Editing 4K videos without losing quality?

[EchelonV]

Now that I have a OLED I'm enjoying upgrading and hunting for some 4K videos out there. But as some probably know these files add up really fast and for porn, there's some redundant parts in long scenes I wouldn't mind cutting out. If I can re-encode/save the file again without losing any of the original quality. Is that doable in some free software?

I've used kdenlive for my custom stuff up until now but I don't think it supports 4K yet.

[plasmus]

Avidemux (for example) is able to do this, but only if the cuts are set on key frames.

Depending on the video there may be a key frame only every 10 seconds. Some codecs detect scene changes though and set additional key frames, where one would normally make a cut, but that's rare.

You can make frame accurate cuts, regardless if they are on key frames or not, but that requires a re-encoding of the video. It's not fatal, though a copy will never be better than the original.

Hope this is helpful.

Cheers!

[Mikego2021]

Shutter Encoder. There's a function: "cut without re-encoding".

[ViceLikeEye]

Originally Posted by EchelonV

But as some probably know these files add up really fast and for porn, there's some redundant parts in long scenes I wouldn't mind cutting out.

You mean the shoehorned plots? I'm with you there. I really don't care if they're trying to sell a house or they're 'stuck' in a dryer.

Originally Posted by plasmus

Avidemux!

+1. Avidemux is pretty fantastic, simple, free software and it shouldn't take you years to learn it, like another software might. Avidemux is great for removing the stupid unnecessary plot at the beginning and/or the end. If you want smooth transitions and more editing power, you'll have to step up to a paid software (or find one on a torrent).

Anytime I'm re-encoding now, I always do H.265. It will result in a robust, yet smaller file size than H.264 (the old standard) and with minimal loss. I'm sure you can find some Avidemux tips and tricks on YouTube.

Also, unless you have a fairly new/powerful PC, be prepared for the re-encoding to take a while - especially with 4K. If you just chop off the beginning plot, you can keep the file in its original container (for example: H.264) and it will be done very quickly. The re-encoding takes me a long time, and I typically go for 1080, 720 or lower, not 4K.

Happy hunting and good luck.

[EchelonV]

That's exactly it ViceLikeEye, 10-20+ minutes of "plot" in these 4K videos is something I don't ever need haha.

Thanks guys, I'll definitely give these a shot!

[pigulici]

I use LosslessCut, to cut without re-encode...

[ViceLikeEye]

Originally Posted by pigulici

I use LosslessCut, to cut without re-encode...

That's just it, if your file container is already H.264 (or another good format) and you cut off a ton of "plot", you probably don't need to re-encode, because you've already removed a bunch of dead weight. If you have extra time and a decently capable PC, then sure, re-encode to H.265, after you've removed the useless junk.

For me, I re-encode, because I love the late 90's t0 2000's era and they often use the WMV format, which is 100% unstable BS. Automatic re-encode. Sometimes I have to re-encode with VLC first, before I can remove the "plot", because WMVs are fucking terrible and Avidemux can't always handle the WMV BS. Roughly 25 years ago, I had a subscription to videobox(dot com). They only used WMV and I downloaded a ton. That was monumental mistake. Fuck videobox and doubly fuck WMVs.

I really do love H.265. You can really save space using it, without giving up quality. However, I'm not an expert on UHD videos, as most of my stuff is SD. I'd kill for it to be 720, never mind 4K.

[rbn]

Using AVIDemux, make sure select A/V as stream copy. This will prevent reencoded.