Top 10 Effects in NewBlue Video Essentials IV You Should Try

NewBlue Video Essentials IV Review — Performance, Presets, and ValueNewBlue Video Essentials IV is a collection of video filters, transitions, and effects aimed at editors who want to add professional polish quickly without spending hours tweaking settings. In this review I cover real-world performance, the quality and usefulness of presets, pricing value, and how the package fits into different editing workflows.

What’s included and who it’s for

NewBlue bundles a broad set of tools in Essentials IV: color correction and grading filters, stylization effects (glows, film looks, vintage treatments), motion tools (pan/zoom, shake, stabilization), chroma-key enhancements, and a selection of transitions. The pack is designed for:

• Content creators and YouTubers who need quick, attractive looks.
• Corporate and wedding editors wanting polished transitions and stabilizers.
• Hobbyists and semi-pro editors using consumer NLEs such as Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve (via OFX), and others that support NewBlue plugins.

If you want one-stop access to common effects and transitions without learning complex color-grading workflows, Essentials IV is made for you.

Performance

Performance depends on host application, system specs, and which effects are stacked. Notes from testing on a modern Intel/AMD CPU machine with an NVIDIA GPU:

• Real-time playback: Simple filters (exposure, contrast, basic color) typically play back in real time on 1080p and often 4K when GPU acceleration is enabled in the host NLE. Heavy composites, multiple layered glows, or film-grain overlays will drop frames unless you render previews.
• GPU use: Many NewBlue effects leverage GPU acceleration. On machines with mid-range GPUs (e.g., NVIDIA GTX/RTX 10-2060 equivalents and newer), performance is smooth for most single-effect uses. Older GPUs will rely more on CPU and show degraded playback.
• Rendering/export: Render times with a single NewBlue effect are competitive with native effects. Complex stacks or time-consuming filters (advanced stabilization, motion effects) add noticeable render overhead.
• Memory/instability: No major stability issues observed in Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve during extended sessions; however, hosts without proper GPU drivers can see crashes. Keep GPU drivers and host software up to date.

Bottom line: Performance is strong for typical edits on modern hardware; expect slower realtime playback when stacking many heavy effects.

Presets and usability

Essentials IV ships with a large library of presets grouped by effect type and look (cinematic, broadcast, vintage, etc.). Key usability points:

• Preset variety: There’s a useful range of starting points for color grading and stylized looks — many can be applied with one click and tweaked slightly to fit footage.
• Customization: Presets are editable. Controls are logically laid out, though some filters expose many parameters (which can overwhelm beginners). Each preset often includes recommended tweaks for intensity, color tint, and vignette.
• Templates vs. custom: For users who prefer quick results, the templates are very effective. For those wanting fine control, the underlying parameters are sufficiently deep to achieve nuanced results.
• Search and preview: Preset browsing in supported hosts includes thumbnails or small previews, which helps speed trial-and-error selection.
• Learning curve: Low for applying presets; medium for mastering advanced filters like detailed chroma-keying or motion tools.

Overall: Presets are practical, high-quality, and significantly speed up workflow for non-specialists.

Signature effects worth noting

• Color and HDR tools — Solid primary controls (lift/gamma/gain or similar), useful for quick corrections and basic grading.
• Stabilizer — Fast and effective for handheld shake reduction; not as advanced as specialized stabilizers in some hosts but excellent for quick fixes.
• Lens correction and sharpness — Helpful for removing distortion and adding crispness without introducing harsh artifacts.
• Motion tools (pan/zoom) — Intuitive keyframing and auto-animate options that save time on Ken Burns-style moves.
• Glows and film looks — High-quality stylization with adjustable film grain, bloom, and tint options.
• Chroma key enhancements — Add-on features that clean edges, reduce spill, and help imperfect green screen footage look much better.

Compatibility and workflow integration

• Hosts: Supports major NLEs (Premiere Pro, FCP via plugin wrapper where applicable, DaVinci Resolve via OFX, Vegas, and others). Integration level varies slightly by host—Premiere and Resolve generally offer the best, most stable experience.
• Project portability: Presets and plugin settings export/import between systems running the same plugin version, which helps team workflows.
• GPU/driver requirements: Ensure you have a current GPU driver and enable host GPU acceleration for optimal performance.
• Batch processing: Many hosts allow applying NewBlue filters across clips via presets or adjustment layers, simplifying batch look workflows.

Price and value

NewBlue Video Essentials IV is usually sold as an affordable plugin pack (often a one-time purchase) and periodically discounted. Considerations:

• Cost vs. native effects: If you already have strong native effects in your NLE and don’t need many stylized looks, the value is lower. But for creators lacking a dedicated effects library, Essentials IV consolidates many frequently used tools into one purchase.
• Compared to higher-tier NewBlue suites: Essentials IV is a middle-tier offering — cheaper than complete suites but more feature-rich than single-effect packs.
• Long-term value: Presets and quick workflows can save significant editing time, which is valuable for creators producing content regularly.

Conclusion on value: Good — especially for frequent editors who want to save time and add a wide set of polished looks without buying multiple single-purpose plugins.

Strengths and weaknesses

Who should buy it?

• Buy if: You produce video regularly, want a one-stop pack of high-quality presets and common effects, and work on a machine with a decent GPU.
• Skip if: You only need a few niche effects, already have a full-featured effects suite, or work on very old/low-powered hardware.

Final verdict

NewBlue Video Essentials IV is a practical, time-saving plugin collection that delivers good performance on modern hardware, a large and useful preset library, and solid value for creators who want professional-looking results quickly. Recommended for content creators and semi-pro editors who want convenience and polish without a steep learning curve.