Video editing/compressing free software suggestions

[Karl Fuss]

I have been using Movie Maker as editing and compressing software but i have lots of trouble with it. Most times it crashes while compressing and saving the edited video files. Sometimes i can re-edit and save without problems, but that takes so much time. My computer shouldn't have a problem, maybe it's the video files that are corrupt in some way, i don't know for sure....
I use an external video recorder, upload the files to Movie Maker, edit, compress and save with about a 40% success rate. It is frustrating and time consuming.

I know a lot of people use Sony Vegas for editing but i cannot pay for it.
I have been reading about "Lightworks" free software and may give that a try tonight.

Are there any other programs people here are using that are easy and crash free?

My computer:
PS8300, Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English
XPS 8300XPS8300
ProcessorsIntel® Core™ i7-2600 processor(8MB Cache, 3.4GHz)
Memory8GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 4 DIMMs
Video CardAMD Radeon HD 5450 1GB DDR3
Hard Drive1TB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache

 

[Calum McLure]

I'm in the same boat, downloaded Lightworks but haven't looked at it yet. I'll give it a try tomorrow and let you know how I get on.

 

[4 8 15 16 23 42 108]

I'm recording on a DVB television PCI card on my computer.
Files are saved in ".ts" format; I use ProjectX for cutting and Auto Gordian Knot for encoding it (xvid or divx).
What file format do you need?

 

[Karl Fuss]

I'm recording on a DVB television PCI card on my computer.
Files are saved in ".ts" format; I use ProjectX for cutting and Auto Gordian Knot for encoding it (xvid or divx).
What file format do you need?

Hauppauge HVR1250 hybrid TV Tuner with Remote Control
I have this installed in my office computer but have never used it. (My knowledge base and comfort level with computers is limited). I think that allows me to use my computer as a PVR provided i have a digital cable box linked to it.
Is there a way for me to utilize that to record my races from my xbox 360 directly? They are about 50 feet apart so long cords would be required.

I haven't hear of ProjectX but will look it up.
The way i record now i get MP4 files and use Movie Maker to edit and compress. What ever file that outputs is what i load up on youtube. I've never looked at the file type.

 

[4 8 15 16 23 42 108]

Will check this and tell you tomorrow (hope I don't forget).
Initially I thought we were talking about recording television lol.
So this seems to be different.

 

[4 8 15 16 23 42 108]

@Karl Fuss Sorry for missing you. I will have a look tomorrow.

 

[4 8 15 16 23 42 108]

What I found is http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hvr1250.htmlIf this is your product, then you are on cable TV and not satellite, right?
The card itself works as a receiver, you won't need a box or anything similar, just a cable connected to your wall. Your computer will just work like a TV.

The files recorded are saved in .ts or mpeg; please test it, I am unsure, as I don't own this cars.
Please have a look here: http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/324887-How-to-capture-ATSC-to-ts-file-with-WinTV-HVR-1250

TV records and ingame records are opposite things. I don't think it will work. It should, if you manage to asign one "TV channel" to your XBOX. No idea how to...
The 1250 does have a S-VIDEO/Composite Video Input connector; XBOX 360 will have exits for TVs, so there should be an option. Length of the cable will only weaken the signal, but I don't think this will happen.

 

[Vaughn Stegeman]

Lightworks is good software, but it comes at it from a "traditional" video editing standpoint -- that is, it's like using physical editing gear.
VirtualDub (free, GPL. here >> http://www.virtualdub.org/ ) doesn't edit, but it works GREAT for encoding.
Blender3D has an okay video editor. Not high on features, but it's pretty fast and easy to use. (free open source. here >> http://blender.org ) It can edit and encode. .. PLUS it has fully integrated 3D and compositing features.

 

[Karl Fuss]

Lightworks is good software, but it comes at it from a "traditional" video editing standpoint -- that is, it's like using physical editing gear.
VirtualDub (free, GPL. here >> http://www.virtualdub.org/ ) doesn't edit, but it works GREAT for encoding.
Blender3D has an okay video editor. Not high on features, but it's pretty fast and easy to use. (free open source. here >> http://blender.org ) It can edit and encode. .. PLUS it has fully integrated 3D and compositing features.

Thanx for the list, I'll check them out this weekend.
I'm still having seemingly random issues with Movie Maker, but the last time i used it there was no problem at all. It's so frustrating....

 

[FerrariMan96]

This only applies to compressing videos, but I've used Any Video Converter (link) for compressing videos and changing formats quite a lot and it works quite well, plus it's free.

RE free editing software, I can't help you from personal experience. There's this article (link) which recommends Lightworks too.

 

[Tony Crabb]

try here : http://forum.videohelp.com/
Rather large site, but has loads of information and software.

 

[kelaroost]

I use this..

http://www.mainconcept.com/eu/products/applications/totalcode-studio.html