Performance
On my new AMD 7750 2.7GHz Dual-Core system with 4GB of RAM everything was pretty much realtime. But then again, most everything seems to render out in realtime with this new system, so it’s probably not a fair test. That said, as useful as these are, they aren’t very complex FX, and render times have always been very minimal with all of NewBlueFX’s other plugins.
Sharpener works in much the same was as Detail Enhancer, but on a smaller level. It appears to darken edge lines and rim them with a white glow for an effective sharpening that minimizes artifacts.
Value vs. Cost
Wow, I just looked at the price of this again and had to double-check the website to make sure it was correct: $80 for all of these effects?! The Flash Remover alone is going to be worth five times that if you ever really need it, seeing as how it will save you hours of keyframing. I also think the Touch Up plugin is worth more than $80, as I’ve never seen another effect that comes close to doing what it does so simply and without hideous artifacts. And don’t forget that you get a pretty nice film look plugin, too!
At about :02 you'll see a flash. The video then repeats and you'll notice that there is no more flash, because it was automatically removed by Flash Remover!
Final Comments I continue to be impressed not only with the quality and user-friendliness of NewBlueFX’s plugins, but also with how inexpensive they are. I’ll end up using the effects from this package on a regular basis, which is more than I can say for many of the other effects I’ve purchased in the past based on their “coolness” factor. No, Video Essentials might not have that “Wow, awesome!” factor that some other effects have, but Video Essentials are the hammers and screwdrivers of the video world; simple to use, easy to take for granted, but indispensable for even the most basic of jobs.
Ease
of Use
10.0
Depth
of Options
8.0
Performance
10.0
Value
vs. Cost
10.0
Overall Score
9.5
Ryan Graham is the director of Livelihood, a critically acclaimed ultra-low budget zombie comedy. He also runs 37.5 Productions, a post production company specializing in giving a Hollywood sheen to independent films. In his spare time he is the lead guitarist for The Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad.
