I need an EASY TO USE video editor please - recommendations?

[Cloudy147]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a simple, easy to use video editor but am struggling to find anything that isn't trying to be an Adobe Premier copy.

All I want to do is add a bunch of videos (maybe the odd photo), trim them to the bits I like, add to a timeline, add music and then export.

Seems a straightforward ask, but all the software I've tried so far is full of overly complex options which make even the easiest things really difficult and its really frustrating.

Windows Movie Maker seemed good at this back in the day, and Quik isn't bad but it only allows 60 second clips.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

Paul.

[JulianHJ]

Premiere Elements is pretty simple to use.

[Bill]

We use the Windows Photo editor.

[Cloudy147]

Thanks guys, I've tried Windows Photo editor and couldn't get on with it.

Just downloaded Premier Elements trial and this is exactly what I need. Its brilliant - so easy!!

Thanks for the replies fellas, gonna make that purchase.

Cheers!

[henrycrun]

Could Premier Elements be used to create a short time lapse movie from a few thousand stills ?

[Cloudy147]

henrycrun said:

Could Premier Elements be used to create a short time lapse movie from a few thousand stills ?

I haven't tried, but this video suggests you might be able to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sizRw8Yf41s

You can download a free demo from Adobe, so you can try before you buy.

[shed driver]

henrycrun said:

Could Premier Elements be used to create a short time lapse movie from a few thousand stills ?

I did that in Windows movie maker, albeit only about 700 photos.

SD.

[threespires]

I have Elements but prefer to use VSDC Free video editor.

To make it work, uncheck "use hardware acceleration for encoding video" in Settings.

[mikeveal]

Lightworks is superb, but I'm not sure it fits the definition of easy to use. It's not a piece of software that you can jump straight into, but there are excellent tutorial videos, if you know what you want to do, there'll be an easy to find tutorial and you'll be up and running quickly.
It has every feature you'll ever want and it's free.

Nero on the other hand isn't free. It's limited, basic bloatware. It is a doddle to use and you won't need to refer to tutorials or the manual.

[seanyfez]

Try the Blackmagic’s Da Vinci. There is a free version available.

It only took me a couple of hours to get my head round but it’s quite powerful stuff - I’m using it for pro work now.

I really miss the early version of iMovie on the Apple - Truly as simple as it gets, what went wrong Apple!!!!!

[Cloudy147]

seanyfez said:

Try the Blackmagic’s Da Vinci. There is a free version available.

It only took me a couple of hours to get my head round but it’s quite powerful stuff - I’m using it for pro work now.

I really miss the early version of iMovie on the Apple - Truly as simple as it gets, what went wrong Apple!!!!!

I don't think Apple tech and software is simple any more. It is as complex and/or frustrating in usability as any other OS, both phone and PC. They've lost their USP in my opinion.

In the end I paid for Adobe Elements. It's brilliant, really easy to use, but with some more complex features if you want them. Well worth the £80-odd.