Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Best Windows Movie Maker Alternatives

Why need to find Windows Movie Maker alternative?

As a part of Windows Essentials software suite, Windows Movie Maker was officially discontinued. Microsoft removed the installer from its website earlier this year, and has deleted all references to a potential new version for Windows 10. The good news is that there are still some excellent powerful, easy to use yet free editing software that can substitutes Windows Movie Maker to assist you to create great-looking video. The following article has listed top 5 best alternatives to Windows Movie Maker for you as a reference.

Best 5 Windows Movie Maker Alternatives

Top 1: Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate

Why we ranked Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate as the best alternative to Windows Movie Maker is due to its friendly and easy to navigate interface, perfect Windows 10 compatibility, various input and output format options and versatile video editing functions. It can perfectly satisfy all great basic editing demand to create professional looking video in just few clicks.

Get Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate with 20% off discount, coupon codec: 45K2D47GJH

Unlike Windows Movie Maker that only support limited file formats for inputting, Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate has full support for not only 4K/2K/HD/SD 4K video in virtually any file formats bt also commercial Blu-ray or DVD disc. Whats more, the program supports batch conversion mode, so that you can load multiple digital video into the program for conversion at one time to save your precious time. As for the core editing function, you can use our program to easily complete the following simple editing work:
- Trim or cut video to leave only your unwanted specific parts
- Crop video to remove black edges or unwanted size area
- Add video/image/transparent text watermark to video
- Apply special rendering effect to video
- Change video picture effect such as brightness, contrast or saturation
- Deinterlace interlaced video into progressive form
- Flip video horizontally, vertically, rotate video clock-wise or counter-clockwise
- Remove/replace audio in video
- Add external SRT/ASS/SSA subtitle to video
- Merge multiple separate video clips into one file (WMM only allows you to join contiguous video into one file)
- Split large video into smaller parts by file size, count or length

When the editing work is completed, you can use our program to export the edited video to various popular file formats, device or editing program preset profile formats for conveniently viewing on computer with media player software, transfer to portable devices, upload and share on popular video sharing sites, etc.

The program is available on Windows 10/8.1/8/7. The program is quite simple to use, anyone can learn to use it in minutes. Whats more, the program is 100% clean, there is no spyware, no malware, no adware and no virus.

Top 2: Avidemux (for Windows)

For those people who only used Windows Movie Maker for basic video editing tasks, Avidemux is well worth a look. It doesnt offer a fancy interface or direct sharing to social media, but if you take a little time to peruse its menus, youll find its surprisingly capable. Avidemux offers preset profiles for different output devices, video and audio filters, fades, subtitles, and lots of customizable encoding options.

The main downside of Avidemux is that you cant join videos together with different heights or widths. This wont matter if your footage are shot with the same smartphone or screen tool, but can be inconvenient if your media come from different sources. To fix this problem, you have to resize each clip separately, export it, then make a new project. Although its not a serious issue, but the developers are aware and it should be resolved in a future update.

Top 3: VSDC Free Video Editor (for Windows)

As a friendly-looking video editor, the The VSDC Free Video Editor starts off with a bunch of options such as a blank project, creating a slideshow, importing content, capturing video, or capturing a screen.

Most of the features you need for your project are under the Editor tab. This includes various filters, video effects, audio effects, add music, trim videos, and add text or subtitles. One thing that's really nice about VSDC is that it's easy to shift the point at which your music track starts. So if you want it to start a few seconds after the video is running, you just have to click and drag the bar representing the audio file.

Once you've got your project set-up the way you like it, head over to the Export project tab where you can easily export it using a specific video format, as well as modify the resolution for specific screen sizes such as the PC, iPhone, Web, DVD, and so on.

VSDC lacks the in-app uploads for various web services so you'll have to do that the old fashioned way: through each website's manual upload system.

Top 4: VirtualDub

This open-source software program runs smoothly with Windows 10. It has a very user-friendly interface makes navigating the program easy for those with a little experience in video editing. Your files can even be extended using third-party video filters and it supports batch processing which means it is possible to handle multiple videos at the same time. Unfortunately, even with its friendly interface, this program can be a little difficult to understand for beginners.

Top 5: VideoPad Video Editor

If youve ever used Windows Movie Maker, VideoPad Video Editor will look immediately familiar. Simply load your video clips, images and sound files that you want to include in your project, then drag them into the timeline to start cutting them together.

Theres an excellent selection of transitional effects for moving between clips and images, plus a collection of filters to give them a whole new look. You can preview the various filters with a single click, combine several to create a custom effect, and decide how long transitions should last.

There are also manual settings for refining brightness, saturation and color - ideal if youre using video clips that were shot in different lighting conditions and want to give them a consistent look.
The export functions are extensive, too. Burn your finished videos to DVD, save them to your hard drive in one of several available formats or share them directly to YouTube or Facebook. There are also compatible presets available for selected smartphones and mobile video players.

Conclusion:

Based on above reviews and comparisons, if you are looking for a powerful, simple to use yet safe alternative to Windows Movie Maker, there is no better choice than Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate.

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Edit Prores with Windows Movie Maker

Have some Prores files exported from your NLE editing software such as Premiere Pro CC, After Effects CC, Premiere Elements, Avid Media Composer or shot with your Canon/Panasonic/Red/Sony/Alexa camera and wish to load the Prores files into Windows Movie Maker for adding titles, effects and transitions. The bad news is that although Prores has perfect compatibility with Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro CC and Avid Media Composer, however, you may get no chance to load it into Windows Movie Maker, the free video editing software from Microsoft, since Prores is not included in Windows Movie Maker supported file formats.

Windows Movie Maker supported file formats

To successfully adding Prores files to WMM, you should first be clear of what are Windows Movie Maker supported file types. Following are the video and audio files can be used in Windows Movie Maker.

Video files

Video file types (format) File name extensions 
Windows Media Video (WMV) files  .wmv
Windows Media files .asf and .wm
AVCHD files .m2ts, .mts, and .m2t
Apple QuickTime files .mov and .qt
DV‑AVI files .avi
Microsoft Recorded TV Show files .dvr-ms and .wtv
MPEG‑4 movie files .mp4, .mov,.m4v, .3gp, .3g2, and .k3g
MPEG‑2 movie files .mpeg, .mpg, .mpe, .m1v, .mp2, .mpv2, .mod, .vob, and .m2t
MPEG‑1 movie files .m1v
Motion JPEG files .avi and .mov

Audio files

Audio file types (format) File name extensions
Windows Media Audio (WMA) files .asf, .wm, and .wma
Pulse‑code Modulation (PCM) files .aif, .aiff, and .wav
Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) files .m4a
MP3 files .mp3

Convert Prores to Windows Movie Maker editable file formats

To convert Prores for Windows Movie Maker editing, you can download our best Prores Converter for Windows - Pavtube Video Converter, which has full support for both 4K/HD Prores format produced from either video editing software or professional cameras.

With the program, you can batch import multiple Prores format into the program for conversion at one time to save your precious time. As for which format to choose for Windows Movie Maker editing, we highly recommend you to choose "WMV" format, which is the native format supported by WMM without installing any extra codec.

Edit Prores with built-in editing options

Besides transcoding Prores format for you, you can also use the program to do some simple editing task. You can trim or cut video to get only your unwanted parts or segments, merge separate video clips into one file, split large files into small parts by file size, length or count, crop the black bars around the video frame, add video/image/transparent text watermark to video, apply special rendering effects to video, etc.

Step by Step to Convert and Import Prores to Windows Movie Maker Editing

Step 1: Load Prores files.

Run the program on your computer and click "File" > "Add Video/Audio" or "Add from folder" to add Prores files into the program.

Load Prores files into the program

Step 2: Choose output file format.

Clicking the Format bar, from its drop-down list, select Windows Movie Maker native compatible WMV file format to output. The program allows you to produce 3 different types of Apple Prores format.

If you wish to have a fast conversion speed, it would be ideal for you to choose "WMV2(WMV8)(*.wmv)" format.

Output WMV2 format

If you wish to produce a high quality file format, just choose "WMV3(WMV9)(*.wmv)".

Output WMV3 format

If you wish to produce a high definition file format, select "WMV HD(*.wmv)" under "HD Video" main category.

Output WMV HD format

Step 3: Edit video.

Check an item to active the "Video Editor" function, then click the pencil like icon on the top tool bar to open the "Video Editor" window, you can trim video length, crop video black bars, add watermark, apply special rendering effect, remove/replace audio in video, etc.

Edit video

Step 4: Begin the conversion process.

Click right-bottom "Convert" button to convert Prores to Windows Movie Maker supported file WMV file formats.

Once the conversion is finished, you can click "Open Output Folder" button to get the output files effortlessly, and now feel free to import converted files to Windows Movie Maker for editing via its "Import video" option.

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Edit 4K MXF with After Effects CC/CS6

You might have shot some 4K MXF files with you Canon XC10, Canon XF100/XF105/XF305/XF300, or EOS C300 Mark II, when you try to load the 4K MXF files into After Effects CC/CS6, you may receive an error message says "file < file name > .mxf can not be imported - this mxf file is damaged or unsupported". Why does this happen and how to fix this problems.

Can After Effects CC/CS6 support 4K MXF files?

Since After Effects CS4, MXF is supported by AE. As for the ability to process 4K resolution video, only the latest version of After Effects CC can handle 4K video. Therefore, if you try to import 4K MXF to After Effects CS6, the 4K video will stutter, lag or jump when you are playing with After Effects CS6. Therefore, it would be much ideal for you to compress 4K to 1080p for smooth editing workflow of 4K MXF with After Effects CS6 or previous version.

Although you can smoothly load 4K video into After Effects CC, however, it doesn't mean that you can throw any 4K MXF video into the editing software. It is well known that MXF is a container file format, which supports a number of different streams of coded "essence", encoded in any of a variety of video and audio compression formats. However, from After Effects CC supported file formats, we can see that you can only load XDCAM HD MXF and Panasonic P2 MXF into After Effects CC. However, Canon XF is not supported by this professional non-linear editing software.

Convert/Compress 4K MXF for After Effects CC/CS6

To get a smooth and successful editing workflow of 4K MXF with After Effects CC/CS6, it would be much ideal for you to transcode and compress 4K MXF to After Effects CC/CS6 supported file formats. Here, you can get the job easily completed with a simple to use application called Pavtube Video Converter, which has full support for 4K MXF files produced by Sony XDCAM/Panasonic P2/Canon XF. With the program, you can batch convert and compress 4K MXF files After Effects CC/CS6 native compatible MPEG-2, WMV (VC-1) editing format.

Compress 4K to 1080p

Click "Settings" on the main interface to open "Profile Settings" window, in video section, from "Size(pix)" drop-down list, select "1980*1020" or "1080*720" to compress 4K video to 1080p or 720p to get smooth editing workflow with After Effects CC.

For Mac users, you can switch to download Pavtube Video Converter for Mac to perform the conversion on macOS High Sierra, macOS Sierra, Mac OS X El Capitan, Mac OS X Yosemite, etc.

Step by Step to Convert and Compress 4K MXF for After Effects CC/CS6 Editing

Step 1: Load 4K MXF files.

Download the free trial version of the program. Launch it on your computer. Click "File" menu and select "Add Video/Audio" or click the "Add Video" button on the top tool bar to import source 4K MXF files into the program.

Load 4K MXF files

Step 2: Define the output format.

Clicking the Format bar, from its drop-down list, select After Effects CC/CS6 specially optimized "Adobe Premiere/Son...">"MPEG-2(*.mpg)" as the best editing format.

Output After Effects CC/CS6 preset profile format

Step 3: Compress 4K video to 1080p.

Click "Settings" on the main interface to open "Profile Settings" window, in video section, from "Size(pix)" drop-down list, select "1980*1020" or "1080*720" to compress 4K to 1080p or 720p.

Compress 4K to 1080p

Step 4: Begin the conversion process.

After all setting is completed, hit the "Convert" button at the right bottom of the main interface to begin the conversion process from 4K MXF to After Effects CC/CS6 native compatible MPEG-2 video with 1080p resolution.

When the conversion is finished, click "Open Output Folder" icon on the main interface to open the folder with generated files. Then you can easily import video to After Effects CC/CS6 for smooth editing workflow.

Friday, August 11, 2017

Free and Easier Ways to Export VLC to MP4

As a powerful free and open source multimedia player software, VLC can handle a large variety of media types including video, audio as well as CD and DVDs. Have stored a lot of movies, videos or TV shows in the VLC library and wish to convert the VLC files to the popular MP4 file format so that you can conveniently transfer and play them on MP4 format compatible smartphone, tablet, game consoles, TVs, etc. The following article will show you 2 different ways to convert VLC files to MP4.

Part 1: Convert VLC files to MP4 with VLC
Part 2: Fast tool to batch convert VLC to MP4

Part 1: Convert VLC files to MP4 with VLC

Step 1: Import Video to VLC

First of all, we need to open our VLC Media Player, and after it opening, we should click of top navigation bar, and click on the "Media" point, which will open a little dropbox.

In this dropbox we should click on the "Open Multiple Files&..." tab, (or use a hotkey Ctrl+Shift+O) and wait until the menu will appear on our screen.

Step 2: Go to the Convert menu

In the menu, which has appeared, click on "Add" button, and choose the file you need to convert. After this you should click on the arrow, which is situated near the "Play" button. Clicking on this arrow will open a dropbox, in which we should choose a link, called "Convert", or just use a hotkeys Alt+O.

Step 3. Choose the settings as you like.

In the menu, which has appeared, you'll see such things:

The path to the source of the video, type of this file, and the setting, which we need to set up.

First of all, we need to manage our profiles, and choose which one fits us the best. In the dropbox one can see very many profiles ... for iDevices, TVs, Androids, etc. But we need to choose only one ... it's called "Audio ... MP3 (MP4)".

As you have noticed there are some buttons to the right of the dropbox, there we've chosen the type of profile. These buttons are used for:
Press to configure the type of video or audio codecs, which you need exactly for the video or an audio you're trying to convert. By the way, there are some more great functions and abilities for you to explore.

Delete the profile which is chosen in the dropbox.

This one is used for creating a new type of profile with managing all the audio and video codecs for the file you need to convert.

Step 4: Start the conversion process

You need to choose the destination file, where all the information will be containing. In our case, we can use "Browse" button, come to the Desktop, write a name of the file, let it be "container.mp4", and after this, web should click on the "Start" button, and the process of the conversion will begin.

The estimated time of the converting depends on the power of your PC, and the type of the codec you are using to convert.

Part 2: Fast tool to batch convert VLC to MP4

If you have need to convert one VLC files to MP4, VLC can be a good choice. However, if you have tons of video or movie files to convert from VLC to MP4, you will be disappointed to find that VLC doesn't support batch conversion mode, it also means that you will have to convert your video one by one at a time.

Here, a more powerful and fast conversion program called Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate is highly recommended to you. Thanks to its batch conversion mode, you can load multiple VLC files at one time to save your precious time. Apart from convert digital files to MP4, you can also use this program to rip commercial Blu-ray/DVD disc to MP4.

The program outweighs VLC also in its rich output MP4 format options. You can convert VLC files to MP4 with various different compression codec such as MPEG-4, MPEG-2, H.264, H.265, WMV/VC-1, etc and file resolution such as 4K video like H.264 High Profile video, H.265 video, HD video like H.264 HD, H.265 HD, MPEG-4 HD or SD video like MPEG-4 video and even 3D Side by Side/Top and Bottom/Anaglyph mode MP4 format for viewing with 3D TV/VR Headsets/3D Projectors/3D Video Players. Moreover, the program can also do you a great favor to directly output smartphone, tablets, game consoles, TVs, etc preset profile MP4 file formats with the optimal playback settings.

For Mac users, you can download Pavtube iMedia Converter for Mac to convert VLC files to MP4 on macOS Sierra or macOS High Sierra.

Get Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate with 20% off discount, coupon codec: 45K2D47GJH

How to Convert VLC Files to MP4 with Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate?

Step 1: Import VLC files to the program for conversion.

Navigate to the folder that contains your local VLC video files. And then select the files you want, next, simply drag them to this application's main interface. Or you can Click "File" menu and select "Add Video/Audio" or click the "Add Video" button on the top tool bar to import VLC files into the program.

Import VLC files

Step 2: Define the output format.

Click the "Format" bar drop-down list, select one of your desired MP4 file format according to your own needs.

Define the output format

Tips: Click "Settings" on the main interface to open "Profile Settings" window, here, you can flexibly choose or specify exactly the profile parameters including video codec, resolution, bit rate, frame rate, audio codec, bit rate, sample rate, channels, etc as you like to get better output video and audio quality.

adjust settings

Step 3: Begin the conversion process.

After all setting is completed, hit the "Convert" button at the right bottom of the main interface to begin the conversion process from VLC files to your desired MP4 files.

When the conversion is finished, click "Open Output Folder" icon on the main interface to open the folder with generated files.

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Encode HPX2700 MXF to Prores with Multiple Audio Tracks for FCP X

The Panasonic AJ-HPX2700 VariCam Camcorder is a high-end professional camera which can record AVC-Intra 100, AVC-Intra 50 and DVCPRO HD. Have recorded some clips with the Panasonic AJ-HPX2700 and wish to import the Panasonic AJ-HPX2700 MXF video into FCP X and also keep the 4 audio tracks in original MXF files. The following article will show you how to smoothly edit Panasonic AJ-HPX2700 MXF in FCP X with audio tracks preserved.

Can FCP X handle Panasonic HPX2700 MXF video?

Although both the AVC- Intra and DVCPro HD compression codec used by Panasonic HPX2700 MXF is included in FCP X supported file formats, however, decoding native AVC-Intra or DVCPro HD for playback on FCP X will require a lot of processing power. To reduce the processing demands on your computer, it would be much ideal for you to transcode the Panasonic AVC-Intra/DVCPro HD MXF to the less processor-intensive Apple Prores format.

Best tool to transcode Panasonic HPX2700 MXF to Prores with multiple audio tracks

When are you searching on the market, you may find that there are many solutions for you to encode MXF to Apple Prores, however, very few of them can helps to preserver the multiple audio tracks or channels in original MXF files. Fortunately, here comes Pavtube iMixMXF (3 Reasons to choose iMixMXF), which is specially designed to handle MXF files produced not only from Panasonic P2 camcorder, but also from Sony XDCAM, Canon XF or Blackmagic Design HyperDeck Studio or Avid Media Composer.

The program supports batch conversion mode, so that you can load multiple MXF files at one time for conversion. The biggest merits of this program is that it enables you to directly output Panasonic HPX2700 MXF to Multi-track Apple Prores format in various different file types including Multi-track Apple Prores 422, Multi-track Apple Prores 422 HQ, Multi-track Apple Prores 422 LT and Multi-track Apple Prores 422 Proxy, so that you can keep all the audio tracks in original MXF video. Besides that, you can flexibly adjust multi-task settings, remove those audio tracks that you don't want to output.

Related article: Panasonic P2 MXF to QuickTime | Play Panasonic MXF on TV

With this remarkable MXF Multi-track converter, you can also produce some popular Multi-track formats such as multi-track MKV/MP4/MOV, etc for conveniently switching between your favorite audio channels when viewing with HD media player apps.

Step by Step to Encode Panasonic HPX2700 MXF to Apple Prores with Multiple Audio Tracks

Step 1: Import source MXF files to the program.

Start up the program on your computer, click the "Add video" or "Add folder" icon to import source MXF files from Panasonic HPX2700 to the program.

Load MXF files

Step 2:Choose Muti-track Apple Prores format.

Go to "Format" drop-down bar, select "Multi-track Video" > "Multi-track Apple Prores 422 (*.mov)" as the output file format, you can also choose other Prores format according to your own needs.

Output Muti-track Apple Prores format

Step 3: Adjust multi-track settings.

After you choose to output "Multi-track Video" from "Format" drop-down list, click "Settings" button to open "Multi-task Settings" window, click "Audio" tab, check the audio track you want to output and specify the codec you'd like to encode with.

Adjust multi-track settings

Step 4: Start the conversion process.

After all setting is completed, hit the "Convert" button at the right bottom of the main interface to begin the conversion process from Panasonic HPX2700 MXF to Apple Prores with Multiple Audio Tracks.

When the conversion is finished, click "Open Output Folder" icon on the main interface to open the folder with generated files. Then feel free to import the video into FCP X for professional post editing with multiple audio tracks preserved.

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Tricks for Editing DJI Zenmuse X4S 4K video in Premiere Pro/Elements/After Effects

The DJI Zenmuse X4S is a powerful camera featuring a 20 megapixel 1-inch sensor and a maximum ISO of 12,800. Its 84° FOV, high resolution lens makes the Zenmuse X4S as powerful during aerial imaging as it is on the ground. Combined withCineCore 2.0, the Inspire 2’s powerful image processing system, it can record 4K/60 H.264 and 4K/30 H.265 videos at a 100Mbps bitrate, and oversample 5.2K video into 4K video in real-time, capturing fine image details. With such perfect 4K camera in hands, you may want to edit DJI Zenmuse X4S 4K video in Premiere Pro/Elements/After Effects for adding some effects. In fact, 4K movies are limited to edited in Premiere Pro/Elements/After Effects.

Generally, the DJI Zenmuse X4S captures 4K video in MP4 or MOV (H.264 or H.265 codec) format, which is not native support formats by Premiere Pro/Elements/After Effects. To resolve DJI Zenmuse X4S 4K video and Premiere Pro/Elements/After Effects issues, the quick and easy workaround is to transcode the 4K videos to Premiere Pro/Elements/After Effects compatible videos and even downscale 4K to 1080p if necessary. The process is surprisingly easy and can be done with the help of  Pavtube Video Converter for Mac.

Overall, this program is the best 4K video converter for handling 4K videos. With this program, you can effortlessly transcode 4K video to MPEG-2 , which will create an After Effects/ Premiere Pro/ Premiere Elements friendly file format keeping the 4K original quality. Except for transcoding DJI Zenmuse X4S 4K video to MPEG-2 format for Premiere Pro/Elements/After Effects, this 4K Video Converter also able to export DNxHD for Avid Media Composer, Apple ProRes for Final Cut Pro, Apple InterMediate Codec for iMovie and more NLE systems for native editing.

Free Download Pavtube Video Converter for Mac:

         

If you are a Windows user, and in need of edit DJI Zenmuse X4S 4K video in Premiere Pro/Elements/After Effects, etc. Please turn to Pavtube Video Converter.

How to transcode and import DJI Zenmuse X4S 4K video to Premiere Pro/Elements/After Effects?

Step 1: Load the DJI Zenmuse X4S 4K video to the converter

Install and run the 4K Video Converter, and then import the source 4K videos to it. To do so, you can directly drag & drop the files onto the main interface, or you can click the “Add File” icon to locate the videos from your local disk.

load video

Step 2: Choose Premiere Pro/Elements/After Effects native format - MPEG-2

Since we have known the best format for Premiere Pro/Elements/After Effects, just go to the output format list where you need to follow “Adobe Premiere/Sony Ve…”> “MPEG-2 (*.mpg).”

mpeg2

Step 3:  Advanced Settings (Optional)

If you’d like to customize advanced audio and video parameters like Video Codec, aspect ratio, bit rate, frame rate, Audio codec, sample rate, audio channels, please turn to “Settings” page. If you are using After Effects CS6/CS5/CS4 which does not fully support native 4K files, 1080p would be the best settings. You can downscale 4K to 1080p here.

1080p

Step 4. Start the conversion

Finally, simply hig the big Convert button to start converting DJI Zenmuse X4S 4K video to Premiere Pro/Elements/After Effects friendly video formats. 

Within several minutes, you can find the converted file on your computer by clicking the "Open" button. And then you can import the converted files to Premiere Pro/Elements/After Effects for editing smoothly.