Are you planning to use OpenShot but do not know about this editor? Then, step within this article of video editing fun with OpenShot Video Editor. This quick review shows why OpenShot is a top pick for making awesome videos. It might not be as fancy as some big names, but that makes it cool. It's easy to use and great for anyone just starting with video editing. Whether you're putting together a holiday video, OpenShot is like the iMovie of computer editing – simple and quick. You will be shocked as it has some cool features hidden around. Moreover, you can make a perfect simple video, even if you're not a pro. Let's explore OpenShot together and see why it's a favorite for beginners and video lovers!

In this article
    1. Minimum System Requirements
    2. Hardware Acceleration

What is OpenShot Video Editor?

trivia of openshot video editor

OpenShot Video Editor is a tool that helps people edit videos and audio easily. Jonathan Thomas created this video editor in August 2008. You can cut, mix, and add effects to your files using a simple drag-and-drop system. It even lets you create cool 3D animations and adjust your videos' colors, sizes, and text. If you want to work on audio, OpenShot helps you see and use sound waves in your videos. You can also make special effects like reversing or speeding up motion in your videos.

OpenShot is great for anyone who wants to make awesome videos without hassle! Also, there are many other features; if you want to know what they are, dig more within this article!

The Features of OpenShot Video Editor

Check out what OpenShot Video Editor can do! This quick intro invites you to see the cool things this video tool offers. All you need to do is listen, learn, and explore! Let's see what features OpenShot has.

1. Supports various video, audio, and image formats.

trivia of openshot video editor

OpenShot works with many video and picture types because it uses the strong FFmpeg library. You can find a full list of what it supports in the FFmpeg project. When you want to save your work, OpenShot usually suggests common formats, but if you click on the advanced tab, you can choose from any FFmpeg format you like.

2. Utilizes curve-based keyframe animations for precision.

trivia of openshot video editor

OpenShot has a cool feature called keyframe animation. You can do a bunch of animations with it because there's no limit to the number of keyframes. You can decide how the animated parts move - choose smooth curves, straight lines, or keep things constant. It's like telling the computer how you want things to move in your video!

3. Unlimited tracks, clip resizing, transitions, and overlays.

trivia of openshot video editor

In OpenShot, tracks are like layers where you can place images, videos, and audio in your project. You can make as many layers as you want, like for watermarks, background sounds, or videos. If something is see-through, you'll see what's underneath it. Tracks can also be moved up or down, or you can lock them in place.

4. 3D animated titles for dynamic visuals.

trivia of openshot video editor

Create fantastic 3D animations right in OpenShot, thanks to the amazing Blender application. OpenShot includes over 20 animations. This feature lets you tweak colors, sizes, lengths, text, and render properties like reflectivity, bevel, extrude, and more. It's a powerful tool to add a touch of magic to your videos!

5. Advanced timeline with frame accuracy.

trivia of openshot video editor

The advanced video editing timeline is packed with fantastic features to make crafting your video project a breeze. You can drag and drop, resize clips, zoom in and out, align elements, use preset animations and settings, slice and snap sections together, and more! It's as simple as dragging a file onto the timeline to start!

6. Robust audio mixing and digital video effects.

trivia of openshot video editor

OpenShot is a super-easy video editor that's great for everyone. You can do cool things using over 400 filters. If you want to switch backgrounds, OpenShot has a feature called chroma keying. Adding subtitles is simple; you can use fancy vector titles now. You can change the speed and volume for audio and do stuff like cutting and merging. The interface is easy to understand, allowing you to easily see and work with audio waves. Moreover, fade in and out effects make your audio sound just right.

The Benefits of Using OpenShot Video Editor

With Openshot, aside from its features, users can benefit a lot and guarantee an easy editing experience. As a user, you can make sure you have:

  1. Design and Interface: All features are prominently displayed on the interface upon opening OpenShot. The intuitive design seamlessly guides you through every editing feature with tutorial videos. Furthermore, you can personalize the interface by switching the preview and timeline windows or hiding used windows, adapting them to your preferences.
  2. Support: The OpenShot team actively engages you through the OpenShot subreddit. Addressing questions and swiftly resolving popular issues. Despite having an international team, Jonathan continues to post tutorial videos on YouTube to assist users. This underscores their genuine concern for users and the ongoing development of the product.

Compatible Formats of OpenShot Video Editor

Besides ensuring a smooth user experience, OpenShot Video Editor makes it flexible for you to edit videos. This editor offers broad compatibility with popular audio and video formats.

Aspect Details
Project Compatibility Seamless collaboration with other tools.
Supports import/export in formats like EDL for compatibility with various video editing software.
Supports XML format used in Final Cut Pro and other applications.
Audio/Video Formats Compatible with video codecs like AVI, FLV, MOV, MP4, MPEG (H.264, HEVC, MPEG4, MPEG2), WebM (VP9), and AVCHD (libx264).
Supports audio codecs, MP3 and AAC.
Can render MPEG4, OGV, Blu-ray, DVD, and Full HD videos.
Offers NTSC and PAL options at various resolutions.

System Requirements of OpenShot Video Editor

Video editing benefits from generous memory, advanced CPUs, and swift storage. OpenShot demands high specifications; average laptops often struggle with loading issues and delays. Investing in the best possible computer for video editing is recommended. Here are the minimum system requirements:

1. Minimum System Requirements

    • Operating system: Linux, macOS X 10.15, Windows 7, 8, 10, 11 (64 bits)
    • Processor: Multi-core processor with 64-bit support

Minimum cores: 2 (recommended: 6 or more cores)

Minimum threads: 4 (recommended: 6 or more threads)

Minimum turbo clock speed: 2.7 GHz (recommended: 3.4 GHz or higher)

  • RAM: At least 4GB (16GB recommended)
  • Optional: Solid-state drive (SSD) for disk caching (and an additional 10GB of hard disk space)

2. Hardware Acceleration

OpenShot 2.5 now supports VA-API and NVENC/NVDEC for hardware acceleration in encoding and decoding. This results in a 30% - 40% boost in system performance. If your graphics card supports hardware acceleration, effect optimizations enhance render performance and improve real-time preview performance. Some of the optimized effects include saturation, hue, blur, wave, brightness, and pixelation.

Pros
  • Entirely free, providing a cost-effective solution for you.
  • Allows unlimited tracks for videos, audio, texts, providing flexibility in editing.
  • Professional video output without imposing watermarks on exported content.
Cons
  • Despite improvements in recent versions, OpenShot still faces challenges with stability when handling large files such as 4K videos.
  • This editor may fall short for semi-professional or professional users seeking advanced features. Those desiring more sophisticated effects might find other professional-grade software.

OpenShot Editor Ratings

trivia of openshot video editor

OpenShot Video Editor got 4.3 stars at Capterra with 170 reviews.

How to Use OpenShot Video Editor

If you are a new user of OpenShot and looking for a step-by-step guide on how this video editor works, we are here. We ensure these steps are easy even if you are a new user. So here’s how:

Step 1. Start by bringing your photos, videos, and music into OpenShot. You can do this by dragging and dropping them into the program. Most file formats will work.

openshot video editor

Step 2. Drag each photo or video onto the timeline to create the sequence for your final video. Overlapping clips will create smooth fades between them. You can easily rearrange or adjust the duration of each clip by dragging its edges.

openshot video editor

Step 3. Enhance your creation by adding music. Click and drag your music file onto the timeline. Adjust the length of the music clip as needed.

openshot video editor

Step 4. Click the Play button to see how your video looks and sounds. You can pause, rewind, and fast-forward to check different parts.

openshot video editor

Step 5. Once satisfied with your video, export it by clicking on the Export Video icon. Default settings work for most media players and websites like YouTube. Just click "Export Video" to create your final video file.

openshot video editor

Got Problem with Your Edited Video on OpenShot? Here’s How

openshot video editor

Did the edited video on Openshot get corrupted? Wondershare Repairit is your ultimate fixer! Whether it is a problem with the video images, audio, or the video itself, Repairit can fix it. Wondershare Repairit Desktop supports your OpenShot AVI, FLV, MOV, MP4, and MPEG videos. What is more surprising is that with Repairit Desktop, you can repair unlimited videos without worrying how large the file is. Just get your Windows or Mac devices and download this repair tool.

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Repair damaged videos with all levels of corruption, such as video not playing, video no sound, playback errors, header corruption, flickering video, missing video codec, etc.
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Conclusion

OpenShot is a free, easy-to-use video editor for beginners. Created by Jonathan Thomas, it lets you cut, mix, and add effects to videos effortlessly. If you are an editor who wants to save money, this editor is good for you. But wait, if you face problems like corrupted videos edited with OpenShot, you can turn to Wondershare Repairit. This professional tool will serve you right!

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FAQ

  • Are there any alternatives to OpenShot for video editing?
    Yes, there are several alternatives to OpenShot, including ShotCut, Lightworks, DaVinci Resolve, and HitFilm Express. The choice depends on individual preferences, editing needs, and platform compatibility.
  • How frequently does OpenShot receive updates?
    The developers of OpenShot actively listen to user feedback and release updates every 1-2 months. Updates include bug fixes, new features, and improvements to enhance the user experience.
  • Can OpenShot handle unlimited editing tracks?
    OpenShot's non-linear editor allows users to import and edit unlimited tracks for videos, audio, texts, and more. This feature provides flexibility in organizing and editing video materials.
Louie Morgan
Louie Morgan Mar 20, 24
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Louie Morgan
Written by Louie Morgan
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