How To Install Avidemux on Linux Mint 22

Avidemux stands as one of the most accessible video editing tools available for Linux users who need quick, efficient solutions for basic video manipulation tasks. If you’re running Linux Mint 22 and searching for a straightforward video editor that doesn’t overwhelm you with complexity, Avidemux delivers precisely what you need. This comprehensive guide walks you through three proven installation methods—PPA repository, Flatpak, and AppImage—ensuring you can choose the approach that best fits your workflow and technical preferences.

Whether you’re trimming screen recordings, converting video formats, extracting audio tracks, or applying basic filters, Avidemux handles these tasks with remarkable efficiency. The software’s lightweight footprint and intuitive interface make it particularly suitable for users who don’t require the extensive feature sets of professional-grade editors like Kdenlive or DaVinci Resolve. This tutorial is specifically tested on Linux Mint 22 Wilma and compatible with Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce desktop environments.

What is Avidemux?

Overview and Purpose

Avidemux is a free, open-source video editing application released under the GNU General Public License, ensuring it remains freely available for all users. Unlike comprehensive video production suites, Avidemux embraces a philosophy of simplicity, focusing exclusively on essential editing operations rather than attempting to compete with professional-grade software. The application runs seamlessly across multiple operating systems including Linux, Windows, macOS, and BSD variants. Written primarily in C++, Avidemux offers both graphical user interface (GUI) and command-line interface (CLI) options, providing flexibility for different use cases from quick desktop edits to automated batch processing through scripts.

Key Features and Capabilities

Avidemux packs considerable functionality into its streamlined interface. The software supports non-linear video editing, allowing you to cut, copy, and paste video segments with precision. Visual effects and filters extend your creative possibilities, while video transcoding capabilities enable format conversion between numerous codecs. Audio stream multiplexing and demultiplexing give you complete control over audio tracks, and subtitle processing supports popular formats including SUB, SSA, ASS, and SRT. The project-based workflow accommodates complex editing sequences, and JavaScript scripting capabilities enable automation of repetitive tasks through job queues. Format compatibility spans AVI, MP4, MPEG, MKV, ASF, and DVD-compatible files, with codec support encompassing x264, Xvid, MPEG-4, AAC, MP3, AC-3, and many others.

Why Use Avidemux on Linux Mint 22?

Advantages for Linux Mint Users

Linux Mint 22 users gain several compelling benefits by choosing Avidemux as their go-to video editor. The software’s lightweight architecture consumes minimal system resources compared to heavyweight alternatives, making it ideal for older hardware or systems where you need to run multiple applications simultaneously. The straightforward interface eliminates the steep learning curve associated with professional editing software, letting you accomplish tasks immediately without extensive tutorials. Excellent format compatibility ensures you can work with virtually any video file you encounter. The active community provides robust support through forums, documentation, and user-contributed guides, meaning you’ll rarely encounter problems without available solutions.

Use Cases and Ideal Scenarios

Avidemux excels in specific editing scenarios where speed and simplicity matter most. Trimming screen recordings to remove unwanted beginnings or endings takes mere seconds. Converting video formats for playback on different devices becomes a straightforward selection process. Extracting audio tracks from video files requires just a few clicks. Applying basic filters such as deinterlacing, resizing, or rotation addresses common video problems efficiently. Adding or burning subtitles directly into videos ensures compatibility across all playback devices. Batch processing through scripting handles multiple files without manual intervention. Preparing videos for YouTube, social media platforms, or web embedding involves simple preset selections, and basic video repairs fix corrupted headers or sync issues. However, users requiring advanced effects, multi-track timelines, sophisticated color grading, or professional-level compositing should explore alternatives like Kdenlive or Blender.

System Requirements for Avidemux on Linux Mint 22

Minimum Requirements

Understanding minimum specifications ensures Avidemux runs on your system. You need Linux Mint 22 running any official edition—Cinnamon, MATE, or Xfce desktop environments all work perfectly. Your system should have at least 512MB of RAM, though 2GB or more provides noticeably better performance. Allocate 50-100MB of free disk space for the application installation itself. A 64-bit (x86_64) processor is required, as modern Avidemux versions no longer support 32-bit architectures. Basic graphics support handles the interface without issues. These represent absolute minimum specifications; actual performance depends significantly on the resolution and format of videos you edit, with 4K content demanding substantially more resources.

Recommended Specifications

For smooth, frustration-free editing experiences, aim for higher specifications. Install at least 4GB of RAM for HD video editing, with 8GB or more recommended for regular 4K work. Multi-core processors dramatically accelerate encoding operations, cutting wait times substantially. Allocate 500MB or more of free disk space to accommodate temporary files generated during editing and encoding processes. Hardware acceleration support through compatible GPUs speeds up certain codec operations, particularly H.264 and H.265 encoding. Keep graphics drivers updated to ensure optimal performance and stability. All Linux Mint 22 desktop environments perform equally well with Avidemux, so choose based on your overall system preferences rather than compatibility concerns.

Prerequisites Before Installation

Update Your System

Updating your Linux Mint 22 system before installing new software prevents numerous potential problems. Open a terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T, then execute the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

The sudo apt update portion refreshes your package lists from all configured repositories, ensuring your system knows about the latest available versions. The sudo apt upgrade component actually installs those updates, bringing your existing software to current versions. This process reduces dependency conflicts and ensures Avidemux installs against the latest system libraries. If the upgrade process installs kernel updates, reboot your system before proceeding with Avidemux installation to load the new kernel and avoid potential incompatibilities.

Install Required Dependencies

Several packages facilitate proper repository management and should be present before adding third-party sources. Install them with this command:

sudo apt install software-properties-common apt-transport-https -y

The software-properties-common package provides tools for managing software repositories, including the add-apt-repository command you’ll use shortly. The apt-transport-https package enables secure HTTPS connections to repositories, ensuring package downloads remain encrypted and protected from tampering. The -y flag automatically confirms installation prompts. Most Linux Mint 22 systems include these packages by default, but explicit installation guarantees they’re present and current.

Method 1: Install Avidemux via PPA Repository (Recommended)

Step 1: Add the XtraDEB PPA Repository

Personal Package Archives (PPAs) provide software not included in official Linux Mint repositories. The XtraDEB PPA, maintained by former GetDEB team members, offers current Avidemux packages optimized for Ubuntu-based distributions like Linux Mint. Even the official Avidemux website recommends this PPA for Ubuntu and Ubuntu-derivative users. Add it with this command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:xtradeb/apps

When prompted, press Enter to confirm repository addition. The system downloads the repository’s package lists and imports the necessary GPG signing keys to verify package authenticity. PPAs offer significant advantages: automatic updates through your normal system update process, straightforward removal if needed, and packages specifically compiled for your distribution’s library versions.

Step 2: Update Package Index

After adding any new repository, refresh your package cache to incorporate the newly available packages:

sudo apt update

This command contacts all configured repositories, downloading updated package lists. You’ll see lines indicating package lists are being read and repositories are being contacted. This step is absolutely essential—without it, your system won’t know about the Avidemux packages now available through the PPA.

Step 3: Install Avidemux Packages

Now install Avidemux with its components:

sudo apt install avidemux-qt avidemux-cli

Alternatively, install all Avidemux-related packages simultaneously:

sudo apt install avidemux*

The avidemux-qt package provides the graphical interface built with the Qt framework, offering the visual editing environment most users prefer. The avidemux-cli package installs command-line tools essential for scripting and automation. Your system calculates dependencies, displays the total disk space required (typically 40-60MB), and prompts for confirmation. Type ‘Y’ and press Enter to proceed. Installation usually completes within 1-2 minutes depending on your internet connection and system speed.

Step 4: Verify Installation

Confirm successful installation by checking the installed version:

avidemux --version

Alternatively, verify the executable location:

which avidemux

Successful output displays version information or the path /usr/bin/avidemux. If commands aren’t found, troubleshoot by verifying the PPA was added correctly with apt policy avidemux-qt, checking your PATH variable, or attempting reinstallation.

Launch Avidemux from Terminal

Start Avidemux directly from the terminal:

avidemux &

The ampersand (&) runs the application in the background, returning terminal control immediately so you can continue using the command line. Omit the ampersand if you want to see debug output and error messages, which helps troubleshoot problems during initial testing.

Launch Avidemux from Application Menu

Desktop users prefer graphical launching methods. Click the Menu button (or Show Applications icon depending on your desktop environment), type “Avidemux” in the search field, and click the Avidemux icon when it appears. The application typically resides under Sound & Video, Multimedia, or Graphics categories. For frequent access, right-click the icon and select “Add to favorites” or “Pin to panel” depending on your desktop environment.

Method 2: Install Avidemux via Flatpak

Understanding Flatpak on Linux Mint 22

Flatpak represents a universal packaging format that works identically across different Linux distributions. Applications run in sandboxed environments, isolated from your core system for enhanced security. Each Flatpak includes all necessary dependencies bundled within the package, eliminating version conflicts with system libraries. Linux Mint 22 typically ships with Flatpak pre-installed and configured. Advantages include consistent behavior across distributions, access to latest software versions, and improved security through sandboxing. Potential drawbacks involve larger download sizes due to bundled dependencies, slightly slower first-time launch as the sandbox initializes, and occasionally more complex file access due to sandbox restrictions.

Step 1: Ensure Flatpak is Installed

Verify Flatpak installation by checking its version:

flatpak --version

If the command returns version information (typically 1.12 or newer), Flatpak is installed. If not found, install it:

sudo apt install flatpak

Linux Mint 22 includes Flatpak by default, but explicit verification prevents proceeding with incomplete prerequisites.

Step 2: Enable Flathub Repository

Flathub serves as the primary Flatpak application repository, hosting thousands of applications including Avidemux. Add it with:

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

The --if-not-exists flag prevents errors if Flathub is already configured—the command simply skips addition rather than failing. Verify configured remotes:

flatpak remotes

You should see “flathub” listed. Linux Mint may pre-configure Flathub, making this step redundant but harmless to execute.

Step 3: Install Avidemux from Flathub

Install Avidemux using Flatpak:

flatpak install flathub org.avidemux.Avidemux

The system downloads the Avidemux package and all required runtime dependencies—expect 200-300MB total download size. Flatpak asks whether to install for all users (system-wide) or just your account (user). Choose based on whether other users need access. Confirm installation when prompted. Download time varies with internet speed, typically completing within 5-10 minutes on modern connections.

Step 4: Launch Avidemux Flatpak

Run Avidemux from the command line:

flatpak run org.avidemux.Avidemux

Alternatively, search for Avidemux in your application menu. Flatpak applications may display slightly different icons or naming in menus (often showing “Avidemux (Flatpak)” or similar notation). The first launch initializes the sandbox environment, potentially taking a few extra seconds compared to subsequent launches.

Method 3: Install Avidemux via AppImage

What is AppImage?

AppImage delivers applications as single executable files requiring no installation process. Simply download, make executable, and run—no root privileges needed. This portable format works on virtually any Linux distribution with compatible libraries. Multiple versions can coexist since they’re self-contained files rather than system installations. Advantages include zero system modification, trivial removal (just delete the file), and ability to run different versions simultaneously for testing. Disadvantages encompass lack of automatic updates, manual dependency management if system libraries are incompatible, and larger file sizes since dependencies are bundled.

Step 1: Download Avidemux AppImage

Visit the official Avidemux download page at avidemux.sourceforge.net or FossHub. Navigate to the Downloads section and locate “Avidemux Universal AppImage – Linux 64-bits.” Click to download the .appImage file (approximately 40-50MB). Save to your Downloads folder or create a dedicated AppImages directory in your home folder for organization. Always download from official sources—SourceForge or FossHub are both legitimate Avidemux distribution channels—to avoid malware or compromised packages.

Step 2: Make AppImage Executable

Navigate to your download location and grant execution permissions. Using the command line:

chmod +x ~/Downloads/avidemux_*.appImage

Adjust the path if you downloaded elsewhere. The asterisk wildcard matches any version number in the filename. Alternatively, use the graphical method: right-click the .appImage file, select Properties, navigate to the Permissions tab, and check “Allow executing file as program” or “Is executable” depending on your file manager. Linux security requires explicit permission to execute files, preventing accidental execution of malicious scripts.

Step 3: Run Avidemux AppImage

Execute from the terminal:

./avidemux_*.appImage

Or double-click the file in your file manager. Some file managers offer AppImage integration, prompting whether to integrate the application into your menu system. Accept if you want menu entries and file associations. Consider moving the AppImage to a permanent location like /opt/appimages/ or ~/Applications/ rather than leaving it in Downloads. Create desktop shortcuts by right-clicking the desktop, creating a launcher, and pointing to the AppImage location.

Post-Installation Configuration

Initial Setup and Preferences

Launch Avidemux and configure initial preferences. Access settings through Edit > Preferences. Select your interface language if not already correct. Configure the default temporary file directory—choose a location with ample free space, as temporary files can grow large during encoding. Enable hardware acceleration if your GPU supports it for faster encoding with compatible codecs. Set up audio output preferences, choosing appropriate sample rates and channel configurations. Configure video output defaults, though you’ll typically adjust these per project. Enable or disable automatic update checks based on your preference. Most users should keep default settings initially, adjusting as you become familiar with the software’s capabilities and your specific workflow needs.

Testing with Sample Video

Verify installation functionality by opening a test video. Click File > Open (or press Ctrl+O), navigate to a sample video file, and click Open. Avidemux loads the video, displaying it in the preview window with timeline controls below. The software automatically detects video properties including resolution, frame rate, codec, and duration, displaying these in the interface. Test basic functionality by playing the video using the preview controls. Try a simple operation: set Video Output to “Copy” (lossless), Audio Output to “Copy,” select “MP4 Muxer” as the output format, then click File > Save to export the video. If the file saves successfully without errors, your installation is fully functional with proper codec support.

Basic Usage Guide for Beginners

Understanding the Avidemux Interface

The Avidemux interface prioritizes functionality over complexity. The menu bar spans the top, providing access to File operations, Edit functions, Video and Audio processing, Tools, and Help. Below sits a toolbar containing commonly used actions as clickable buttons. The large video preview window occupies the center, showing your current frame. Timeline controls below the preview let you navigate through your video using playback buttons, frame advance controls, and a position slider. Three critical dropdowns appear on the left: Video Output selects the video codec, Audio Output chooses the audio codec, and Output Format determines the container format. The status bar at the bottom displays current operation progress and frame information.

Opening and Importing Video Files

Load videos through File > Open or the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+O. Navigate to your video file’s location and click Open. Avidemux supports extensive format compatibility including AVI, MP4, MKV, MPEG, MOV, FLV, WMV, and many others. Rare or proprietary formats may require additional codec installation. Upon opening, Avidemux analyzes the video, automatically detecting all technical properties: resolution, frame rate, aspect ratio, video codec, audio codec, bitrate, and duration. This information displays in the interface, helping you make informed decisions about output settings. Occasionally, damaged or unusual files may fail to open—check file integrity and consider converting with FFmpeg before importing.

Basic Cutting and Trimming

Trimming removes unwanted portions from your video. Navigate to where you want your trimmed video to begin using playback controls or the position slider. Press the ‘A’ key or click the “Set Marker A” button to mark the start point. Navigate to where you want your video to end. Press the ‘B’ key or click “Set Marker B” to mark the end point. The timeline highlights the selected region. Everything outside these markers will be removed when you save. Note that Avidemux doesn’t support multiple non-contiguous selections in a single operation—for complex edits involving multiple cuts, save your first trim, reopen the saved file, and repeat the process, or explore project mode for more advanced workflows.

Selecting Output Formats

Choosing appropriate output settings determines your video’s quality, compatibility, and file size. The Video Output dropdown lists available video encoders. “Copy” preserves original video encoding without re-encoding, providing lossless quality and fast processing—ideal when only cutting or changing containers. “MPEG-4 AVC (x264)” encodes to H.264, offering excellent quality and broad compatibility. “MPEG-2” provides compatibility with DVD players and older devices. The Audio Output dropdown offers similar choices: “Copy” preserves original audio, “AAC (Faac)” creates compressed audio with good quality, “MP3 (Lame)” provides universal compatibility, and “AC-3” maintains 5.1 surround sound. The Output Format dropdown selects the container: “MP4” offers maximum compatibility, “MKV” supports advanced features, and “AVI” ensures legacy device compatibility. Common combinations include H.264 + AAC in MP4 for general use, or Copy modes for lossless trimming when changing only container formats.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

PPA Repository Errors

Occasionally, adding PPAs encounters problems. “Failed to add repository” errors typically indicate internet connectivity issues or temporary PPA unavailability—verify your connection and retry. “GPG error” messages suggest signing key problems—update keys with sudo apt-key update or sudo apt update. Package version conflicts arise when multiple Avidemux sources exist—remove competing repositories or installations before proceeding. Clear problematic package caches with sudo apt clean followed by sudo apt update. If a PPA consistently fails, remove it with sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:xtradeb/apps and try an alternative installation method like Flatpak or AppImage.

Flatpak Permission Issues

Flatpak’s security sandboxing sometimes restricts file access. If Avidemux can’t access certain directories, grant additional permissions. Install Flatseal, a graphical permissions manager: flatpak install flathub com.github.tchx84.Flatseal. Launch Flatseal, select Avidemux, and enable filesystem access to needed locations. Alternatively, use command-line permission grants:

flatpak override --user --filesystem=home org.avidemux.Avidemux

Replace home with specific paths like /mnt for mounted drives or /media for removable storage. Network locations may require additional --share=network permissions.

AppImage Won’t Launch

AppImage problems typically involve permissions or missing libraries. Verify executable permissions—re-run chmod +x if necessary. Launch from terminal to see error messages revealing missing dependencies. Install FUSE support for AppImage integration: sudo apt install libfuse2. If still failing, try compatibility mode: ./avidemux_*.appImage --appimage-extract-and-run. This extracts contents to a temporary directory and runs from there, bypassing FUSE requirements. Display issues may occur with Wayland—try forcing X11 with GDK_BACKEND=x11 ./avidemux_*.appImage.

Updating Avidemux

Updating PPA Installation

PPA installations receive automatic updates through normal system updates. Run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

This updates Avidemux along with all other packages when new versions appear in the PPA. Check your current version anytime with avidemux --version. Alternatively, use Software Manager’s graphical interface: launch Software Manager, click the shield icon for updates, and apply available updates. PPA updates depend on maintainers uploading new versions, occasionally lagging behind official releases by days or weeks.

Updating Flatpak Version

Update all Flatpak applications including Avidemux:

flatpak update

Or update only Avidemux specifically:

flatpak update org.avidemux.Avidemux

Graphical alternatives include Software Manager, GNOME Software, or KDE Discover, depending on your desktop environment. Flatpak updates typically arrive shortly after official releases since Flathub maintainers actively track upstream projects.

Updating AppImage

AppImages require manual updates. Visit the Avidemux download page, download the latest AppImage version, replace your existing file with the new download, and verify executable permissions. The AppImageUpdate utility automates this process for AppImages containing update information—install with sudo apt install appimageupdater-gui and use its graphical interface to manage updates. Manual updates mean you control when changes occur but require active monitoring for new versions.

Uninstalling Avidemux

Removing PPA Installation

Remove Avidemux and its configuration files:

sudo apt remove --purge avidemux*

The --purge flag deletes configuration files alongside program files, ensuring complete removal. Remove the PPA repository:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:xtradeb/apps

Clean up orphaned dependencies no longer needed:

sudo apt autoremove

Verify complete removal by checking which avidemux returns nothing.

Removing Flatpak Installation

Uninstall the Flatpak package:

flatpak uninstall org.avidemux.Avidemux

Flatpak prompts whether to remove unused dependencies—confirm with ‘y’ to reclaim disk space. If you’re not using other Flatpak applications, optionally remove the Flathub repository: flatpak remote-delete flathub.

Removing AppImage

Simply delete the .appImage file:

rm ~/Downloads/avidemux_*.appImage

Remove any custom desktop shortcuts or menu entries you created. Delete extracted directories if you used --appimage-extract-and-run mode. No system-level uninstallation is necessary since AppImages don’t integrate at the system level.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Avidemux. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the latest version of Avidemux free video editor on the Linux Mint 22 system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Avidemux website.