Best Free Video Editor
VirtualDub is an impressive Open source package that is regularly updated by its author. Note that it doesn't handle some video formats like DVD or MP4. And like all video software, it needs a pretty fast PC.
The package is however not complete without the additional filters. A comprehensive collection of third party filters is available from a French site. Just click on the "Download VD filters" button to download the complete set of filters (RAR pack). Once all the filters are installed, delete the "PCVideo Image Processor" filter, as the installation instructions are missing a step.
Virtual Dub
Website: http://www.virtualdub.org/
Download Link: http://virtualdub.sourceforge.net/
Author: Avery Lee
Current Version: v1.7.7
Version Date: 12/10/07
License: Freeware
Download Filesize: 1.27MB
Operating systems supported: Windows 95/98/NT4/2000/XP
Additional software required: None
64 Bit Capable: Yes
Portable Version Available: Yes, see here: http://portableapps.com/apps/music_video/virtualdub_portable
Non-English Languages Supported: none
Other Relevant Information: It is suggested that you download the filters and plugins.
Filter pack
Website: http://milafat.free.fr/vdfilters.htm
Download Link: http://milafat.free.fr/vdfilters.htm
Author: Unknown
Current Version: n/a
Version Date n/a
License: Freeware
Download Filesize: 1.7mb
Operating systems supported: Windows 95/98/NT4/2000/XP
Additional software required: Virtual Dub
64 bit Capable: Yes
Portable Version Available: No
Non-English Languages Supported: French
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Portable Version Available: no
Portable Apps is hosting a portable version: http://portableapps.com/apps/music_video/virtualdub_portable
No versions of Virtual Dub can _WRITE_ mpeg2. They can only burn avi files (but depending on what codecs you have installed, you may be able to write to an mpeg-2 encoded avi).
As for opening mpeg2 files, the guy who made VirtualDub-Mpeg2 has made a filter (standalone) that you can use in any VirtualDub (versions after 1.8.1) and have mpeg-2 import functionality. And if you are going to be using VirtualDub, best to be using the latest version anyways.
addons are available that add more formats for import.
WMV
http://home.comcast.net/~fcchandler/Plugins/WMV/index.html
MPEG2
http://home.comcast.net/~fcchandler/Plugins/MPEG2/index.html
AC3
http://home.comcast.net/~fcchandler/Plugins/AC3/index.html
There even one or 2 other one (MKV). Support for OGM and/or MKV will likely be added in the official trunk before or at version 2.0 anyway.
Cheers.
Hard Core Rikki
Much obliged for this VirtualDub WMV plugin
Don't forget Windows Movie Maker, as long as you don't have too many codec packs installed and only use wma's for your sound, it tends to be stable...
I have used Avidemux to great effect. I found it easier to use than Virtual Dub when cutting scenes from video files.
Hi----I regularly skim your site, and love that you test drive the software you post. Free video software you may wish to play with? Blender. It has a very sophisticated and attractive interface. I would NOT suggest it for a timid end-user---the feature-set is overwhelming.
Here is the link:
http://www.blender.org/features-gallery/features/
Thanks,
aendenne
http://aendenne.blogspot.com
Blender is a 3d modeling program. not a video editor. while it is an amazing program (I use it quite a bit), it does not fall into this category. I am working with Gizmo on making a 3d modeling freeware category for this website.
While Blender may not tout itself as a video editor, it does have a nonlinear video sequencer and editor built into it. I don't have experience with it personally, but it is definitely there, just to let you know.
AVItrim is a simple but effective program
The original Virtualdub filter pack is from the following site.
The full list of filters available (128) can be found at the second link.
http://www.thedeemon.com/VDFilterPack/
http://www.thedeemon.com/VirtualDubFilters/
Cheers.
Hard Core Rikki
Indeed, there is at leat one version of VD that can read (but not write) mpeg2
VirtualdubMod. It has been inactive for a LOT of time though, so its highly outdated now. Using DGindex or AviSynth would allow *realtime* mpeg-2 decoding without a problem though (whereas VDubMod's way required the whole file to be prepared for read). Link to the latest VirtualDubMod in link.
http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=65889
Latest download from the CVS repository. Brings a couple significant fixes.
http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=65889&package_id=6...
Cheers.
Hard Core Rikki
Jashaka - is powerfull tool, but very specific.
http://jahshaka.org/
Hi,
I'm aware of Jahshaka, and there are several other freeware video editors out there, including Wax, t@b, and Avid xpress. We will be working on adding them later.
Thanks for your input.
Great program indeed. The reason it doesn't support some file formats (mpeg-2, asf, mp4 and some others) is that it tries hard to not break any copyright laws (these formats are copyrighted/trademarked). There are some old versions of the program floating around, if you can find them, that can read (not sure about write) mpeg-2 and asf. All in all, the best video encoding/editing tool I've used!
Great program
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