Open Source Video Editor

U

unclespats

New member
Hi - I am looking into a project to help small businesses/solopreneurs use video more effectively as a promotional tool.

I am currently using Sony Movie Studio but would be interested to know if there any recomendations for a similar level of product available as open source.

It would need to be something that runs on standards Windows machines rather than only Linux etc, not too difficult to install and no more complex to operate that Movie Studio (i.e a non techie needs to be able to do it).

Chroma-keying functionality would be essential.



Any ideas?

Many thanks
 
Hm, "chroma-keying functionality" and "non techie" doesn't belong in the same sentence. Getting a good chromakey, aside from the considerable production challenges, requires extremely specialized software in post production to pull a good key. Most color key plugin for video editors are less than worthless, useful only as a rough guide. There's no NLE I know of that are geared toward the consumer AND have usable chromakeying ability. Windows Movie Maker is pretty much plug and play, but anything that steps up from that point (i.e Premiere Elements) and there's a learning curve.
 
I found the chrom-keying in Sony Movie Maker to be qquite good, even as non-experienced, non-techie - especially if I get the lighting right (which I am finding is actually the hardest bit of the whole process!).

Was hoping to find an opensource equiv - but Movie Maker is actually not that expensive anyway, so not disastrous

Tks for you comment
 
Movie Maker comes with windows. So there's not much reason for open source alternatives to exist. Some do, but generally they don't work great and don't have enough source to adapt to new technologies. And, in general, that kind of software is harder to work with since it isn't built for simple hobbyists. Most of the time.
 
Windows movie Maker

Windows movie Maker

I used to use the windows product before I bought the Sony one, It seemed to be ok but not sure if it has chroma key as standard. The more recent version though on my new laptop has been really dumbed down though - the timeline has been removed.

I tried following some advice on how to install a chroma key add-in but in the end gave up!
 
Do you mean free or open source?

The only open source NLE that has active development is VLMC (from the makers of VLC). It's pretty buggy and prone to crashes. I don't think it has a chroma keyer.

Cinegobs Keyer is a free keyer (standalone) but it's not open source. It's not very good (Even worse than Vegas)

Blender is another option. It's a nodal based 3D application but you can chroma key and do non linear edits. But it might be too complex for a beginner

I agree with Huy on this ; If you want decent results, you're not going to get them by going this route ; but maybe that's "good enough" for this purpose ?
 
Thanks, I appreciate the input. I wanted to explore the opensource/free option as there are so many good OS apps in other areas - looks like OS NLE's are less mature right now, Will take a look at Lightworks when available.
Tks
 
There are many options available for GNU/Linux, but nothing really functional for Windows (that is still maintained, anyway).

Sadly, video editing remains an area of poor coverage for Free Software.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top