How to install Kdenlive Video Editor on Ubuntu 20.04

Kdenlive is a free and open-source multi track non linear video editing software based on the MLT Framework, KDE and Qt. Most of the video processing is done by the MLT Framework, which relies on many other open source projects like frei0r, FFmpeg, ladspa, movit etc.

This application offers a solid balance of basic and advanced video editing features, including rotoscoping, keying, keyframe editing, cool transitions, and useful export profiles. The more RAM and a faster CPU makes a signficant improvement in the functionality of kdenlive.

The more capable the Computer, the significantly less the number of “crashes”. It Accepts many audio/image/video formats including mpeg, avi, vob, dv, wav, ogg, gif (Non-Animated), mp3, jpg, svg, png etc. It can export to various formats such mpeg, vob, dv, realvideo, theora, flash, wav, mp3, xvid, quicktime.

Kdenlive supports Multi-track editing with a timeline and unlimited number of video and audio tracks. It supports 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios for both PAL, NTSC and various HD standards, including HDV and AVCHD. Video can also be exported to DV devices, or written to a DVD with chapters and a simple menu.

Key Features of Kdenlive

  • Free and Open-Source.
  • Use any Video/Audio format.
  • Configurable interface and keyboard shortcuts.
  • Create 2D titles for your projects, including Align and Distribute, Letter-spacing, Line-spacing adjustment, Rotate and Zoom, Add images etc.
  • Lots of effects and transitions are available, ranging from color correction to audio adjustments.
  • Project files are stored in XML format.
  • Your project file is automatically backed up every few minutes.
  • Download render profiles, wipes and title templates directly from the interface.
  • Most effects can be keyframed, allowing you to change the parameters over time, using linear or smooth curves to achieve the result you want.

This article explains three methods of installing Kdenlive Video Editor on Ubuntu 20.04. Choose the installation method that is most appropriate for your environment.

Method 1: Installing Kdenlive as a Snap Package

The easiest way to install Kdenlive on Ubuntu 20.04 is by using the snap packaging system.

A snap package is a type of universal Linux package that you can enjoy irrespective of the distro. Its an self-contained software packages that include the binary all dependencies needed to run the application.

All you need is the snap service pre-configured, In the case of Ubuntu 20.04, it comes with snap pre-installed.

If snapd package is not already installed then you can install it by running following command.

$ sudo apt install snapd

Note: Snap packages can be installed from either the command-line or via the Ubuntu Software application.

This is actually the Snap version of the Kdenlive Video Editor. It can be used on any Linux distribution that has Snap support.

Open your terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and type the following command to install the Kdenlive package.

$ sudo snap install kdenlive

At this step, you have successfully installed Kdenlive Video Editor on Ubuntu 20.04 system.

If you are not comfortable with the command line, open Ubuntu Software, search for “Kdenlive” and install the application.

Type the following command to update Kdenlive package.

$ sudo snap refresh --list

Method 2: Installing Kdenlive Video Editor via PPA Repository

If you want to install the most recent version of Kdenlive, you can use the PPA repository.

Personal Package Archives (PPA) are software repositories designed for Ubuntu users and are easier to install than other third-party repositories. PPAs are often used to distribute pre-release software so that it can be tested.

Step #1

First of all open the terminal from system application launcher and type the following command to add the Kdenlive Video Editor PPA to your system.

$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kdenlive/kdenlive-stable

Step #2

Then, execute the following commands to install Kdenlive package on your Ubuntu system.

$ sudo apt update && sudo apt install kdenlive

Once installed, launch it from your system application menu.

Method 3: Installing Kdenlive via AppImage

Before installation let’s understand what is AppImage.

What is AppImage?

We have .deb packages for Debian/Ubuntu based Linux distributions and .rpm for Fedora/SUSE based Linux distributions.

While these packages provide a convenient way of installing software to their respective distribution users, it is not the most convenient for the application developer.

The developers have to create multiple packages for multiple distributions. This is where AppImage comes into picture. AppImage is a universal software package format.

By packaging the software in AppImage, the developer provides just one file to rule them all. End user can use it in most modern Linux distributions.

Step #1

Click on following button to download the latest stable version of Kdenlive AppImage executable file for Linux.

Step #2

The downloaded file name would be something like: kdenlive-21.12.0-x86_64.appimage

By default, the downloaded AppImage file won’t have the execution permission. You will have to change the permission on the file to make it executable and You don’t need root privilege to do that.

Now type the following command to make the AppImage executable.

$ chmod u+x kdenlive-21.12.0-x86_64.appimage

Step #3

Once you have made the AppImage file executable, just double click on it to run it Or run the following command to install through terminal.

$ ./kdenlive-21.12.0-x86_64.appimage

That’s It.

Starting Kdenlive

In the Activities search bar type “Kdenlive” and click on the icon to launch the application.

Kdenlive User Interface:

How to Uninstall Kdenlive Video Editor from Ubuntu 20.04

For some reason, If you want to uninstall Kdenlive application, refer following methods.

Method #1

If you have installed Kdenlive via Snap type the following command:

$ sudo snap remove kdenlive

Method #2

If you have installed the appication via PPA then uninstall by running the below commands.

Step #1

It’s most likely that you added the PPA using add-apt-repository command. You can use the same command to remove the PPA as well. Just give it --remove option in the command.

$ sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:kdenlive/kdenlive-stable

Step #2

As of now we removed the PPA. What about the applications installed using these PPAs? Will they be removed as a result of removing the PPA? The answer is NO.

So this is when ppa-purge comes in picture. It not only disables the PPA but also uninstalls all the programs installed by the PPA or revert them to original version provided by your distribution.

So type the following command to install the ppa-purge package and uninstall the Kdenlive package.

$ sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:kdenlive/kdenlive-stable

Method #3

If you have installed Kdenlive via AppImage:

Since the software is never installed, there is no need of uninstalling it. Just delete the associated Kdenlive file and your software is removed from the system.

Conclusion

I hope that now you have a good understanding of How to install Kdenlive Video Editor on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Focal Fossa.

If anyone does have any questions about what we covered in this guide then feel free to ask in the comment section below and I will do my best to answer those.

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