| GUI:  Features: Ease of use: Value: |  | | For Randy and dissident (and any new user): I asked my mother to edit a movie for me. I asked her to resize it, compress it with the Xvid codec, convert the audio to 48 Khz to be DVD compatible, and compress it with the AC3 codec. You have to know that she is a perfect antitalent for any technical things: she always forgets the difference between the CD and the MC or DVD and video casettes, and calls the DVD to CD. But she managed to complete the task in FIVE minutes. So if you find this program hard to use, I'm sorry to say, but you are a very stupid man. |
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| | GUI: Features: Ease of use: Value: | | | The BEST video editing software ever! It's fast, reliable and easy to use. The only thing I miss that it can't handle MPEG as output format. Much better than any shareware. |
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| GUI:  Features: Ease of use: Value: | | This is a quirky and demanding program. I wouldn't be without it.
A few of the quirks:
- refuses to work with wmv files. It's necessary to convert to avi before Opening. A message says by Microsoft request, but other programs have resolved the issue.
- does not show segments to be merged. The program tries to be helpful by taking in more than one segment, so you have no idea what is being merged until you do it.
- does not work with Creative mp3 codec. It's necessary to go to the Creative codec in Device Manager and check Do not use. Then the fallback is the Windows codec, which produces a maximum 56 quality sound. It's necessary to obtain still another codec to get better quality sound.
On the plus side, the program is the best Converter to avi with sound sync. Unlike the divx Converter, you can set the quality of the video yourself.
The program also allows editing to the indivudual frame.
It deletes the first but not the last frame in a segment. Sometimes it requires that the program Save in Full Processing mode to save the file with the deleted sections removed. Two more quirks.
The program needs time and patience. But it's worth it. |
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| | GUI: Features: Ease of use: Value: | | RandySavage is right: Like so many other popular freeware software titles, VirtualDub has a cult following. Let's dissect the definition there, shall we? A cult is "An interest followed with exaggerated zeal". Yes, it certainly is "exaggerated", as in "greater than is true or reasonable".
I'm not a video expert. I find VirtualDub's interface and menu options very confusing and annoying. It's something I use only once in awhile, so the interface really is lacking for my needs.
If you know what all the functions and options mean, well good for you. But if you're a novice like me, have fun wasting time trying to figure it all out, since there is essentially no documentation. (And please, spare me from telling me I can scour ten billion different message boards for solutions and tutorials that don't really apply to my situation.) |
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| | GUI: Features: Ease of use: Value: | | | While not the grand-daddy of video editing, Virtualdub enjoys a fanatical, almost cult-like following. While it won't replace many of the editing capabilities of applications like Vegas Video, it does do a lot of things that other programs either can't, or are buried in a morass of sub-menus. What it does VERY well: non-destructive editing, ability to cut without re-encoding (althought you can re-encode, Virtualdub is very flexible there, unlike almost all video editing apps), ability to easily apply filters (when will these multi-hundred $$ editings apps catch up here?), all put together with a nice, intuitive interface, FOR FREE! Virtualdub is a staple application of any serious PC video editor. Gosh, am I a cult member too? If you haven't tried Virtualdub, I suggest you get the Virtualdub religion. |
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