What's the best free mp4 editor?

[Skybuyer]

2 timeline views on the cut page. Upper timeline view is always zoomed out and lower view is zoomed in.

davinci resolve cut page 2 timeline view - Google Search

www.google.com

Aha! The terminology is a little confusing because in terms of "2" timelines, one the CUT page there is graphical timeline that represents all the clips, and a visual timeline where you see the actual footage. It is a pretty versatile place to do the initial editing. Once you get the hang of it can really make things more efficient, especially if all you want to do is find sections of each clip and append (line them up) at the end of the timeline.

What opened the CUT page for me is when I got the Speed Editor (shown below). This piece of equipment is no joke and a more solid piece of gear is rare. I mean solid.

While Casey Faris has some very complete tutorials (thanks for sharing that one), he jumps around like lightening, so at least for me he is difficult to follow. I even slow the videos down to 75%, but when his mouse jumps from one place to another I often have to back up to see where was and went to. I like Jason Yadlovski much better. Even though Jason talks fast (and I slow him down too) I can follow his sequencing better. I like MrAlexTech too as he has some free downloads. There are literally thousands of tutorials, large and small.

Getting back to your link... I think that's a great first video to watch to get started on editing clips, but for me it's going to take me a bunch of rewinds throughout to get it as I'm sure there is stuff that I'm missing... But I think the thing is (much like Photoshop) there are often 3 or 4 ways to do the same things. But again, 95% of the learning curve is learning what the icons mean and do.

 

[Skybuyer]

DaVinci is so rich in features it scared me off at first
The more I use it the easier it gets
So I would agree with you it is the best FREE software!

Yes... It is all about familiarity. Once you're familiar with it it can become impossibly difficult to convert to other editing systems. I think that's one reason Adobe is so successful, though IMO their subscription model survives. Few want to take the time to back up and learn a new system, switch to (probably a superior NLE) FOR FREE because of the time and re-habitualization with a new system.

What's crazy about Davinci Resolve, beyond the cost, is now they keep adding more and more features, refinements and enhancements and come out with major upgrades in such short periods of time. They just came out with DR 17 last year and Beta 18 is already available and blowing a lot of folks' minds.

 

[skycam509]

I've used DR, and in addition to the learning curve, I didn't like the limitations due to insufficient hardware. I have MacBook Pro, a Dell laptop with an i7, dedicated graphics card, SSD, and 32GB RAM and a similarly equipped Dell desktop. None of them will scrub through 4K video smoothly and they all take a long time to render.

I use an iPad Mini with my drone controller and recently upgraded to an iPad Mini 6. After seeing Lumafusion on some YouTube videos, I tried it on my iPad. It works amazingly well. Everything is silky smooth without creating proxy files or anything like that, and render times are about 1/4 what my other machines take.

Lumafusion (and the iPad) allow you to use an external monitor in a mode where the controls are on the iPad and the video is on the monitor. I use it with a 28" 4K monitor and the experience is incredible. Using an Apple pencil, I can edit video faster on this setup than on a computer.

Lumafusion is not free. I think I paid a one time fee of $30, which is an incredible value in my opinion. It is very intuitive and easy to learn.

Anyone else using Lumafusion?

 

[ThatBeardedDroneGuy]

I'm quickly falling in love with Resolve.

I do have some glitchiness during playback sometimes but I think it's my system. I've got something jacked up with my audio where the devices just vanish for no apparent reason. I also need to get better and closing unused apps to make all the memory available to Resolve that I can.

It's an incredible piece of software, though.

 

[Skybuyer]

I've used DR, and in addition to the learning curve, I didn't like the limitations due to insufficient hardware. I have MacBook Pro, a Dell laptop with an i7, dedicated graphics card, SSD, and 32GB RAM and a similarly equipped Dell desktop. None of them will scrub through 4K video smoothly and they all take a long time to render.

You should try DR 18 which has just been released in beta. They have redone the engines and have automated the creation of proxies and made a number of other tweaks to make it faster.

 

[skycam509]

Thanks for the info. I will definitely check it out. In my opinion, its biggest drawback is the hardware requirements. If it's a little less demanding, that would be awesome.

I like your profile picture. I play guitar and drums.

 

[cheeto4493]

I use Kdenlive. It's opensource and free, runs both on Linux, Apple and Windows machines. When you first open it, it might look overwhelming, but a quick watch of some YouTube videos will show you what you would like to do.
Kdenlive - Video Editing Freedom

 

[Zeke]

What features are you considering "Best"?

While Resolve is very feature rich is has a steep learning curve.

If you're looking for a less intensive editor look at the Wondershare FILMORA. It's our "quick and easy" editor for our fun work etc.

Is there a way to enhance/finalize the video images in this program? I really like it's intuitiveness in creating videos from raw footage but I can't find anywhere to do color correction and the like.

Thanks!

 

[Skybuyer]

Is there a way to enhance/finalize the video images in this program? I really like it's intuitiveness in creating videos from raw footage but I can't find anywhere to do color correction and the like.

Thanks!

To perform color correction in Filmora, just switch to Color tab. You can adjust the white balance, temperature, tint, contrast, saturation, and brightness, and apply 3D LUT directly and quickly in this edit panel.

 

[Zeke]

To perform color correction in Filmora, just switch to Color tab. You can adjust the white balance, temperature, tint, contrast, saturation, and brightness, and apply 3D LUT directly and quickly in this edit panel.

Thanks!!

 

[Skybuyer]

Thanks!!

You're welcome. As you may have read I am a fairly vocal advocate of Davinci Resolve. But I took a look at Filmora and it doesn't look like a bad program. I thought that maybe I'd give it a try, just for giggles. But what I noticed is that even if you get a "perpetual" license for $80, if they come out with a new version you have to pay again. Also, you have to pay additionally for (some of?) their plug-ins.

It might be worth mentioning again, that the standard version of Davinci Resolve is free and has been for many iterations. The "pro" version of Davinci Resolve- DR Studio has a one-time license fee of $300 and once licensed will never be charged again as they produce upgrades, which have been regular and feature rich. I've been on DR since v16, now on v18. It competes head to head and often bests Adobe Premier Pro for features, though in fairness, Adobe does offer excellent customer support, which you pay handsomely for each month.

Again I say to all contemplating which editor they will select; The difficulty of learning the BASICS of any new editing program are largely equal and mostly about learning how to establish the basic settings, learn where the tools live and what the icons represent. You will have that same learning curve on just about any program you choose.

 

[Zeke]

You're welcome. As you may have read I am a fairly vocal advocate of Davinci Resolve. But I took a look at Filmora and it doesn't look like a bad program. I thought that maybe I'd give it a try, just for giggles. But what I noticed is that even if you get a "perpetual" license for $80, if they come out with a new version you have to pay again. Also, you have to pay additionally for (some of?) their plug-ins.

It might be worth mentioning again, that the standard version of Davinci Resolve is free and has been for many iterations. The "pro" version of Davinci Resolve- DR Studio has a one-time license fee of $300 and once licensed will never be charged again as they produce upgrades, which have been regular and feature rich. I've been on DR since v16, now on v18. It competes head to head and often bests Adobe Premier Pro for features, though in fairness, Adobe does offer excellent customer support, which you pay handsomely for each month.

Again I say to all contemplating which editor they will select; The difficulty of learning the BASICS of any new editing program are largely equal and mostly about learning how to establish the basic settings, learn where the tools live and what the icons represent. You will have that same learning curve on just about any program you choose.

Many thanks for the opinion! I'll take a look at Davinci Resolve as well, and since I'm not very far into any program it might make sense to switch horses now.

Appreciate it!

 

[Lister]

I used to teach video editing on Avid. Today, Resolve is by far the best free video editing program out there. All these programs have a fairly steep learning curve because film making is not easy.

Resolve's cost of entry hardware costs are going down rapidly. The basics - a good gaming graphics card (preferably Nvidia) - is about a third the cost of a modern drone and there are many workarounds for less-capable hardware platforms. Pro-level video editing on a laptop is now commonplace.

 

[samtex]

I use the basics of Davinci Resolve. If you have significant experience in any video editing software the learning curve is not that challenging. My observation is that DR is chuck full of features with tabs and icons that you have to delve into, but Youtube videos come in very handy. I am not too fond of a dark background however.

 

[Skybuyer]

I used to teach video editing on Avid. Today, Resolve is by far the best free video editing program out there. All these programs have a fairly steep learning curve because film making is not easy.

Resolve's cost of entry hardware costs are going down rapidly. The basics - a good gaming graphics card (preferably Nvidia) - is about a third the cost of a modern drone and there are many workarounds for less-capable hardware platforms. Pro-level video editing on a laptop is now commonplace.

I realize that once you get entrenched in a program’s methods it is more difficult to change than had you started with the next one. I recall years ago I had been an avid user of Pagemaker (when Aldus published it). At one point I had a client who insisted I work at n Quark Xpress. Not nearly as complicated as video editing, but it took some time to acclimate to it, for sure. I know what a pain it is to change programs. Even some updates within a program can be daunting. Photoshop and Capture One Pro often throw new clothes eve balls in their upgrades. Do I really want to change my workflow in the middle of a project?

 

[Lister]

Do I really want to change my workflow in the middle of a project?

Absolutely not.

That being said, NLEs all do the same job, some easier and simpler than other.
Resolve is basically an entire post production facility in software. Free.

 

[Skybuyer]

Absolutely not.

That being said, NLEs all do the same job, some easier and simpler than other.
Resolve is basically an entire post production facility in software. Free.

Exactly. Learn the basics, which can be done in a few hours. Then take your time with the rest. The one that can twist your brain in knots is Fusion because there is SO MUCH there to work with that even learning what's there can be daunting, let alone learning to use it. But it's there when you're ready. And it's free!!!???? How do they do that????

 

[Lister]

Here's a good "crash course" in Resolve. 1.5 hrs of instruction. You're welcome.

Starts out with a review of what's new in version 18. New users can skip this.

Casey also sells complete courseware for Resolve, but this will get you going.

You don't need to know "Fusion" or "Fairlight". Concentrate on the Edit page, the Colour page and the "Deliver" page. Most of what us drone video makers need to know can be learned in an hour or so. After that, it's just editing.

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[Skybuyer]

Here's a good "crash course" in Resolve. 1.5 hrs of instruction. You're welcome.

Starts out with a review of what's new in version 18. New users can skip this.

Casey also sells complete courseware for Resolve, but this will get you going.

You don't need to know "Fusion" or "Fairlight". Concentrate on the Edit page, the Colour page and the "Deliver" page. Most of what us drone video makers need to know can be learned in an hour or so. After that, it's just editing.

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A good introduction. I'm sure that some folks can get a lot out of it.
While I cannot discount the material that Casey Faris puts out, personally, while Casey Faris delivers a lot of great information I can't follow him. He leaves me in the dust. Due to an eye-brain coordination issue I'm visually slow. Casey clicks around so fast that I sometimes can't see where he's clicked and definitely have trouble seeing menu options, even if I slow down the playback. But others could potentially get a lot out of his videos- but not me.

If you're a little slow, like me, one of my favorite tutorial guys is Jason Yadlovski. He talks fast too, but tends to teach in smaller bites and I can reduce the playback speed and rarely need to rewind to catch what he's pointing out.
Jason Yadlovski Channel Link

 

[Grandpa]

Here is another set of tutorials on Resolve 12 put out by Daria Fissoun (author of the Blackmagic DR17 Color Correction book) that very clearly explains each topic in small chunks. I find they are still relevant and might be helpful.

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