Editing evolution. (DV).(Buyers Guide)

There's good news and bad for those in the market for a desktop non-linear editing (NLE) system. The good news--thanks to recent advances in computer hardware, dropping prices, and the proliferation of sophisticated software features--there has never been a wider selection of high-quality products to choose from. While the market leaders may be Adobe's Premiere, Apple's Final Cut Pro, and Avid's Xpress DV, there are also impressive offerings from the likes of Media 100, Pinnacle, Matrox, Leitch, and Canopus.

The bad news is that it's never been more difficult to find clear and compelling differences between the products. Indeed, differentiation is more subtle ...