You are building a Windows application and the client wants users to trim a clip, join it with another, lay a caption over it and save the result as MP4 or DVD-ready MPEG. Writing a DirectShow pipeline for that takes months. Video Edit Gold SDK ActiveX packages those editing jobs into a single OCX control that you call from your own code.
Quick facts
- Version: 20.0
- Platforms: Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista, XP
- Type: ActiveX / OCX component for developers, with royalty free distribution of the OCX file
- Price: Single Developer license with the MP4 Encoder plug-in starts at EUR 499; the bundle with all decoder and encoder plug-ins is EUR 1280
- Trial: a free trial is available
- Languages: C#, VB.NET, VB6, Delphi, Visual FoxPro, MS Access, Visual C++, Adobe Director
Key features
Cut, merge and step through video frame by frame
You can cut a video by setting start and end times and merge clips from different files. Frame-by-frame preview lets you step forward or backward, then cut frames on screen and save the result as a new video.
Overlay text, images and scrolling banners at set times
Draw multi-line text or add an image at a specific time on the video, with fade in, fade out and shadow. A scrolling banner lets you control direction, speed, font, colours and alpha blending.
Load and create SRT subtitles
Load an SRT subtitle file and display it on the video, or create a new SRT file from your own code.
Multi-track video and audio mixing
The engine supports unlimited video and audio tracks, video and audio mixing, chroma key, Picture in Picture and multi-zone Picture in Picture. You can adjust audio volume or add a crossfade at any point on the timeline.
Transitions, effects and slideshows
Add 70 3D transitions and over 50 effects between any mix of clips and pictures, or build an image slideshow. Slow motion and fast motion can be applied in preview or conversion.
Convert to many output formats
Output options include 3GP, H264 MP4, AVCHD, RMVB, Animated GIF, QuickTime MOV, DIVX, AVI, WMV, MPEG1 and MPEG2, plus VCD, SVCD and DVD in PAL or NTSC. MP4 encoding can use GPU acceleration (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) when the MP4 Encoder plug-in is purchased.
Export frames, audio and waveforms
Export video frames to image files or to memory (Picture Box, HBitmap) at a size you choose. Pull out m4a, wave, wma or mp3 audio with your chosen channels, sample rate and bits per sample. You can also export a waveform as an image, and change audio pitch when saving to mp3, wav or wma.
Who it's for
This is for Windows developers who want editing and conversion inside their own application, using C#, VB.NET, VB6, Delphi, FoxPro or Access. The OCX can be distributed royalty free, which suits commercial products. Sample code ships for C#, VB.NET, ASP.NET, Access, VBScript, VB6, VC++, Delphi and VFP.
Pros and cons
Pros
- One control covers cutting, merging, overlays, subtitles, mixing and conversion.
- Works from many languages that support ActiveX.
- Royalty free distribution of the OCX file.
- Active update history, with frequent fixes and new methods.
Cons
- Several formats need paid add-on plug-ins: FLV and F4V decoding, MPEG2 and VOB decoding, FLV encoding, MP4 encoding and AVCHD.
- Windows only, and it is a component for programmers rather than a ready-made editor.
- GPU-accelerated MP4 output requires the MP4 Encoder plug-in.
FAQs
Is there a free trial?
Yes. A free trial of the SDK is available to download.
Do I pay royalties for apps I ship?
No. The OCX file can be distributed royalty free.
Can I output MP4?
Yes, with the MP4 Encoder plug-in. It supports H264 presets and GPU acceleration.
Which licenses are offered?
Single Developer, Team Developer and Site Wide licenses, each with the MP4 Encoder plug-in or the full plug-in bundle.
Can it add subtitles?
Yes. It loads SRT files to display on video and can create SRT files.
System requirements
Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista or XP. A development environment that supports ActiveX controls is needed to use the OCX.