how come no one suggested premiere?
Your original request:
im planning a video montage for a 50th anniversary celebration. which program would be most user friendly with professional results? i heard good things about iMovie but i dont have a Mac. any suggestions appreciated. i would also appreciate input as to songs that would go well for the soundtrack, something family minded. like ill be using the chorus from "someday", "memories" from mbd, "vezakeinu"...but need some lighter family themed songs as well....
Primary reasons:
1) You asked for something comparative to iMovie.
2) you asked for user friendly with pro results. Not a pro program. Premier has a tough learning curve.
3)premier is not the best for you needs: I assumed you were incorporating pictures which are nice with a pan and zoom effect which movie maker can do automatically. Premiere would be hours of keyframe-ing (tedious) Not the most efficient way and movie maker would look nicer.
4) you would be back here trying to figure out the render page.
5) its expensive. $30/month and takes technical knowledge to get it for cheaper
Bottom line. I think it will look nicer with Movie maker.