| ![Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 & Adobe Premiere Elements 4 [OLD VERSION]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51YRJIWKw9L._SL500_.jpg)
| From: Adobe
List Price: $149.99
Buy New: $97.93
You Save: $52.06 (35%)
New (15) Used (3) from $84.95
Rating:  85 reviews
Sales Rank: 494
Format: Cd-rom
Platforms: Windows Vista, Windows Xp
Media: CD-ROM
Operating System: Windows Vista
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.6 x 1.4
MPN: 29180383
Model: 29180383
UPC: 883919136356
EAN: 0883919136356
ASIN: B000UK8LI8
Release Date: October 5, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Brand New, Sealed Retail, Genuine US Retail Version, No Tax, UPC intact, Ship within 1 day
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 85
 Best bang for your buck November 7, 2007
Kevin B. (Maryland)
17 out of 18 found this review helpful
I am coming from Adobe Photoshop Elements (PE) version 4.0 and Adobe Premiere Elements 2.0 and this review reflects that. Most of this review will be for PE 6.0 since I have spent most my time editing photos. I would not call myself a power user, but perhaps I am approaching an advanced user. As such, I hope this is useful for those with similar experience. There is no getting around that PE has a tremendous amount of power for the cost of the program.
In a nutshell:
An upgrade from PE 4.0 is highly recommended.
From my understanding of PE 5.0, there are not enough new photo editing features to warrant an upgrade.
Many of the small nuances in PE 4.0 have been smoothed out and there are a number of added features. Some of the more important features for photo editing include a better RAW conversion routine and a CORRECT CAMERA DISTORTION routine (although a lighter version than in Photoshop CS). These by themselves probably make version 6.0 a worthwhile upgrade from version 4.0. I also found the new ADJUST SHARPNESS tool easy to use with minimal edge highlights, although I have been using a third party sharpener that seems comparable. The new curves routine is really not very useful since it is not in an adjustment layer. This was disappointing and you would be better off downloading a third party curves plug-in of which there are several - both free and fee types. You would then have the full benefit of curves outside of an adjustment layer. However, I think all these tools were available in version 5.0. Also, and apparently beginning with version 5.0, Adobe has made it more difficult to install "Hidden Power" tools (authored by Richard Lynch - do a search). I use some of these tools extensively and probably would not upgrade PE if I were not able to install them. However, I was successful in installing them in version 6.0 using methods similar to version 5.0.
Version 6.0 has a darker gray background. I have mixed feelings about this. At first, I found my pictures to "pop" and easier to view. However, after using it for some time, I don't know that it really offers much benefit. In fact, it can make your pictures appear brighter than they really are. Thus, it is even more critical to use the histogram (Personally, I thought it beneficial to use the middle gray that cameras expose for resulting in a good visual for a photo that is supposed to be a little darker or a little lighter. The background in the photo editor of version 4.0 was middle gray.). The second thing I don't care for is the coloration of the tools. They are very distracting. If Adobe darkened the background to be less distracting, why would they color the tools? Also, the various versions of a tool are no longer represented in the tool bar. For example, in version 4.0, when the BURN tool was clicked on, both the BURN and DODGE appeared in the toolbar. Now you have to right click on the tool to get the option (I guess power users would just use ALT-CLICK ;) ). Finally, it is clear that Adobe has spent some effort in trying to make the program run faster. I think in some respects they have succeeded. Unfortunately, they continue to offset the speed by bulking the program up with gimmicks. I guess they have done their marketing research and that is what people are asking for. I don't care for them but can understand that Adobe wants to reach a wider audience. Beginners will appreciate the "Guided Edit" to help them learn editing steps and there is a more extensive set of photo sharing tools.
As far as Premiere Elements goes, the same dark background is used which sometimes makes the text difficult to read. From the little I have used it so far, the program seems more stable than version 2.0. One issue that you might come up against, as I have, is that not all the pre-made frames from version 2.0 were included in the new version. When I loaded some of my previously made movies, an error box came up asking where the frames were. Finally, Adobe replaced many of the markers such as the "In Point" and "Out Point". I preferred the older markers as they mimicked professional equipment that I have seen. Anyway, they will take some time getting used to.
In spite of these minor nuances, the package easily gets a 5 star rating.
 Can't convert catalog from early versions into Photoshop Elements 6.0 October 31, 2007
Steven W. Waugh (Lorton VA)
14 out of 18 found this review helpful
I've been using Adobe PhotoAlbum for 3 years, been very happy. Decided to upgrade and it wouldn't do the catalog conversion. I even tried downloading an earlier version of photoshop elements, and was able to convert to that but not the 6.0 version.
Researched and lots of folks having this same problem. It's a new database structure for 6.0 versus all prevous versions, and seems to be very fragile. I don't understand why they wouldn't do extensive testing with their own previous product lines. I have 15,000 photo's and video's tagged in my catalog, and it's not acceptable that this new version of adobe software can't import correctly the adobe catalogs from software written only 3 years ago.
I put in this issues with their tech team, but have not gotten a response. I am resigned to return to Amazon the PSE 6.0. Maybe I'll buy a PSE 5.0 version instead.
 Adobe Photoshop 6 & Premiere Elements 4 November 4, 2007
G. Scott (Tennessee, USA)
11 out of 13 found this review helpful
PSE6 is a typical Adobe upgrade, incorporating improvements in usability and performance over earlier versions (PSE2-5). The screens are more attractive and functional, and the tools are more functional in several cases. Organizer may even work this time.
I was unable to determine the performance or value of PE4 because of a major omission in its labeling, which is the requirement for a CPU that has the SSE2 instruction set available. My CPU, while otherwise equivalent to those recommended for the product, does not have the SSE2 instructions, so the software will not load. I have transmitted this information directly to Adobe, and they agree that my evaluation of the labeling omission is accurate.
 Video Editing Not Useable For Me March 2, 2008
R. Groh (Kansas City, MO)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
Photoshop Elements 6 is a great program. Adobe Premiere Elements 4 was (for my circumstances) a big disappointment. Premiere will simply not handle my video files (*.mod aka mpeg2) without crashing. Every time. Spent some time on the Adobe forum both looking for similar problems and posting my own problem and the general consensus is that Premiere is most reliable with DV-AVI file types and that other file types (certainly mpeg2 and it's derivatives such as my JVC camera's *.mod types) are very problematic. I am looking into a format converter but, meanwhile, using another movie editor. My computer is an HP with a AMD Athlon 64x2, 3 GB Ram, 400 GB of harddrive and Windows XP Media Center so it should have plenty of horsepower.
How do I use it? You need to BUY a manual!!! December 7, 2007
N. Albrecht (Portland, OR United States)
10 out of 12 found this review helpful
Have received and installed the 2 programs. Now how do I use it? The manuals (ha!) that come with are a joke. Info on what the programs CAN do but nothing on HOW to do it!! Am new to Photoshop so am at a loss, guessing my way through even the basics. You are expected to purchase manuals separately? I expected more out of an Adobe product. Were other versions sold the same way? You can get help on-line, but what a pain! If you are unfamiliar with the product and/or it's new features you will need to BUY a manual in ADDITION to the software. And before purchasing the Adobe "Classroom In A Book" published version shown at $41 explore the others available such as "The Missing Manual" by Barbara Brundage - customer reviews are high. Or upcomming "For Dummys" publication. Once I get the manual I decided on and learn how to use the programs effectively I may upgrade my rating, but for now the 2 stars stand because of the lack of documentation. Like I said - I expected more out of an Adobe product!!
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