Open Source Non-Linear Editors ?

[PowerFalcon]

Are there any free \ open source alternatives to Lightworks / Sony Vegas Edit ? As someone who doesn't do much editing. If there are not any free \ open source alternatives, which would you recommend between Lightworks and Sony Vegas Edit?

[Cornucopia]

Lightworks is freeware, but NOT opensource (and probably never will be). I consider it too buggy to use. Plus LOTS of the more advanced features are only available in the paid (yearly subscription) version. Sony has consumer version: Vegas Movie Studio and pro version: Vegas Pro, neither of which are free.

The ONLY opensource graphical NLEs out there are CRAP when it comes to busy, day-in-day-out editing. Simple cuts/appends can be done using tools like the various AVISynth GUIs or Virtualdub, or ZS4 or maybe Jakasha, but if you are actually trying to make a real, artistic video within a reasonable amount of time, you won't want to go that route.

The creation of an intuitive, powerful, fast & non-buggy NLE is a MUCH bigger hurdle than most people realize, moreso than even a 3D animation app. BTW, you could use Blender, which has a module for Video Editing. It works well, and it's opensource, but it does have a few bugs and doesn't have alot of the advanced features of most NLEs. Plus, you have to learn the Blender interface & way of working, which is quirky & unique.

IOW, you get what you pay for. You don't pay for it, you don't get much.

Scott

edit: If you are just a Video Editing noobie, why not just start with WMM, until you get used to editing? Then you find an NLE that has the features & workflow you like/need (I suggest Sony Vegas Movie Studio).

[SMPse]

Just to correct some information on Lightworks here. The LOTS of feature that would be available in the Pro version are licensed codecs and the Title tool, everything else is the same. I've spent years tracing bugs in Lightworks, and I can assure you, it's not buggy.

Remember Lightworks is a truly professional film making tool, and if you spend some time to learn it properly, it can't be beaten. Otherwise a more media oriented NLE, like Vegas may be a better choise.

[lordsmurf]

too buggy to use.

Agreed.

If you want a good low-cost NLE, then Premiere Elements is under $100.
Tip: Buying the boxed version from Amazon is cheaper than buying the download from Adobe.com
And the previous version is often about $60 or less.
It's not a full-featured pro editor, but it's pretty darned close.

[PowerFalcon]

I'll make my decision between Vegas Edit / Premiere Elements and maybe, Lightworks. Premiere Elements almost as good as the pro version, that I can't believe Premiere Elements and Lightworks are the same in terms of Price, with Elements, I'm not on a subscription, I can skip a version if want. While Vegas Edit is around $300 so it's the expensive program of the other two.

Which would you recommend if you had some experience with Premiere or Edius ? With that choice, is probably the software I should use.

[Cornucopia]

Having worked with both (though not real recent versions of either), I'd pick Premiere over Edius. Besides the obvious benefit of cross-application continuity & support (the "suite" motif), Premiere has a LONG history and has been able to iron out most bugs and streamlined the workflow. Edius: not bad at all, but not as good as Premiere.

Scott

[aedipuss]

you can get sony movie studio platinum suite 12 for $76
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Movie-Studio-Platinum-Suite/dp/B008MIMIY8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF...io+Platinum+12

[PowerFalcon]

I'm going decide between Lightworks and Sony Vegas Edit 12, maybe Premiere Elements.