avidemux

Free video editor for cutting, filtering, and encoding

TLDR

Open video file

$ avidemux [video.mp4]

Convert to different format

$ avidemux --load [input.avi] --save [output.mp4] --quit

Cut a segment without re-encoding (copy streams)

$ avidemux --load [video.mp4] --output-format MKV --video-codec copy --audio-codec copy --begin [100] --end [500] --save [clip.mkv] --quit

Run in headless CLI mode with a script

$ avidemux3_cli --load [input.mp4] --run [project.py] --save [output.mp4] --quit

avidemux is a free video editor for cutting, filtering, and encoding tasks. It supports many file formats and provides both GUI and command-line interfaces for video processing.The tool excels at simple editing tasks like cutting commercials, applying filters, and converting between formats without complex timeline editing.

PARAMETERS

--load file

Load video file

--save file

Save output file

--video-codec codec

Set video codec (copy, x264, xvid, etc.)

--audio-codec codec

Set audio codec (copy, aac, mp3, etc.)

--begin frame

Set the start marker to a frame number for cutting.

--end frame

Set the end marker to a frame number for cutting.

--run script

Load and run an Avidemux project or Python (Tinypy/JS) script.

--quit

Quit after operations complete (required for unattended runs).

--output-format format

Set container format (MKV, MP4, AVI, TS, PS, OGM).

--rebuild-index

Rebuild the index with correct frame types.

--autoindex

Generate required index files as necessary.

FEATURES

- Cut and join videos without re-encoding- Apply video filters (resize, denoise, sharpen)- Audio processing and synchronization- Batch processing with scripting- Multiple audio tracks- Subtitle support

CAVEATS

GUI can be unintuitive. Some codecs require additional libraries. Complex edits better suited for professional NLEs. Scripting uses custom Python bindings.

HISTORY

Avidemux was created by Mean (pseudonym) and first released in 2001 as a simple tool for basic video editing tasks without the complexity of professional editors.

RESOURCES

Source code · Homepage · Documentation