Best Free Video Editor

Let me Suggest Serif MoviePlus Starter Edition. I've tested it along with VideoPad, and I must say it has some adbvntages over VideoPad - VST support and built-in audio effects. Video editing features are also great.

As someone else mentioned, I also was once a fan of VirtualDub. But also as the other person mentioned, it's very limited in files that it can work with due to codec issues.

Look up FileLab, VSDC, Freemake. There has been a bunch of recent releases that are better, easier to use, and in some cases much more feature rich.

I've been using Videopad for quite a while, usually without any problems. Just recently though I've tried to use the Page Curl transition between slides and clips. They work correctly in the Videopad preview, but when the sequence is rendered and burnt to disc, the Page Curls do not happen. Other transitions work fine. I've been in touch with Videopad support who suggested I compile a short sequence and put it on Dropbox for them to download and try out. (It was too big for email). However, they so far have only replied that they cannot download the file from Dropbox whichever link I send them! Others I've sent the link to can get it though.
Anyone else come across this particular transition problem?? It takes quite a long time to produce the video file from a sequence as well.

OMFG THIS IS AMAZING!!!! I can now edit videos like never before!!! I used the free version of A4G and it said I had to buy the full version for like $200!!!
HELL NOO!!! I saw this and was a bit skeptical at first, but it really works!!!

Thanks VideoPad!!!

Two comments - I attempted to use Videopad's free version but in reading through the instructions of use, it said it saves a list of file links only, not a rendered version separate from the images and video you import. It specifically said not to delete originals since the project file it creates contains links to those files.

Video Dub - tried it, used to like it, but I seem to be running into it not working with all avi files. Specifically, it balks on files that have codecs that are used by Windows Media Player? If there is a work around for this, it would become my favorite avi editor/renderer again.

[url]http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45&Itemid=184[/url]

[url]http://www.lwks.com/[/url]

!

Nuf said.

A couple comments/questions:

--VideoPad: I don't see a free version listed of this software on their site. The only versions listed are a "Home" and "Master" version, both of which cost money. It does allow you to download a file that is almost 4 MBs, but the lack of a stated "Free" version gives me the impression that the available download is some sort of trial version that will expire after a short period of time or whatever. Am I missing something?

--Pinnacle Videospin: Pinnacle now seems to be owned by Avid, and Videospin no longer seems to exist. The first link you have now leads to "Avid Studio Free Trial", and the second leads to a product registration page for the software that doesn't seem to be downloadable. A search on pinnaclesys.com for Videospin brings up nothing.

So, what I'm now wondering: Is there actually a piece of legitimate, free video editing software out there (not a free trial) that is relatively user/friendly and doesn't need a bunch of extra codecs/filters/whatever installed? I'm trying to find something for a friend, and if VirtualDub and Avidemux are anything like learning GIMP, it's going to be a bit out of their league.

Thanks!

Hey Us0r,

First off, I love the thread. So much info and answered the majority of my questions.

I do, however, have a question that I've been wondering about (and seeing the 9 pages of responses, I'm sure you've already answered it, but I'm lazy). I've been using VP for a few weeks now and am really enjoying it thus far. Few drawbacks here and there but nothing that I can't live with. I have yet to purchase the full version and have just been using the 14 day trial, twice thus far, and have been wondering if I switch to the free version will I still be able to put my videos onto DVD? Most of what I do with VP is for videos of family and friends so it's imperative that I be able to put what I create onto DVD. If I am not able to do so, what do you suggest as a viable alternative? Not looking to have to pay for anything as its only used for short, usually 20 minutes long, videos. Thanks for any help!

I would really like to try Video Pad to see if it would solve a problem with Power Director. The problem involves audio & video getting out of sync. So I downloaded the free version and attempted to "capture" a 1-hr movie from an HD video camera(Canon Vixia). It identified the camera OK, but when I clicked "capture" it immediately returned the message "failed to capture". Is it possible that "capture" is one of those features not offered in the free version? I'd be delighted to buy the full version if I could verify that it would solve the sync issue, which was the whole point of downloading in the first place.
Mr. Abbott

Hi,
Having used Videopad while searching for a more
heavy duty editor, I was really pleased with the results from an earlier version which I lost in a drive crash this Spring.
The newer version may have some improved features but it no longer allows the selective addition of text
to a video.
When text is added now and positioned, the addition
of further text later in the video changes the already applied text to the new entry. Also, one can no longer seem to confine text to selected areas.
Either I'm doing something wrong or they have dropped a vital feature...

Got some films & programmes I have recorded off the tv, via a usb stick. I want to burn them to dvd, but I want to be able to cut out the commercials. Is there a video editing/dvd burning programme I can use that is not too technical?

used free version of Videopad to create 3.09hr project and made 2 dual layer dvds (PAL widescreen 16:9)going from the project to "savemovie" button. Both discs said they had been successfully created and contain the same amount of video and audio data. But have problem playing on dvd player and in windows media player -
Both start playing OK - the one with clips in 4:3(my error) can play and use chapter markers to skip several parts but freezes after 2.21hrs, while the one with clips in 16:9 can play and skip the first two chapters OK but freezes after only 24 mins.
Has anybody had the same problem and/or got a solution please?

What makes me more than uncomfortable...what "seems" to be an invisible relationship between Gizmo and companies/products we're referred to.

For instance, there's a bag-load to sort through on the NCH "download" page. I've frequently needed to intervene with friends/colleagues who saw the largest download buttons, verbiage saying download (FULL PRODUCT) HERE, as he/she was on precipice of purchasing something entirely different. Download pages are NOT created to be user-friendly 98% of time.

As I began downloading "free" copy of VideoSpin, and saw NCH, I shuddered. I've had so many run-ins with customer service, registration codes arriving three days after purchase, and a rather lethargic attitude over all. No fan of NCH at all.

But point here, to Gizmo and us0r, could you have taken the few moments to include in review a caveat about the install? NCH is going to coerce you into a Bing search deal, with toolbar thanks, and suggest you accept five other products with just - ONE CLICK. C'mon Gizmo. Lifehacker and many others will provide a heads-up about shifty install agendas. Why wouldn't you?

It's one of the reasons I'm led to "suspect" a relationship between newsletters which inform, and the companies they're possibly in bed with.

For me either suspicious, or poor comprehensive review.