Looking for a decent video editing app, preferrably free

bfollowell · 14 Jun 2019

I used to use Windows Movie Maker, and its successively renamed iterations, to crop, edit, and stitch videos together. Occasionally, I would stitch together a bunch of photos and add a tune and make a little slideshow video out of them. It's not something I do a lot; just occasionally for little home videos and playing around. Microsoft did away with the little tool several years ago. Are any of you familiar with any other decent applications, preferably free, that will allow me to similarly work with videos in all the popular formats (avi, mov, mpg, mkv, mp4, etc.), and will let me make photo slideshows to music?

Thanks.

Edwin · 14 Jun 2019

bfollowell said:

I used to use Windows Movie Maker, and its successively renamed iterations, to crop, edit, and stitch videos together. Occasionally, I would stitch together a bunch of photos and add a tune and make a little slideshow video out of them. It's not something I do a lot; just occasionally for little home videos and playing around. Microsoft did away with the little tool several years ago. Are any of you familiar with any other decent applications, preferably free, that will allow me to similarly work with videos in all the popular formats (avi, mov, mpg, mkv, mp4, etc.), and will let me make photo slideshows to music?

Thanks.

You can still install WLMM from Windows Essentials if you can find an offline installer.

bfollowell · 14 Jun 2019

Silly me! I just remembered that my wife purchased Adobe Photoshop Elements 15 & Premiere Elements a couple of years ago. I'm certain that it will be able to do the simple things I want to do, assuming it works with modern formats.

I'm still interested in learning about alternative tools though. It never hurts to have more than one available.

Steve C · 15 Jun 2019

Try the Video Editor app which is installed by default and also available via the Photos app. Else find a copy of Windows Essentials 2012 and install Windows Movie Maker e.g.
Microsoft Windows Live Essentials 2012 : Microsoft Corporation : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Download Windows Live Essentials - MajorGeeks

Run a virus scan on any file you download and archive the file for future use

Dude · 15 Jun 2019

Keep an eye on this site, they are constantly giving away Cyberlink Power Director

Free CyberLink PowerDirector 16 (100% discount) | SharewareOnSale

Barman58 · 17 Jun 2019

Anyone Who is getting to a level where the freeware, bundled, and SE type software is not cutting it - take a look at DaVinci Resolve, DaVinci Resolve 16 | Blackmagic Design the company supply software [and hardware], to professionals and charge for it accordingly.

However, probably in an attempt to get up and coming videographers "into" their way of working for future sales, the supply a fully working version of their Pro software for free to anyone who wants it - It's a slightly cut down version but still have more features than any of the other "free" options

The Studio package is the chargeable one and comes with loads of extras over the free one and support for Black magic Hardware editing Consoles, but the "Basic Package" is ideal for Vlogging, and other YouTube work and a lot more

Although it's a free package, expect to find a decent learning curve, after all, this is Pro level software