Open Video Joiner Review — Features, Pros & Cons

How to Use Open Video Joiner to Combine Video ClipsOpen Video Joiner is a simple, free tool for merging multiple video files into a single output without re-encoding. It’s useful when you need to stitch together clips recorded by the same camera or exported with identical formats and codecs. This guide explains what Open Video Joiner can and cannot do, how to prepare your files, step-by-step instructions for joining clips, troubleshooting tips, and alternatives when the tool doesn’t meet your needs.

What Open Video Joiner does (and doesn’t)

Open Video Joiner is designed for lossless concatenation of video files that share the same:

• container format (e.g., AVI, MP4)
• video codec (e.g., MPEG-4, H.264)
• resolution and frame rate
• audio codec and sample rate

If files differ in codecs, resolution, frame rate, or container, Open Video Joiner may fail or produce playback issues. The program typically joins files without re-encoding, so the process is very fast and preserves original quality — but it cannot perform edits, trims, transitions, or format conversions. For those tasks you’ll need a more feature-rich editor (HandBrake, Avidemux, Shotcut, etc.).

Before you start: prepare your clips

1. Verify formats and codecs:
   • Use a media inspector (MediaInfo, VLC’s codec information) to confirm each clip’s container, video codec, resolution, frame rate, audio codec, and sample rate.
2. Ensure files are compatible:
   • If any clip differs, convert it first to match the others (see “When files aren’t compatible” below).
3. Back up originals:
   • Always keep copies of your original clips in case you need to re-convert or the join operation fails.
4. Name files in desired order:
   • Rename files with a numeric prefix (e.g., 01_intro.mp4, 02_scene.mp4) so they join in the correct sequence.

Step-by-step — Joining clips with Open Video Joiner

1. Download and install:
   • Get Open Video Joiner from its official site or a trusted software repository. Run the installer and follow prompts.
2. Launch the program:
   • Open Video Joiner’s interface is straightforward: a file list, buttons to add/remove/move files, and output settings.
3. Add files:
   • Click “Add” and select your video clips. Alternatively, drag and drop files into the file list.
4. Order clips:
   • Use the “Move Up” / “Move Down” buttons or rename files beforehand. The list order determines playback order in the merged file.
5. Choose output file and folder:
   • Click “Browse” (or similar) to set the destination folder and output filename.
6. Select output format (if available):
   • If the tool allows selecting a container, choose one that supports your codecs (MP4 for H.264, AVI for MPEG-4, etc.). If the program uses the first file’s format, confirm that is acceptable.
7. Start the join process:
   • Click “Join” or “Start.” Because it generally does not re-encode, processing should be quick.
8. Verify the result:
   • Play the output file in a reliable player (VLC recommended). Check for sync issues, black frames, or abrupt jumps.

Troubleshooting common problems

• Output won’t play or media player shows errors:
  • Confirm all files truly match in codec and container. Re-run MediaInfo on each file.
  • Try a different player (VLC, MPC-HC).
• Audio out of sync after joining:
  • One clip’s audio stream parameters may differ (sample rate, codec). Convert the problematic clip to match others before joining.
• Visual glitches or black frames between segments:
  • Frame rate or GOP structure differences can cause glitches. Convert offending clips to the same frame rate and GOP structure, or re-encode all clips to a uniform profile.
• Program refuses some files:
  • Convert those files to match the first clip’s container and codecs using a converter (see below).

When files aren’t compatible: quick conversion options

If clips differ, convert them to a common format before joining. Recommended free tools:

• HandBrake (re-encode to H.264 MP4; select constant frame rate)
• FFmpeg (command line; powerful for exact matching)
  • Example to convert to H.264 MP4 with 30 fps and AAC audio:

    
    ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v libx264 -r 30 -preset medium -crf 18 -c:a aac -b:a 192k output.mp4 

• Avidemux (simple re-save with matching codecs; choose “Copy” for audio/video when already compatible)

Convert all clips to the same settings: container, codec, resolution, and frame rate. Use a lossless or high-quality preset to preserve visual fidelity if you plan to re-encode.

Alternatives if you need more than joining

• Avidemux — simple edits, cuts, and joins with re-encoding options.
• Shotcut / OpenShot / DaVinci Resolve — timeline editors for trimming, transitions, and reformatting.
• FFmpeg — scripting-friendly; can concatenate losslessly with concat demuxer if files match:

  
  printf "file '%s' 'file' '%s' " file1.mp4 file2.mp4 > list.txt ffmpeg -f concat -safe 0 -i list.txt -c copy output.mp4 

Tips for best results

• Use constant frame rate (CFR) when converting; variable frame rate (VFR) often causes sync issues.
• Keep source backups; if quality matters, convert using high-bitrate or visually lossless settings.
• If joining many files, test with two first to confirm compatibility and settings before processing the full set.

Open Video Joiner is ideal for quickly combining clips that already match technically. For mismatched or heavily edited projects, convert clips first or use a more advanced editor.