Tech: Video editing software (free?!)

Subject: Tech: Video editing software (free?!)
From: Bernard
Date: 31 May 11 - 03:12 AM

A friend of mine needs some good, user-friendly video editing software for personal use. Windows Movie Maker is clunky, reduces the resolution, and insists on using WMV format.

I don't really have any use for video editing software myself, so I'm not in a position to advise... anyone got any suggestions - free or reasonably cheap?!

The machine is a fairly new Sony Vaio running Windoze 7 - upgrading to a Mac is not an option, so please, let's not clutter this query up with pro-Mac propaganda!! ;o)

Subject: RE: Tech: Video editing software (free?!)
From: treewind
Date: 31 May 11 - 04:46 AM

AVIdemux
Lets you choose and convert between several video formats, has lots of useful processing features, and is easy for basic editing.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video editing software (free?!)
From: MikeL2
Date: 31 May 11 - 06:15 AM

hi Bernard


I don't know of any freebies that are better than Windows Movie Maker.

Reasonably cheap - if you look around between £20-£30 - are Adobe Premiere Elements 9 or 10; Sony Vegas Movie Studio, Corel Videostudio Pr0x3.....These do require some basic knowledge of video editing but results are IMHO very good.

For less experienced users I would recommend Magix Video Easy. Reasonably cheap (again shop around ) and straightforward to use with good quality results.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: Tech: Video editing software (free?!)
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 31 May 11 - 06:38 AM

It's an area I need to revisit sometime but I suspect on Linux, programs will be using the likes of ffmpeg and mencoder behind the scenes.

I had a lot of crashes the last time I tried but I am pretty sure the reason for this was me trying to be clever and using the VLC repository which I've since learned contains a number of incompatible (with the rest of my OpenSuse distribution) versions of the programs..

Part 1.... Will try to get the bounced part through in a post of its own...

Subject: RE: Tech: Video editing software (free?!)
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 31 May 11 - 06:38 AM

Trying part 2....

A couple of the more interesting/hopeful GUI programs I looked at for this platform were.

Cinelerra and KDEnlive

Subject: RE: Tech: Video editing software (free?!)
From: MikeL2
Date: 31 May 11 - 06:52 AM

hi Bernard

I have just tracked a copy of magix Video Easy at Amazon UK for £13.99.

cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: Tech: Video editing software (free?!)
From: Bernard
Date: 31 May 11 - 08:58 AM

Thanks, Mike, I've just remembered a late friend of mine used to use Magix and thought it lived up to its name...!

Thanks also for all the other suggestions, folks - I shall check them all out.

Apparently the Vaio came with a version of Vegas, but my friend can't get her head around it. Her old (poorly) HP had a programme she thought was the bees knees, but it doesn't work on Win7 apparently... though I don't yet know what it is! I'm in Manchester, she's in London, so there's a limit to what I can do!

Subject: RE: Tech: Video editing software (free?!)
From: DrugCrazed
Date: 31 May 11 - 10:37 AM

Something which might be worth a look at is Giveaway Of The Day. You might get lucky and get what you're after in the next week.

[http part added- a clone]

Subject: RE: Tech: Video editing software (free?!)
From: Bernard
Date: 31 May 11 - 03:00 PM

I'm already registered - I get daily notification emails, and so do all my Facebook 'friends'!

Interestingly, I once downloaded RegTidy2009 from there... only yesterday I needed to use it to clean up a friend's machine (I have lots of real friends, too!), downloaded it from the software house's website and tried the free registration key from a couple of years back, and surprisingly it worked!!

For those not familiar with Giveaway, they put a full version of a programme up for download for 24 hours, and as long as you download and activate it before the 24 hours expires, you end up with a fully regestered version of current software completely free.

There are some limitations - no online support and no free upgrades - but the software itself has no restrictions.

Well worth a look! Make sure you read the instructions, though, or you may think you've registered and find out too late that you haven't!

Subject: RE: Tech: Video editing software (free?!)
From: Bill D
Date: 31 May 11 - 03:04 PM

Yes... I got the full version of WinRar that way a couple of years ago.
I find only about 1 in 20 offers interest me, and I find it hard to remember to look each day.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video editing software (free?!)
From: Bernard
Date: 31 May 11 - 04:58 PM

Yup, most of the stuff probably suits someone else, not me! As I get a daily email and have Outlook set up in 'Autopreview', it's no effort to glance at what's on offer.

I ordered a copy of Magix from Amazon so I can offer advice with a degree of confidence - who wants to bet it'll be on offer from Giveaway any day now?!!

Subject: RE: Tech: Video editing software (free?!)
From: Bill D
Date: 31 May 11 - 05:12 PM

I have only a few $$$$ programs, preferring to find freeware whenever possible. Sometimes free stuff is as good or better....and I don't NEED all the features of PhotoShop or the latest Word.....and I go out of my way to avoid using Adobe and its pushy stuff! (Possible? Sure!)

And AVIdemux that treewind mentioned is quite good.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video editing software (free?!)
From: Nick
Date: 31 May 11 - 05:45 PM

Does Virtual Dub
count?

Or LightWorks which is also Open Source.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video editing software (free?!)
From: Micca
Date: 31 May 11 - 07:44 PM

Bernard, I have a spare copy of Corel Ulead VideoStudio 11 Plus

, going free (I have acquired and use Pinnacle Studio 15 Ultimate for my own editing)as I do not need it,It is complete in Original box with Manual and conveniently I am in London, PM me if it sounds like it might be of use I can arrange a hand over in Central London.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video editing software (free?!)
From: Bernard
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 01:52 PM

Thanks, Micca, a very kind offer from my twin brother!!

However, we've opted for Magix and my copy arrived today so hers probably did, too - I've tried it and it seems to be exactly the idiot-proof thing for the job!

It's a little like Windows Movie Maker, but works much more quickly when importing clips.

Anyway, we'll see what happens next...!

Subject: RE: Tech: Video editing software (free?!)
From: MikeL2
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 04:13 PM

Hi Bernard

I see you went the Magix route. I thought that was the sort of thing you were after.

I have used it sometimes so I know what it is all about, I am sure you will be able to sus it all out. But if you do have any problems pm me and I will help if Ican.

Cheers

Mikel2