Video editors require large amounts of RAM, ideally far more than a 32-bit operating system can provide. Which is a problem, as most consumer video editors are strictly 32-bit only.

If you’ve made the jump to 64-bit Windows, though, you can now say goodbye to the old 4GB limit. CyberLink has today released PowerDirector 9, the world’s 64-bit consumer video editor, which can make use of all your installed RAM for a big jump in performance.

You’re still living in a 32-bit world? Not a problem. Extended multi-threading, combined with enhanced support for GPU acceleration – both NVIDIA Cuda and ATI Stream – should mean that everyone sees improved speeds in this version of the program.

One particularly useful new feature is PowerDirector 9’s 100 track timeline. Not only does this let you pile on layers of videos, images, effects and audio, but it also provides many new editing options to help manage your project. So you can now insert clips anywhere you like in your timeline, for instance; you’re able to group media clips together so they can all be moved around as a block; and empty tracks can quickly be removed for easier viewing.

Other enhancements include new keyframe controls that allow you to edit all your effects in one place. The WaveEditor tool can reduce noise on your soundtrack, tweak volumes and apply other audio effects. And new Magic Style templates allow you to transform your photos or videos into a professional 3D slideshow, in just a few clicks.

When your project is complete, then PowerDirector can save it as a video, upload it directly to Facebook or YouTube, or burn the movie to CD, DVD or Blu-ray discs.

And new this time, PowerDirector 9 Ultra64 can also burn your videos to the new 100/ 128GB BDXL discs, or export them in a variety of mobile-friendly formats, suitable for the iPod, iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, and many other devices.

As with previous versions, PowerDirector will come in two editions. The most powerful, PowerDirector 9 Ultra64 includes all the features we’ve described here.  And PowerDirector 9 Deluxe is cheaper, but a little more cut down: essentially it won’t include the 64-bit editor, and has no support for Blu-ray, BDXL or AVCHD burning or capture.

Download CyberLink PowerDirector 9 Ultra64
Download CyberLink PowerDirector 9 Deluxe