any recomendations?

Sony VEGAS is pretty good. I've tried to use Adobe Premiere, but it didn't have the effects I wanted.

Also, while Windows Movie Maker is not professional software, it is possible to do a few cools things with it with the proper add-ons. Just "Google it!" =P

Adobe Premier is what AMV makers usually use.

Based on your question id say you dont have that much knowledge of video editing, and a conclusion of that is to recomend Sony Vegas. Easy enough for beginners, but with depth for advanced users.

Final Cut Pro is what we use.. Mac Only.. expensive but one hell of a beast..
it's the best of the best..

Premiere Pro is also nice.. great After Effects intergration..

There is also Pinacle Studio 12 and Corel VideoStudio. I've used Pinacle's older software and that worked fairly well. I've used Premiere too (or whatever Adobe's old equivalent is), but Pinacle worked better on my PC at the time (over 4 years ago). I'm looking to buy some software myself since I just got a camcorder, but I haven't made up my mind. Based on price, Adobe seems to be the best option, but I really don't know who makes the best software overall.

Sony VEGA 9 Platinum Pro - $74 - http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Vegas-Movie-Studio-Platinum/dp/B001CPHTAQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1248872589&sr=8-1

Adobe Premiere Elements 7 - video only $50, combined with picture $100 - http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-Elements-Premiere-7/dp/B001DMBX7S/ref=pd_cp_sw_2

Pinacle Studio 12 - $100 - http://www.amazon.com/Pinnacle-Studio-Ultimate-Version-12/dp/B001AMSZSQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1248872922&sr=8-2

Corel Video Studio - $80 - http://www.amazon.com/Corel-Paint-Ultimate-VideoStudio-Bundle/dp/B001EJTO3K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1248873371&sr=8-2

^^ Try the Premiere Elements 30 day trail.. don't like it? Then get Vegas..
btw.. that's not Vegas Pro or Premiere Pro.. Those are the consumers versions.. "light" versions of the real deal.. Vegas pro is around $599 and Pemiere Pro $799.. and don't get the pack with Photoshop Elements... that's a waste of moeny..

I've used Final Cut and Adobe Premiere and both have been nice.

yea, I know they are the consumer versions. I've had chances to play with the real pro software, but that is just what they called it, so I typed it here. I didn't know there was a 30 day trial, so I'll have to check that out. One other thing I would like in my software is AVCHD support. I have software to convert AVCHD into any format I need, but I'd rather have it built into my software. Also, I have a Canon Vixia HF100, so I know that Sony VEGA and Pinacle support it, but I'm not sure of the others. (note, I edited them in the above post to better reflect what I was pointing too, as no one on these forums would ask for a recomendation to real professional software)

Is VEGAS really better than the other options? I was reading some reviews, and the one website had them Corel > Adobe > Pinacle, but they didn't have VEGAS listed. The reason Corel beat out Adobe was because Corel has this feature that lets you run low resolution video for the timeline, but then renders everything at full resolution. Essentially it allows slower computers to modify the movie, and then run overnight to actually render everything. The reason they had Pinacle at the bottom was because although they had the most features, there were some usability issues.

after going thru my comp i found windows movie maker, which ive used before and felt it was too limited. i also realized i have the master edition of CS4 which came with Adobe Premiere Pro, seems like its everything i need and more, looks a lil complicated. definately gonna check out Sony Vegas