Creating and editing a video was, up until recently, a task reserved only for the experienced video professionals. Videos, photographs and other media were recorded on special devices and editing was very difficult, time consuming and expensive. In fact, most video editing was done in laboratories which had both an experienced staff and specialized equipment do even the most basic task.
Now, thanks to the widespread availability of video recording devices, such as the Polaroid cube, and the evolution of video editing software, almost everyone can edit their own videos. Some programs make it so easy to create, edit, store or share videos, that most people prefer to do it as a past-time activity. There are numerous free and paid video editing software packages that will help you create your perfect video. Let's take a look at the top 5 video editing programs out there:
AVS Video Editor is the first choice when it comes to video editing for many amateur and enthusiast users. The software package allows you to create a professional, quality video on any Windows-based computer. Developed by Online Media Technologies, AVS Video Editor offers hundreds of effects, preset layers, supports Blu-ray videos and can share your video on multiple social media platforms. You can add subtitles, multiple audio tracks, or you can add multiple post-production effects, such as stabilization or special effects. The program supports most video formats, including AVI, MP4, FLV, MKV, 3GP, DAT and VCD.
Apple's flagship video editing tool is Final Cut Pro, a powerful software package that caters for the amateur, enthusiast and professional users. The program is famous for being used on blockbuster productions, such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Social Network, among many others. Final Cut Pro is known for it’s highly intuitive interface, thoughtful keyboard shortcuts, intelligent functions and multiple settings (it supports up to 99 video and sound tracks in a single file). Although many consider it expensive, this software package will never let you down.
Sony Vegas Movie Studio is your best bet when you want to edit videos without eating up too much system resources. This simple, yet highly effective, video editing tool is Sony Vegas Pro's little brother, but it has all the main features at your fingertips. These include multiple real-time effect settings, video stabilization, text, subtitles, multiple language channels, transitions and special effects. It is the best all-in-one solution for amateur and enthusiast users, all being available at an affordable price.
Lightworks is one of the few video editing software packages that support Microsoft Windows, OS X and Linux. This product also has some unique features and options available, such as a dedicated support for I/O, multi-cam editing and dedicated keyboard to video editing interface, an impressive and easy way to edit videos in just a few moves. Real time effects, multiple web export options, background export, rendering tools and import settings complete this excellent video editing program. As all other good video editing programs, Lightworks supports all video formats and allows unlimited video and audio tracks, as well as linear timecode display.
Cinelerra is a video editing tool specifically designed for Linux users. It features powerful tools that are simplified to work even on modest computers. The software is freely available on the developer's website and can be used in three basic settings: Timeline, Resource Window and Viewer. The program also features hundreds of functions, settings and features which will get the job done in no time. It supports all video formats available, including HD formats, it allows unlimited video and audio tracks, linear time code display and non-destructive editing, among many others.
Now, thanks to the widespread availability of video recording devices, such as the Polaroid cube, and the evolution of video editing software, almost everyone can edit their own videos. Some programs make it so easy to create, edit, store or share videos, that most people prefer to do it as a past-time activity. There are numerous free and paid video editing software packages that will help you create your perfect video. Let's take a look at the top 5 video editing programs out there:
- AVS Video Editor
AVS Video Editor is the first choice when it comes to video editing for many amateur and enthusiast users. The software package allows you to create a professional, quality video on any Windows-based computer. Developed by Online Media Technologies, AVS Video Editor offers hundreds of effects, preset layers, supports Blu-ray videos and can share your video on multiple social media platforms. You can add subtitles, multiple audio tracks, or you can add multiple post-production effects, such as stabilization or special effects. The program supports most video formats, including AVI, MP4, FLV, MKV, 3GP, DAT and VCD.
- Final Cut Pro
Apple's flagship video editing tool is Final Cut Pro, a powerful software package that caters for the amateur, enthusiast and professional users. The program is famous for being used on blockbuster productions, such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Social Network, among many others. Final Cut Pro is known for it’s highly intuitive interface, thoughtful keyboard shortcuts, intelligent functions and multiple settings (it supports up to 99 video and sound tracks in a single file). Although many consider it expensive, this software package will never let you down.
- Sony Vegas Movie Studio
Sony Vegas Movie Studio is your best bet when you want to edit videos without eating up too much system resources. This simple, yet highly effective, video editing tool is Sony Vegas Pro's little brother, but it has all the main features at your fingertips. These include multiple real-time effect settings, video stabilization, text, subtitles, multiple language channels, transitions and special effects. It is the best all-in-one solution for amateur and enthusiast users, all being available at an affordable price.
- Lightworks
Lightworks is one of the few video editing software packages that support Microsoft Windows, OS X and Linux. This product also has some unique features and options available, such as a dedicated support for I/O, multi-cam editing and dedicated keyboard to video editing interface, an impressive and easy way to edit videos in just a few moves. Real time effects, multiple web export options, background export, rendering tools and import settings complete this excellent video editing program. As all other good video editing programs, Lightworks supports all video formats and allows unlimited video and audio tracks, as well as linear timecode display.
- Cinelerra
Cinelerra is a video editing tool specifically designed for Linux users. It features powerful tools that are simplified to work even on modest computers. The software is freely available on the developer's website and can be used in three basic settings: Timeline, Resource Window and Viewer. The program also features hundreds of functions, settings and features which will get the job done in no time. It supports all video formats available, including HD formats, it allows unlimited video and audio tracks, linear time code display and non-destructive editing, among many others.
