Can a professional editor use Kdenlive?

I've been a video editor for years and wanted to see if Kdenlive could meet my needs in video production. I compare it to Davinci Resolve Studio and share my experience so you can see if Kdenlive could meet your needs or if you might need to get something different. Spoiler alert....Kdenlive gets you most of the way there.

[jackb]

17:04 If you click on the 3rd icon from the left, only the audio effects will be listed. Left to right, the 3 icons are Main Effects, Video Effects, and Audio Effects.

[_bbie]

One thing no one talks about, Kdenlive can import/export some audio formats that some free/paid softwares can't even import. I use it all the time lol.

[MoneyJagat]

It's my secondary video editing tool after DaVinci resolve.

[kellingc]

Thank you for showing this - I'm an old linear editing type of person 3/4" using U-Matic tape and doing an A-B roll. I've played with non-linear system like Final Cut, MovieMaker, and now getting into KDENlive. I still miss my old Sony RM440 and Panasonic video switcher, but no 5 second rollback for syncing? Seriously, though, watching you go through some of the stuff on KDENLive, I think I'll have some fun. -

[iviyohane]

The only thing I miss are GPU accelerated effects. From what I read, Kdenlive used to have them, but they stopped working well. However, for now on, I think this will be my main video editor program. If I ever need a more "sophisticated" program I have DaVinci Resolve as a backup.

Linux may not have as many apps as Windows and MacOS, but the ones that are there are great. I hope this project doesn't die soon.

[Saturn-OS]

I have had issues with kdenlive both on windows and linux but I gave it one more chance and it actually isn't to bad. Works well.

[popvov]

I have been using KdenLive on the old beat up linux box. If you know what needs to be done, it is just the matter of locating the right tools, I can churn out 4k videos though the rendering times are much higher. For detailed coloring I still have to go Resolve. Only thing that pains me I cannot generate XML out of kdl so that I can give this to colorist. OTIO somehow doesn't work.

[blok]

i came across this video a bit ago, but was not logged in, its not kdenlive related, but on OBS you have a Remux Setting that will convert your recordings into .mp4 (file > remux recording)

[bhargavjitbhuyan]

Can I use shotcut for professional work?
Other video editors for pro work (free, Linux).

[frederickpolli]

What flavor of linux are you using resolve with? I would like to use resolve and am willing to buy the studio version, but I am using linux mint 22 and have not read good things about being able to use resolve. Do you have any videos on help getting it set up?

[Tech_with_Loco]

I use Resolve in my Win-dose 11 dual boot. I find the title creation much easier in Kdenlive over Resolve. One person youtube editting! Resolve for me is overkill, I do simple YouTubes, many about Kdenlive! Run final audio thru Audaciry. My other issue for what I look for is file size, render in Kdenlive, MP4, H265 is super small, this a one PC, one person creation! My OS, Mint 21.3 does not work with Resolve, Kdenlive works easily! Resolve I go into windows, Win 11 not my favorite! Have done 4K short videos with exact same video, same effects, same audio, minor color grade, same animated title, subtitles and the final product looks the same! File size is another issue. Render time is slightly faster in Resolve/Win 11, verus Kdenlive/Mint OS. Progams used by me OBS, Audacity, GIMP and Kdenlive (sometimes Resolve). Note, still learning Resolve, Kdenlive is quick and painless for me!

[theseal]

I wish that kdenlive gets better since they look promising and their roadmap is very ambitious

[MrDonCoyote]

It's not about whether or not it can be done. But for most people, time is money. And most people aren't into this. It's more of a necessary evil. So, can it be done fast and stress free? That's really what matters, at the end of the day. And that's why DaVinci wins hands down. But Kdenlive is a nice backup, like you said.

[feedback-loop]

so many "go ahead and <do something>"

[linuxforpunks]

Technology obviates the need for professional editors, and a professional editor questions whether it useful. This year media became a zero-value good. Next year AI composes the media we want to see, and it comes out the gate more talented than Stanley Kubrick. Both DaVinci and Kdenlive are economically worthless but the open-source one may have contributed some libraries or code-chunks that the new video-generators find useful.