Due to recent computer trouble that has largely been sorted out (and one or two other factors), I am in need of new video editing software. What would people recommend? Inexpensive is good. Doesn't need to be particularly fancy, I pretty much just need the basic functions.
I'd suggest watching this, as he basically explains some of the pro/contras of the editors:
I've also used Premiere years ago in high school, and it was fairly competent. Seems like it goes for $40 USD a month these days, so that's not exactly a good deal either (Why must companies gouge us with recurring payments!!)
If you need just the absolute minimum, Blender of all things has some built-in video editing capabilities but they're uh, not great usability-wise, but it's free so you get slightly more than you pay for. Slightly.
But I checked out the suggestions in this journal and I really dig Shotcut. I remember trying other alternatives a number of times but most of them were trialware/crapware. There was also this thing called Virtual Dub, but I swear to you it was easier for me to learn how to install Arch Linux and use it than how to use this mysterious tool reserved for the gurus.
The Express version is free, and it's got the basic stuff that you need (and from what I see, plenty of tutorials). It seems simple on the surface, and it is simple if you use it for basic stuff. (can be advanced only if you wish)
The only thing I'm not fond of is its way of doing text. You make a composite shot, add a text layer, edit it with the Text Tool, find the Text tab, edit the parameters, and then place the composite shot in the video.
Sony Vegas does text in a much much more straightforward way in comparison.