Matrox Marvel G400TV

With a product like the Marvel G400, Matrox had to be very careful in the selection of their software bundle to make sure that they weren't scaring off users with complex video editing software and at the same time they had to make sure that they weren't limiting productivity with their software selection.

Unfortunately, a sacrifice was made in order to keep the Marvel G400 easy to use for the first time video editors, which explains the inclusion of Avid Cinema, an extremely easy to use video editing package that is way too oversimplified for users once they get beyond a certain level of experience with video editing. It would be asking too much from Matrox to see a copy of Adobe Premier included with the Marvel G400, but something a bit more challenging than Avid Cinema would be a very welcome desire, even if provided only as an option to those that requested it.

Avid Cinema does make adding basic effects and creating small home videos a very simple task but there is only so much you can do with such a simple program. It isn't nearly as difficult to use as some of the more powerful packages out there, but then again, once you learn how to use those powerful programs, Avid Cinema seems like a big joke.

Avid Cinema Screenshots - Click to Enlarge

Once again, Matrox's PC-VCR Remote is back and it and remains unchanged from the original Marvel's bundle. The PC-VCR remote is a window resembling a remote that can control your TV Tuner, Line-In Feed, as well as process on-the-fly recordings for those moments you just can't live without watching a second time. The application itself is quite bulky, and even on a large desktop, it occupies a considerable amount of valuable real estate.

Luckily you have the option of hiding the remote or even using a smaller version of it which allows you the basic functions necessary for the TV-Tuner. As simplistic as the PC-VCR remote may seem, it provides you with most of the controls, both at beginner and advanced levels, that you'll need to get the full benefit of the card.

Matrox also bundled a Software DVD player, the Ligos MPEG Transcoder discussed earlier in the article, and a copy of Ulead Photo Express for static (2D) image editing. In terms of games, the OEM version of Ubi Soft's Tonic Trouble (included with the first Marvel G200 as well) and the full version of Wild Metal Country (a DualHead/EMBM game) are also bundled with the Marvel.