Curlew – A Nifty Easy to Use Media Converter for Linux

Curlew Multimedia Converter is a free, open-source, and easy-to-use Multimedia converter for Linux. It depends on FFmpeg/avconv and is written in Python and GTK3.

Think of Curlew as a front-end to the renowned FFmpeg CLI-based media converter with a host of use options including hiding/showing advanced options, setting bit rates and output formats, using drag and drop to add selected files for conversion, e.t.c.

Curlew exports your transcoded media into ~/Videos by default but of course, this can be changed from the Advanced panel where you can also find options for subtitle embedding, cropping, video quality, file splitting, and audio bitrate.

Features in Curlew

  • Clean and intuitive Graphical User Interface compatible with system themes.
  • Show/hide advanced options.
  • Supports conversion to well over 100 different formats.
  • Display file metadata (duration, remaining time, estimated size, progress value).
  • Display file details using mediainfo.
  • Preview files before conversion.
  • Merge subtitles with videos.
  • Convert only specified portions of files.
  • Supports video cropping and panning.
  • Display error details in case any exists.
  • Automate PC shutdown or suspend after completing a conversion process.
  • Display video thumbnails.
  • Allow to skip or remove file during conversion process.

One feature that is missing is the ability to set different conversion settings per file in a group of files selected for conversion. You cannot select 5 mp3 files and have them converted to different formats at the same time, for example. Hopefully, this feature will come to Curlew soon.

If you are interested in using Curlew you can download its latest .deb package from its Sourceforge page below.

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Do you have a favorite multimedia converter for Linux yet? Air your views and make your suggestions in the comments section below.

Divine Okoi is a cybersecurity postgrad with a passion for the open-source community. With 700+ articles covering different topics in IT, you can always trust him to inform you about the coolest tech.

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