can Cyberlink make an upgrade offer at a reasonable price to PD13 Ultimate (including Travel Pack 2 and 3, Wedding and Holiday packs)?

Will appreciate hearing from Cyberlink.

Reply   |   Comment by drvajra  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (-6)
#11

Complicated, non-standard download and installation. (Eg, it wanted to download the first part to my 'Documents' folder. That's a first.) There were long periods of time where nothing apparent was happening, no visible download/install window, no progress bar. I could tell it was working only by the flickering of my harddrive indicator light. I was beginning to regret not turning on Time Freeze before starting so I could get out of it easily if necessary.

But it did install successfully, and appears to work as promised on my Win7/64 laptop.

I am not an experienced video editor, but I have worked a lot with photo and audio editing, and I like the way PowerDirector 12 LE is set up. Very intuitive from my perspective, with just enough helpful tool tips. I easily imported and started editing my first video in minutes. It automatically separates video and audio tracks, and makes it easy to add, edit and mix additional tracks. It's going to take a while to understand all of what it can do, but so far I like it.

Thank you CyberLink and GOTD.

Reply   |   Comment by Dan O  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+3)

I have to revise my original comments. I'm already getting tired of the 'not available in this version' popups, nagging you to upgrade. I knew from the start that it was a limited version, and I wouldn't mind if the unavailable features were just disabled, grayed out so you could see at a glance. But to have to find them by trial and error, and then have to remember which work and which don't - well that's just maddening. Too bad - it had such promise. Uninstalling.

Reply   |   Comment by Dan O  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+25)
#10

Don't need this so no review, but to answer the question of what is and is not included and the limitation:

"The LE version of PowerDirector 12 is fully functional, including all the editor’s features for handling multiple sound and video tracks, making cuts and transitions, and applying loads of included post-processing effects, which are expandable from the program’s official website.
Also included is the MultiCam system that can be used to simultaneously capture video from up to four different sources, as well as a theme editor that lets you easily design animations and transitions in 3D.
The only limitation of this edition is that it doesn’t support Blu-ray, 3D, AVCHD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MKV, FLV, or 4K formats. However, to easily overcome this problem, you can export your project with one of the many free format converters online."


I hope that it can be of help in choosing wether to download or not.

Reply   |   Comment by Egil  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+11)

There are much, much more limitations in this LE version than described. I remembered it from the last time it was a gotd. I installed this program specially to see if anything has changed since february but it has nt. For instance, you can't capture anything from tv-card, camcorder, or any source that produces a video stream... There is only sound that can be captured by microphone. This program has so much limitations that a normal workflow without constantly popping up windows " Your version of PowerDirector cannot "... is impossible. I really don't know why Cyberlink offers this product, the popup windows will irritate a lot people. It is not even a shadow of an ultra version.

Reply   |   Comment by Lucky Luke  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+17)
#9

I don't know about the issue with Win 10 pro installer, but on win 7 64, the installation process is a multi-step operation.

First you download the GAOTD linked zip file. After clicking on Setup.exe and running it, you find yourself being asked to download the "real" installation file, and this is a 614+ MB file.

(I suspect that any installation problems may be related to not recognizing this second phase of the process...?)

After installing from this larger file, you then go the the link indicated in the readme.txt file from GAOTD.

Upon entering your name and email, you get a license key.

FYI

Reply   |   Comment by Rich  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+11)
#8

Under Windows 10 Pro installer doesn't run properly.

On open it invokes UAC asking permission. After "OK" next window is the .gcd wrappers "successfully activated" window. No Setup window ever appears. No process attributable to setup running in Task Manager.

Don't need this enough to troubleshoot. Deleted.

J

Reply   |   Comment by Jack  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+10)
#7

Downloaded the .zip file using the direct download link. Extracted the files from the .zip file. Right clicked on the setup.exe and selected Properties. Selected the Compatibility tab and marked the Run as Administrator checkbox. Clicked OK to close the Properties. Double clicked the setup.exe and ran the installer to load the program. THIS PROGRAM INSTALLED IN WINDOWS 10 PRO BUILD 10525 WITH NO PROBLEM. Registered with no problem. I have not tested beyond the capability to load in Windows 10.

Reply   |   Comment by Bill  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+10)
#6

I will not be taking advantage of today's offering, solely because I have used this program for many years - I now use PowerDirector13.
I have tried most other video editors (& this is much more than just a video editor), and this is the most trustworthy one I have found. The others always let me down at some point.
I believe it to be a reasonably priced, extremely powerful and reliable piece of software and would thoroughly recommend it. (And, no, I am in no way connected to this company!)

Reply   |   Comment by Philip  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+19)
#5

For those of you who are unwilling to download more than 600 MB without some indication of the programs capabilities, totally absent as far as I can see on the programmers website, the following may possibly be of some assistance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qld1gqKB0Wg

Sadly this is the only review I can find and if you can stomach the battle going on between the narrator and the background music you are a better man than I, let's hope he sticks to his day job.

Reply   |   Comment by XP-Man  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+27)

p.p.s well. they are not completely bad... no warnings for my own site

Reply   |   Comment by Mavadelo  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (-3)
#4

Power Director 12 LE is an old version. It has lots of features but you are better off getting Hitfilm 3 Express
https://hitfilm.com/express it's free.

Reply   |   Comment by xenox  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+26)

Thanks for that link. I have the latest Power Direct and as an idiot who doesn't understand video sizes etc I find this software easy to use and have created good results. However the link you gave shows it a dubious download. Again I am not an expert on these things and would advice anyone going in that direction, do so with caution.
https://sur.ly/o/hitfilm.com/express/AA005599

Reply   |   Comment by Tony Bennett  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+20)

Thank you very much Xenox for the tips and link! I downloaded the software. Gonna try it! I saw their movie too and the software look amazing.
I instal PowerDirector 12 LE but I only tested the audio recordings. I found it very good. Low noise and good definition. But I feel HitFilm has more features.
Thank you again!
Mikao!

Reply   |   Comment by Mikao  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+4)

xenon, While the Hitfilm express looks really cool, you failed to mention that if you want any effects for you editing it comes as $9.99 - $99.99 for a total cost of $485.00. I guess if you are looking for nothing but a timeline editor it would be a good tool but you can get that most anywhere and the giveaway shown here today has all that plus it gives you film effects. Remember nothing is truly free but some can come close.

Reply   |   Comment by cpu-md  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+29)

@Tony. It is that new plug in GOTD uses on this site that gives the "warning" . Checking the "learn more" link there is absolutely nothing that warrants the warning given. I don't like this new plug in, it is a kind of scare tactics I do not like. I am perfectly fine if warnings are given with a reason but so far all the sites I got a warning on where perfectly fine and the "learn more" links could never give a reason for the warning

Reply   |   Comment by Mavadelo  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+25)

This is a full program download. Video editors are massive. The features are sufficient for the beginner to average user (more features than Windows Movie Maker). At first glance, I like this program. I will run it through the paces and provide a full evaluation.

Reply   |   Comment by Dennis  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+6)

http://hitfilm.com/express

There was a few months ago Hitfilm 2 Express which has all the features you pay for addons in version 3.
But still, better than Power Director. If you need compositing, try Fusion 7 http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/fusion/compare.
And for color correction etc DaVinci Resolve http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/compare (they offer free versions exceeding expectations of free compositing software)

Surely it's basically you get what you pay for, but give it a go - it costs nothing.

Reply   |   Comment by xenox  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+7)
#3

Downloaded Giveaway of the day zip file and it ran fine on Win7 64bit. Setup runs additional downloader but that was also ok. Registered on web site only required name and email. Didn't find much difference in the interface from Power Director 11 LE but once I created a test file I was able to confirm some of the "non-working" video modes do work and are faster. I was able to create a 1080i video in a few like AVI,WMV and MKV. These are easily converted to MP4 with another converter and the interface is one of the easiest to use for cut and pasting and cropping so I will keep it. Don't really need better than 1080i for now so I find this a good value.

Reply   |   Comment by Dan6807  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+35)
#2

I have Windows 7 64 Bit. When I run setup I get Cyberlink Downloader has stopped working.
Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: setup.exe_CLDownloader
Application Version: 2.9.1.5019
Application Timestamp: 5304095d
Fault Module Name: StackHash_8063
Fault Module Version: 0.0.0.0
Fault Module Timestamp: 00000000
Exception Code: c000041d
Exception Offset: 7770dae1
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: 8063
Additional Information 2: 80639fe55050dc9fc1efd1590ee3f5bc
Additional Information 3: ed15
Additional Information 4: ed15a961e908705f3748ec56680fb60f

Reply   |   Comment by Bob Sharp  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+30)

Same problem - this fix worked for me (also Win7, 64-bit). This problem is not limited to this program; any installer that calls Java is prone to doing this, in my case at least.
1) Extract the downloaded file to a folder of your choice (preferably one with a short path, see below)
2) Open an elevated command prompt (Start button - "Search programs and files" -> cmd; right-click, "run as administrator").
3) Navigate to the folder where the files were extracted(the reason for the comment of "1" above).
4) In my case, I ran "C:\Downloads\Multimedia\PowerDirector12LE-uie22b>setup.exe".
5) After my firewall allowed setup to run, everything worked fine as far as the download went. There is now a Cyberlink PowerDirector folder on my desktop, but I just let the installer run.
6) Got the key from the website as directed.
7) The install takes a lo-o-o-ng time! Several command windows open and close.
8) On program start, I pick the Easy Editor. The activation window appears. Despite the dashes between spaces for entering the key, just pasting the whole thing (dashes included) works fine.
9) After a couple of shameless ads :) the "Magic Movie Wizard" appears. I close the program and restart.
10) More ads ...
Hope this helps.

Reply   |   Comment by Winter  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+29)
#1

I got this version for free when I purchased a Blu Ray player recorder. It was given away previously back in February of this year and does what it says on the box. Thumbs up from me. Ideal for family video editing.


The program has easy to use editing tools for both a Slideshow Designer and the Editor. you can import video clips easily using the Magic Move Wizard as well as select style templates, and adjustments for background music. Results can be saved directly via the program either as a file or disc.

Reply   |   Comment by whiterabbit-uk  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+45)

PowerDirector 12 LE usually means restricted/crippled variant like "Light Edition".

http://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdirector-ultra/compare_en_US.html
doesn't show any LE variant only next versions PowerDirector 13 (Ultimate, Ultra, Deluxe).

If somebody please could tell which are further LE restrictions: perhaps only save as wmv file or in lower smart phone resolution or anything else????

Above " ... enables users to generate impeccable 3D animated slideshow videos..." and
"Does not support Blu-ray, 3D, AVCHD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MKV, FLV & 4K" is hindering usage."
So no 3D or no 3D?
And I would have preferred greatly a positive format list to an exclusion list not telling which formats are left! But without .ts (a MPEG2 variant) it's nearly useless for me anyhow.

With a very slow connection I can't afford trying myself just for fun!

Reply   |   Comment by FrancisBorne  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+67)

@ 1 FrancisBorne: I'd like to know as well. I have the full version of PowerDirector 10 - which is a terrific editor (and I tried all the major, reasonably-priced ones before settling on it). Will I lose any of 10's functionality? I also see a query above about it working on Windows 10. I am on Win 10 64bit.

Reply   |   Comment by Anairb  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+16)

It tells you at top:

Version LE Limitations:

PowerDirector 12 LE supports basic video editing including cut, trim, mix and edit subtitles;
Does not support Blu-ray, 3D, AVCHD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MKV, FLV & 4K.

Reply   |   Comment by Chris  –  8 years ago  –  Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (+1)
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