Video clip editors have been in short supply under Linux. Jonathan Thomas is now trying to fill that gap with the first stable version of the OpenShot Video Editor.

As in many of the applications of the craft, a video editor works on a timeline in OpenShot with clips arranged on multiple tracks, edits them and adds effects. A preview then shows what's been accomplished.

Compared with its biggest competitor, Kdenlive, OpenShot provides fewer functions, but the user interface is thereby better organized to benefit new users.

The first stable version is now available after two years or so in development and a number of pre-versions. Apart from bugfixes the new version includes some new functions, among them 28 new transitions and 29 titles that self-adjust to the aspect ratio of the image. The time format now includes the frame number instead of the millisecond.

User interface themes provide variety; a selection four is included, with one specific to smaller screens with smaller icons. Screen functions were improved and simplified, including a "New Project" toolbar to replace "Open Project." Window resizing is persisted across window launches and transitions snap to the nearest clip or play-head.

OpenShot processes standard and also HD material, including HDV 720p in 24 frames per second common to movie quality video.

Download of OpenShot to try it before installation is available from the project page as an AV Linux 3.0 LiveDVD. Burn the ISO image to a DVD and boot off it. Complete packages are currently only for Ubuntu, so users of other distros need to rely on a source code tarball.

Video clip editors have been in short supply under Linux. Jonathan Thomas is now trying to fill that gap with the first stable version of the OpenShot Video Editor.