I'm looking for a free video editor similar to - Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple iMovie, Final Cut Pro or Microsoft Movie Maker under Linux Desktop operating system. My tasks are pretty simple such as cutting, filtering, and encoding tasks etc. Can you provide me a list of FOSS software which can be used for video capture and video editing purposes under Fedora or Ubuntu Linux desktop systems?
A non-linear editing system (NLE) is a video editing (NLVE) or audio editing (NLAE) system which can provide editing method for video clips or frams. You will be able to access any frame in a video clip. Non-linear editing is done for film and television post-production. However, the cost of editing system gone down and non-linear editing tools (including software) are now within the reach of most home users.
MS-Windows PC included Windows Movie Maker and Apple computer comes with iMovie. Most Linux based editing software can now be downloaded free of charge from the Internet. You also need a video capture card and a FireWire connection to capture digital video from a DV camera.
Avidemux
Avidemux is a free video editor designed for simple cutting, filtering and encoding tasks. It supports many file types, including AVI, DVD compatible MPEG files, MP4 and ASF, using a variety of codecs. Tasks can be automated using projects, job queue and powerful scripting capabilities. Avidemux is available for Linux, BSD, Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows under the GNU GPL license.
Fig.01: Avidemux in Action under Ubuntu (image credit: Wikipedia)
How Do I Install Avidemux Under Debian / Ubuntu Linux Desktop?
Type the following command:
$ sudp apt-get install avidemux
Embedding The Subtitles to AVI By Using Avidemux
Cinelerra
Cinelerra is the most advanced non-linear video editor and compositor for Linux. Cinelerra also includes a video compositing engine, allowing the user to perform common compositing operations such as keying and mattes. Cinelerra includes support for very high-fidelity audio and video: it processes audio using 64 bits of precision, and can work in both RGBA and YUVA color spaces, using floating-point and 16-bit integer representations, respectively. It is resolution and frame rate-independent, meaning that it can support video of any speed and size.
Fig.02: Cinelerra Rendering in Action (credit Cinelerra project)
Video editing in Ubuntu Using Cinelerra Part 1
Cinelerra Tutorial Capturing Desktop Screens
Kdenlive
Kdenlive is an intuitive and powerful multi-track video editor, including most recent video technologies. Kdenlive supports all of the formats supported by FFmpeg (such as QuickTime, AVI, WMV, MPEG, and Flash Video), and also supports 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios for both PAL, NTSC and various HD standards, including HDV. Video can also be exported to DV devices, or written to a DVD with chapters and a simple menu. Kdenlive packages are freely available for GNU/Linux, FreeBSD and Mac OS X under the terms of GNU General Public License version 2 or any version later.
Fig.03: Kdenlive in Action (credit: Kdenlive project)
How Do I Install Kdenlive Under Debian / Ubuntu Linux Desktop?
Type the following command:
$ sudp apt-get install kdenlive
Video Effects & Stacking - Kdenlive 0.7 - Ubuntu 8.10
Kino
Kino is a non-linear DV editor for GNU/Linux. It features excellent integration with IEEE-1394 for capture, VTR control, and recording back to the camera. It captures video to disk in Raw DV and AVI format, in both type-1 DV and type-2 DV (separate audio stream) encodings.
Fig.04: Kino Main Window (image credit - Kino porject)
How Do I Install Kino Under Debian / Ubuntu Linux Desktop?
Type the following command:
$ sudp apt-get install kino
LINUX video capture - KINO Tutorial
LiVES
LiVES (LiVES is a Video Editing System) is a free software video editing program and VJ tool. LiVES mixes realtime video performance and non-linear editing in one professional quality application. It will let you start editing and making video right away, without having to worry about formats, frame sizes, or framerates. It is a very flexible tool which is used by both professional VJ's and video editors - mix and switch clips from the keyboard, use dozens of realtime effects, trim and edit your clips in the clip editor, and bring them together using the multitrack timeline. You can even record your performance in real time, and then edit it further or render it straight away.
For the more technically minded, the application is frame and sample accurate, and it can be controlled remotely or scripted for use as a video server. And it supports all of the latest free standards.
Fig.05: Lives: Linux Video Editing System (Image: Lives project)
Demo made using LiVES Software
Comparison Of Video Editing Software
| Feature | Avidemux | Cinelerra | Kdenlive | Kino | LiVES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| License | GPL | GPL | GPLv2 | GPL | GPLv3+ |
| Cost | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Paid Support | N | Y | N | N | N |
| RAM (min) | ? | 256M | 256M | ? | 128M |
| Hard Disk (min) | ? | ? | 1G | ? | 10G |
| CPU | ? | 500Mhz | 600Mhz | ? | 800Mhz |
| High Definition Video Editing | ? | Y | Y | ? | Y |
| Non-destructive Editing | ? | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Full-screen Playback | ? | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Storyboard Mode | ? | N | Y | Y | N |
| Video Tracks | Y | Y | Y | ? | Y |
| Audio Tracks | Y | Y | Y | ? | Y |
| Linear Timecode Display | ? | Y | Y | ? | Y |
| DVD Output | ? | Y | Y | N | Y |
| HD Output | ? | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Smart Phone Output | ? | Y | Y | N | Y |
| QuickTime Output | ? | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Windows Media Output | ? | Y | Y | N | Y |
| MPEG-4 Output | ? | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Web Output | ? | Y | Y | N | N |
Other Open Source Non-linear Video Editing Software For Linux Operating Systems
- Blender - 3D animation suite (cross-platform) : Blender is a 3D graphics application. It can be used for modeling, UV unwrapping, texturing, rigging, water simulations, skinning, animating, rendering, particle and other simulations, non-linear editing, compositing, and creating interactive 3D applications, including games. Blender's features include advanced simulation tools such as rigid body, fluid, cloth and softbody dynamics, modifier based modeling tools, powerful character animation tools, a node based material and compositing system and Python for embedded scripting.
- OpenShot Video Editor : OpenShot Video Editor is an open-source program that creates, modifies, and edits video files.
- PiTiVi : PiTiVi is a program for video editing based on the GStreamer framework. It can - Capture and encode audio and video, with formats supported by GStreamer, split and trim video clips, split and trim audio, render projects in any format supported by the GStreamer framework etc.
Our Recommendation
- Use Cinelerra for professional work. It is very fast, and can handle a heavy load. You can also obtain paid support for this product.
- For video encoding and conversion purpose use Avidemux.
Who Uses...?
- Cinelerra - Recommended for Animator, Artist/Illustrator/Designer, video editor.
- Kino - Recommended of home user, video editor, and videographer.
- Avidemux (Non-Linear Editor) - Recommended videographer
- Kdenlive - Recommended for home user.
- LiVES - Recommend for home user and VJ.
What Software do you use for Digital Video Editing?
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{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice article! I’ve never had to do any serious video editing, but i’m sure this post will help me given the chance.
I have had very limited results with any of these… I want an “apples to apples” alternative to Windows Movie Maker, it’s super easy, and that’s what I need…
What is the “real” alternative?
Thanks for very nice article :-)
Can u pls tell me which one would be best for making video tutorial i mean screen video capture like camstia i dont hav any cam
@Ashwani – use RecordMyDesktop
sudo apt-get install gtk-recordmydesktop
@failbot Thanks bro i”ll try this out :-)
Most of this softwares are buggy and you will have time to run it.
If you have good program you have tried please post it here.
I have tried GTK-Recordmydesktop. I think that was the name :D. It’s not bad, but it needs a lot of improvement to be able to edit/cut what you have done.
stu, if you want your hand held through the process of learning how to use a new program, perhaps Linux isn’t for you. Microsoft and Apple will gladly do most of your work for you, for a price, and if that isn’t easy enough there’s always Fisher Price.
Cinelerra is as good as any professional tool, even Final Cut Pro, which is the premier video editor – the one the real pros use. Like Final Cut Pro, it requires some significant learning to be able to use well, but it is much more powerful than Windows Movie Maker. If all you are doing is YouTube videos, it’s not for you.
Any of the other tools will work fine.
Ashwani/Ahmed, GTK-Recordmydesktop is fine for, you guessed it, recording your desktop. Editing, on the other hand, is better done in any of the products reviewed in the article. I don’t know what versions you used, Ahmed, but I find none of these (excluding Avidemux which I don’t use) to be significantly more buggy than the commercial offerings.
Paul, I’ve been using Linux for the better part of 10 years, all the way back to
Mandrake 6. I didn’t say I needed someone to hold my hand, ( I have relooked at
my post…nope not there) I simply ask a question…and your response is the very reason I have never responded to anything before…and I guess my reason for not posting is now
confirmed. Thanks Paul
When we switched to Linux the kids wanted a program to download their picturese (nothing comes close to DigiKam) and to put their skateboarding videos on youtube and that was KDEnlive.
The MAJORITY of computer users are not making a full feature film (well Mac users like to think they are).
All they want is to DL a few videos from tehir cameras, put them together with some transitions, add a soundtrack and maybe add some text.
What you want is a iMovie, Windows Movie Maker competitor, NOT Premiere.
Dont get me wrong, Im happy there are high end video apps out there but for the overwhelming majority dumb wins every time.
As an aside, how hard would it be for these programs and others to have two interfaces? One full option and one that gives you just the basic stuff most people will use. It would make the learning curve easier for those that need more while those taht dont could just keep using the easy interface.
Reading articles like this in the morning makes my coffee taste so much better. There are a couple of editors you mentioned that until now I haven’t heard of. Thanks for the valuable info!
Paul, none of the above hold a candle to the commercial offerings. Fisherprice or whatever. From what I’ve experienced, the more expensive packages, have easier to use interfaces. You could also make your own pencil and paper. Then write a letter to your grandmother and tell her how long it took. Pros have a job to do. We don’t like bullsh1t.
Then again, I build my own workstations/networks/NAS/etc. So perhaps there is that pro video editor that also writes his own software. Respect!
Cinelerra is the only multi-track NLE that is somewhat stable. However, it is ugly and difficult to use. I’ve used Finalcut, Premiere, Vegas, and plenty of hardware. All of those kick any of these apps in terms of features and stability.
Cinelerra *had* the most promise and it’s probably good if you want to run a TV station. However, it’s not creative at all. Simple edits are easy. However, anything else can become a stunt. IMO, Kdenlive has seen the quickest growth. Lives is also doing well. In the next few years we may see those apps grow into the free alternative of Finalcut – but not Cinelerra. It does what it does, and there is no need to change.
However, any pro would not waste their time on this software. A TV station or company that needs to do the same work over and over (weddings?) might do good to use this as they can save a substantial about of money if they have tens or hundreds of workstations. However, the work flow needs to be thoroughly tested and decided upon.
Here’s a good FOSS for Windows: Virtualdub. Kinda like Avidemux. Probably the only one on this list a pro would use. But then again, having to switch between OSes is not fun. So hence Virtualdub.
OK, that’s my 2 (pro) cents.
cybercity did a Linux best 5 of?? Oh nos…
The REAL pro’s use AVID – extremely non-intuitive or maybe Grass Valley’s EDIUS (easier).
Thx! This article change my point of view in Linux Video Editing software
I’ve used LiVES and I love it ! They finally released the 1.0 version last month, and it is maturing very nicely.
The link to download LiVES is wrong, it should be:
http://lives.sourceforge.net/index.php?do=downloads
Hopefully the author can correct this in the article.
You really need to check out Pitivi, it is improving in leaps and bounds. It’s straight forward to use and works extremely well. The latest version .13.2 is a joy to use. It is not feature complete yet but then what FLOSS project is. Check it out. I highly recommend it.
I have worked with several commercial offerings including Final Cut Pro, Premiere and Video Wave. I recently used Cinelera (on Ubuntu Hardy) on several projects and I like it very much. Cinelera is much more powerful than Video Wave and is more near the class of Final Cut Pro and Premiere. Sure, Cinelera has some stability issues from time to time but they are not major and it also recovers nicely since it saves your most recent changes anyway. To be fair, I have seen similar stability issues with the commercial products as well so I do not find this aspect of Cinelera any different.
As an FYI, here are a couple of videos that I produced with Cinelera:
http://www.dickens.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=41&pos=0
http://www.dickens.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=41&pos=2
Kdenlive has worked for me since the 0.7 release.
It is a bit buggy and does have a few stability issues but it seems to be the most iMovie like that i have found. I don’t have much experience with Cinelerra but it seemed to have more options than I needed.
Trey has a good point, I don’t want to do much more than combine my video with a few transitions and a soundtrack. Kdenlive works fine for that. My biggest issue with Linux video editing is the lack of good transitions and simple drag and drop functionality. Also DVD menu creation is still really poor on Linux. But over the last four years it has gotten much better.
I’m a big fan of OpenShot. I can hardly wait for the first stable release of it. It shows a lot of promise as far as effects and ease of use.
I used Kdenlive for a school project once; it didn’t work out so well. For some reason, I had a heckuva lot of problems with encoding it. Thankfully my teacher had VLC, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to hand it in at all. It seemed pretty unstable too, but I had to use it because none of the other ones had effects (at least, not at the time).
I’ve had good luck with Lives. I’ve been able to accomplish things with it that I couldn’t figure out how to do with the others. My main use of video is for web sites. I’ve even created a video sequence from a JPEG still which I then manipulated with Lives tools and output as an animated GIF. I further tune the size of the animation in GIMP which allowed me adjust the the frame rate on a per frame basis.
You can also use my Cinelerra tutorials. You can find them on the CinelerraCV homepage (http://cvs.cinelerra.org/docs.php) or my video podcast website (http://www.thesourceshow.org/node/11).
I am amazed to see that OpenMovieEditor was not mentioned. OME is sort of like Kdenlive, but more stable. It also doesn’t carry the Qt dependency that Kdenlive does. OME is the video editor I use myself and recommend to people and use myself. While it look as daunting as Cinelerra to use at first sight, it is actually really easy to use.
I don’t know who the users are above who think Cinelerra or ANY of the Linux video editors are even remotely close to Adobe Premiere CS4, let alone Final Cut, Express or Pro.
Most reviews of Linux editors have concluded that they all have MAJOR stability issues and lack of features for professional video editing. For home use they may be OK, since home users can afford to recover from crashes and the like. Those using video editors for commercial workflows will find none of these are adequate.
Not that Adobe Premiere doesn’t crash frequently – it does. And Adobe products are bloated, slow and expensive. I have a client that uses both PCs and Macs to do digital conversion of analog video, film and stills, and they are slowly shifting to Final Cut Pro on the Mac platform. It’s by far the best, short of the very expensive Avid products.
Linux still has a long way to go with its video editors – for professional use, at least. But the value of FOSS is choice – we do have several different editors, each progressing at their own pace. Sooner or later we’ll have one that can work in a professional environment – even if it never matches the full feature set of Premiere or Final Cut.
A few months ago I tried Kdenlive for the second time (this time on Fedora 10), but I was disappointed by the constant crashing. Also there is no readily-avaialble installation package for Fedora.
I used to use Kino, but it’s not a NLE.
I use Cinelerra now. It’s powerful but
1. It’s very awkward to learn the GUI
2. I have to manually convert some input files from my camera
3. I have to perform some tricks to get the DVD output right
4. Because of a reported bug, some still images create a funny green image. I wasn’t able to use some still images.
Also – check out:
http://ubuntustudio.org/
http://www.artistx.org
You can download both and run as live dvd’s
Cheers!
Paul
I just started using LiVES. I found it easy to use without reading the manual.
This is after trying to configure, setup, and install Cinelerra and segfaults every now an then.
cheers,
Gordon for your submarine videos, you should use a deshaker (stabilizer) like this one:
http://www.guthspot.se/video/deshaker.htm it is a plug-in for Virtual Dub (Windows program that run in Wine) http://www.virtualdub.org/
Using a stabilizer make your videos look very professional.
@RSHack
Two ultra high-end editors exist mainly in Linux:
Ant (Linux only) http://www.ifx.com/ant
and Piranha (started in Linux, ported to other platforms) http://www.ifx.com/products/piranha
It is doubtful that Avid or FCP can match the capabilities of Piranha, and possibly Ant.
I use Blender 3d for most of my video editing. You can do things with it that you would not beleave! Problem is that Blender3d is its own world and learning it takes time. It is something for a pro with some 3d modeling skills or a normal person that can read and is willing to learn the GUI. Wait for Blender 3D 2.5 to come out. It has an all new interface and new improved work flows! Should be out in a month or two…
The thing about Blender is that the programmers there work fast and this program is changing VERY quickly and improving VERY quickly. If you don’t like it now then check back in 12 months and you will see huge improvements!
This vid is very old and opsolite but gives you the idea of Blender’s power.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8702226098018361217#
what program can make kino best of all?what its name?
I see this question was written a while ago but to my surprise not too much updated info is out there considering how much things have changed.
There are several different options for different things but If I can just write my personal preference and what I use it for I hope this helps someone.
For basic all the way through to advanced video editing “Pitivi” Is the best hands down. I also believe it is the future of video editing on Linux especially now it has good funding.
It is the nicest looking editor with a easy interface and I find the program very stable.
Hope this helps
LewisDre4m
I make short films, the last one was 30 minutes long, and I used Premiere Pro for it. Premiere was very buggy for me, I don’t know if this is the case for everyone, probably not. I tried (well, let’s say I’ve installed them and looked at them) a few video editors, including Cinelerra, Kdenlive. I found Cinelerra’s interface really ugly (controls, icons…) while Kdenlive seems very clean and functional. I didn’t tried them with real projects, but I’ll try to. But I just can’t imagine Cinelerra is a good software, seeing his ugliness :)
I just installed OpenMovieEditor, Pitivi and LiVES.
Thanks for your article. Let’s hope for the future of video editing under Linux!
Such vehement comments about tools!
In ALL fields, “real” pros use whatever tools they:
1) Have at hand
and/or
2) Are most comfortable with
and/or
3) They can afford
All complex tools require you to be able to think about things in the same way the interface designer thought of them–if you can’t do that, it will require rote training and never become “intuitive.”
Technology and civilization make things easier, but actual effort tends to remain the same, since you can offten do far more than without it.
Painters used to make their own paint. Photographers used to make their own glass plates.
The trade off is often money fortime, and the market reflects that. Tools aimed at “pros” tend to be expensive because they are based upon the money saved by their market. Few amatuers or casual users will fork out thousands of dollars for software in order to save a bit of time–even if it would be cost-effective for them, since many people never bother to do cost-benefit analysis.
It is a poor workmun who blames his tools.
After experiencing various crashes (on Ubuntu 9.04) with Avidemux, LiVES, and Kino, I switched to Cinelerracv. I had avoided switching becasue it was a bit intimidating at first. Then I discovered the tutorials atAkirad, and with some effort, have mastered its capabilities. Combined with FFMPEG (and a neat little GUIfor it called WinFF) and Audacity for specialized audio work, I have a suite that can do whatever I want and produce it in whatever format I desire. Thanks for the reviews. They provide a great path for investigation…
Just installed PiTiVi. Beautiful, intuitive interface. A fine piece of software development!