Despite advanced editing tools and a variety of output options, even the midrange video editors have some notable limitations. Aggressive videographers seeking sophisticated effects like video overlay, picture-in-picture, and image panning will need to move up to a high-end program.

For years, Adobe Premiere dominated the high-end video-editing market. But recently it has encountered serious competition from several companies. But while some of Adobe's competitors offer more sophisticated tools for color correction, video overlay, and other advanced effects, Premiere Pro continues to offer the best balance of powerful features in a relatively easy-to-use interface.

Pinnacle, Sony, and Ulead have all released new versions of their high-end video-editing programs in the past few months. By the time you read this article, Adobe will have released the latest version of Premiere, Adobe Premiere Pro ($699 list). For this story we looked at the beta software.

Because Adobe had not yet enabled the final speed optimizations, we are not publishing our test results here. But it does look as if Adobe, for the most part, has caught up with the competition.

Premiere Pro's interface is very similar to that of Premiere 6.5. Adobe has reduced some of the clutter, though, by consolidating functions into fewer windows.

With Premiere Pro, Adobe addresses many of the challenges that its main competitors pose. The new color correction tools are very extensive. You get three-point color correction with split-screen preview, waveform and vector scope monitors, and less complex white, black, and gray balancing controls.

Premiere Pro also adds support for multiple sequences and customizable keyboard shortcuts. And individually key-framable parameters provide exquisite control over complex motion effects.