Importing Media
Getting your screen recordings and assets into Kdenlive efficiently. Learn all import methods and how to inspect clips before editing.
Media files are never copied into Kdenlive — they are referenced. Import is just linking. This means your original files stay where they are; don't delete or move them while editing.
Import Methods
Method 1: Drag and Drop (Fastest)
1. Open your file manager (Dolphin, Nautilus, Thunar)
2. Navigate to ~/Videos/my-tutorial/recordings/
3. Select your .mp4 file(s)
4. Drag directly into the Kdenlive Project Bin
Multiple files: Select all with Ctrl+A in file manager, then drag.
Method 2: Add Clip Dialog
Project Bin → click "+" icon (Add Clip or Folder)
OR
Menu → Project → Add Clip or Folder…
Keyboard shortcut: No default — assign one via Ctrl+Alt+,
Supported formats: .mp4, .mkv, .webm, .mov, .avi, .mp3, .wav, .ogg, .flac, .png, .jpg, .svg, .gif
Method 3: Import Folder
Project Bin → click the arrow next to "+" → Add Folder
→ Select the folder containing your recordings
→ All media in that folder is imported at once
Method 4: Drag from Timeline to Bin (Reverse Import)
If you accidentally placed a clip directly on the timeline without adding to bin first, you can drag it back to the bin to create a bin entry.
Inspecting Clips After Import
After importing, always verify your clips:
Double-click clip in Project Bin → opens in Clip Monitor
Right-click clip → Properties → shows:
File path
Resolution: 1920×1080
Frame rate: 30fps
Duration: 00:05:32:14
Audio channels: 2
Codec: H264
Check that resolution and frame rate match your project profile. If they differ, Kdenlive will scale/convert the clip — which may cause quality loss or performance issues.
Working with Screen Recordings
Screen recordings often have specific characteristics:
| Issue | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Clip plays too fast/slow | FPS mismatch (24fps recording, 30fps project) | Use Variable Speed or fix project profile |
| Blurry output | Resolution mismatch (720p clip in 1080p project) | Record at native project resolution |
| No audio in clip | Screen recorder didn't capture audio | Re-record with audio enabled in OBS |
| Huge file size | High bitrate recording | Enable proxy clips for editing smoothness |
Generating Proxy Clips
For 1080p screen recordings, generate proxies immediately after import:
Method 1: Right-click clip in Project Bin → Generate Proxy
Method 2: Select multiple clips → Right-click → Generate Proxy (batch)
Method 3: Auto-generate (if enabled in settings):
Ctrl+Shift+, → Proxy Clips → Enable auto-generation
The proxy indicator shows in the Project Bin — a small icon or colored badge. Once done, editing uses the proxy; rendering uses the original.
Clip Properties and Metadata
Right-click clip → Properties
Useful for:
- Confirming codec (H264, H265, VP9)
- Checking audio sample rate (should be 48000 Hz for video)
- Verifying colorspace (BT.709 for standard web content)
- Seeing actual FPS (variable vs constant frame rate)
Screen recorders sometimes produce Variable Frame Rate (VFR) video. Kdenlive handles VFR, but for best results convert to Constant Frame Rate (CFR) before import:
ffmpeg -i raw-recording.mp4 -vf fps=30 -c:v libx264 -crf 18 recording-cfr.mp4
Organizing the Project Bin
Create a folder in bin:
Right-click empty area → Create Folder → name it
Rename clip:
Right-click clip → Rename OR F2
Move clip to folder:
Drag clip onto folder name
Sort clips:
Right-click bin header → Sort By → Name / Date / Duration
Recommended bin structure for screencasts:
📁 Recordings
🎬 intro-raw.mp4
🎬 main-demo-raw.mp4
🎬 outro-raw.mp4
📁 Music
🎵 background.mp3
📁 Titles
T intro-title
T lower-third-name
📁 Assets
🖼 thumbnail-logo.png
Keyboard Reference
| Action | Method |
|---|---|
| Import clip | Drag to bin OR + button |
| Preview clip | Double-click in bin |
| Properties | Right-click → Properties |
| Rename | Right-click → Rename OR F2 |
| Generate proxy | Right-click → Generate Proxy |
| Create folder | Right-click → Create Folder |
| Close extra bins | Ctrl+W |
Hands-On Practice
1. Record a 30-second screen capture with OBS or SimpleScreenRecorder
Save to ~/Videos/test-screencast/recordings/test-take-01.mp4
2. Open your Kdenlive project (from previous lesson)
3. Drag test-take-01.mp4 from file manager to Project Bin
4. Double-click the clip in Project Bin
→ It loads in Clip Monitor
→ Press Space to preview
5. Right-click clip → Properties
→ Confirm: 1920×1080, 30fps, H264
6. Right-click clip → Generate Proxy
→ Wait for proxy generation (watch status bar)
7. Create a folder in bin: "Recordings"
→ Drag your clip into it