Is Powerdirector 16 still good to use?

Ok so last year I signed up for Powerdirector 365. I'm not keen on it and today it just kept crashing after an update. I still have all the files to reinstal Powerdirector 16 (from about 2016/17). Just wondering if it's still ok to use in 2025? Or if there may be vulnerabilities etc.

I am not familiar with that app, but I have some installable apps a heck of a lot older than that and have no problems. Most work as is but I've had a couple I had to install in compatibility mode.

Thanks. It's ok, I had saved my download files for Powerdirector 21 and just found those saved. So I'm reinstalling the 2021 version. I would prefer to have installed the 2016 version again as there was one particular effect on it I really liked, that was removed in later versions. However, the download files are no longer available. I do have the cd/dvd with it on somewhere in the house but it isn't where it should be! So I'll make do with the 2021 version.

If anyone else uses this program, another reason I've gone back to the standard download rather than the latest subscription version is - any projects saved in powerdirector 365 can't be opened in any other powerdirector version (I've just found). Whereas previously, all projects would open in any version.

So my current project, I have to edit all over again. At least it's saved me another subscription this year!. I had thought there would be a lot more and better effects in 365 but really it was just annoying and nothing better really - a lot of social media type effects which I didn't need.

@Hazel123 ,

I am still using PD14 on my desktop computer (Spec 1). It works fine with my Windows 11 24H2 computer. I too made the mistake of upgrading to PD365. That lasted for two months. Too many basic bugs. It could not produce converted DVD SD .mpg files without blocky video artifacts in a simple scroll-up title. I then purchased PD2025, but it too had the same issue. I had to go back to PD14. It worked as reliably as it always has

I did open a PD365 Support Ticket with Cyberlink, but that was a waste of time. They treat customers like idiots, even though I was a former MVP on the old PD Forums. You can't even post to get the help of other users on the Forums for an issue like that. The new Forum will not permit any mention of bugs in their product. You must open a Support Ticket. They closed my Forum post immediately.

I don't know if PD2025 will handle the scroll-up Title correctly in HD videos. I have one project on the go in HD, so I will find out in a few months when the filming is completed.

Like you, I think PD365 has far too much bloat, and I prefer to own my software. PD2025 is less bloated, but still has tons of junk I will never use. I just do basic video editing since I started in 2007, with PD7.

Have a great day.

Regards,
-Phil

I don’t know about the 2017 version but I was using the latest version the other day and I kind of liked it.
A friend has it so I asked if I could give it a go.
If didn’t crash, that’s all I know past that.

garioch7 said:

@Hazel123 ,

I am still using PD14 on my desktop computer (Spec 1). It works fine with my Windows 11 24H2 computer. I too made the mistake of upgrading to PD365. That lasted for two months. Too many basic bugs. It could not produce converted DVD SD .mpg files without blocky video artifacts in a simple scroll-up title. I then purchased PD2025, but it too had the same issue. I had to go back to PD14. It worked as reliably as it always has

I did open a PD365 Support Ticket with Cyberlink, but that was a waste of time. They treat customers like idiots, even though I was a former MVP on the old PD Forums. You can't even post to get the help of other users on the Forums for an issue like that. The new Forum will not permit any mention of bugs in their product. You must open a Support Ticket. They closed my Forum post immediately.

I don't know if PD2025 will handle the scroll-up Title correctly in HD videos. I have one project on the go in HD, so I will find out in a few months when the filming is completed.

Like you, I think PD365 has far too much bloat, and I prefer to own my software. PD2025 is less bloated, but still has tons of junk I will never use. I just do basic video editing since I started in 2007, with PD7.

Have a great day.

Regards,
-Phil

Click to expand...

Thanks. I actually have a lifetime licence for PD14 as well as PD16. And the download is still showing as available when I log in. However it is just the basic download without all the additional extra downloads it came with, so half the software is missing! PD16 was my favourite version and had a couple of titles I really liked. Most of the graphic type titles have disappeared by PD2021. I've reinstalled PD2021 for now - but if I could just find that cd/dvd for PD16 .......

As for 365. Well it took a bit of getting used to - it was a bit faster and there were some things I liked but everything got smaller and was harder to see! Some things were slower (audio downloads). I was ok with it until it stopped working! Which was straight after an update. No way of removing updates or reverting to previous version either. I also opened a ticket and haven't had a response. But now I know that any project created in 365 won't open in any previous versions, I don't want it. I have 10 years worth of projects and could open them in any version of PD previously.

So I won't be renewing PD365 this year. It's not worth an annual fee - my favourite stuff has gone and there is a lot of stuff I don't want or need. It's all very "social media" type titles now. Which is ok if there was a bit of variation and some traditional ones too but theyre all virtually the same thing.

I assume that in 5 years time though, the older versions may not function ....... I didn't even know there was a 2025 permanent version! I only upgraded from 14 to 16 because I lost the original cd during a house move. Upgraded to 2021 thinking it would be better - it wasn't!

If I go through my external hard drives from a few years ago, it's possible I may still have all the files for PD16 in the downloads folder. But not sure I have my files saved that far back ......... I have the links to the downloads in an email but if clicking on them it just takes you to your profile page and only the basic download is available.

Having said all that, now I'm using PD2021 again it seems a bit dumbed down after 365 lol. But it does the job.

@Hazel123 ,

I have the three content pack installers for PD14. I have PD14 Ultimate. I always save the installers for all of my programs on at least two drives. I stopped at PD14 because PD15 was subscription-based, which I dislike, and PD14 did everything I wanted to do.

Send me a PM, if you are interested. I could upload the Content Pack installers to my SendSpace Pro account later in the coming week, when I get time and send you the link of the SendSpace Pro PD14 folder that I would create temporarily to your email address that you would provide to me via the PM. I am wary of Forum PMs, so that is why I ask that we do this offline from ElevenForum.

Rule 4 states: No piracy or discussion of piracy allowed at all. Such as software, music, videos, and other intellectual property violations (e.g., downloading youtube videos locally, etc.) - it is forum policy that no help shall be given to people who knowingly steal software or services.

I believe your statement that you own PD14, and I will not be sharing the main program installer. The Content Packs are useless unless you have a copy of PD14. I do NOT support software piracy, and never have.

@Brink , if this post inadvertently violates Forum Rule 4, please accept my apologies and delete this post. Thank you.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

I'm still running CyberLink PowerDirector 18 which I think was the last version before it went 365. Works perfectly for me. I did buy all the effects packs for it, but have uninstalled them now as they take up enormous amounts of disk space. I still use it as a part of my video arsenal (HD Video Converter Pro, Video ReDo, DVD Fab) among others. I do a lot of video conversion work.