Adobe’s imminent release of Visual Communicator 3 means a whole lot for amateur online newscasters. Why? Because it allows the regular person to create semi-professional newscasts and/or videos without having to learn other “harder to use” and more expensive video editing software.

Note: You can use the software for free now until August 17, download here.

Adobe® Visual Communicator® 3 software offers hundreds of customizable graphics, music clips, and special effects to create video presentations that look like a television newscast.

Although we haven’t gotten our Final Cut Pro trained hands on it yet, we’re excited about seeing how this tool can produce “good enough” quality video-casts. It’s looking like it might just do the trick.

The “reasons to buy” page makes some strong arguments.

Easy video presentations
Adobe® Visual Communicator® 3 software eliminates traditional editing timelines to allow for faster video creation. It automates the production process so you can self-produce video presentations that have the look and feel of a television news broadcast.

Professional, royalty-free content
Visual Communicator 3 gives you an entire library of newscast-style graphics, effects, titles, music, and templates to create professional video presentations.

On-screen teleprompter
Speak clearly and confidently without missing key points or memorizing lines using the built-in teleprompter. It’s invaluable for clearly communicating any message on-camera, as well as for narrating photo slide shows and video montages off-camera.

Professional background replacement
Television stations use green-screen effects to put newscasters in front of weather maps and compelling backgrounds. Visual Communicator 3 allows you to place a colored backdrop behind you so you can digitally replace that background with any image, graphic, or video clip.

Dynamic TV-style transitions
Incorporate compelling visuals to captivate viewers and give your presentations a professional network TV look. Every effect works in real time, so you never have to wait to see what your production will look like.

Wizards and Coach Window
Even if you’ve never used video software before, Visual Communicator enables you to create compelling video presentations quickly and easily. Wizards help you set up the look of your video and green-screen background, while the Coach Window helps guide you through the workflow of Visual Communicator 3.

Video-embedded web pages
Convert an entire PowerPoint presentation into a narrated video and post it to the web. Visual Communicator 3 outputs the video to Adobe Flash®, Windows Media, or RealPlayer format and assembles the web pages for you. Organize your video into easily accessible chapters, or create trigger links to allow viewers to access web pages, pictures, or PowerPoint slides displayed alongside your presentation.

Multiple camera support and switching
Use up to three cameras and create interview-style videos in real time. Use the Mini Switcher to select each camera while recording or presenting live in front of an audience.

Create reference clips
Create a reference clip with preset in/out points and sound levels for audio or video clips. Place these clips quickly when producing a live show, or drop the footage into other projects and retain its edited properties.

Flexible sharing options
Export to most standard file formats, including FLV, Windows Media, and Real, and then upload files to a web server or publish directly to a weblog page. Output your video directly to a projector, TV, or Channel One closed-circuit system. Stream live FLV video presentations over the Internet using Adobe Flash® Media Server.*