Questions about video editing software

[Heindrich1988]

I dabbled in video editing for the first time with DJI Fly, but was disappointed to see that the video it produced was compressed to what I guess is 1080p. Did I use it wrong or is that normal?

In either case, I want to learn to edit on my PC. I would appreciate some advice based on the following criteria, in order of importance:

1) I currently use a gaming laptop which only has 8GB RAM. Is it even possible to edit 4K video with such a laptop? I don't mind if it is quite slow. I don't plan on doing anything heavy-duty. But it's pointless to learn a hardcore software if I cannot use it for the foreseeable future.

2) I want to use something mainstream so that I can find plenty of online learning aids, ideally aimed at the drone community.

3) It would be preferable if it was easy to use for a beginner. I don't want to have to read textbooks to learn the basics.

4) It has enough depth that should I choose to take drone photography and videography to a semi-professional level, I won't have to start learning a whole new program.

5) It would be preferable if it wasn't prohibitively expensive. One-off purchase is preferable to subscription model.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mazdaman323lx]

I use openshot , its free and does everything i need it to . I found premiere pro too cpu heavy for my laptop , never mind the steep learning curve

 

[THE CYBORG]

Kdenlive is feature full & free , lots of tutorials on You Tube.
If you want to try it you can download HERE

 

[Robert Prior]

My niece, who's a filmmaker, swears by the free version of Davinci Resolve.

DaVinci Resolve 19 | Blackmagic Design

Professional video editing, color correction, visual effects and audio post production all in a single application. Free and paid versions for Mac, Windows and Linux.

www.blackmagicdesign.com

DaVinci Resolve 16 is the world’s only solution that combines professional 8K editing, color correction, visual effects and audio post production all in one software tool! You can instantly move between editing, color, effects, and audio with a single click. DaVinci Resolve Studio is also the only solution designed for multi user collaboration so editors, assistants, colorists, VFX artists and sound designers can all work live on the same project at the same time! Whether you’re an individual artist, or part of a large collaborative team, it’s easy to see why DaVinci Resolve is the standard for high end post production and finishing on more Hollywood feature films, television shows and commercials than any other software.

 

[bushie]

My niece, who's a filmmaker, swears by the free version of Davinci Resolve.

DaVinci Resolve 19 | Blackmagic Design

Professional video editing, color correction, visual effects and audio post production all in a single application. Free and paid versions for Mac, Windows and Linux.

www.blackmagicdesign.com

DaVinci Resolve 16 is the world’s only solution that combines professional 8K editing, color correction, visual effects and audio post production all in one software tool! You can instantly move between editing, color, effects, and audio with a single click. DaVinci Resolve Studio is also the only solution designed for multi user collaboration so editors, assistants, colorists, VFX artists and sound designers can all work live on the same project at the same time! Whether you’re an individual artist, or part of a large collaborative team, it’s easy to see why DaVinci Resolve is the standard for high end post production and finishing on more Hollywood feature films, television shows and commercials than any other software.

Another vote for DR. The price is right (Free). It however requires a fairly hefty graphics card to run properly.

 

[Mossiback]

...1) I currently use a gaming laptop which only has 8GB RAM. Is it even possible to edit 4K video with such a laptop? I don't mind if it is quite slow. I don't plan on doing anything heavy-duty. But it's pointless to learn a hardcore software if I cannot use it for the foreseeable future.

2) I want to use something mainstream so that I can find plenty of online learning aids, ideally aimed at the drone community.

3) It would be preferable if it was easy to use for a beginner. I don't want to have to read textbooks to learn the basics.

4) It has enough depth that should I choose to take drone photography and videography to a semi-professional level, I won't have to start learning a whole new program.

5) It would be preferable if it wasn't prohibitively expensive. One-off purchase is preferable to subscription model...

To answer your questions:

1) RAM is cheap so at least double your 8GB. That and a big SSD (not cheap but getting reasonable) will really speed up most any computer. Whatever software you decide to use will list its RAM requirements. Install more than the minimum recommended. A lot of video editing software also has minimum video card requirements that have to be met.
  1A) Don't forget backup storage.

2) There should not be a problem with online learning aids. YouTube is full of them. They will not necessarily be aimed at the drone community since a drone video will edit the same way as any other video. You will need to find drone video examples and then figure out how to edit like the example you like.

3) "Easy to learn" depends on the individual.

4) May conflict with #3.

5) There are a lot of free video editing programs that are quite capable of extensive editing. I use Resolve and am astounded by what they offer for free. If you need to expand to the paid version it is a one time fee of $300 US.

 

[Heretik]

I dabbled in video editing for the first time with DJI Fly, but was disappointed to see that the video it produced was compressed to what I guess is 1080p. Did I use it wrong or is that normal?

1) I currently use a gaming laptop which only has 8GB RAM. Is it even possible to edit 4K video with such a laptop?

2) I want to use something mainstream so that I can find plenty of online learning aids, ideally aimed at the drone community.

3) It would be preferable if it was easy to use for a beginner. I don't want to have to read textbooks to learn the basics.

4) It has enough depth that should I choose to take drone photography and videography to a semi-professional level, I won't have to start learning a whole new program.

5) It would be preferable if it wasn't prohibitively expensive. One-off purchase is preferable to subscription model.

Thanks in advance!

Im newer than a noob. Im focused on not crashing more so than capturing roof top porn, at this time. Youve asked all the right questions before I. Im astonished 8GB RAM is insufficient. Ive gotten DaVinci Resolve (DVR) the free version and Ive gotten Movavi Editor; Difficult/cluttered non essentials (?#4) and Lean and simple (?#3). A dirt level basic DVR can be had for free, the latter has a 7 day free trial (should be 30 days), then $60 (?#5). I expect the free 7 day Movavi will give a leg up before moving onto the free and restrained DVR. This latter, full version, I expect to pay for eventually.

If your intent is to GoPro then GoBig, go DaVinci; change DC scum to the luster and worthiness of gold, please. If intent is to make presentable and enjoyable life videos with critics barred, then go Movavi.

BTW, the manual for DaVinci Resolve is over 3500 single sided pdf pages. But once read or twice reviewed, youd likely not need a primer for any other video editor. And henceforth regarded as Professional roof top pornographer ?

 

[Heretik]

Video imagery is or is not derived by a drone. To presume a tailoring to drone imagery is short sighted whether that be from 399 foot height at 1X or 8X, 12MP or 48MP. A contributor here sez his sister, a pro videographer, recommends DVR (free). That seals it for me. I see all the attributes of DVR and many are disabled in free version. The basics of assembling a presentation, with critics barred, using DVR (free) is a great choice. Theres a lot of shite on the screen but youll get past it.

Some Windoze PCs enable use of attached SD cards as supplemental RAM swap. A 8GB Ram might be increased several times by this manner. I cant off-hand recall the terminology of this means of increasing RAM with an SD card. Running programs are installed temporarily to RAM. As processes ensue the lesser utilized components of the program are shifted off to the SD card, leaving more room on the faster RAM. Thats the theory as I understand it. Research it.

ReadyBoost. Thats the term.

How to Get List of Installed Programs in Windows 10/11? – TheITBros

In this simple guide we will show you 2 different ways on how to get list of installed programs in Windows 10, 8 or 7 by using built-in command line tools

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