Shotcut is a free and open-source, cross-platform video, audio, and image editing program for FreeBSD, Linux, macOS and Windows. Started in 2011 by Dan Dennedy, Shotcut is developed on the MLT Multimedia Framework, in development since 2004 by the same author.
Contents
Features
Shotcut supports video, audio, and image formats via FFmpeg. It uses a timeline for non-linear video editing of multiple tracks that may be composed of various file formats. Scrubbing and transport control are assisted by OpenGL GPU-based processing and a number of video and audio filters are available. The output options for the 2017 version included Apple ProRes, HDV, DVD, Flash, H.264, GIF animation, Ogg-Vorbis, WebM, and WMV.
Format support through FFmpeg
Frame-accurate seeking for many formats
Webcam and audio capture
Network stream playback (HTTP, HLS, RTMP, RTSP, MMS, UDP)
EDL (CMX3600 Edit Decision List) export
Audio
Audio scopes
Loudness
Peak meter
Waveform
Spectrum analyzer
JACK transport sync
Video effects
HTML5 as source and filters
Color grading tools
De-interlacing
Wipe transitions
Track compositing/blending modes
Speed and reverse effect for clips
Keyframes
Motion Tracking
Time Remapping
Rotoscope
Hardware
Blackmagic Design SDI and HDMI for input and preview monitoring
Leap Motion for jog/shuttle control
Webcam capture
Audio capture to system audio card
Capture (record) SDI, HDMI, webcam (V4L2), JACK audio, PulseAudio, IP stream, and Windows DirectShow devices
Multi-core parallel image processing (when not using GPU and frame-dropping is disabled)
DeckLink SDI keyer output
OpenGL GPU-based image processing with 16-bit floating point linear per color component
Other
Does not depend on system codecs
Can run as a portable app from external drive
Batch encoding with job control
Stream (encode to IP) files and any capture source
Video quality measurement (PSNR and SSIM)
Perform integrity check of an audio/video file
View detailed information about an audio/video file
Choice of six different interfaces, like audio effects and video effects
History
Shotcut was originally conceived in November 2004 by Charlie Yates, an MLT co-founder and the original lead developer. The current version of Shotcut is a complete rewrite by Dan Dennedy, another MLT co-founder and its current lead. Dennedy wanted to create a new editor based on MLT and chose to reuse the Shotcut name, since he liked it so much. He wanted to make something to exercise the new cross-platform capabilities of MLT, especially in conjunction with the WebVfx and Movit plugins.