I’ve tried any number of video editors including Windows Movie maker. I found the restrictions on file types or their sheer complexity to be, well, extremely frustrating.
I’ve settled with ripping youtube videos using;
www.dvdvideosoft.com it’s free and works great.
If I need to convert a file type, I use; “Media Converter” that will convert virtually any file type into anything you need. Also, free.
For video editing and production I use “Serif” I started with the free version and it was easy to use, very intuitive and it works great. There were a few file type restrictions with the free version and I decided to upgrade to the paid version. Before I sent them any money I was able to actually talk to someone on the phone,(a competent guy in the UK) about exactly what I was paying for and whether there was a time limit etc on my upgrade. I found this to be very rare.
Serif works great, it’s not overly complex, they have tutorials that actually get to the point and you can call them.
Like you, I, too, LOVE the Spartan and highly effective “Media Converter” —even idiots can’t screw it up.
The price is right, too —free.