CNET Editors' review
If you're looking for a free program with the video and audio editing capabilities of professional-level software, Jahshaka should be tops on your list. With every release, it gets more stable and gains more features.
The list of what the application can do is extensive and exhaustive. It can handle real-time image processing with node based effects; editing in DV, SD, HD and film; real-time 3D compositing and Flash animation (up to 32k matte layers); OpenGL-based paint; and a text module. There's also modules for color correction, keying, and tracking, and an array of media support. The app also comes with JahPlayer, a media player that claims to work with "virtually" all audio and video formats; we tested it against all the majors (MOV, AVI, MPEG, MP3, WAV, OGG) and some minor ones, too, and found it to be flawless. The JahPlayer is supposed to work on Nokia cell phones, although we didn't have one handy to test that on.
Promoted as cross-platform, able to function with Macs and Linux as well as it does with Windows, Jahshaka has the potential to drastically change the am-pro animation scene. However, as an open-source application, it's not going to run perfectly yet, and so we recommend it at least for intermediate users willing to wrestle with any problems that arise.
Publisher's Description
From The Jahshaka Project:
Jahshaka is an OpenSource real-time editing and effects system. Jahshaka takes advantage of the power of OpenGL and OpenLibraries to give its users exceptional levels of performance.
What's new in this version: Version 2.0 adds the Windows editor and encoder and is available for Windows, Linux (all flavours) and OSX (Intel and PPC).
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All versions:
2.3 starsout of 39 votes
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Current version:
2.3 starsout of 39 votes
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My rating:
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"Despite criticisms, it runs in Windows 7!"
Version: Jahshaka 2.0 RC3
Pros
I've seen alot lately that this will not even start in Windows 7 or even Windows Vista. If you run it in compatibility mode for Windows XP SP2 it runs well after requiring you to run as administer. Haven't really used it much as I just installed it.
Cons
Doesn't appear to have a very good UI, but I love to play with hard-to-understand software.
Summary
Loads video files fine, contrary to other reviews I've heard. Perhaps everybody's problem is they haven't tried running in compatibility mode for Windows XP SP2. This is an old program that is no longer being developed as of 2009 (according to Wikipedia and the fact that their homepage is down). Naturally I figured compatibility mode would be necessary and was happy to see it load after I encountered a .dll error as noted by another reviewer above running it normally and in compatibility with Windows Vista. I haven't used it beyond simple glance at the features and loading a .mov file, but it did that fine so I think it will work 100%. Really looks professional for a freebie.
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"Reinvented as Cinefx"
Version: Jahshaka 2.0 RC3
Pros
This has been reinvented as the Cinefx Project.
Cons
This has been reinvented as the Cinefx Project.
Summary
Check out the new software. It is located at http://www.cinefx.org/
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"It does exactly what it says on the tin."
Version: Jahshaka 2.0 RC3
Pros
Once you have learned its foibles, Jahshaka does a very good job. Better in fact, than many very pricey video editing suites. And all this for free?
Cons
No help files or tutorials - yet- but these are available on-line if you look for them.
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"FAIL!!!! DOESNT WORK"
Version: Jahshaka 2.0 RC3
Pros
Downloaded from two trusted sites, both came back with a error, tried three times here on cnet and with the REINVENTED VERSION (CINEFX).
Cons
DONT WASTE YOUR TIME SCREWING UP YOUR REGISTRY
Summary
Seems like a very good program,...I suggest finding another similar program.
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"Poor, unresponsive, I don't recommend it..."
Version: Jahshaka 2.0 RC3
Pros
Many features
Cons
Poor design, unresponsive, laggy, not user-friendly, overall it poor
Summary
I used this program, trying to find a good movie editor, because i had an older version of Windows Movie Maker and when I downloaded it I was greatly disapointed... I recommend downloading Windows Live Movie Maker its the best editor I used to this day!!!
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"User-hostile interface and no help file."
Version: Jahshaka 2.0 RC3
Pros
Looks cool - maybe too cool
Cons
No way to browse to your vudeo folder. It is not at all clear how to load a video, choose an effect, and apply it.
Summary
incomprehensible GUI.
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"Never Opensed for me ;("
Version: Jahshaka 2.0 RC3
Pros
None that i can see, unless installing counts...
Cons
Installed flalessly, wouldnt open.... (Needs another program.... DUHHHH if a program needs another program DONT GET IT!!!!)
Summary
STINKS!!!!!
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"tried to use this product received error message"
Version: Jahshaka 2.0 RC3
Pros
download the system it would execute
Cons
system did work
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"Good value for free! Great potential."
Version: Jahshaka 2.0 RC3
Pros
Multiple screens in Animation mode. Animation (when it works). Easy to use interface when you've learned it.
Cons
Difficult to learn to use. Not intuitive. Does it require a lot of memory or fast drivers to use the animation modules properly? I get fractions of spheres and cylinders. Frustrating because these are superb when they work.
Summary
Great value with a lot of good and advanced properties. Might be a good idea to seperate out the advanced features as they tend to make the interface cluttered until you learn what is what. Is there another edition in the pipeline with the Animation bugs ironed?
Is Jahshaka/Open Source still in existence? Has it come to a full stop?
Updated on Apr 29, 2009 -
"Limited formats supported"
Version: Jahshaka 2.0 RC3
Pros
Easy to install.
Cons
Only supports non-video formats such as .bmp
Will not open standard video formats such as .mov mpeg avi bup vor
Not able to find video in hidden folders
Didn't work at all.Summary
Didn't work at all.








