CyberLink PowerDirector 18.0 User guide

User's Guide

PowerDirector 18

CyberLink

Revision date: 10/2/2019

Copyright and Disclaimer

To the extent allowed by law, PowerDirector IS PROVIDED “AS IS”,

WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,

INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTY FOR

INFORMATION, SERVICES, OR PRODUCTS PROVIDED THROUGH OR IN

CONNECTION WITH PowerDirector AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF

MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE,

EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

BY USING THIS SOFTWARE, YOU AGREE THAT CYBERLINK WILL NOT BE

LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS

ARISING FROM THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE OR MATERIALS

CONTAINED EITHER IN THIS PACKAGE.

The terms and conditions here under shall be governed and

construed in accordance with the laws of Taiwan.

PowerDirector is a registered trademark along with other company

and product names mentioned in this publication, used for

identification purposes and remain the exclusive property of their

respective owners.

For DTS patents, see http://patents.dts.com. Manufactured under

license from DTS Licensing Limited. DTS, the Symbol, & DTS and the

Symbol together are registered trademarks, and DTS 5.1 Producer is a

International Headquarters

Mailing Address CyberLink Corporation

15F., No. 100, Minquan Rd., Xindian Dist.

New Taipei City 231, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Web Site https://www.cyberlink.com

Telephone 886-2-8667-1298

Fax 886-2-8667-1385

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Contents

..................................................1

Introduction

................................................................................................1Welcome

.................................................................................................1Latest Features

.................................................................................................2DirectorZone and CyberLink Cloud

.................................................................................................3PowerDirector Versions

................................................................................................6Minimum System Requirements

..................................................7

PowerDirector Editing Modes

................................................................................................7Slideshow Creator

.................................................................................................9Adding Slideshow Background Music

.................................................................................................10Customizing Slideshows in the Slideshow Designer

................................................................................................14Auto Mode

..................................................17

PowerDirector Workspace

................................................................................................18PowerDirector Modules

................................................................................................18Rooms

.................................................................................................19Media Room

.................................................................................................20Effect Room

.................................................................................................20Video Overlay (PiP Objects) Room

.................................................................................................20Particle Room

.................................................................................................21Title Room

.................................................................................................21Transition Room

.................................................................................................21Audio Mixing Room

.................................................................................................21Voice-Over Recording Room

.................................................................................................22Chapter Room

.................................................................................................22Subtitle Room

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................................................................................................22Library Window

.................................................................................................24Explorer View

.................................................................................................24Searching the PowerDirector Library

.................................................................................................25Filtering Media in the Library

.................................................................................................26Library Menu

................................................................................................27Expanding the Workspace

.................................................................................................27Undocking Windows

................................................................................................28Preview Window

.................................................................................................29Library Preview Window

.................................................................................................31Project Preview Window

.................................................................................................33Preview Player Controls

.................................................................................................33Preview/Display Options

.................................................................................................35Preview Screen Snapshots

.................................................................................................36Playing 360° Media Files

.................................................................................................37Previewing in 3D Mode

................................................................................................38Editing Workspace

.................................................................................................39Full (Timeline) Mode

.................................................................................................50Storyboard Mode

..................................................52

PowerDirector Projects

................................................................................................53Setting Project Aspect Ratio

................................................................................................53Exporting Projects

................................................................................................54Reusing PowerDirector Projects

.................................................................................................55Nested Projects

................................................................................................55360° Video Projects

................................................................................................55CyberLink Cloud Projects

..................................................57

Importing Media into

PowerDirector

................................................................................................57Importing Media Files

.................................................................................................58Supported File Formats

.................................................................................................60360° Media Files

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.................................................................................................613D Media

.................................................................................................63Importing PowerDirector Projects

................................................................................................70Capturing Media

.................................................................................................70Capturing from a DV Camcorder

.................................................................................................72Capturing from an HDV Camcorder

.................................................................................................72Capturing from a TV Signal

.................................................................................................73Capturing from a Digital TV Signal

.................................................................................................73Capturing from a Webcam

.................................................................................................73Capturing from a Microphone

.................................................................................................73Capturing from a CD

.................................................................................................73Capturing from an AVCHD Camcorder

.................................................................................................74Capturing from an Optical Device

.................................................................................................74Capture Desktop with Screen Recorder

.................................................................................................74Captured Content

.................................................................................................74Quality Profile Setup

.................................................................................................75Capture Settings

.................................................................................................75Capture Preferences

................................................................................................76Downloading Media

.................................................................................................76Downloading Content from DirectorZone/CyberLink Cloud

................................................................................................78

Precutting Video, Detecting Scenes, Extracting Audio,

and Capturing Snapshots

.................................................................................................78Precutting Video Clips

.................................................................................................79Detecting Scenes in a Video Clip

.................................................................................................80Extracting Audio from a Video Clip

.................................................................................................80Capturing Screen Snapshots from a Video Clip

..................................................82

PowerDirector Plugins

................................................................................................82Using the MultiCam Designer

.................................................................................................83Importing Media

.................................................................................................85Synchronizing Clips

.................................................................................................86Creating Recorded Content

.................................................................................................88Changing the Recorded Content

................................................................................................90Using the Theme Designer

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.................................................................................................91Overview

.................................................................................................91Adding Theme Templates/Sequences

.................................................................................................94Adding Media Clips

.................................................................................................97Importing More Media Files

.................................................................................................98Editing Media Clips

.................................................................................................99Editing Background Music

.................................................................................................100Editing Title Text

.................................................................................................101Replacing Background Images

.................................................................................................101Adding Transitions Between Sequences

.................................................................................................102Previewing and Saving Movies

.................................................................................................102Editing Created Movies

................................................................................................104Editing Video in the Action Camera Center

.................................................................................................105Fixing Video Clips

.................................................................................................107Creating Action Effects on Video Clips

.................................................................................................113Action Camera Center Settings

.................................................................................................114Changing the Action Camera Center Content

................................................................................................115Using an Express Project

................................................................................................116Recording Your Desktop with the Screen Recorder

................................................................................................117Creating Overlays with the Blending Effect

.................................................................................................118Blending Image Presets/Templates

................................................................................................122

Designing Custom Slideshows in the Slideshow

Creator

................................................................................................122Design Hand-Drawn Animation in the Paint Designer

................................................................................................123Creating Video Collages

.................................................................................................124Creating a Video Collage

.................................................................................................127Saving and Sharing Collage Templates

................................................................................................128Creating Movies Quickly with the Magic Movie Wizard

................................................................................................128Transforming Video with the AI Style Plugin

..................................................131

Arranging Media in Your

Production

................................................................................................132Adding Video Clips and Images to the Timeline

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.................................................................................................132Adding Video Clips and Images

.................................................................................................134Adding Color Boards and Background Images

................................................................................................138Adding Audio Clips

.................................................................................................140Syncing Audio

................................................................................................143Syncing Clips by Audio

..................................................144

Editing Your Media

................................................................................................144Splitting a Clip

................................................................................................144Trimming Video and Audio Clips

.................................................................................................145Trimming a Video Clip

.................................................................................................149Trimming an Audio Clip

.................................................................................................150Manually Triming Video/Audio Clips in Timeline

................................................................................................151Setting a Media Clip's Duration

................................................................................................152Unlinking Video/Audio Clips

................................................................................................152Setting TV (Video Clip Interlacing) Format

................................................................................................153Adjusting Video Clip Aspect Ratio

................................................................................................154Stretching Images

................................................................................................155Cropping Images

................................................................................................156Resizing, Moving, Rotating Media Clips

.................................................................................................156Resizing and Moving Images/Videos/Effects

.................................................................................................157Rotating Images/Videos/Effects

................................................................................................159Changing the Shape of Media Clips

................................................................................................160Fixing and Enhancing Images/Videos

.................................................................................................168Advanced Fixes and Enhancements

.................................................................................................170Enhanced VR Stabilizer

................................................................................................172Utilizing Keyframes on Media

.................................................................................................174Adding Keyframes

................................................................................................177Muting Audio

................................................................................................177Editing Audio

.................................................................................................177Editing Audio in the Audio Editor

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.................................................................................................183Editing Audio in CyberLink AudioDirector

................................................................................................184Editing 360° Video Projects

................................................................................................186Content Aware Editing

.................................................................................................187Using Content Aware Editing

................................................................................................191Magic Cut

................................................................................................191Time Info

..................................................193

Using the Tools

................................................................................................193Using the Power Tools

.................................................................................................195Adjusting Video Speed in the Video Speed Designer

.................................................................................................199Crop, Zoom, and Pan Video

................................................................................................201Audio Ducking

................................................................................................202Motion Tracker

.................................................................................................203Tracking the Motion of Objects in Videos

.................................................................................................207Adding and Editing Trackers

.................................................................................................209Adding Motion Tracking Effects

................................................................................................214Action Camera Center

................................................................................................214Blending Effect

................................................................................................215View Designer

.................................................................................................216Customizing Direction of View in 360º Video Clips

.................................................................................................225Creating Little Planet Videos

................................................................................................233360º Start View Setting

..................................................235

Adding Effects

................................................................................................235Blending Clips on the Timeline

................................................................................................236Adding Video Effects

.................................................................................................238Modifying a Video Effect

................................................................................................239Adding Pans & Zooms on Images

.................................................................................................240Magic Motion Designer

................................................................................................241Using the Freeze Frame Effect

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..................................................243

Creating Video Overlays (PiP

Effects)

................................................................................................243Adding PiP Objects

.................................................................................................245Types of PiP Objects

.................................................................................................245Creating Custom PiP Objects

................................................................................................246Modifying Media in the PiP Designer

.................................................................................................247Mode Selection and Zoom Tools

.................................................................................................248Modifying PiP Media Size and Position

.................................................................................................249Setting PiP Animation Speed and Playback Behavior

.................................................................................................250Modifying PiP Media Properties

.................................................................................................254Adding Motion to PiP Media

.................................................................................................258Utilizing PiP Keyframes

.................................................................................................261Saving and Sharing PiP Objects

................................................................................................263

Creating Shapes, Callouts, and Annotations in the

Shape Designer

.................................................................................................264Mode Selection and Zoom Tools

.................................................................................................265Creating a New Shape

.................................................................................................272Utilizing Shape Keyframes

.................................................................................................275Using and Editing Shapes

................................................................................................276Using the Paint Designer

.................................................................................................277Creating a Paint Animation

.................................................................................................278Adding Paint Animation Templates to the Timeline

.................................................................................................278Editing Paint Animation Templates

.................................................................................................279Saving and Sharing Paint Animation Templates

..................................................281

Adding Particle Effects

................................................................................................283Modifying Particle Effects in the Particle Designer

.................................................................................................284Mode Selection and Zoom Tools

.................................................................................................285Adding Objects, Images, and Backgrounds

.................................................................................................286Modifying Particle Object Range and Position

.................................................................................................287Setting Particle Animation Speed

.................................................................................................288Modifying Particle Object Properties

.................................................................................................293Adding Motion to Particle Objects

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.................................................................................................294Utilizing Particle Keyframes

.................................................................................................296Saving and Sharing Particle Effect Templates

..................................................298

Adding Title Effects

................................................................................................300Title Effect Categories

.................................................................................................300Standard 2D Title Effects

.................................................................................................301Motion Graphics Titles

.................................................................................................3023D Title Effects

.................................................................................................303360º Title Effects

................................................................................................305Modifying Titles in the Title Designer - Basic

.................................................................................................306Zoom Tools

.................................................................................................306Adding Additional Title Text

.................................................................................................306Modifying Title Effect Position, Size, and Orientation

.................................................................................................307Modifying Title Text Properties

.................................................................................................312Setting Title Text Length

.................................................................................................313Saving and Sharing Title Templates

................................................................................................315Modifying Titles in the Title Designer - Advanced

.................................................................................................316Mode Selection and Zoom Tools

.................................................................................................317Adding Text, Particles, Images, and Backgrounds

.................................................................................................319Modifying Title Effect Position, Size, and Orientation

.................................................................................................319Modifying Title Text and Image Properties

.................................................................................................329Applying Animation Effects to Title Text

.................................................................................................332Adding Motion to Title Text

.................................................................................................335Utilizing Title Effect Keyframes

.................................................................................................337Saving and Sharing Title Templates

..................................................339

Creating Custom Masks in the

Mask Designer

................................................................................................341Mode Selection and Zoom Tools

................................................................................................342Selecting Masks

................................................................................................345Creating Custom Masks

.................................................................................................345Creating Image Masks

.................................................................................................349Creating a Text Mask in the Mask Composer

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.................................................................................................356Creating Custom Brushed Masks

................................................................................................362Modifying Mask Size and Position

................................................................................................363Modifying Mask Object Settings

................................................................................................364Adding Motion to Masks

................................................................................................366Utilizing Mask Keyframes

................................................................................................369Saving and Sharing Masks

..................................................370

Using Transitions

................................................................................................370Adding Transitions to a Single Clip

................................................................................................372Adding Transitions Between Two Clips

................................................................................................373Using Audio Transitions

................................................................................................375Setting Transition Behavior

................................................................................................376Modifying Transition Settings

................................................................................................376Modifying Alpha Transitions in the Transition Designer

.................................................................................................378Creating New Alpha Transitions

.................................................................................................378Modifying Alpha Transition Properties

.................................................................................................391Saving Alpha Transitions

..................................................394

Mixing Audio and Recording

Voice-Overs

................................................................................................394Adjusting Audio Clip Volume Levels

.................................................................................................394Mixing Audio In-Track

.................................................................................................396Mixing Audio in the Audio Mixing Room

.................................................................................................397Adding Fade Effects to Audio Clips

.................................................................................................398Restoring Audio Clip Volume Levels

................................................................................................398Recording Voice-Overs

..................................................400

Adding Chapters

................................................................................................400Adding Chapter Markers

................................................................................................400Setting Chapter Thumbnails

..................................................401

Adding Subtitles

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................................................................................................401Adding Subtitle Markers

................................................................................................402Importing Subtitles from a File

................................................................................................402Extracting Subtitles from an MKV File

................................................................................................403Editing Subtitles

................................................................................................403Syncing Subtitles

..................................................405

Producing Your Project

................................................................................................405Profile Analyzer

.................................................................................................405Best Matched Format

.................................................................................................405Utilizing Intelligent SVRT

................................................................................................406Produce Window

.................................................................................................408Outputting to a Standard 2D Video File

.................................................................................................411Exporting Video Frames with Image Sequence

.................................................................................................412Exporting Audio Only

.................................................................................................413Producing a 360° Video

.................................................................................................415Outputting in a 3D Format

.................................................................................................418Outputting to a Device

.................................................................................................421Uploading Video to Online Media Sites

.................................................................................................428Uploading a 360° Video

.................................................................................................431Batch Produce

..................................................433

Creating Discs

................................................................................................434Importing Additional Disc Content

................................................................................................436Selecting a Disc Menu

................................................................................................438Editing Disc Menu Properties

.................................................................................................438Configuring Disc Menu Settings

.................................................................................................438Editing Disc Menu Text

.................................................................................................439Setting Disc Menu Music

.................................................................................................440Adding a First Play Video

.................................................................................................440Setting Disc Playback Mode

.................................................................................................441Specifying Buttons Per Page

.................................................................................................441Modifying Menu Object Properties

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................................................................................................443Customizing Disc Menus in the Menu Designer

.................................................................................................444Mode Selection, Zoom Tools, and Context Menu

.................................................................................................445Setting Menu Opening and Background

.................................................................................................447Adding Title Text and Images to Menus

.................................................................................................448Modifying Text Object and Image Properties

.................................................................................................454Adding and Editing Menu Buttons

.................................................................................................456Enabling 3D Depth in Disc Menus

.................................................................................................456Saving and Sharing Disc Menu Templates

................................................................................................458Burning Your Production to Disc

.................................................................................................458Burning a Disc in 2D

.................................................................................................460Burning a Disc in 3D

.................................................................................................463Configuring Burn Settings

.................................................................................................463Erasing Discs

..................................................464

PowerDirector Preferences

................................................................................................464General Preferences

................................................................................................466Editing Preferences

................................................................................................467File Preferences

................................................................................................468Display Preferences

................................................................................................469Hardware Acceleration Preferences

................................................................................................470Project Preferences

................................................................................................470Produce Preferences

................................................................................................471Capture Preferences

................................................................................................472Confirmation Preferences

................................................................................................472DirectorZone Preferences

................................................................................................473CyberLink Cloud Preferences

................................................................................................474Improvement Program Preferences

..................................................475

PowerDirector Hotkeys

................................................................................................475Default Keyboard Hotkeys

.................................................................................................476Application Menu Bar Hotkeys

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.................................................................................................479System Hotkeys

.................................................................................................479Capture Hotkeys

.................................................................................................480Library Hotkeys

.................................................................................................480Workspace Hotkeys

.................................................................................................481Designer Hotkeys

................................................................................................481Customizing Keyboard Hotkeys

.................................................................................................482Hotkey Sets

..................................................484

Appendix

................................................................................................484SVRT: When can I used it?

................................................................................................485Licensing and Copyright Information

.................................................................................................487Licenses and Copyrights

..................................................499

Technical Support

................................................................................................499Before Contacting Technical Support

................................................................................................500Web Support

................................................................................................500Help Resources

1

Introduction

Chapter 1:

This chapter introduces CyberLink PowerDirector and the digital video editing

process. It also outlines all of the latest features, available versions, and reviews the

minimum system requirements for CyberLink PowerDirector.

Note: this document is for reference and informational use only. Its content and the

corresponding program are subject to change without notice. For more helpful tips on

using the program, please visit our members forum or see the video tutorials at

https://directorzone.cyberlink.com/tutorial/pdr.

Welcome

Welcome to the CyberLink family of digital media tools. CyberLink PowerDirector is

a digital video editing program that lets you create professional-looking videos and

photo slideshows, complete with music, voice-overs, special effects, transitions,

and much more. You can then output your project to a file, camcorder, portable

device, upload it directly to various online video sharing web sites, or burn it to a

disc, complete with stylish menus.

Latest Features

Below is a list of some of the latest features within the CyberLink PowerDirector

program.

Create custom callouts and annotations for your videos in the Shape Designer.

Utilize more professional looking title sequences with motion graphics titles.

More controls over effect speed and behavior in the PiP, Title, Particle, and

Paint Designer.

Edit projects with 1:1 aspect ratio.

Adds import support for HDR video and MXF (8-bit 420 AVC), Apple ProRes

(10-bit 422), Sony XAVC (8-bit) video files.

Use the library preview window to preview, mark, and trim clips in the media

library.

Customize your editing workspace by undocking and moving the library

window, timeline, and the preview windows.

2

CyberLink PowerDirector Help

Preview 4K video productions with an Ultra HD preview resolution.

Use audio scrubbing to preview the audio waveform of video and audio clips

on the timeline.

More snap/auxiliary lines that help to precisely position titles or other objects.

View your project's audio levels right in the timeline with the timeline preview

volume meter.

Reverse the timeline track order so the main video track is at the bottom of

the timeline.

Customize your mouse wheel behavior for timeline scrolling.

50 new innovative templates, transitions, and effects.

18 new, cool transition effects (Fade 1-6, Ripple 1-6, and Sliding 1-6) that will

instantly turn your videos into pro-looking productions.

DirectorZone and CyberLink Cloud

You can upload/download effects and templates, and back up media, preferences,

projects, and more with the DirectorZone and CyberLink Cloud* features.

Note: * optional feature in CyberLink PowerDirector. Check the version table on our

web site for detailed versioning information.

DirectorZone

DirectorZone is a free web service that lets you search for and download theme

templates, PiP objects, paint animations, title templates, particle objects, sound

clips, and disc menus created by other users of CyberLink PowerDirector.

To access the benefits of DirectorZone, you can sign in by:

clicking the Sign in to DirectorZone link in the top right corner of the

CyberLink PowerDirector window.

clicking the button at the top of the window to open the PowerDirector

preferences, and then on the DirectorZone tab. See DirectorZone Preferences

for more information.

3

Introduction

Also, be sure to periodically click the button to check out the latest

DirectorZone Bulletin and view the Popular templates on DirectorZone. Just click

in either of these sections in the Notifications window to view the bulletin or

download these templates. Or go to https://directorzone.cyberlink.com to find out

more information on the features and benefits of the DirectorZone web service.

CyberLink Cloud

CyberLink Cloud is a cloud storage service from CyberLink where users can upload

and download their effects and templates, PowerDirector projects, produced video

clips, and more. CyberLink Cloud allows users to back up media, preferences,

projects, etc., and ensure their working environment is the same on multiple

computers.

Note: CyberLink Cloud is a subscription cloud storage service that is included with

some CyberLink products, and is available for purchase through our web site. For

more detailed information, see https://www.cyberlink.com/products/cyberlink-cloud/.

PowerDirector Versions

The features that are available to you within CyberLink PowerDirector are

completely dependent on the version you have installed on your computer.

Supported file formats, editing features, disc-making functions, and other features

vary depending on the version that you have.

To view the PowerDirector version table, please go to our web site:

https://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdirector-video-editing-software-

365/comparison_en_US.html

To determine your version of CyberLink PowerDirector, click on the CyberLink

PowerDirector logo in the top right corner or select ? > About CyberLink

PowerDirector.

PowerDirector 365

PowerDirector 365 is a subscription based version of CyberLink PowerDirector that

provides all the editing features you expect, and so much more.

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CyberLink PowerDirector Help

Exclusive Features Just For Subscribers

All the powerful editing features that PowerDirector is famous for, plus exclusive

access to the latest new product features and improvements whenever they’re

released. That means you’ll be the first to get new video editing features when

they’re released every quarter.

Creative Design Packs – Unlimited to Subscribers,

New Packs Every Month

As a PowerDirector 365 subscriber, you can get unlimited use of all creative design

packs created by CyberLink. What’s more, we’re releasing new packs every month

which you can access for free for the life of your subscription!

New Background Music & Sound Effect Packs Every

Month

Never worry about finding the proper background music and sound effects for your

video project! As a PowerDirector 365 subscriber, you get 100+ background music

and 300+ sound effect clips with more added every month!

See the PowerDirector 365 home page for more information on all that is available:

https://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdirector-video-editing-software-

365/overview_en_US.html

Updating PowerDirector

Software upgrades and updates (patches) are periodically available from CyberLink.

CyberLink PowerDirector automatically prompts you when either is available.

Note: you can prevent CyberLink PowerDirector from auto checking for

updates/upgrades in General Preferences.

To update your software, do this:

1. Click the button to open the Notifications window.

2. Check the N ew U pdates and Upgrade Info sections.

5

Introduction

3. Select an item in these sections to open your web browser, where you can

purchase product upgrades or download the latest patch update.

Note: you must connect to the Internet to use this feature.

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CyberLink PowerDirector Help

Minimum System Requirements

The system requirements listed below are recommended as minimums for general

digital video production work.

System Requirements

Operating System

Microsoft Windows 10, 8/8.1, 7 (64 bit OS only)

Processor (CPU)

Intel Core™ i-series or AMD Phenom® II

Graphics Processor

(VGA)

NVIDIA GTX220/470 (2010 Fermi)

AMD 5450 (2010 Evergreen)

Intel Ivy Bridge (2012)

Memory

2 GB required (6 GB or above recommended)

Screen Resolution

1024 x 768, 16-bit color

Hard Disk Space

7 GB required

Burning Drive

Burning drive is required for disc burning purpose

Sound Card

Windows compatible sound card is required

Internet Connection

Internet connection required for initial software &

file formats activation

Note: please consult the CyberLink web site

(https://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdirector-ultimate/spec_en_US.html) for the

most recent system requirements information. * optional feature in CyberLink

PowerDirector. Check the version table on our web site for detailed versioning

information.

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CyberLink PowerDirector 18.0 User guide

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