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   Software Review
   NewBlueFX: Video Essentials
 
   Publisher: NewBlueFX
   Website: http://www.newbluefx.com
   Platform: Windows & Mac
   Description: Video Correction Plugin

   MSRP: $79.99

   Special MFM Reader Pricing: $59.99

   Download Demo: Click Here
   Samples: Click Here
   Expected Release: Available Now
   Review Date: April 1, 2009
   Reviewed By: Ryan Graham


Final Score:
9.5

Award of SuperiorityAs MicroFilmmaker Magazine’s resident expert on all things NewBlueFX, I was excited to crack into another plugin package from this excellent video software company. I’ve been consistently impressed with the ease-of-use of NewBlueFX’s plugins; they’ve all contained useful and interesting presets, along with easy to understand, adjustable parameters. Recently I’ve found myself going to their effects over other manufacturers’ more expensive ones, not necessarily because the quality is better, but just because they’re more enjoyable to use and make work seem like fun instead of a chore.

Luckily we get more of the same with their Video Essentials package, which is marketed as a video utility belt of sorts. It probably contains their most useful plugins, in that they’re ones that will likely be used in every project, regardless of the content. We get Color Fixer Plus, Crop Borders, Detail Enhancer, Flash Remover, Pixelator, Sharpen, Soft Focus, Tint, Touch Up, and Video Tuneup. Admittedly, on the face of it, some of these replicate built-in effects already in your editing or compositing software, but NewBlueFX’s versions either look better or are simpler to use. Plus, there are some real gems here that I haven’t seen elsewhere which make this package worth a look for anyone involved in video or film production.

This plugin package is available in the most expansive release from NewBlueFX to date. It will work on both Mac and PC as a plugin for: Corel VideoStudio, Adobe Premiere Pro (and Premiere Elements), Adobe After Effects, Avid Liquid, Avid Media Composer, Avid Xpress Pro, Pinnacle Studio, Sony Vegas, Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Thomson Grass Valley Edius.

(All images in this review were taken from the short film “Paid Advertisement: Power Mini Ultra-Flex Turbo.”)


Crop Borders enlarges your video to get rid of unwanted borders, with minimal artifacting or softening.

Ease of Use
Installation of Video Essentials went very smoothly. In fact, NewBlueFX has finally included a step that lets you specify exactly where your plugin folder is located. This avoids problems with some of the other packages I’ve reviewed where they were automatically installing the plugins in the wrong folders.


Before and after from Color Fixer Plus, which includes some nice film look presets, including this one called "Outdoors" that adds warmth and depth to your video!

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