What free editing program can _____

[quadrplax]

I need to find a video editing program that:
A) Allows you to select a codec/has one that doesn't ruin color quality
B) Can join multiple video clips
C) Can add a separate audio track and keep the original, and control the volume separately
D) Absolutely free
Is there such a thing? If so, please tell me!

[aedipuss]

video editing software. there are a couple free ones you can try in the tools section, but something like vegas studio would probably be easier to learn.

[hech54]

I need to find a video editing program that:
A) Allows you to select a codec/has one that doesn't ruin color quality
Is there such a thing? If so, please tell me!

No.
Re-encoding changes/reduces quality.

[quadrplax]

I have found programs that re-encode in good quality (I'd prefer h.264)

[smrpix]

Lightworks strictly matches all your criteria but you'll complain about the codec choices.

There are a number of good choices to match any three of your four requirements. Which one can you drop?

[jagabo]

I need to find a video editing program that:
A) Allows you to select a codec/has one that doesn't ruin color quality
Is there such a thing? If so, please tell me!

No.
Re-encoding changes/reduces quality.

But not necessarily ruining it. That's usually caused by user error.

[hech54]

I need to find a video editing program that:
A) Allows you to select a codec/has one that doesn't ruin color quality
Is there such a thing? If so, please tell me!

No.
Re-encoding changes/reduces quality.

But not necessarily ruining it. That's usually caused by user error.

100% agree.

[redwudz]

quadrplax, in the future please use a more descriptive subject title in your posts to allow others to search for similar topics. I will change yours this time. From our rules:

Try to choose a subject that describes your topic.
Please do not use topic subjects like Help me!!! or Problems.

Thanks,
Moderator redwudz

You didn't seem to mention what format of video you wanted to edit. That makes a huge difference for editor selection.
For a versatile freeware editor, you might also look into AVIDemux.

And welcome to our forums.

[quadrplax]

For a versatile freeware editor, you might also look into AVIDemux.

I tried that. I can't remember what exactly, but it was lacking a feature I needed. I also didn't want to have a super long title, if I listed everything I needed there.

EDIT: The problem with AVIDemux is multiple audio tracks. When I do both the video and audio files' sound, it only plays the video's. When I just enable the external audio, playing it causes a crash. I have 2.6.4 r8696.

[Hikmet]

Best free video editor is Blender, but it is cannot very best And hard to learn, because professional.

If you don't need NLA editing or professional visual effect etc, then VirtualDub + XmediaRecode + MKVToolnix is best combination (for me).

[Clockwork]

For a versatile freeware editor, you might also look into AVIDemux.

I tried that. I can't remember what exactly, but it was lacking a feature I needed. I also didn't want to have a super long title, if I listed everything I needed there.

EDIT: The problem with AVIDemux is multiple audio tracks. When I do both the video and audio files' sound, it only plays the video's. When I just enable the external audio, playing it causes a crash. I have 2.6.4 r8696.

You could always demux the audio and do your editing with Audacity (also free) then re-mux the finished product into AviDemux.

[Cornucopia]

Best free video editor is Blender, but it is cannot very best And hard to learn, because professional.

If you don't need NLA editing or professional visual effect etc, then VirtualDub + XmediaRecode + MKVToolnix is best combination (for me).

As far as editors go, no Blender is NOT professional (it IS professional afa 3D modelling/rendering/animation). And best free editor is probably Lightworks, as was mentioned. But basically FREE and BEST/PRO EDITOR are mutually exclusive.

You want to do anything resonably efficiently in an editor, you need to use a paid app. All depends on what you want to do, and your requirements don't really give us a good indicator. Plus, don't assume that because something crashes, that that is a common occurence for the app. Could be just your setup/implementation, and a fix might give you just what you need.

You should also understand the difference between EDITING and ENCODING. Just because the 2 are often combined within the same app, doesn't mean they have to be.

Scott

[Hikmet]

Best free video editor is Blender, but it is cannot very best And hard to learn, because professional.

If you don't need NLA editing or professional visual effect etc, then VirtualDub + XmediaRecode + MKVToolnix is best combination (for me).

As far as editors go, no Blender is NOT professional (it IS professional afa 3D modelling/rendering/animation). And best free editor is probably Lightworks, as was mentioned. But basically FREE and BEST/PRO EDITOR are mutually exclusive.

You want to do anything resonably efficiently in an editor, you need to use a paid app. All depends on what you want to do, and your requirements don't really give us a good indicator. Plus, don't assume that because something crashes, that that is a common occurence for the app. Could be just your setup/implementation, and a fix might give you just what you need.

You should also understand the difference between EDITING and ENCODING. Just because the 2 are often combined within the same app, doesn't mean they have to be.

Scott

No, you are wrong. Blender isn't only 3D editor. It's 3D modeling/rendering/animation/video editing and compositing program. Blender equalivent to Maya, 3dsmax and After Effects and Premier and same other programs. I'm use this program in 3-4 years. Blender can edit video, compositing, color grading, camera match, rotoscopy, chroma keying, vfx etc.

Tears of Steel short film make only use Blender.

Lightworks is good program but limited for free users.

And yes, Blender most professional program. Also Pixar says that.

And I know very well EDITING and ENCODING, and differences. Thank you. Maybe firstly you learn somethings.

[Cornucopia]

Well, if we're going to throw experience around, I've been using blender for 7-8 years, and have been editing on PRO editing desks for 20 years. Yes, Blender can edit. Pretty decently, as witnessed by the Opensource short movies that have been created from it. But you misunderstand me. I said:

1. Blender is PRIMARILY a 3D modeling/rendering/animation program.
2. Blender has editing capability, added to it mainly to facilitate the workflow for above said short opensource movies.
3. While it has an OK featureset, it is NOT a professional editing app by most normal standards. And don't confuse compositing (which in B's case is node-based) with editing. Grading, Roto, VFX are add-ons to editing, also - not what the core of editing is about.
4. Because of it's interface, I would not recommend it to people just starting to edit.

BTW, Pixar mainly uses Maya (I know people who work there) for 3D work, though many other apps are used. But I don't think at this stage that any professional company would use it as their primary NLE for feature movies/docs, or episodic TV, as it's interface is NOT built with that kind of workflow in mind.

I'm going to chalk it up to a language barrier.
This time.

Scott

[Hikmet]

Well, if we're going to throw experience around, I've been using blender for 7-8 years, and have been editing on PRO editing desks for 20 years. Yes, Blender can edit. Pretty decently, as witnessed by the Opensource short movies that have been created from it. But you misunderstand me. I said:

1. Blender is PRIMARILY a 3D modeling/rendering/animation program.
2. Blender has editing capability, added to it mainly to facilitate the workflow for above said short opensource movies.
3. While it has an OK featureset, it is NOT a professional editing app by most normal standards. And don't confuse compositing (which in B's case is node-based) with editing. Grading, Roto, VFX are add-ons to editing, also - not what the core of editing is about.
4. Because of it's interface, I would not recommend it to people just starting to edit.

BTW, Pixar mainly uses Maya (I know people who work there) for 3D work, though many other apps are used. But I don't think at this stage that any professional company would use it as their primary NLE for feature movies/docs, or episodic TV, as it's interface is NOT built with that kind of workflow in mind.

I'm going to chalk it up to a language barrier.
This time.

Scott

What is professional. Professinals are use only specific programs or use always necessity programs? If one pro need Blender, then use Blender. But, many studio always set up their workflow and spending million dollars this systems and cannot want change that.

If one film use Blender, then this film is amateur film? No, not important what use, important is what produce.

Pixar is always use own programs. Only modeling and texturing process use Maya and other programs. Pixar says:

Now, says DeRose, open-source software like Blender can do almost everything Pixar’s software can do. Last summer, Pixar even open-sourced its subdivision surface code library. “We had a competitive advantage for ten years,” DeRose says, “but now we get more value by letting everyone contribute.”

Somewhere out there, a brilliant kid and their friends are working in their garage” using and improving on tools like Blender, DeRose tells the assembled children and adults at MoMath. “They will be the next Pixar."

And you know: LOTR's Gollum modelled with Wings3D, not Maya or Softimage or 3dsmax. Then, Is LOTR an amateur film?

[Clockwork]

4. Because of it's interface, I would not recommend it to people just starting to edit.

That's putting it mildly...

[Cornucopia]

What is professional...

If you don't know the answer to that, then you're not a professional.

Scott

[Hikmet]

What is professional...

If you don't know the answer to that, then you're not a professional.

Scott

And, if you have most ego, then you are not a gentleman. I know answer, but you don't know answer, what is humble.

[Cornucopia]

I rest my case.

Scott

[Steve(MS)]

Gosh hikmet, you are picking to debate with one of our very knowledgeable guys here at this videohelp.
On top on that, Scott is generally "humble" as he helps out when he can.
I definitely wouldn't put him in the unkind category.

Of course we have many here that know a lot about video and audio, etc, so many of us enjoy hanging out to learn what we can.

I think you made your point about blender but I bet it isn't real easy for beginners to use..which was one of the points for helping those
with less than professional skills.

In case you haven't noticed, you join date is last month while Scott has been around more than a decade.....

[Cornucopia]

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Steve(MS).

So...

I'd like to hear from the OP about whether any of the other suggestions have helped. Also, what kind of files don't play their audio in AVIDemux? Do you have MediaInfo printouts?

Scott

[quadrplax]

Also, what kind of files don't play their audio in AVIDemux?

I'm trying to add an mp3 soundtrack (30min) to three avi videos (10min ea)

[quadrplax]

According to XMedia Recode, the mp3 file (which has run through audacity) is in the format "PCM signed 16-bit Little-Endian". The audio on the videos is simply "MP2".

[aedipuss]

According to XMedia Recode, the mp3 file (which has run through audacity) is in the format "PCM signed 16-bit Little-Endian". The audio on the videos is simply "MP2".

If so its not mp3. Pcm is a wav.

[Hikmet]

Gosh hikmet, you are picking to debate with one of our very knowledgeable guys here at this videohelp.
On top on that, Scott is generally "humble" as he helps out when he can.
I definitely wouldn't put him in the unkind category.

Of course we have many here that know a lot about video and audio, etc, so many of us enjoy hanging out to learn what we can.

I think you made your point about blender but I bet it isn't real easy for beginners to use..which was one of the points for helping those
with less than professional skills.

In case you haven't noticed, you join date is last month while Scott has been around more than a decade.....

I think you made your point about blender but I bet it isn't real easy for beginners to use..which was one of the points for helping those
with less than professional skills.

Hi Steve. I wrote this:

Best free video editor is Blender, but it is cannot very best And hard to learn, because professional.

And this:

If you don't need NLA editing or professional visual effect etc, then VirtualDub + XmediaRecode + MKVToolnix is best combination (for me).

And be old member, don't require have most ego and despise others.

[DB83]

@Hikmet

Do yourself a big favour and drop this 'arguement'

It has NOTHING to do with this topic.

[Hikmet]

@Hikmet

Do yourself a big favour and drop this 'arguement'

It has NOTHING to do with this topic.

I have only one answer and after then, reply my answer, reply and again reply. I don't make arguement. If important this topic, then answer topic message, not my message.

[Bjs]

VSDC Free Video Editor may be worth a shot.

Multiple clips = yes
Multiple audio with independent volume control = yes
Free = yes (simply decline the two additional apps once main installer has completed)

Select codecs ... out of the box supports most on import ... output is limited to popular codecs.

[Cornucopia]

According to XMedia Recode, the mp3 file (which has run through audacity) is in the format "PCM signed 16-bit Little-Endian". The audio on the videos is simply "MP2".

Don't rely on XMedia Recode (or rely just on it), like I already said: use MediaInfo on source & destination clips and give us text of the output. Then we'll know more of what we're truly dealing with.

I'll hold off on most suggestions until we know further, because it could be a red herring, but VBR mp3 could be one of the things causing a problem.

"MP2" (if that's what it really is) is Mpeg1-Layer2, similar to MP3 but not as complex nor as efficient (and thus, with similar bitrate, not as high quality as mp3). Most decoders that can do MP3 can also do MP1 (rarely seen these days) and MP2.

People use these editors & encoders all the time, so if there is a trouble with your copy of it, it could be something corrupt in that installation, or possibly something that you are doing/setting wrong, but most likely it has something to do with the format of the source file(s). You'd really want to get that cleared up regardless of which app you end up choosing.

Scott

[quadrplax]

VSDC Free Video Editor may be worth a shot.

I couldn't figure out how to use that program. I kept the best ones installed, so something must have been wrong with it.