DATA DOCTORS

A handful of free and easy video editors for beginners

May 14, 2022, 5:00 AM

(Pexels Photo)...

(Pexels Photo)

(Pexels Photo)

Q: I want to start basic video editing on my Windows 10 computer and am looking for suggestions for a beginner.

A: There was a time when the cost and complexity of video editing made it a challenging proposition for beginners, but all that has changed.

There are dozens of free options for video editing including those that work directly on smartphones and tablets, but for the best results, the additional real estate that a computer provides is preferable.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the need to commit the time to learn how to use these tools, so make sure you allocate plenty of ‘play time’ before you attempt a serious project.

Windows Video EditorIf your needs are very basic, the free ‘Video Editor’ from Microsoft that comes pre-loaded may be a good first step. Just go to the Start menu and type ‘video editor’ to launch the program.

You’ll be able to trim the video, set the duration, add titles, text, filters, background music or custom audio such as a voice over.

This tool is about as basic as it gets for video editing, so you won’t find things like fancy transitions or advanced audio tools.  This also makes it one of the easiest tools to learn because it is so limited.

FilmForthAnother free option that’s more feature rich and available via the Microsoft Store is called FilmForth.This app is a significant upgrade in features but is still very easy to learn how to use. Some of the more useful features allow you to split and combine video segments as well as detach the audio from the video and use fade in/fade out on your audio tracks.

It’s also a great tool for creating slide shows with effects to give motions to still images and is a great tool for creating video for social media.

Unlike some other free video editors, FilmForth does not place a watermark on your video as a way of advertising itself through your videos.

OpenShot Video EditorIf you’re looking for more sophistication but still want something relatively easy to learn, I’d suggest using a free open-source tool called OpenShot.

Their powerful animation and keyframe tools can really bring your project to life as well as lots of useful video effects and the ability to use as many layers as you want.

Layers can be audio tracks, titles, watermarks or even background videos, so you’ll only be limited by your own imagination.

This tool will require more of a time commitment because of this additional power, but if you’re going to be editing videos on a regular basis, it’s worth the effort.

It’s also got an incredible number of exporting options that won’t limit the quality like many of the other free programs that are trying to entice you to pay for their premium product.

Online Video EditorIf you would like the option of editing projects on various computers, including Chromebooks, an online tool called Clipchamp would be worth a look.

There’s nothing to install (although you can also download their desktop app) so getting started is quick and easy.  For an online video editor, it’s pretty feature rich and makes it easy to start and continue a project from any desktop computing device or to share the task with others.

Data Doctors

(Pexels Photo)...

Ken Colburn, Data Doctors

Here are the best tips for mobile file sharing

Airdrop is Apple’s proprietary method to exchange files between Apple devices and can’t be used to send files directly to Android devices, but there are other options.

3 days ago

(Unsplash Photo)...

Data Doctors

Random caller? Here are tips for looking up unfamiliar phone numbers

If you've ever wondered who's calling you, then here are some tips for looking up unfamiliar phone numbers.

10 days ago

...

Data Doctors

5 tips to speed up Google’s Chrome browser if it has begun to lag

The plethora of extensions available for Google Chrome can be one of many reasons why a users' browsing experience can be noticeably slower.

17 days ago

(StockSnap.io Photo)...

Data Doctors

When a computer freezes up, solutions can vary from bypassing cache to OS updates

When a computer freezes, the reality is it’s a sign that you have a significant issue that needs to be addressed.

24 days ago

Windows 11 and Windows 10 operating system logos are displayed on laptop screens for illustration p...

Data Doctors

Tips for knowing how and when to upgrade to Windows 11

Windows 10 isn’t being discontinued; it’s coming up to its ‘End Of Life’ in Microsoft’s support lifecycle.

1 month ago

(Photo by Pierre Crom/Getty Images)...

Ken Colburn, Data Doctors

Here’s what you need to know about using smartphone mobile payment systems

There are good reasons to consider using the mobile payment systems that most smartphones support, ranging from convenience to security.

1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

...

OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center

5 mental health myths you didn’t know were made up

Helping individuals understand mental health diagnoses like obsessive compulsive spectrum disorder or generalized anxiety disorder isn’t always an easy undertaking. After all, our society tends to spread misconceptions about mental health like wildfire. This is why being mindful about how we talk about mental health is so important. We can either perpetuate misinformation about already […]

...

SANDERSON FORD

Thank you to Al McCoy for 51 years as voice of the Phoenix Suns

Sanderson Ford wants to share its thanks to Al McCoy for the impact he made in the Valley for more than a half-decade.

(Photo: OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center)...

OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center

Here’s what you need to know about OCD and where to find help

It's fair to say that most people know what obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders generally are, but there's a lot more information than meets the eye about a mental health diagnosis that affects about one in every 100 adults in the United States.

A handful of free and easy video editors for beginners