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Author Topic: Looking for a simple, inexpensive Video Editing Software  (Read 12489 times)

Second Shadow

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Looking for a simple, inexpensive Video Editing Software
« on: August 19, 2007, 01:38 AM »
Hi folks

I'm looking for a simple Video Editing Software. When I first started out looking for it, I thought it would be easier to find one that fits my needs ... not so, apparently  :-\

Here are the main features that I'm looking for in the software:

- Both Storyboard and Timeline modes (Video Edit Magic doesn't have a storyboard mode, and Serif's MoviePlus storyboard mode is lacking)
- Small, or at least not huge (Premiere Elements is HUGE by my standards, so is ULead VideoStudio). Say, less than 100 MB ....
- Inexpensive, preferably downright cheap (less than U$S 100, in any case)
- Ability to export to my codec of choice (Windows Movie Maker, not too surprisingly, only exports to wmv)
- Ability to accept clips of different sizes and resize them to fit my specified output size
- Relatively simple to use (I'm not a fan of foobar and Miranda, if you know what I mean ...)

Any ideas?

Thanks,
2ndS

lanux128

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Re: Looking for a simple, inexpensive Video Editing Software
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2007, 02:19 AM »
i normally use ZS4 Video Editor but i'm not sure whether that fits the bill for you.. but here are some threads on video editing here at DC.. :)

https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=6771.0
https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=2494.0
https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=7937.0


sri

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<a href="https://sridharkatakam.com">My blog</a>

Defenestration

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Re: Looking for a simple, inexpensive Video Editing Software
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2007, 10:53 AM »
I haven't used it myself, but have heard good things about VideoRedoPlus (http://www.videoredo.com/)

nite_monkey

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Re: Looking for a simple, inexpensive Video Editing Software
« Reply #4 on: August 29, 2007, 05:55 PM »
other then windows movie maker not letting you export to a different format, would you use it? if so, you can just use a converter, my my personal favorite is Internet Video Converter. You can just do all your editing in wmm, and then convert it with internet video converter.
(note: internet video converter isn't just for internet videos, though it has an option to download videos from sites like youtube, and convert them)
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TOOWILD

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Re: Looking for a simple, inexpensive Video Editing Software
« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2007, 06:00 PM »
There are some great lesser known video editors - Try Wamble mpeg editor - fairly inexpensive and has great features and a small learning curve. Dont expect Hollywood quality effects however. Just my 2 cents, but Avid is my editor of choice, avoid pinacle, they make great software but you have to pay extra for everything - Mpeg encoding, - extra - surround sound - extra - dolby 2.0 - extra - hollywood effects - extra - plus effects - extra - they nickel and dime you to death.
Also a decent alternative is TmpegEnc DVD author - around $100 but has nice features for easy edits - not much in the way of effects however, but you can do subtitles and it will read most every file type under the sun.
A favorite of mine is Pure Motion Edit Studio - Very sweet! check it out on their page http://www.puremotio.../downloads/index.htm
Good luck and happy editing  8)

Carol Haynes

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Re: Looking for a simple, inexpensive Video Editing Software
« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2007, 06:28 PM »
Try http://www.sonycreat...ucts/vegasfamily.asp

Trial versions available. I have the Pro version of this lot and it is superb - the two 'consumer' level versions will probably do what you need.

Second Shadow

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Re: Looking for a simple, inexpensive Video Editing Software
« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2007, 06:44 PM »
Thank you all for the replies and suggestions. Some of them I'd already tried and some others (like the well regarded Avid) don't really suit my current needs.
I'll check out the other suggestions posted here which I hadn't considered before. If I end up finding a program that I really like I'll come back and post about it here so the info is available to everybody.

mikiem

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Re: Looking for a simple, inexpensive Video Editing Software
« Reply #8 on: September 06, 2007, 02:22 PM »
@ 2ndS
"Here are the main features that I'm looking for in the software:
...Both Storyboard and Timeline... Small... Inxpensive..."

I'd humbly suggest checking out Wax: http://www.debugmode.com/wax/
In combination with VirtualDub (Virtualdub.org) you should be able to manage most tasks, and they're both free. If you wanted to tackle the learning curve, AviSynth could prove invaluable as well.

"Ability to export to my codec of choice..."

Alas, not going to happen, at least with what's avail. currently. What you will find is a *Bunch* of GUI front-ends for open source and free software libraries that will do all sorts of conversions for you. VirtualDub or Wax can come close depending on the codecs you want to use and install, but if you want to output to everything you'll have to use either separate encoders or one of the GUIs.

"Ability to accept clips of different sizes and resize..."

VirtualDub or AviSynth hands down. More accurate and up to 10 times faster then NLEs because of heavily optimized code. AviSynth requires simple script files so has a learning curve as mentioned. Despite: "Relatively simple to use" being a requirement, one of the AviSynth script writing utilities *might* bring it down to an acceptable level. Check avisynth.org for info, and videohelp.com for utilities like avsedit.