I spent several hours experimenting with open source video editing software. My verdict? Kino (1.3) is good enough for my basic needs. More specifically, I was able to add a clean title, have simple (but good) transitions, a soundtrack as well as original sound, and lots of separate clips joined together. I was disappointed that I wasn’t able to use kdenlive (0.6) successfully, as it had quite a nice interface, but my clips were being truncated with the image disappearing first and then finally both audio and video by the end of the clip. Couldn’t figure it out. Cinelerra http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinelerra was a bit much for me but there is a new version out (4.0) and it will suit more advanced users.

So what is needed to use Kino?

1. Install kino (use synaptic)
2. Install soundconverter (for creating wav files for soundtracks). NB not the same as another splendid program called soundrecorder 😉 . You will also need the ability to output wavs so follow the instructions here.
3. Install mjpegtools so you can export as mjpegs

Details on adding sound are here. You need to make wavs and use mix as the FX for the whole time range.

For adding titles etc look here. One approach is to create a block using FX which is coloured (FX create) and then add the title (FX overwrite). The Video filter you need to select is Titler. NB to use the Render button when in FX to implement your effect. This is a different process from rendering the entire timeline or exporting it.

Final tip – my Panasonic H280 worked fine with Ubuntu via USB. But remember to open the interface and select PC rather than pictbridge etc so that the connection can actually occur. If you don’t tell it how to connect over USB you will never see the drive get mounted!

I’m expecting to have to update this page in a year or two as better solutions emerge.