How to Edit Video on a Computer: An Overview of Editing Tools

Almost any video (unless it gathers dust in your video archive) needs to be subjected to an editing procedure, which will include trimming, cutting out unnecessary fragments, adding text, effects, etc. Today we'll look at what tools you can use to edit video on your computer.

Today there are a lot of video editing tools that can be divided into two categories: computer programs and online services. Speaking about online services, it cannot be said that they are full-fledged competitors of video editing programs, however, if you need to make changes to the video, such as trimming, for example, there is no point in specifically downloading a program to your computer when the whole task can be easily and quickly be executed in any browser installed on your computer.

First of all, online services for editing video on a computer will be discussed below.

Online video editing services

Online Video Cutter

As the name of this online service suggests, it allows you to trim videos. Among the additional features, it is worth highlighting changing the aspect ratio, rotating and converting to a new format.

Unfortunately, the service has a limitation: the size of the downloaded video file cannot exceed 500 MB.

Go to the Online Video Cutter online service page http://online-video-cutter.com/ru/

Clipchamp

Next up is the next online video editor, which has a much more expanded set of capabilities, for example, in addition to cropping, rotating and converting, this online service is capable of adjusting the color of the video, mirroring, compressing and much more.

This online service is free, however, you can edit no more than five videos per month.

Go to the Clipchamp online service page https://clipchamp.com/ru/video-editor

YouTube

It is impossible not to mention such a popular video hosting site as YouTube, which, in addition, managed to accommodate the functions of a video editor.

Of course, to use the editor on YouTube, you need to have a registered Google account and your own channel. But as a result, you will have access to the functions of trimming and cutting out fragments, various effects, color filters, color correction settings, combining several videos together and much more.

The disadvantage of this method is that the finished video is not so easy to get on your computer: first you need to upload it to YouTube, which can be downloaded to your computer using special tools, for example, the Savefrom.net online service.

Video editing programs

Now you can move on to much more functional tools for video editing, namely computer programs that already require prior installation on the computer, but open up a much wider range of possibilities for users.

Cinema studio Windows Live

The author of the article does not at all hide his love for one of Microsoft’s products – Windows Live Movie Studio.

This program is a simple video editor, which, however, was able to collect all the necessary features in order to put the required video in order: functions for trimming or cutting out unnecessary fragments, working with audio tracks, changing speed, applying effects, rotating, mirroring , converting, changing video format for viewing on different devices and much more.

It is a pity that Microsoft has refused to further support the product. Moreover, now it is no longer possible to download it from the developer’s official website (although until recently this could be done). If you want to try this program, you will have to look for third-party resources that still distribute the distribution. However, I would like to warn you: the program has not been updated for a long time, which means it will most likely not work correctly on your computer.

Download Windows Live Movie Maker

Movavi Video Editor

In second place in terms of convenience and functionality, I would like to put the Movavi Video Editor program, which is a functional tool for video editing. With its help, you can work out the video in detail: audio tracks, transitions, titles, size and length of the video. All work is greatly simplified thanks to the built-in large set of various effects, with the help of which the installation process will go much faster.

Unfortunately, the program is paid, however, you can try it in action, using all the features without restrictions in the trial version of the tool, which is valid for seven days.

Download the Movavi Video Editor program https://www.movavi.ru/videoeditor/

Adobe After Effects

If you've ever been amazed by YouTube videos where the creator uses very realistic and mesmerizing effects, then one of the programs that can create them is After Effects.

This program is not entirely suitable for video editing. Rather, its main task is to create amazing effects in videos. Naturally, it is almost impossible for a novice user to independently understand all the intricacies of working with the program, however, the program is very popular, which means that there are a lot of manuals on the Internet that tell in detail how to achieve this or that effect.

Again, the program is not free, however, it is worth every dollar invested in it.

Download Adobe After Effects http://www.adobe.com/ru/products/aftereffects.html

CyberLink PowerDirector

A program that manages to accommodate two video editors at once: simple and advanced. Simple will allow you to perform express video editing on an almost automatic basis.

The advanced version allows you to work out each frame of the video in detail, using a wide package of tools, templates and effects. Among the additional functions of the program, it is worth noting the ability to record video from the computer screen.

The program is an excellent choice for both beginners and amateurs. And even the absence of the Russian language does not affect the ease of use and understanding of why this or that tool is needed.

Download the CyberLink PowerDirector program https://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdirector-ultra/features_en_US.html?&r=1

The list of video editing programs can be continued for a very long time - the article describes only those that, in the opinion of the author, are the most remarkable. You, of course, can challenge this article by citing in the comments a more convenient tool for editing video on a computer.