What's the best software for organizing digital video? Does it use the Finder or a managed library?

I'm looking for software to help me organize digital video. I'd like to do some editing, but nothing really heavy duty. At this point, it's more to keep everything in order.

In particular, I'm wondering if there is any software that uses the Finder folder system versus importing videos into its own library. I used to use Aperture for my photos using a managed library, and I hated it because there were always these strange library indexing errors.

Anyone have any advice on this? Thanks!

jclin10 said:

I'm looking for software to help me organize digital video. I'd like to do some editing, but nothing really heavy duty. At this point, it's more to keep everything in order.

In particular, I'm wondering if there is any software that uses the Finder folder system versus importing videos into its own library. I used to use Aperture for my photos using a managed library, and I hated it because there were always these strange library indexing errors.

Anyone have any advice on this? Thanks!

Click to expand...

Adobe Bridge. There seems to be a way, or was one, where you could download and install it for free; it's provided with all the CC subscriptions these days.

I've also used iDive, but it moves stuff to its own folders; they're right there in the Finder, not in some obscure library, but not as easy as Bridge.

Or maybe FCP X. What you wanna use may depend on your editor of choice, if it's video editing you do. There are some iTunes-like video organizers, some more useful for perhaps watching than editing.

Older version of Adobe Photoshop Elements used to come with Adobe Bridge (I have AB CS4); worth the price just for that.

But, yes, if you sign up for free Adobe Creative Cloud, you download an app that once installed allows you to Install Adobe Bridge as a free app. Under the Apps section of Adobe Creative Cloud, it will show Install or Try for every application.

Good luck. I agree with you. On the Mac for decades but don't care for Apple's put everything into a single library paradigm. I want an organizer that navigates to wherever I want the files. Unfortunately, one program after another I try out is tied to this Library/Album paradigm. Some even look up all your "People" pictures or whatever without authorization.

Thanks. Maybe there is some reason that I understand for putting everything into an app-specific library, but it just makes me nervous that I won't be able to retrieve my files if the library gets corrupted. I was using Aperture for quite some time and that was sometimes an issue.

jclin10 said:

Thanks. Maybe there is some reason that I understand for putting everything into an app-specific library, but it just makes me nervous that I won't be able to retrieve my files if the library gets corrupted. I was using Aperture for quite some time and that was sometimes an issue.

Click to expand...

I use FotoStation LT which does not use a database backend. Everything is stored in the files or XMP sidecars. Catalogs are just pointers to your image locations and stored as XML files. It supports a wide range of file types. Metadata editing is its main feature. There is video playback but no editing features.

FotoStation LT is the lightweight version of FotoStation Pro which is for advanced or enterprise users. The biggest difference is the pro version is backed by server based indexers and workflow modules.

I run my video footage through a Lightroom import to organize it.

Import > Select Separate Video Location > Remove the Videos from Library (not deleting from disk)

This organizes the clips in folders by year and by the day.

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Trump was right after all! - Viva Santo Nino

The only time I had issues with Aperture was when I didn't import files properly. I *thought* they were imported but then ended up only being referenced, I deleted the reference and boom ... problems.

Aperture, iMovie, iPhoto etc. Libraries are just folders. Copy it onto a stick, move to a PC or other Mac and just look at the stuff inside like a folder.

But: having a library makes it easy for the App to know what's going on, and it's all neat inside one bundle.

So my suggestion is to use iMovie or Final Cut Pro X. They are solid editors (not comparable with Adobe AfterFX for Effects) and great file managers. Import and forget.

I create one library per year, FCPX lets me open them all, and have had zero problems so far. Couldn't be easier.

A-Frame said:

jclin10 said:

Thanks. Maybe there is some reason that I understand for putting everything into an app-specific library, but it just makes me nervous that I won't be able to retrieve my files if the library gets corrupted. I was using Aperture for quite some time and that was sometimes an issue.

Click to expand...

I use FotoStationLT which does not use a database backend. Everything is stored in the files or XMP sidecars. Catalogs are just pointers to your image locations and stored as XML files. It supports a wide range of file types. Metadata editing is its main feature. There is video playback but no editing features.

FotoStation LT is the lightweight version of FotoStation Pro which is for advanced or enterprise users. The biggest difference is the pro version is backed by server based indexers and workflow modules.

Click to expand...

I'm a fan of this approach myself. Also makes life easier if you have a crash, change computers or want to change programs.

IDimager PhotoSupreme also works on this same principle. They have a trial version as well:

Thanks for the links to FotoStation and PhotoSupreme.