In 2024, Find Out What Track Mattes Are in After Effects and Learn How to Find and Use It with Simple and Easy-to-Follow Instructions

In 2024, Find Out What Track Mattes Are in After Effects and Learn How to Find and Use It with Simple and Easy-to-Follow Instructions

Chloe Lv12

Find Out What Track Mattes Are in After Effects and Learn How to Find and Use It with Simple and Easy-to-Follow Instructions

Are you wondering what Track Mattes is? In After Effects, this tool adds an invisible layer that is used to mask or reveal parts of a layer, including video, graphics, text, shapes, and images. This feature is in the arsenal of any visual effects artist or motion graphic designer.

For After Effects editors, Track Mattes can be an incredibly helpful tool for managing multiple layers and creating complex animations.

In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Track Mattes. We’ll cover topics like the difference between a mask and Track Matte, finding this tool in After Effects, and its four options: Alpha Matter, Alpha Inverted Matte, Luma Matte, and Luma Inverted Matte.

  1. Alpha Matte
  2. Alpha Inverted Matte
  3. Luma Matte
  4. Luma Inverted Matte
  5. Differences Between Alpha Channel and Luma Channel

Part 1. What Are Track Mattes In After Effects?

A Track Matte is an element used in video editing to control the opacity of a layer. Essentially, it lets you create a “hole” in a layer so that underlying layers can show through. This tool can be used with video and audio layers, which is essential for creating complex composites in After Effects.

You can use Track Mattes to generate shapes, reveal part of a layer, or keying outs. Interestingly, it remains independent of all layers in your projects, which means you can get visual effects and animations more efficiently than with the masks tool.

Moreover, Track Mattes uses Alpha or Luma channels as a layer mask to determine what parts of the layer to reveal. For instance, you can make a top layer that provides an Alpha or Luminous effect and a bottom layer consisting of the image that will be revealed or shown.

Thus, if you want to use an image to hide your video until you want to unveil it or add a picture in your text, Track Mattes will help you to shape the appearance of a layer above it.

Part 2. Differences Between A Mask And A Track Matte

In Adobe After Effects, there are two types of masking tools: Masks and Track Mattes. Both are used to hide or reveal a portion of a layer.

Here’re some key differences between a Mask and a Track Matte:

  1. A mask is dependent on a specific layer, while the Track Matter is independent of any layer.
  2. A mask is applied directly to a layer having an image or a video and transforms with the layers. On the other hand, Track Matte is a stationary mask applied to the composition rather than a layer.

Part 3. Finding The Track Matte Tool In After Effects

Track Matte is located by default in the Timeline Window of the After Effects interface, but if it is unavailable there for some reason, toggle the Transfer Control Pane button on the bottom-left of the timeline.

track matte in the timeline window of the after effects

If you are still unable to find the Track Matte option, press the F1 key or do the following steps in sequence:

  1. Right-click on the area above your layers and select “Columns.”
  2. Scroll down and click the “Modes” option to enable it.

finding the track matte option in after effects

  1. Track Matte mode, Preserve Underlying Transparency, and Blending Modes will be available now.

Under Track Matte’s drop-down menu, you can find four further options, two with Alpha and two with Luma. We’ll discuss these options in detail in the next section.

Part 4. All Four Track Matte Options In After Effects

After Effects provides four types of Track Matte options: Alpha Matte, Alpha Inverted Matte, Luma Matte, and Luma Inverted Matte, each has its own specific use case. But first, you need to understand what Alpha and Luma are:

Alpha: This Track Matte type uses the layer’s Alpha channel to determine the layer’s opacity.

Luma: This Track Matte type uses the top layer’s brightness to mask the bottom layer.

the four track matte options in after effects

Let’s find out the functions of each option one by one:

Alpha Matte

Alpha Matte is an important option under the Track Matte menu, as it allows you to create a mask based on the transparency of the layer you are using it on. Like the mask, it will use any pixel above 0% opacity and can be useful for various purposes, such as creating a vignette or isolating a certain area of the frame.

Alpha Inverted Matte

The Alpha Inverted Matte option is quite the opposite of the Alpha Matte, and around the Alpha channel, it uses negative space from the above layer and will therefore use pixels with 0% opacity as it had 100% opacity.

Luma Matte

Instead of using the Alpha channel, Luma Mattes uses the brightness level or Luma channel of the upper layer to create a mask for the bottom layer.

Luma Inverted Matte

Opposite of the Luma Matte, the Luma Inverted Matte uses dark or low luminance areas of the upper layer to create a mask for the lower layer.

Differences Between Alpha Channel and Luma Channel

When altering the opacity of a layer, it may look like the brightness settings are changed. This might confuse some users, as both Alpha and Luma channels carry the same information. However, they differ in how they are used.

Alpha channel is a type of Track Matte that stores transparency information. This information determines how opaque or transparent a layer will be when superimposed over another layer.

alpha channel in track matte

On the other hand, a Luma channel is a video track that stores brightness information. This information is used to determine how bright or dark an image will be and is further divided into three channels, i.e., Red, Green, and Blue (RGB). Their value ranges from 0 to 255, where 0 represents the darkest value while 255 represents the brightest value.

luma channel in track matte

Video – How to use Track Mattes in Adobe After Effects - Tutorial

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve discussed what Track Matte is in After Effects and how it differs from the mask tool. We also explored where to find the Track Matter option and its four options, i.e., Alpha Matte, Alpha Inverted Matte, Luma Matte, and Luma Inverted Matte. In the end, we discussed the difference between the Alpha and Luma channels to provide a clear view of the two.

Hopefully, this guide resolves your queries, and you now have a better understanding of the Track Matte tool in After Effects.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Part 1. What Are Track Mattes In After Effects?

A Track Matte is an element used in video editing to control the opacity of a layer. Essentially, it lets you create a “hole” in a layer so that underlying layers can show through. This tool can be used with video and audio layers, which is essential for creating complex composites in After Effects.

You can use Track Mattes to generate shapes, reveal part of a layer, or keying outs. Interestingly, it remains independent of all layers in your projects, which means you can get visual effects and animations more efficiently than with the masks tool.

Moreover, Track Mattes uses Alpha or Luma channels as a layer mask to determine what parts of the layer to reveal. For instance, you can make a top layer that provides an Alpha or Luminous effect and a bottom layer consisting of the image that will be revealed or shown.

Thus, if you want to use an image to hide your video until you want to unveil it or add a picture in your text, Track Mattes will help you to shape the appearance of a layer above it.

Part 2. Differences Between A Mask And A Track Matte

In Adobe After Effects, there are two types of masking tools: Masks and Track Mattes. Both are used to hide or reveal a portion of a layer.

Here’re some key differences between a Mask and a Track Matte:

  1. A mask is dependent on a specific layer, while the Track Matter is independent of any layer.
  2. A mask is applied directly to a layer having an image or a video and transforms with the layers. On the other hand, Track Matte is a stationary mask applied to the composition rather than a layer.

Part 3. Finding The Track Matte Tool In After Effects

Track Matte is located by default in the Timeline Window of the After Effects interface, but if it is unavailable there for some reason, toggle the Transfer Control Pane button on the bottom-left of the timeline.

track matte in the timeline window of the after effects

If you are still unable to find the Track Matte option, press the F1 key or do the following steps in sequence:

  1. Right-click on the area above your layers and select “Columns.”
  2. Scroll down and click the “Modes” option to enable it.

finding the track matte option in after effects

  1. Track Matte mode, Preserve Underlying Transparency, and Blending Modes will be available now.

Under Track Matte’s drop-down menu, you can find four further options, two with Alpha and two with Luma. We’ll discuss these options in detail in the next section.

Part 4. All Four Track Matte Options In After Effects

After Effects provides four types of Track Matte options: Alpha Matte, Alpha Inverted Matte, Luma Matte, and Luma Inverted Matte, each has its own specific use case. But first, you need to understand what Alpha and Luma are:

Alpha: This Track Matte type uses the layer’s Alpha channel to determine the layer’s opacity.

Luma: This Track Matte type uses the top layer’s brightness to mask the bottom layer.

the four track matte options in after effects

Let’s find out the functions of each option one by one:

Alpha Matte

Alpha Matte is an important option under the Track Matte menu, as it allows you to create a mask based on the transparency of the layer you are using it on. Like the mask, it will use any pixel above 0% opacity and can be useful for various purposes, such as creating a vignette or isolating a certain area of the frame.

Alpha Inverted Matte

The Alpha Inverted Matte option is quite the opposite of the Alpha Matte, and around the Alpha channel, it uses negative space from the above layer and will therefore use pixels with 0% opacity as it had 100% opacity.

Luma Matte

Instead of using the Alpha channel, Luma Mattes uses the brightness level or Luma channel of the upper layer to create a mask for the bottom layer.

Luma Inverted Matte

Opposite of the Luma Matte, the Luma Inverted Matte uses dark or low luminance areas of the upper layer to create a mask for the lower layer.

Differences Between Alpha Channel and Luma Channel

When altering the opacity of a layer, it may look like the brightness settings are changed. This might confuse some users, as both Alpha and Luma channels carry the same information. However, they differ in how they are used.

Alpha channel is a type of Track Matte that stores transparency information. This information determines how opaque or transparent a layer will be when superimposed over another layer.

alpha channel in track matte

On the other hand, a Luma channel is a video track that stores brightness information. This information is used to determine how bright or dark an image will be and is further divided into three channels, i.e., Red, Green, and Blue (RGB). Their value ranges from 0 to 255, where 0 represents the darkest value while 255 represents the brightest value.

luma channel in track matte

Video – How to use Track Mattes in Adobe After Effects - Tutorial

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve discussed what Track Matte is in After Effects and how it differs from the mask tool. We also explored where to find the Track Matter option and its four options, i.e., Alpha Matte, Alpha Inverted Matte, Luma Matte, and Luma Inverted Matte. In the end, we discussed the difference between the Alpha and Luma channels to provide a clear view of the two.

Hopefully, this guide resolves your queries, and you now have a better understanding of the Track Matte tool in After Effects.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Adding a Spooky Shadow Effect with Filmora

Wondershare Filmora’s main purpose is the empowerment of content creators. The latest updates to the program are one of the pieces of evidence.

Whether you’re a horror content creator or simply living the Halloween vibe 24/7, continue reading to know how to use its latest masking feature to create a cool shadow effect for your next mind-blowing social media video.

How to Use The Masking Effect

Wondershare Filmora’s latest Masking feature allows its users to select a specific clip that they can overlay on other parts of the video or other clips.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

The feature allows you to insert the mask in any shape, such as a rectangle, circle, or triangle. You can also import any shapes you like if you can’t find them in the presets library. You can also adjust the mask placement, width, height, and feather effect.

Without further ado, let’s see the detailed step-by-step guide for this effect.

a. Preparation

You will need at least three shots of the same frame to get the shadow effect to work. The first is the main video, the second is the shadow clip, and the last would be a clip portraying just a plain background.

Make sure that your camera stays at the same point and angle. You can use a tripod for assurance.

Take the first main video and don’t forget to mark the positioning of the object for the next take. Then, you can shoot the shadow clip following the marking of the object to match its position in the main clip.

Finally, shoot the final clip without the object on the frame.

taking different footage for the clip

b. Steps to add the shadow effect to your videos using Masking

Step 1: Place the main clip on the timeline and find the start of the segment that you want to use. Press M on the keyboard to set a marker.

placing a marker on the main clip

Step 2: Place the shadow clip on top of the main clip on the timeline. Trim and adjust until the shadow clip ends right at the marker of the main clip.

adjust the length of the shadow clip

Step 3: Move the play head to the start of the shadow clip. Trim the main clip right on that mark so both clips have the same start by clicking the scissor icon and deleting the unused part.

sync the main and shadow clips

Step 4: Double-click the shadow clip. OpenSettings > Mask Section > Rectangle to apply the mask. Adjust the blur strength to smooth out the edge.

place the mask of the shadow clip and adjust

Step 5: Play the result to see if there’s any part you need to block out. When you find them, repeat steps 1 to 4 but with the background clip. Try to conceal all things you need to hide using the masks. Make sure that you get the timings right.

block unwanted objects off the final clip

Step6 Trim the length of the masking clips to match the main clip by sliding the play head and clicking the Split button.

Adjust the audio and preview the effect before you save the result. You can also add extra features like slow motion for maximum effect.

preview the result before saving

Summary

It is so easy to use this shadow effect on your video using Wondershare Filmora. The handy masking feature also comes with additional keyframe control and easy composite adjustment.

Wondershare Filmora is also packed with other powerful new features. This includes Auto Beat Sync, Speed Ramping, Quick Split Mode, and the upgraded Denoise feature. Update today to add more quirk to your content.

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

The feature allows you to insert the mask in any shape, such as a rectangle, circle, or triangle. You can also import any shapes you like if you can’t find them in the presets library. You can also adjust the mask placement, width, height, and feather effect.

Without further ado, let’s see the detailed step-by-step guide for this effect.

a. Preparation

You will need at least three shots of the same frame to get the shadow effect to work. The first is the main video, the second is the shadow clip, and the last would be a clip portraying just a plain background.

Make sure that your camera stays at the same point and angle. You can use a tripod for assurance.

Take the first main video and don’t forget to mark the positioning of the object for the next take. Then, you can shoot the shadow clip following the marking of the object to match its position in the main clip.

Finally, shoot the final clip without the object on the frame.

taking different footage for the clip

b. Steps to add the shadow effect to your videos using Masking

Step 1: Place the main clip on the timeline and find the start of the segment that you want to use. Press M on the keyboard to set a marker.

placing a marker on the main clip

Step 2: Place the shadow clip on top of the main clip on the timeline. Trim and adjust until the shadow clip ends right at the marker of the main clip.

adjust the length of the shadow clip

Step 3: Move the play head to the start of the shadow clip. Trim the main clip right on that mark so both clips have the same start by clicking the scissor icon and deleting the unused part.

sync the main and shadow clips

Step 4: Double-click the shadow clip. OpenSettings > Mask Section > Rectangle to apply the mask. Adjust the blur strength to smooth out the edge.

place the mask of the shadow clip and adjust

Step 5: Play the result to see if there’s any part you need to block out. When you find them, repeat steps 1 to 4 but with the background clip. Try to conceal all things you need to hide using the masks. Make sure that you get the timings right.

block unwanted objects off the final clip

Step6 Trim the length of the masking clips to match the main clip by sliding the play head and clicking the Split button.

Adjust the audio and preview the effect before you save the result. You can also add extra features like slow motion for maximum effect.

preview the result before saving

Summary

It is so easy to use this shadow effect on your video using Wondershare Filmora. The handy masking feature also comes with additional keyframe control and easy composite adjustment.

Wondershare Filmora is also packed with other powerful new features. This includes Auto Beat Sync, Speed Ramping, Quick Split Mode, and the upgraded Denoise feature. Update today to add more quirk to your content.

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

The feature allows you to insert the mask in any shape, such as a rectangle, circle, or triangle. You can also import any shapes you like if you can’t find them in the presets library. You can also adjust the mask placement, width, height, and feather effect.

Without further ado, let’s see the detailed step-by-step guide for this effect.

a. Preparation

You will need at least three shots of the same frame to get the shadow effect to work. The first is the main video, the second is the shadow clip, and the last would be a clip portraying just a plain background.

Make sure that your camera stays at the same point and angle. You can use a tripod for assurance.

Take the first main video and don’t forget to mark the positioning of the object for the next take. Then, you can shoot the shadow clip following the marking of the object to match its position in the main clip.

Finally, shoot the final clip without the object on the frame.

taking different footage for the clip

b. Steps to add the shadow effect to your videos using Masking

Step 1: Place the main clip on the timeline and find the start of the segment that you want to use. Press M on the keyboard to set a marker.

placing a marker on the main clip

Step 2: Place the shadow clip on top of the main clip on the timeline. Trim and adjust until the shadow clip ends right at the marker of the main clip.

adjust the length of the shadow clip

Step 3: Move the play head to the start of the shadow clip. Trim the main clip right on that mark so both clips have the same start by clicking the scissor icon and deleting the unused part.

sync the main and shadow clips

Step 4: Double-click the shadow clip. OpenSettings > Mask Section > Rectangle to apply the mask. Adjust the blur strength to smooth out the edge.

place the mask of the shadow clip and adjust

Step 5: Play the result to see if there’s any part you need to block out. When you find them, repeat steps 1 to 4 but with the background clip. Try to conceal all things you need to hide using the masks. Make sure that you get the timings right.

block unwanted objects off the final clip

Step6 Trim the length of the masking clips to match the main clip by sliding the play head and clicking the Split button.

Adjust the audio and preview the effect before you save the result. You can also add extra features like slow motion for maximum effect.

preview the result before saving

Summary

It is so easy to use this shadow effect on your video using Wondershare Filmora. The handy masking feature also comes with additional keyframe control and easy composite adjustment.

Wondershare Filmora is also packed with other powerful new features. This includes Auto Beat Sync, Speed Ramping, Quick Split Mode, and the upgraded Denoise feature. Update today to add more quirk to your content.

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

The feature allows you to insert the mask in any shape, such as a rectangle, circle, or triangle. You can also import any shapes you like if you can’t find them in the presets library. You can also adjust the mask placement, width, height, and feather effect.

Without further ado, let’s see the detailed step-by-step guide for this effect.

a. Preparation

You will need at least three shots of the same frame to get the shadow effect to work. The first is the main video, the second is the shadow clip, and the last would be a clip portraying just a plain background.

Make sure that your camera stays at the same point and angle. You can use a tripod for assurance.

Take the first main video and don’t forget to mark the positioning of the object for the next take. Then, you can shoot the shadow clip following the marking of the object to match its position in the main clip.

Finally, shoot the final clip without the object on the frame.

taking different footage for the clip

b. Steps to add the shadow effect to your videos using Masking

Step 1: Place the main clip on the timeline and find the start of the segment that you want to use. Press M on the keyboard to set a marker.

placing a marker on the main clip

Step 2: Place the shadow clip on top of the main clip on the timeline. Trim and adjust until the shadow clip ends right at the marker of the main clip.

adjust the length of the shadow clip

Step 3: Move the play head to the start of the shadow clip. Trim the main clip right on that mark so both clips have the same start by clicking the scissor icon and deleting the unused part.

sync the main and shadow clips

Step 4: Double-click the shadow clip. OpenSettings > Mask Section > Rectangle to apply the mask. Adjust the blur strength to smooth out the edge.

place the mask of the shadow clip and adjust

Step 5: Play the result to see if there’s any part you need to block out. When you find them, repeat steps 1 to 4 but with the background clip. Try to conceal all things you need to hide using the masks. Make sure that you get the timings right.

block unwanted objects off the final clip

Step6 Trim the length of the masking clips to match the main clip by sliding the play head and clicking the Split button.

Adjust the audio and preview the effect before you save the result. You can also add extra features like slow motion for maximum effect.

preview the result before saving

Summary

It is so easy to use this shadow effect on your video using Wondershare Filmora. The handy masking feature also comes with additional keyframe control and easy composite adjustment.

Wondershare Filmora is also packed with other powerful new features. This includes Auto Beat Sync, Speed Ramping, Quick Split Mode, and the upgraded Denoise feature. Update today to add more quirk to your content.

Mastering FFmpeg: How to Merge Audio and Video with Ease

Welcome to the world of video production! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced video creator, one of the most important skills to master is merging audio and video seamlessly. In this article, we’ll focus on FFmpeg, a powerful command-line tool that can help you easily merge audio and video.

FFmpeg is open-source software that allows you to convert, edit, and stream multimedia files. It’s widely used by professionals and enthusiasts and has many capabilities, including merging audio and video files. This guide will walk you through merging audio and video using FFmpeg. So, whether you’re creating a YouTube video, a podcast, or a movie, you’ll have the skills to make it sound and look great.

merge audio and video with ffmpeg

Preparation

Are you ready to master the art of merging audio and video? Then let’s dive into the world of FFmpeg, a powerful and versatile tool that can help you achieve professional results.

With FFmpeg, you can record, convert, and stream audio and video files in any format, making it a complete and cross-platform solution. It’s also a great tool for decoding, encoding, transcoding, muxing, demuxing, streaming, filtering, and playing any media type.

But before we start merging video files using FFmpeg, it’s important to understand the basics of container formats and video codecs. These are the building blocks of your videos, and the specific types you’re working with will determine the method you’ll use to merge them. So, buckle up, and let’s get started!

How To Combine Video With Two Audio Using FFmpeg

Are you looking to add multiple audio tracks to your video? With FFmpeg, you can easily combine video with two audio streams. Whether creating a foreign-language version of your video or adding an alternate audio track, this method will help you achieve professional results. This section will guide you through combining video with two audio streams using FFmpeg’s command-line interface. So, let’s get started!

Mixing Two Audios Into a Video

Combining multiple audio tracks into one video can be done easily with FFmpeg’s command-line interface. In this example, we will combine two audio tracks into one video so that the voiceover will play over the background music. Here’s the step-by-step process:

Step1 Open your command prompt or terminal and navigate to the directory where your video and audio files are located.

Step2 Replacevideo1.mp4“ and “audio1.mp3“ with the names of your actual video and audio files.

ffmpeg \

-i video1.mp4 -i audio1.mp3 \

Step3 The -c:v copy flag tells FFmpeg to copy the video stream from the source file without re-encoding it. This helps to speed up the process and avoid quality loss.

-c:v copy \

-filter_complex “ \

Step4 The command “amix=inputs=2:duration=longest“ tells amix to accept 2 inputs (0:a and 1:a) and combine them into an output stream called audio_out, with the duration of the longest input.

[0:a][1:a] amix=inputs=2:duration=longest [audio_out] \

Step5 Map the video stream (0:v) and the mixed audio stream (audio_out) into the final output video.

-map 0:v -map “[audio_out]“ \

Step6 The -y flag tells FFmpeg to overwrite the output file if it already exists.

-y output.mp4

Once complete, you’ll find the newly created video file with the mixed audio in the specified output location.

Mixing Two Audios Into a Video Adjusting Volume

We will be taking a step further and show you how to merge two audio tracks into a video while adjusting the volume of one of the audio tracks. This can be useful when you want to emphasize one audio track over the other, for example, to make the voiceover more prominent in a video.

And here’s the step-by-step process:

Step1 Start the command by specifying the input files.

ffmpeg \

-i video1.mp4 -i audio1.mp3 \

Step2 Use the filter_complex option to specify a filter graph.

-filter_complex “ \

[0:a] volume=0.5 [music];

Step3 Use the amix filter to take the “music“ stream and audio1.mp3 and mix them.

[music][1:a] amix=inputs=2:duration=longest [audio_out] \

“ \

Step4 Use the map option to specify which streams from the input files should be included in the output file.

-map 0:v -map “[audio_out]“ \

Step5 Specify the output file name as “output.mp4“ and the -y flag to overwrite the output file without asking for confirmation if it already exists.

-y output.mp4

Mixing Two Audios Into a Video With Delay

When creating videos, sometimes the audio needs to be synced with the video, or you want to add a delay to the audio track. Here’s how to add delay to an audio track using FFmpeg.

Step1 Use the adelay filter to add delay to the audio track.

[1:a] adelay=2100|2100 [voice];

Step2 Mix the delayed audio track with the original audio track

[0:a][voice] amix=inputs=2:duration=longest [audio_out]

Step3 Map the video and audio tracks to the output file

-map 0:v -map “[audio_out]“

Step4 Use the -y flag to overwrite the output file

-y output.mp4

The final command would look like this:

ffmpeg \

-i video1.mp4 -i audio1.mp3 \

-filter_complex “ \

[1:a] adelay=2100|2100 [voice]; \

[0:a][voice] amix=inputs=2:duration=longest [audio_out] \

“ \

-map 0:v -map “[audio_out]“ \

-y output.mp4

This command will delay the audio track by 2100 milliseconds and then mix it with the original audio track, resulting in a new video file with the delayed audio.

It May Interest You - Merge Audio and Video Files With Filmora

While FFmpeg is a powerful tool for merging audio and video files, its learning curve can be steep for some users. If you’re looking for an easier option, you may consider using video editing software like Filmora.

What Is Filmora?

Wondershare Filmora is a video editing software that allows users to create professional-looking videos easily. It offers a user-friendly interface, making it an excellent option for those needing a more extensive video editing experience.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

This software offers an intuitive interface and a wide range of features that make it easy to merge audio and video files, even for beginners. In addition, Filmora provides various options for editing and enhancing the audio and video files, giving you more control over the final output. Filmora is a great alternative to FFmpeg for those who want to merge audio and video files quickly and easily.

How To Combine Audio and Video Files Using Filmora

Filmora is a user-friendly video editing software that allows you to easily combine audio and video files to create a polished and professional final product. So here’s the step-by-step process of combining audio and video files using Filmora.

Step1 Import audio and video files into Filmora using drag-and-drop or the “Import Media“ button.

filmora import media

Step2 Place the media files in the timeline and align the video with the audio.

filmora align media

Step3 Replace the original audio by right-clicking the video, selectingDetach Audio,” deleting the original audio, and replacing it with new audio.

filmora detach audio

Step4 Export the final video by selecting a format and clickingExport,” or publish directly to YouTube or burn to DVD.

filmora export video

People Also Ask

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the merging function of FFmpeg and other related topics:

Q1. How To Merge Image and Video in FFmpeg?

To merge an image and a video using FFmpeg, first, use the -loop option on the image to loop it for the duration of the video, then use the overlay filter to overlay the image on the video. The command would look like this:

ffmpeg -i video.mp4 -i image.jpg -filter_complex “[0:v][1:v] overlay=0:0” -pix_fmt yuv420p -c:a copy output.mp4

This command takes the input video and image, applies the overlay filter to overlay the image on the video starting at the top left corner (0:0), and outputs the result to output.mp4. The -pix_fmt yuv420p and -c:a copy options ensure compatibility with most devices.

Q2. Can I Merge 2 MP4 Files Into 1?

Yes, you can merge two MP4 files into one using Filmora. To do this, follow these steps:

Step1 Open Filmora and import the video files

Step2 Drag the videos to the timeline

Step3 Align the second video with the first without leaving any gaps

Step4 ClickExport“ and select desired settings

Step5 ClickExport“ again to save the combined video on your computer.

Q3. How Can I Merge the Video and Subtitle?

To merge video and subtitle in Filmora, follow these steps:

Step1 Open Filmora and import your SRT subtitle file.

Step2 Place the SRT file on the timeline and right-click on it. Select “Advanced Edit“ from the options.

Step3 Adjust the subtitle’s time code, text, color, font, and other settings. When finished, chooseExport Subtitle file“ to save the changes.

Still want to learn more tricks about adding subtitles to your video? Check out the video below:

Conclusion

Using FFmpeg and Filmora, you can easily combine video with audio, merge multiple video files, and add subtitles to your videos. Both tools offer different features and learning curves, so it’s important to understand what you need before choosing one. Filmora is a great option for beginners and those who want a user-friendly interface, while FFmpeg is a powerful command-line tool for advanced users.

  • -i INPUT_FILE.mp4“ flag specifies INPUT_FILE.mp4 as the input source.
  • -i AUDIO.wav,” tells FFmpeg to take AUDIO.wav as an input source.
  • The “-c:v copy“ flag is a short form of “-codec:v copy,” which means to copy the video stream from the source files to the destination file.
  • The “-c:a aac“ flag means selecting all the audio streams from the source files and then encoding them with the AAC encoder.
  • mp4“ specifies the name of the output file.

Step3 In case you don’t want any audio conversion, drop the aac part in the command and replace it with copy; the command would look like this:

ffmpeg -i INPUT_FILE.mp4 -i AUDIO.aac -c:v copy -c:a copy OUTPUT_FILE.mp4

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How To Combine Video With Two Audio Using FFmpeg

Are you looking to add multiple audio tracks to your video? With FFmpeg, you can easily combine video with two audio streams. Whether creating a foreign-language version of your video or adding an alternate audio track, this method will help you achieve professional results. This section will guide you through combining video with two audio streams using FFmpeg’s command-line interface. So, let’s get started!

Mixing Two Audios Into a Video

Combining multiple audio tracks into one video can be done easily with FFmpeg’s command-line interface. In this example, we will combine two audio tracks into one video so that the voiceover will play over the background music. Here’s the step-by-step process:

Step1 Open your command prompt or terminal and navigate to the directory where your video and audio files are located.

Step2 Replacevideo1.mp4“ and “audio1.mp3“ with the names of your actual video and audio files.

ffmpeg \

-i video1.mp4 -i audio1.mp3 \

Step3 The -c:v copy flag tells FFmpeg to copy the video stream from the source file without re-encoding it. This helps to speed up the process and avoid quality loss.

-c:v copy \

-filter_complex “ \

Step4 The command “amix=inputs=2:duration=longest“ tells amix to accept 2 inputs (0:a and 1:a) and combine them into an output stream called audio_out, with the duration of the longest input.

[0:a][1:a] amix=inputs=2:duration=longest [audio_out] \

Step5 Map the video stream (0:v) and the mixed audio stream (audio_out) into the final output video.

-map 0:v -map “[audio_out]“ \

Step6 The -y flag tells FFmpeg to overwrite the output file if it already exists.

-y output.mp4

Once complete, you’ll find the newly created video file with the mixed audio in the specified output location.

Mixing Two Audios Into a Video Adjusting Volume

We will be taking a step further and show you how to merge two audio tracks into a video while adjusting the volume of one of the audio tracks. This can be useful when you want to emphasize one audio track over the other, for example, to make the voiceover more prominent in a video.

And here’s the step-by-step process:

Step1 Start the command by specifying the input files.

ffmpeg \

-i video1.mp4 -i audio1.mp3 \

Step2 Use the filter_complex option to specify a filter graph.

-filter_complex “ \

[0:a] volume=0.5 [music];

Step3 Use the amix filter to take the “music“ stream and audio1.mp3 and mix them.

[music][1:a] amix=inputs=2:duration=longest [audio_out] \

“ \

Step4 Use the map option to specify which streams from the input files should be included in the output file.

-map 0:v -map “[audio_out]“ \

Step5 Specify the output file name as “output.mp4“ and the -y flag to overwrite the output file without asking for confirmation if it already exists.

-y output.mp4

Mixing Two Audios Into a Video With Delay

When creating videos, sometimes the audio needs to be synced with the video, or you want to add a delay to the audio track. Here’s how to add delay to an audio track using FFmpeg.

Step1 Use the adelay filter to add delay to the audio track.

[1:a] adelay=2100|2100 [voice];

Step2 Mix the delayed audio track with the original audio track

[0:a][voice] amix=inputs=2:duration=longest [audio_out]

Step3 Map the video and audio tracks to the output file

-map 0:v -map “[audio_out]“

Step4 Use the -y flag to overwrite the output file

-y output.mp4

The final command would look like this:

ffmpeg \

-i video1.mp4 -i audio1.mp3 \

-filter_complex “ \

[1:a] adelay=2100|2100 [voice]; \

[0:a][voice] amix=inputs=2:duration=longest [audio_out] \

“ \

-map 0:v -map “[audio_out]“ \

-y output.mp4

This command will delay the audio track by 2100 milliseconds and then mix it with the original audio track, resulting in a new video file with the delayed audio.

It May Interest You - Merge Audio and Video Files With Filmora

While FFmpeg is a powerful tool for merging audio and video files, its learning curve can be steep for some users. If you’re looking for an easier option, you may consider using video editing software like Filmora.

What Is Filmora?

Wondershare Filmora is a video editing software that allows users to create professional-looking videos easily. It offers a user-friendly interface, making it an excellent option for those needing a more extensive video editing experience.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

This software offers an intuitive interface and a wide range of features that make it easy to merge audio and video files, even for beginners. In addition, Filmora provides various options for editing and enhancing the audio and video files, giving you more control over the final output. Filmora is a great alternative to FFmpeg for those who want to merge audio and video files quickly and easily.

How To Combine Audio and Video Files Using Filmora

Filmora is a user-friendly video editing software that allows you to easily combine audio and video files to create a polished and professional final product. So here’s the step-by-step process of combining audio and video files using Filmora.

Step1 Import audio and video files into Filmora using drag-and-drop or the “Import Media“ button.

filmora import media

Step2 Place the media files in the timeline and align the video with the audio.

filmora align media

Step3 Replace the original audio by right-clicking the video, selectingDetach Audio,” deleting the original audio, and replacing it with new audio.

filmora detach audio

Step4 Export the final video by selecting a format and clickingExport,” or publish directly to YouTube or burn to DVD.

filmora export video

People Also Ask

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the merging function of FFmpeg and other related topics:

Q1. How To Merge Image and Video in FFmpeg?

To merge an image and a video using FFmpeg, first, use the -loop option on the image to loop it for the duration of the video, then use the overlay filter to overlay the image on the video. The command would look like this:

ffmpeg -i video.mp4 -i image.jpg -filter_complex “[0:v][1:v] overlay=0:0” -pix_fmt yuv420p -c:a copy output.mp4

This command takes the input video and image, applies the overlay filter to overlay the image on the video starting at the top left corner (0:0), and outputs the result to output.mp4. The -pix_fmt yuv420p and -c:a copy options ensure compatibility with most devices.

Q2. Can I Merge 2 MP4 Files Into 1?

Yes, you can merge two MP4 files into one using Filmora. To do this, follow these steps:

Step1 Open Filmora and import the video files

Step2 Drag the videos to the timeline

Step3 Align the second video with the first without leaving any gaps

Step4 ClickExport“ and select desired settings

Step5 ClickExport“ again to save the combined video on your computer.

Q3. How Can I Merge the Video and Subtitle?

To merge video and subtitle in Filmora, follow these steps:

Step1 Open Filmora and import your SRT subtitle file.

Step2 Place the SRT file on the timeline and right-click on it. Select “Advanced Edit“ from the options.

Step3 Adjust the subtitle’s time code, text, color, font, and other settings. When finished, chooseExport Subtitle file“ to save the changes.

Still want to learn more tricks about adding subtitles to your video? Check out the video below:

Conclusion

Using FFmpeg and Filmora, you can easily combine video with audio, merge multiple video files, and add subtitles to your videos. Both tools offer different features and learning curves, so it’s important to understand what you need before choosing one. Filmora is a great option for beginners and those who want a user-friendly interface, while FFmpeg is a powerful command-line tool for advanced users.

7 Solutions to Cut Video on Mac without Using FFmpeg?

Tiktok, Instagram reels, and Ads are well-known short video platforms that are popular due to their ease of use. Making film collections for entertainment purposes is a popular trend. As the previous user mentioned, sometimes all you want is a section of your movie, which can be the highlight or any other part you want to keep. Long videos are no longer a problem with such a video cutter for Mac. If that’s what you’re looking for, you might want to look into some of the software that’s available here.

HOW TO CUT VIDEO ON MAC WITHOUT USING FFMPEG?

What are FFmpeg and its cons for cut videos?

Without transcoding the media, FFmpeg can cut, trim, and extract videos. This is an excellent method for preserving original quality and avoiding generation loss.

Because of how keyframes work, it is impossible to cut at an exact point in time using FFmpeg without transcoding the video. As a result, you’re left with a cut at the nearest keyframe.

BEST FREE FFMPEG ALTERNATIVE TO CUT VIDEO ON MAC

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FILMORA VIDEO EDITOR

Supported OS: Windows and Mac

Filmora Video Editor is another well-known video editor that is widely used for video editing. It was released two decades ago to provide low-cost video editing software. Aside from video cutting and joining, it has some great features such as adding filters, titles, texts, and so on. You can also record your voice or live music, mix audio and video tracks, and do other things. It is simple to use and is available for both Mac and Windows users.

Filmora includes an instant cutter tool that can be used throughout clip import and is designed for use with large amounts of high-resolution content. As the names indicate, it is very simple and serves only one purpose. You can drag multiple clips onto its window, but only if the Merge sub-mode is enabled. Trim mode is only for trimming the ends of a single clip, and its interface only displays one clip in the left-size source tray. You can Add Segments, which creates a new clip based on your trimmed original, but you can’t split a clip explicitly.

Free Download

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Free Download

For macOS 10.14 or later

Features:

  • All editing tools and features are well-displayed in the main windows, which can be found and used easily;
  • Very easy to cut or trim video files just with a few clicks;
  • Lots of filters, overlays, motion graphics, titles, and more special effects can be added to the video.
  • More features like Picture in Picture and Green Screen and Split Screen can be used to make videos more unique.

Pros:

  • Intuitive Interface
  • Easy To Use
  • Great Features
  • Affordable Perpetual License
  • Great Final Video Results
  • Faster Renders And Previews
  • Supports Screen Capturing
  • Support Wide Range Of File Formats
  • User Support Is Good

Cons:

  • Lacks Advanced Feature
  • Free Version Has Watermark
  • Not Available For Linux And Phones
  • Pricing Is Expensive
  • Software Lagging

Steps On How To Cut Video On Mac Using Filmora Video Editor

Step 1: Import Video Files

You will begin by importing the video files into the project window of your program through dragging and dropping.

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Step 2: Add Video To The Timeline

Drag and dropping are the easiest way to add the video to the timeline.

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Step 3: Cut Video

If you want to trim the video, just move the cursor at the beginning or end of the video. When the cursor becomes a cross, move it forward or backward. Trimming only allows you to cut the beginning or end of a video.

If you need to cut a section of a video, you should follow do this: move the cursor at the beginning of the video section you want to cut, then click the scissors icon > Next, move the cursor to the end of the video section you want to cut and click scissors icon > Right-click on the video section you want to cut and click “Delete“.

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Step 4: Export the Video

To export your video, click the “export” button and choose the local tab. After selecting the output device and format, just click “Create” to save it.

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HANDBRAKE

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Supported OS: Linux, Windows, and Mac

HandBrake is a multithreaded video transcoder that is unfastened and open source. It can compress and convert nearly any virtual media layout to another. HandBrake is able to rip encrypted DVDs the usage of libdvdcss (libdvdcss is covered with the VLC media participant on macOS and AnyDVD/DVD forty three on Windows).

This software program additionally enables batch processing, which converts a couple of video files at the same time. Additionally, a plethora of presets are available to guide you to the preferred output without having to tinker with a plethora of options.

Handbrake is a powerful and excellent video converter for Windows, Mac, and Linux that should not be overlooked. It provides all of the necessary features in a simple tool that gives the user complete control over the output. Before we get into the specifics, here’s a rundown of Handbrake’s advantages and disadvantages.

Features:

  • Support of chapter selections
  • Support of subtitles
  • Integrated bitrate calculator
  • Picture deinterlacing, cropping, and scaling
  • Live Video Preview

Pros:

  • HandBrake has a very simple layout which makes the video converter very easy to use, even for those who are converting videos for the first time.
  • The live preview helps.
  • The fact that the software is free and has device presets for iOS and Android certainly makes HandBrake a welcome video converter.
  • The queuing tray for batch conversions is particularly nice.
  • People who convert a lot of videos will find it very helpful.

Cons:

  • On the flip side, the settings are not always easy to deal with.
  • It takes a lot of time and then there are errors. The latest version fixes some old bugs but there are hiccups.
  • The live preview is for up to four minutes of a video.
  • It is futile for very long videos.
  • The settings interface and that of the live preview could be better.
  • The open-source software also doesn’t support all video formats.
  • Given the diversity of devices and the multitude of formats in use today, HandBrake needs more compatibility.

Steps On How To Compress Video Using Handbrake

  1. After you download and install Handbrake, open the app. On the left side, under ‘Source Selection’, click ‘File’. Select the file from the folder and then click ‘open’.

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  1. Choose where you want the compressed video to be saved by clicking ‘Browse’.

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  1. Enter a name for the video, and click ‘Save’.

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  1. Under ‘Output Settings’, choose MP4 for ‘Container’.

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  1. Click the ‘Video’ tab, under it, is the ‘Video Codec’, choose (x264).

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  1. Select a Preset from the ‘Preset Drawer’. We recommend you choose Fast1030p 30 for high quality.

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  1. Choose the ‘framerate’, depending on your source video i.e. NTSC (29.97fps), then make it 30fps by choosing 30. Also, tick the ‘Constant Framerate’ to ensure better compatibility.

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  1. Enter an ‘Average Bitrate (kbps)’ for the video between 5,000-10,000 (take note: higher bitrate has higher quality video but will take longer to upload and download).

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  1. Click the ‘Picture’ tab if you want to change the video frame size or resolution.

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  1. Change ‘Anamorphic’ to ‘None’, and ‘Modulus’ to ‘16’. And tick ‘Keep Aspect Ratio’. Use the arrow down on Width to change from 1920 (full HD) down to 1280.

  2. Select the ‘Audio’ tab and choose 48 for the Samplerate. Choose Stereo for Mixdown. Choose 320 for your audio Bitrate.

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  1. Hit the ‘Start Encode’ button and wait until the video has finished compressing. Handbrake will let you know when it has finished.

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SHUTTER ENCODER

Supported OS: Mac, Linux, and Windows

Shutter Encoder offers a complimentary codec and conversion tool for everyone that was created in collaboration with video editors.

Convert your videos, images, and audio files to OP-Atom format, which is compatible with Avid Media Composer and Pro Tools. Encode your files, replace audio, burn to DVD, analyze audio volume, download web videos, and create your own timelapse.

Analyze audio loudness, replace audio, author DVDs and Blu-rays, create image sequences, download web videos, and more. Everything is done as simply and efficiently as possible

Shutter Encoder makes use of Java as well as other tools such as 7za, VLC, FFmpeg, ExifTool, MKVMerge (part of MKVToolNix), MediaInfo, DVDAuthor, youtube-dl, and others.

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Shutter Encoder offers advanced users the option to tailor the conversion individually. You can, for example, manually change the bitrate of audio and video, but you can also set a file size limit and perform the conversion based on that. Further work techniques, such as the ability to enable hardware of the computer itself and complete the conversion according to a predefined profile, are available in a separate box.

Features:

  • Without conversion: Cut without re-encoding, Replace audio, Rewrap, Conform, Merge, Subtitling (create subtitles for a video), Video inserts
  • Sound conversion: WAV, AIFF, FLAC, MP3, AC3, OPUS, OGG
  • Editing codecs: DNxHD, DNxHR, Apple ProRes, QT Animation, Uncompressed YUV
  • Output codecs: , DV PAL, XDCAM HD422, AVC-Intra 100, XAVC, HAP, , VP9, AV1, OGV, MJPEG, Xvid, WMV, MPEG
  • Archiving codec: FFV1
  • Image creation: JPEG, PNG, TIF, TGA, DPX, BPM, ICO, WEBP
  • Burn & Rip: DVD, Blu-ray, DVD RIP
  • Analysis: Loudness & True Peak, Audio normalization, Cut detection, Black detection
  • Download web videos using youtube-dl

Pros:

  • Conversion according to profiles
  • Extensive advanced options
  • Built-in editing capabilities

Cons:

  • Limited preview capability

Steps On How To Use Shutter Encoder

  1. To start, drag the video from your file manager and drop it onto the Shutter Encoder window, or use the ‘Browse’ button available in the upper left-hand side corner of the window to add a video.

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  1. Next, from the ‘Choose function’ drop-down menu, scroll to (it’s the first under Output codecs). You will now see some new options in a new panel that appears on the right-hand side of the Shutter Encoder window. From there, if you want to crop the video, click the Crop checkbox:

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  1. A new window will pop up where you can use your mouse to crop the video to the desired size. If you want to change it to a predefined, fixed-size ratio value, uncheck the ‘Manual mode’ box, and you’ll be able to choose a ratio from the ‘Pre-settings’ drop-down.

  2. Next, if you want to change the profile, expand the ‘Advanced features’ item in the Shutter Encoder sidebar, check the box for the Force profile option, then change the profile to what you want to use:

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  1. When you’re done with the video adjustments you want to make, click the ‘Start function’ button, and Shutter Encoder will begin encoding your new video.

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AVIDEMUX

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Supported OS: Linux, BSD, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows

Avidemux offers three fundamental operations: cutting, encoding, and filtering. Cutting allows users to copy, paste, save, or delete a specific part of a video and is incredibly beneficial when users are only interested in a small portion of a video or want to remove commercials from a TV show that they have recorded.

Encoding, on the other contrary, is the way of transforming a video to various formats so that it can be played on different players. Users of Avidemux can use this feature on videos they want to use for business or archive for personal use. They could also use this to convert a video that they intend to post online.

Users can also use Avidemux to filter their videos, which include incorporating subtitles and color profiles, deinterlacing, resizing and sharpening the image of a video, and increasing or decreasing the overall volume of the audio.

Meanwhile, Avidemux has task automation features that make video processing and editing quick and painless. A feature called Joblist allows users to organize their projects in a queue so that they can access their files from a single location. They can use this queue to handle videos in bulk as well.

Features:

  • Multiple Formats
  • Video Filters
  • Advanced Interlacing
  • Full Editing Control
  • Simple Interface
  • Open Source

Pros:

  • Covers standard formats.
  • All essential features are present.
  • Surprisingly advanced filtering, processing, editing, and filtering controls.
  • The interface is easy to learn.
  • Open-source

Cons:

  • The interface is very legacy and needs remodeling
  • No longer updated
  • No support

Steps On How To Cut Videos On Avidemux:

  1. Open up Avidemux, and load the video file that you want to work with. If you get a prompt like this one: we recommend clicking Yes to use the safer mode.

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  1. Find the portion of the video that you’d like to isolate. Get as close as you can to the start of the clip you want to cut.

  2. You want it to read I; if it isn’t framed type I, then use the single left and right arrow buttons to go forward or backward one frame until you find an appropriate I frame.

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  1. Once you’ve found the right starting frame, click the button with the A over a red bar. This will set the start of the clip.

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  1. Advance to where you want your clip to end. Click on the button with a B when you’ve found the appropriate frame. This frame can be of any type.

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  1. You can now save the clip, either by going to File –> Save –> Save Video, or by pressing Ctrl+S. Give the file a name, and Avidemux will prepare your clip.

BEST PAID FFMPEG ALTERNATIVE TO CUT VIDEO ON MAC

JOYOSHARE MEDIA CUTTER

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Supported OS: Mac and Windows

The best video cutting tool is Joyoshare Media Cutter for Windows (or Mac). As a professional video trimmer, it allows you to cut your media files at a 60X faster rate, allowing you to clip a 60-minute video or audio file in just one minute. The interface design is also simple and clean, allowing you to do it quickly.

Another noteworthy feature is the ability to easily cut and merge both video and audio without sacrificing quality. The cropper supports a variety of video and audio formats, including AVI, MP4, MPEG, VOB, WMV, ASF, RM, RMVB, 3GP, MP3, WMA, M4R, and others, allowing you to save the file in any format and on any device, including Apple.

More notably, this is a capable all-in-one video cutter. In addition to cutting videos and audio, it can convert all popular video formats, extract audio from video files, and merge video and audio files from the same source into a new one.

Features:

Convert to Any File Format

Merge Video and Audio Files into Multiple Formats

Improved Accuracy & Efficiency in Cutting Videos

60X Fast Conversion

Pros:

  • Offers an easy way to cut, merge, and convert video files
  • Blazing fast video-cutting and file-conversion speed
  • Supports multiple audio and video file formats

Cons:

  • Can only merge videos from the same source. That means you can’t use the program to merge separate videos from your gallery.
  • The program doesn’t offer an easy way to remove an unwanted part of a video if it’s in the middle of the video. The only way to do that is by cutting the section before and after the video, then merging them into one.

Steps:

Step 1: Adding Video

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To add a video, click the “Open” button. Locate the video you want to trim from your collection and open it. Alternatively, you can use the drag-and-drop feature.

Step 2: Select the Segment to Be Trimmed

At the bottom of the Joyoshare video window, you’ll be able to see a time slider through which you can skip to your desired timeframe. Move the slider handles attached to the yellow timeline bar to set the starting and ending points of your video.

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Once you’ve set your desired starting point, click on the “[” button to highlight the starting segment, then move the right-hand slider to select the ending point, and click the ] button to set the end segment.

Step 3: Choose Your Desired Output Format and Destination Folder

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Click the “Format” button, and a new window will pop up where you’ll be able to choose your preferred output format.

Step 4: Trim the Video

Click the “Start” button to begin trimming the segment. Wait for a minute for the program to finalize trimming the segment, then click the save button. That’s it! You’ve successfully trimmed your first video.

If you wish to cut and merge several segments, click the “+” icon at the bottom of the segments tab, then follow the above procedure to create several segments.

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MOVAVI VIDEO EDITOR

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Supported OS: Mac and Windows

Movavi Video Editor for Mac and Windows is a simple-to-use yet effective video editor and cutter. Aside from cutting and joining short videos, it can apply various video effects, add music and titles, and so on to make your movie more visually appealing. The video cutter tool has an easy-to-use interface and outstanding instructional videos, so you can get started quickly.

Movavi comes with a bunch of video editing controls into a straightforward, user-friendly interface. PiP, chroma-key, titling, basic keyframing, and even motion tracking are included. It isn’t as feature-rich or as fast as most of the competition, but it allows you to easily create visually appealing work.

The tool is not free, but it does offer a limited-time free trial to users. However, it is a little irritating when the ad appears after you install and launch the trial version.

Features:

  • Media Library
  • Templates
  • Upload video or audio file
  • Video and image management
  • Title Editor
  • Trim & Slice
  • Video Effect
  • Slow Motion & Time Effect
  • Social Sharing
  • Brand Overlay
  • Text Overlay
  • Audio Tools
  • Speed Adjustment
  • Split / Merge
  • Video Stabilization

Pros:

  • Easy-to-understand user interface
  • Transitions with sound
  • Motion tracking and picture-in-picture tools
  • Chroma keying
  • Quick movie-creation tool

Cons:

  • Lacks advanced trim modes and clip pre-trimming
  • Rendering on the slow side
  • Not compatible with Apple Silicon M1

Steps:

  1. Add Video Files

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Launch Movavi’s MP4 trimmer, click the Add Media Files button, and upload the MP4 files you want to work with. The videos you’ve added will appear on the Timeline in the lower part of the program window.

  1. Cut And Trim Your Videos

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So how to cut MP4 video with Movavi Video Editor Plus? If you want to snip a video into two or more parts, click the file on the Timeline and move the red marker to the place where you want to make the first cut. Then click the Split button with the scissors icon or hit Ctrl+B. Repeat the process as many times as you need.

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If you want to trim your video clip, select the file on the Timeline and then just pull the edge of the clip to shorten it as shown in the picture.

  1. Save The Result

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All that’s left to do is save your edited video. Click the Export button, choose the appropriate video format, and hit Start.

XILISOFT VIDEO CUTTER

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Supported OS: Mac and Windows

Xilisoft Video Cutter is an effective programming cutter that lets you choose and cut your preferred segments in a single file as well as cut out the segments you don’t like. It is compatible with almost all popular video formats, including VCD, AVI, MPEG, MP4, WMV, 3GP, /MPEG-4 AVC, /PSP AVC, MOV, ASF, and others. It enables you to precisely set the start and end points.

While the software cannot cut segments from multiple input files at the same time, it can cut your selected source video into the number of clips you require in a single step. Xilisoft Video Cutter goes beyond standard cutting or slicing by allowing you to convert your video input files to a variety of well-known codecs. It is possible to convert the entire source file or just a specific segment, but this requires removing those unnecessary parts that frequently cause problems (TV advertisements, trailers, etc.).

Features:

Easily Cut Video Clips

Multi-trim Video to Whole

Output Clips to Multiple Formats

Instant Preview

Clear Timeline

Advanced Editing

1-2-3 Interface

Multilingual Interface

Pros:

Supports all of the most widely used video file formats

Converts your videos between formats

Simple cutting interface

Allows for multiple cuttings from a single source file

Cons:

Does not support batch processing

Steps On How To Cut Your Favored Segments:

  1. Add Source Video File

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Click the “Open“ button on the main interface, and select a video file in the pop-up window.

  1. Set Clip Segments

Click “Play” and click the “Set Start Point” and “Set End Point” buttons successively during playing the video to set the start point and endpoint of the clip.

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You can also set several segments. Click the “Show Advanced Mode” button and click the “New Clip” button in advanced mode to set the start and endpoints of the segments. Repeat the above steps to set several segments.

Tip: To delete a segment, please choose the segment in the segment list, and click the “Delete Clip” button on the toolbar; to adjust the segment order, please choose the segment and click the “Move Up” or “Move Down” button to adjust its order.

  1. Output Settings

Click the “Cut” button at the bottom of the window to open the “Output Settings” window.

  1. Start Cutting

Click the “OK” button to start video cutting. During cutting, you can check the cutting status by dragging the process bar or canceling the cutting. Tip: After cutting is done, click the “Open Output Folder” button to open the destination folder to check the clippings. Click the “Done” button to go back to the main window.

WHICH SHOULD I CHOOSE: FREE OR PAID VIDEO CUTTER ON MAC?

Whether you choose Free or Paid Video Cutter, it still depends on your edit and navigation if the project will succeed like what you’re anticipating. Beginners in the industry can go for Free Video Cutters to practice the craft without worrying about the monthly subscription.

However, if you’re a professional, I highly suggest that you choose Paid Video Cutter to lessen the hassle and create amazing output.

FAQS ABOUT CUTTING VIDEOS

  1. How can I cut a video without losing quality?

Trimming VLC through LosslessCut

LosslessCut is an open-source video cutter that runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac. Like Filmora, this software also allows you to cut videos without re-encoding, so there is no loss of quality.

  1. Who is the best video cutter?

Filmora is one of the best video cutter software that allows you to change the aesthetic of your video with one click. It comes with a wide range of video effects that enable you to make clips look good. Features: This tool provides fast editing processing and adjustable preview quality.

  1. Why does trimming videos reduce quality?

In most cases, trimming only causes a minor loss of video quality. And there is no clear causal relationship between trimming and losing video quality. The main factors that influence video quality are Resolution, Bitrate, and Frame size.

If you are longing to pick up the best video cutter for Mac, you are supposed to evaluate it from different aspects, like operating interface, cutting features, output quality, post-processing ability, etc. Frankly speaking, there is no fixed answer. Everything depends on your actual requirements. If you want to cut videos on Mac with the forthright method, iMovie can be your top priority. If you prefer top-leading editing features, Blender is competitive enough for you.

Conclusion:

There you have it! Here is the alternative software to cut/shorten your video without using FFmpeg. All these editors cater to different needs, so be sure to try them out, understand your requirements, and use the right one for your project!

FILMORA VIDEO EDITOR

Supported OS: Windows and Mac

Filmora Video Editor is another well-known video editor that is widely used for video editing. It was released two decades ago to provide low-cost video editing software. Aside from video cutting and joining, it has some great features such as adding filters, titles, texts, and so on. You can also record your voice or live music, mix audio and video tracks, and do other things. It is simple to use and is available for both Mac and Windows users.

Filmora includes an instant cutter tool that can be used throughout clip import and is designed for use with large amounts of high-resolution content. As the names indicate, it is very simple and serves only one purpose. You can drag multiple clips onto its window, but only if the Merge sub-mode is enabled. Trim mode is only for trimming the ends of a single clip, and its interface only displays one clip in the left-size source tray. You can Add Segments, which creates a new clip based on your trimmed original, but you can’t split a clip explicitly.

Free Download

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Free Download

For macOS 10.14 or later

Features:

  • All editing tools and features are well-displayed in the main windows, which can be found and used easily;
  • Very easy to cut or trim video files just with a few clicks;
  • Lots of filters, overlays, motion graphics, titles, and more special effects can be added to the video.
  • More features like Picture in Picture and Green Screen and Split Screen can be used to make videos more unique.

Pros:

  • Intuitive Interface
  • Easy To Use
  • Great Features
  • Affordable Perpetual License
  • Great Final Video Results
  • Faster Renders And Previews
  • Supports Screen Capturing
  • Support Wide Range Of File Formats
  • User Support Is Good

Cons:

  • Lacks Advanced Feature
  • Free Version Has Watermark
  • Not Available For Linux And Phones
  • Pricing Is Expensive
  • Software Lagging

Steps On How To Cut Video On Mac Using Filmora Video Editor

Step 1: Import Video Files

You will begin by importing the video files into the project window of your program through dragging and dropping.

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Step 2: Add Video To The Timeline

Drag and dropping are the easiest way to add the video to the timeline.

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Step 3: Cut Video

If you want to trim the video, just move the cursor at the beginning or end of the video. When the cursor becomes a cross, move it forward or backward. Trimming only allows you to cut the beginning or end of a video.

If you need to cut a section of a video, you should follow do this: move the cursor at the beginning of the video section you want to cut, then click the scissors icon > Next, move the cursor to the end of the video section you want to cut and click scissors icon > Right-click on the video section you want to cut and click “Delete“.

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Step 4: Export the Video

To export your video, click the “export” button and choose the local tab. After selecting the output device and format, just click “Create” to save it.

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HANDBRAKE

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Supported OS: Linux, Windows, and Mac

HandBrake is a multithreaded video transcoder that is unfastened and open source. It can compress and convert nearly any virtual media layout to another. HandBrake is able to rip encrypted DVDs the usage of libdvdcss (libdvdcss is covered with the VLC media participant on macOS and AnyDVD/DVD forty three on Windows).

This software program additionally enables batch processing, which converts a couple of video files at the same time. Additionally, a plethora of presets are available to guide you to the preferred output without having to tinker with a plethora of options.

Handbrake is a powerful and excellent video converter for Windows, Mac, and Linux that should not be overlooked. It provides all of the necessary features in a simple tool that gives the user complete control over the output. Before we get into the specifics, here’s a rundown of Handbrake’s advantages and disadvantages.

Features:

  • Support of chapter selections
  • Support of subtitles
  • Integrated bitrate calculator
  • Picture deinterlacing, cropping, and scaling
  • Live Video Preview

Pros:

  • HandBrake has a very simple layout which makes the video converter very easy to use, even for those who are converting videos for the first time.
  • The live preview helps.
  • The fact that the software is free and has device presets for iOS and Android certainly makes HandBrake a welcome video converter.
  • The queuing tray for batch conversions is particularly nice.
  • People who convert a lot of videos will find it very helpful.

Cons:

  • On the flip side, the settings are not always easy to deal with.
  • It takes a lot of time and then there are errors. The latest version fixes some old bugs but there are hiccups.
  • The live preview is for up to four minutes of a video.
  • It is futile for very long videos.
  • The settings interface and that of the live preview could be better.
  • The open-source software also doesn’t support all video formats.
  • Given the diversity of devices and the multitude of formats in use today, HandBrake needs more compatibility.

Steps On How To Compress Video Using Handbrake

  1. After you download and install Handbrake, open the app. On the left side, under ‘Source Selection’, click ‘File’. Select the file from the folder and then click ‘open’.

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  1. Choose where you want the compressed video to be saved by clicking ‘Browse’.

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  1. Enter a name for the video, and click ‘Save’.

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  1. Under ‘Output Settings’, choose MP4 for ‘Container’.

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  1. Click the ‘Video’ tab, under it, is the ‘Video Codec’, choose (x264).

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  1. Select a Preset from the ‘Preset Drawer’. We recommend you choose Fast1030p 30 for high quality.

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  1. Choose the ‘framerate’, depending on your source video i.e. NTSC (29.97fps), then make it 30fps by choosing 30. Also, tick the ‘Constant Framerate’ to ensure better compatibility.

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  1. Enter an ‘Average Bitrate (kbps)’ for the video between 5,000-10,000 (take note: higher bitrate has higher quality video but will take longer to upload and download).

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  1. Click the ‘Picture’ tab if you want to change the video frame size or resolution.

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  1. Change ‘Anamorphic’ to ‘None’, and ‘Modulus’ to ‘16’. And tick ‘Keep Aspect Ratio’. Use the arrow down on Width to change from 1920 (full HD) down to 1280.

  2. Select the ‘Audio’ tab and choose 48 for the Samplerate. Choose Stereo for Mixdown. Choose 320 for your audio Bitrate.

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  1. Hit the ‘Start Encode’ button and wait until the video has finished compressing. Handbrake will let you know when it has finished.

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SHUTTER ENCODER

Supported OS: Mac, Linux, and Windows

Shutter Encoder offers a complimentary codec and conversion tool for everyone that was created in collaboration with video editors.

Convert your videos, images, and audio files to OP-Atom format, which is compatible with Avid Media Composer and Pro Tools. Encode your files, replace audio, burn to DVD, analyze audio volume, download web videos, and create your own timelapse.

Analyze audio loudness, replace audio, author DVDs and Blu-rays, create image sequences, download web videos, and more. Everything is done as simply and efficiently as possible

Shutter Encoder makes use of Java as well as other tools such as 7za, VLC, FFmpeg, ExifTool, MKVMerge (part of MKVToolNix), MediaInfo, DVDAuthor, youtube-dl, and others.

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Shutter Encoder offers advanced users the option to tailor the conversion individually. You can, for example, manually change the bitrate of audio and video, but you can also set a file size limit and perform the conversion based on that. Further work techniques, such as the ability to enable hardware of the computer itself and complete the conversion according to a predefined profile, are available in a separate box.

Features:

  • Without conversion: Cut without re-encoding, Replace audio, Rewrap, Conform, Merge, Subtitling (create subtitles for a video), Video inserts
  • Sound conversion: WAV, AIFF, FLAC, MP3, AC3, OPUS, OGG
  • Editing codecs: DNxHD, DNxHR, Apple ProRes, QT Animation, Uncompressed YUV
  • Output codecs: , DV PAL, XDCAM HD422, AVC-Intra 100, XAVC, HAP, , VP9, AV1, OGV, MJPEG, Xvid, WMV, MPEG
  • Archiving codec: FFV1
  • Image creation: JPEG, PNG, TIF, TGA, DPX, BPM, ICO, WEBP
  • Burn & Rip: DVD, Blu-ray, DVD RIP
  • Analysis: Loudness & True Peak, Audio normalization, Cut detection, Black detection
  • Download web videos using youtube-dl

Pros:

  • Conversion according to profiles
  • Extensive advanced options
  • Built-in editing capabilities

Cons:

  • Limited preview capability

Steps On How To Use Shutter Encoder

  1. To start, drag the video from your file manager and drop it onto the Shutter Encoder window, or use the ‘Browse’ button available in the upper left-hand side corner of the window to add a video.

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  1. Next, from the ‘Choose function’ drop-down menu, scroll to (it’s the first under Output codecs). You will now see some new options in a new panel that appears on the right-hand side of the Shutter Encoder window. From there, if you want to crop the video, click the Crop checkbox:

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  1. A new window will pop up where you can use your mouse to crop the video to the desired size. If you want to change it to a predefined, fixed-size ratio value, uncheck the ‘Manual mode’ box, and you’ll be able to choose a ratio from the ‘Pre-settings’ drop-down.

  2. Next, if you want to change the profile, expand the ‘Advanced features’ item in the Shutter Encoder sidebar, check the box for the Force profile option, then change the profile to what you want to use:

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  1. When you’re done with the video adjustments you want to make, click the ‘Start function’ button, and Shutter Encoder will begin encoding your new video.

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AVIDEMUX

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Supported OS: Linux, BSD, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows

Avidemux offers three fundamental operations: cutting, encoding, and filtering. Cutting allows users to copy, paste, save, or delete a specific part of a video and is incredibly beneficial when users are only interested in a small portion of a video or want to remove commercials from a TV show that they have recorded.

Encoding, on the other contrary, is the way of transforming a video to various formats so that it can be played on different players. Users of Avidemux can use this feature on videos they want to use for business or archive for personal use. They could also use this to convert a video that they intend to post online.

Users can also use Avidemux to filter their videos, which include incorporating subtitles and color profiles, deinterlacing, resizing and sharpening the image of a video, and increasing or decreasing the overall volume of the audio.

Meanwhile, Avidemux has task automation features that make video processing and editing quick and painless. A feature called Joblist allows users to organize their projects in a queue so that they can access their files from a single location. They can use this queue to handle videos in bulk as well.

Features:

  • Multiple Formats
  • Video Filters
  • Advanced Interlacing
  • Full Editing Control
  • Simple Interface
  • Open Source

Pros:

  • Covers standard formats.
  • All essential features are present.
  • Surprisingly advanced filtering, processing, editing, and filtering controls.
  • The interface is easy to learn.
  • Open-source

Cons:

  • The interface is very legacy and needs remodeling
  • No longer updated
  • No support

Steps On How To Cut Videos On Avidemux:

  1. Open up Avidemux, and load the video file that you want to work with. If you get a prompt like this one: we recommend clicking Yes to use the safer mode.

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  1. Find the portion of the video that you’d like to isolate. Get as close as you can to the start of the clip you want to cut.

  2. You want it to read I; if it isn’t framed type I, then use the single left and right arrow buttons to go forward or backward one frame until you find an appropriate I frame.

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  1. Once you’ve found the right starting frame, click the button with the A over a red bar. This will set the start of the clip.

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  1. Advance to where you want your clip to end. Click on the button with a B when you’ve found the appropriate frame. This frame can be of any type.

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  1. You can now save the clip, either by going to File –> Save –> Save Video, or by pressing Ctrl+S. Give the file a name, and Avidemux will prepare your clip.

BEST PAID FFMPEG ALTERNATIVE TO CUT VIDEO ON MAC

JOYOSHARE MEDIA CUTTER

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Supported OS: Mac and Windows

The best video cutting tool is Joyoshare Media Cutter for Windows (or Mac). As a professional video trimmer, it allows you to cut your media files at a 60X faster rate, allowing you to clip a 60-minute video or audio file in just one minute. The interface design is also simple and clean, allowing you to do it quickly.

Another noteworthy feature is the ability to easily cut and merge both video and audio without sacrificing quality. The cropper supports a variety of video and audio formats, including AVI, MP4, MPEG, VOB, WMV, ASF, RM, RMVB, 3GP, MP3, WMA, M4R, and others, allowing you to save the file in any format and on any device, including Apple.

More notably, this is a capable all-in-one video cutter. In addition to cutting videos and audio, it can convert all popular video formats, extract audio from video files, and merge video and audio files from the same source into a new one.

Features:

Convert to Any File Format

Merge Video and Audio Files into Multiple Formats

Improved Accuracy & Efficiency in Cutting Videos

60X Fast Conversion

Pros:

  • Offers an easy way to cut, merge, and convert video files
  • Blazing fast video-cutting and file-conversion speed
  • Supports multiple audio and video file formats

Cons:

  • Can only merge videos from the same source. That means you can’t use the program to merge separate videos from your gallery.
  • The program doesn’t offer an easy way to remove an unwanted part of a video if it’s in the middle of the video. The only way to do that is by cutting the section before and after the video, then merging them into one.

Steps:

Step 1: Adding Video

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To add a video, click the “Open” button. Locate the video you want to trim from your collection and open it. Alternatively, you can use the drag-and-drop feature.

Step 2: Select the Segment to Be Trimmed

At the bottom of the Joyoshare video window, you’ll be able to see a time slider through which you can skip to your desired timeframe. Move the slider handles attached to the yellow timeline bar to set the starting and ending points of your video.

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Once you’ve set your desired starting point, click on the “[” button to highlight the starting segment, then move the right-hand slider to select the ending point, and click the ] button to set the end segment.

Step 3: Choose Your Desired Output Format and Destination Folder

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Click the “Format” button, and a new window will pop up where you’ll be able to choose your preferred output format.

Step 4: Trim the Video

Click the “Start” button to begin trimming the segment. Wait for a minute for the program to finalize trimming the segment, then click the save button. That’s it! You’ve successfully trimmed your first video.

If you wish to cut and merge several segments, click the “+” icon at the bottom of the segments tab, then follow the above procedure to create several segments.

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MOVAVI VIDEO EDITOR

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Supported OS: Mac and Windows

Movavi Video Editor for Mac and Windows is a simple-to-use yet effective video editor and cutter. Aside from cutting and joining short videos, it can apply various video effects, add music and titles, and so on to make your movie more visually appealing. The video cutter tool has an easy-to-use interface and outstanding instructional videos, so you can get started quickly.

Movavi comes with a bunch of video editing controls into a straightforward, user-friendly interface. PiP, chroma-key, titling, basic keyframing, and even motion tracking are included. It isn’t as feature-rich or as fast as most of the competition, but it allows you to easily create visually appealing work.

The tool is not free, but it does offer a limited-time free trial to users. However, it is a little irritating when the ad appears after you install and launch the trial version.

Features:

  • Media Library
  • Templates
  • Upload video or audio file
  • Video and image management
  • Title Editor
  • Trim & Slice
  • Video Effect
  • Slow Motion & Time Effect
  • Social Sharing
  • Brand Overlay
  • Text Overlay
  • Audio Tools
  • Speed Adjustment
  • Split / Merge
  • Video Stabilization

Pros:

  • Easy-to-understand user interface
  • Transitions with sound
  • Motion tracking and picture-in-picture tools
  • Chroma keying
  • Quick movie-creation tool

Cons:

  • Lacks advanced trim modes and clip pre-trimming
  • Rendering on the slow side
  • Not compatible with Apple Silicon M1

Steps:

  1. Add Video Files

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Launch Movavi’s MP4 trimmer, click the Add Media Files button, and upload the MP4 files you want to work with. The videos you’ve added will appear on the Timeline in the lower part of the program window.

  1. Cut And Trim Your Videos

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So how to cut MP4 video with Movavi Video Editor Plus? If you want to snip a video into two or more parts, click the file on the Timeline and move the red marker to the place where you want to make the first cut. Then click the Split button with the scissors icon or hit Ctrl+B. Repeat the process as many times as you need.

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If you want to trim your video clip, select the file on the Timeline and then just pull the edge of the clip to shorten it as shown in the picture.

  1. Save The Result

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All that’s left to do is save your edited video. Click the Export button, choose the appropriate video format, and hit Start.

XILISOFT VIDEO CUTTER

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Supported OS: Mac and Windows

Xilisoft Video Cutter is an effective programming cutter that lets you choose and cut your preferred segments in a single file as well as cut out the segments you don’t like. It is compatible with almost all popular video formats, including VCD, AVI, MPEG, MP4, WMV, 3GP, /MPEG-4 AVC, /PSP AVC, MOV, ASF, and others. It enables you to precisely set the start and end points.

While the software cannot cut segments from multiple input files at the same time, it can cut your selected source video into the number of clips you require in a single step. Xilisoft Video Cutter goes beyond standard cutting or slicing by allowing you to convert your video input files to a variety of well-known codecs. It is possible to convert the entire source file or just a specific segment, but this requires removing those unnecessary parts that frequently cause problems (TV advertisements, trailers, etc.).

Features:

Easily Cut Video Clips

Multi-trim Video to Whole

Output Clips to Multiple Formats

Instant Preview

Clear Timeline

Advanced Editing

1-2-3 Interface

Multilingual Interface

Pros:

Supports all of the most widely used video file formats

Converts your videos between formats

Simple cutting interface

Allows for multiple cuttings from a single source file

Cons:

Does not support batch processing

Steps On How To Cut Your Favored Segments:

  1. Add Source Video File

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Click the “Open“ button on the main interface, and select a video file in the pop-up window.

  1. Set Clip Segments

Click “Play” and click the “Set Start Point” and “Set End Point” buttons successively during playing the video to set the start point and endpoint of the clip.

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You can also set several segments. Click the “Show Advanced Mode” button and click the “New Clip” button in advanced mode to set the start and endpoints of the segments. Repeat the above steps to set several segments.

Tip: To delete a segment, please choose the segment in the segment list, and click the “Delete Clip” button on the toolbar; to adjust the segment order, please choose the segment and click the “Move Up” or “Move Down” button to adjust its order.

  1. Output Settings

Click the “Cut” button at the bottom of the window to open the “Output Settings” window.

  1. Start Cutting

Click the “OK” button to start video cutting. During cutting, you can check the cutting status by dragging the process bar or canceling the cutting. Tip: After cutting is done, click the “Open Output Folder” button to open the destination folder to check the clippings. Click the “Done” button to go back to the main window.

WHICH SHOULD I CHOOSE: FREE OR PAID VIDEO CUTTER ON MAC?

Whether you choose Free or Paid Video Cutter, it still depends on your edit and navigation if the project will succeed like what you’re anticipating. Beginners in the industry can go for Free Video Cutters to practice the craft without worrying about the monthly subscription.

However, if you’re a professional, I highly suggest that you choose Paid Video Cutter to lessen the hassle and create amazing output.

FAQS ABOUT CUTTING VIDEOS

  1. How can I cut a video without losing quality?

Trimming VLC through LosslessCut

LosslessCut is an open-source video cutter that runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac. Like Filmora, this software also allows you to cut videos without re-encoding, so there is no loss of quality.

  1. Who is the best video cutter?

Filmora is one of the best video cutter software that allows you to change the aesthetic of your video with one click. It comes with a wide range of video effects that enable you to make clips look good. Features: This tool provides fast editing processing and adjustable preview quality.

  1. Why does trimming videos reduce quality?

In most cases, trimming only causes a minor loss of video quality. And there is no clear causal relationship between trimming and losing video quality. The main factors that influence video quality are Resolution, Bitrate, and Frame size.

If you are longing to pick up the best video cutter for Mac, you are supposed to evaluate it from different aspects, like operating interface, cutting features, output quality, post-processing ability, etc. Frankly speaking, there is no fixed answer. Everything depends on your actual requirements. If you want to cut videos on Mac with the forthright method, iMovie can be your top priority. If you prefer top-leading editing features, Blender is competitive enough for you.

Conclusion:

There you have it! Here is the alternative software to cut/shorten your video without using FFmpeg. All these editors cater to different needs, so be sure to try them out, understand your requirements, and use the right one for your project!

FILMORA VIDEO EDITOR

Supported OS: Windows and Mac

Filmora Video Editor is another well-known video editor that is widely used for video editing. It was released two decades ago to provide low-cost video editing software. Aside from video cutting and joining, it has some great features such as adding filters, titles, texts, and so on. You can also record your voice or live music, mix audio and video tracks, and do other things. It is simple to use and is available for both Mac and Windows users.

Filmora includes an instant cutter tool that can be used throughout clip import and is designed for use with large amounts of high-resolution content. As the names indicate, it is very simple and serves only one purpose. You can drag multiple clips onto its window, but only if the Merge sub-mode is enabled. Trim mode is only for trimming the ends of a single clip, and its interface only displays one clip in the left-size source tray. You can Add Segments, which creates a new clip based on your trimmed original, but you can’t split a clip explicitly.

Free Download

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Free Download

For macOS 10.14 or later

Features:

  • All editing tools and features are well-displayed in the main windows, which can be found and used easily;
  • Very easy to cut or trim video files just with a few clicks;
  • Lots of filters, overlays, motion graphics, titles, and more special effects can be added to the video.
  • More features like Picture in Picture and Green Screen and Split Screen can be used to make videos more unique.

Pros:

  • Intuitive Interface
  • Easy To Use
  • Great Features
  • Affordable Perpetual License
  • Great Final Video Results
  • Faster Renders And Previews
  • Supports Screen Capturing
  • Support Wide Range Of File Formats
  • User Support Is Good

Cons:

  • Lacks Advanced Feature
  • Free Version Has Watermark
  • Not Available For Linux And Phones
  • Pricing Is Expensive
  • Software Lagging

Steps On How To Cut Video On Mac Using Filmora Video Editor

Step 1: Import Video Files

You will begin by importing the video files into the project window of your program through dragging and dropping.

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Step 2: Add Video To The Timeline

Drag and dropping are the easiest way to add the video to the timeline.

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Step 3: Cut Video

If you want to trim the video, just move the cursor at the beginning or end of the video. When the cursor becomes a cross, move it forward or backward. Trimming only allows you to cut the beginning or end of a video.

If you need to cut a section of a video, you should follow do this: move the cursor at the beginning of the video section you want to cut, then click the scissors icon > Next, move the cursor to the end of the video section you want to cut and click scissors icon > Right-click on the video section you want to cut and click “Delete“.

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Step 4: Export the Video

To export your video, click the “export” button and choose the local tab. After selecting the output device and format, just click “Create” to save it.

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HANDBRAKE

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Supported OS: Linux, Windows, and Mac

HandBrake is a multithreaded video transcoder that is unfastened and open source. It can compress and convert nearly any virtual media layout to another. HandBrake is able to rip encrypted DVDs the usage of libdvdcss (libdvdcss is covered with the VLC media participant on macOS and AnyDVD/DVD forty three on Windows).

This software program additionally enables batch processing, which converts a couple of video files at the same time. Additionally, a plethora of presets are available to guide you to the preferred output without having to tinker with a plethora of options.

Handbrake is a powerful and excellent video converter for Windows, Mac, and Linux that should not be overlooked. It provides all of the necessary features in a simple tool that gives the user complete control over the output. Before we get into the specifics, here’s a rundown of Handbrake’s advantages and disadvantages.

Features:

  • Support of chapter selections
  • Support of subtitles
  • Integrated bitrate calculator
  • Picture deinterlacing, cropping, and scaling
  • Live Video Preview

Pros:

  • HandBrake has a very simple layout which makes the video converter very easy to use, even for those who are converting videos for the first time.
  • The live preview helps.
  • The fact that the software is free and has device presets for iOS and Android certainly makes HandBrake a welcome video converter.
  • The queuing tray for batch conversions is particularly nice.
  • People who convert a lot of videos will find it very helpful.

Cons:

  • On the flip side, the settings are not always easy to deal with.
  • It takes a lot of time and then there are errors. The latest version fixes some old bugs but there are hiccups.
  • The live preview is for up to four minutes of a video.
  • It is futile for very long videos.
  • The settings interface and that of the live preview could be better.
  • The open-source software also doesn’t support all video formats.
  • Given the diversity of devices and the multitude of formats in use today, HandBrake needs more compatibility.

Steps On How To Compress Video Using Handbrake

  1. After you download and install Handbrake, open the app. On the left side, under ‘Source Selection’, click ‘File’. Select the file from the folder and then click ‘open’.

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  1. Choose where you want the compressed video to be saved by clicking ‘Browse’.

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  1. Enter a name for the video, and click ‘Save’.

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  1. Under ‘Output Settings’, choose MP4 for ‘Container’.

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  1. Click the ‘Video’ tab, under it, is the ‘Video Codec’, choose (x264).

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  1. Select a Preset from the ‘Preset Drawer’. We recommend you choose Fast1030p 30 for high quality.

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  1. Choose the ‘framerate’, depending on your source video i.e. NTSC (29.97fps), then make it 30fps by choosing 30. Also, tick the ‘Constant Framerate’ to ensure better compatibility.

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  1. Enter an ‘Average Bitrate (kbps)’ for the video between 5,000-10,000 (take note: higher bitrate has higher quality video but will take longer to upload and download).

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  1. Click the ‘Picture’ tab if you want to change the video frame size or resolution.

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  1. Change ‘Anamorphic’ to ‘None’, and ‘Modulus’ to ‘16’. And tick ‘Keep Aspect Ratio’. Use the arrow down on Width to change from 1920 (full HD) down to 1280.

  2. Select the ‘Audio’ tab and choose 48 for the Samplerate. Choose Stereo for Mixdown. Choose 320 for your audio Bitrate.

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  1. Hit the ‘Start Encode’ button and wait until the video has finished compressing. Handbrake will let you know when it has finished.

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SHUTTER ENCODER

Supported OS: Mac, Linux, and Windows

Shutter Encoder offers a complimentary codec and conversion tool for everyone that was created in collaboration with video editors.

Convert your videos, images, and audio files to OP-Atom format, which is compatible with Avid Media Composer and Pro Tools. Encode your files, replace audio, burn to DVD, analyze audio volume, download web videos, and create your own timelapse.

Analyze audio loudness, replace audio, author DVDs and Blu-rays, create image sequences, download web videos, and more. Everything is done as simply and efficiently as possible

Shutter Encoder makes use of Java as well as other tools such as 7za, VLC, FFmpeg, ExifTool, MKVMerge (part of MKVToolNix), MediaInfo, DVDAuthor, youtube-dl, and others.

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Shutter Encoder offers advanced users the option to tailor the conversion individually. You can, for example, manually change the bitrate of audio and video, but you can also set a file size limit and perform the conversion based on that. Further work techniques, such as the ability to enable hardware of the computer itself and complete the conversion according to a predefined profile, are available in a separate box.

Features:

  • Without conversion: Cut without re-encoding, Replace audio, Rewrap, Conform, Merge, Subtitling (create subtitles for a video), Video inserts
  • Sound conversion: WAV, AIFF, FLAC, MP3, AC3, OPUS, OGG
  • Editing codecs: DNxHD, DNxHR, Apple ProRes, QT Animation, Uncompressed YUV
  • Output codecs: , DV PAL, XDCAM HD422, AVC-Intra 100, XAVC, HAP, , VP9, AV1, OGV, MJPEG, Xvid, WMV, MPEG
  • Archiving codec: FFV1
  • Image creation: JPEG, PNG, TIF, TGA, DPX, BPM, ICO, WEBP
  • Burn & Rip: DVD, Blu-ray, DVD RIP
  • Analysis: Loudness & True Peak, Audio normalization, Cut detection, Black detection
  • Download web videos using youtube-dl

Pros:

  • Conversion according to profiles
  • Extensive advanced options
  • Built-in editing capabilities

Cons:

  • Limited preview capability

Steps On How To Use Shutter Encoder

  1. To start, drag the video from your file manager and drop it onto the Shutter Encoder window, or use the ‘Browse’ button available in the upper left-hand side corner of the window to add a video.

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  1. Next, from the ‘Choose function’ drop-down menu, scroll to (it’s the first under Output codecs). You will now see some new options in a new panel that appears on the right-hand side of the Shutter Encoder window. From there, if you want to crop the video, click the Crop checkbox:

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  1. A new window will pop up where you can use your mouse to crop the video to the desired size. If you want to change it to a predefined, fixed-size ratio value, uncheck the ‘Manual mode’ box, and you’ll be able to choose a ratio from the ‘Pre-settings’ drop-down.

  2. Next, if you want to change the profile, expand the ‘Advanced features’ item in the Shutter Encoder sidebar, check the box for the Force profile option, then change the profile to what you want to use:

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  1. When you’re done with the video adjustments you want to make, click the ‘Start function’ button, and Shutter Encoder will begin encoding your new video.

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AVIDEMUX

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Supported OS: Linux, BSD, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows

Avidemux offers three fundamental operations: cutting, encoding, and filtering. Cutting allows users to copy, paste, save, or delete a specific part of a video and is incredibly beneficial when users are only interested in a small portion of a video or want to remove commercials from a TV show that they have recorded.

Encoding, on the other contrary, is the way of transforming a video to various formats so that it can be played on different players. Users of Avidemux can use this feature on videos they want to use for business or archive for personal use. They could also use this to convert a video that they intend to post online.

Users can also use Avidemux to filter their videos, which include incorporating subtitles and color profiles, deinterlacing, resizing and sharpening the image of a video, and increasing or decreasing the overall volume of the audio.

Meanwhile, Avidemux has task automation features that make video processing and editing quick and painless. A feature called Joblist allows users to organize their projects in a queue so that they can access their files from a single location. They can use this queue to handle videos in bulk as well.

Features:

  • Multiple Formats
  • Video Filters
  • Advanced Interlacing
  • Full Editing Control
  • Simple Interface
  • Open Source

Pros:

  • Covers standard formats.
  • All essential features are present.
  • Surprisingly advanced filtering, processing, editing, and filtering controls.
  • The interface is easy to learn.
  • Open-source

Cons:

  • The interface is very legacy and needs remodeling
  • No longer updated
  • No support

Steps On How To Cut Videos On Avidemux:

  1. Open up Avidemux, and load the video file that you want to work with. If you get a prompt like this one: we recommend clicking Yes to use the safer mode.

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  1. Find the portion of the video that you’d like to isolate. Get as close as you can to the start of the clip you want to cut.

  2. You want it to read I; if it isn’t framed type I, then use the single left and right arrow buttons to go forward or backward one frame until you find an appropriate I frame.

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  1. Once you’ve found the right starting frame, click the button with the A over a red bar. This will set the start of the clip.

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  1. Advance to where you want your clip to end. Click on the button with a B when you’ve found the appropriate frame. This frame can be of any type.

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  1. You can now save the clip, either by going to File –> Save –> Save Video, or by pressing Ctrl+S. Give the file a name, and Avidemux will prepare your clip.

BEST PAID FFMPEG ALTERNATIVE TO CUT VIDEO ON MAC

JOYOSHARE MEDIA CUTTER

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Supported OS: Mac and Windows

The best video cutting tool is Joyoshare Media Cutter for Windows (or Mac). As a professional video trimmer, it allows you to cut your media files at a 60X faster rate, allowing you to clip a 60-minute video or audio file in just one minute. The interface design is also simple and clean, allowing you to do it quickly.

Another noteworthy feature is the ability to easily cut and merge both video and audio without sacrificing quality. The cropper supports a variety of video and audio formats, including AVI, MP4, MPEG, VOB, WMV, ASF, RM, RMVB, 3GP, MP3, WMA, M4R, and others, allowing you to save the file in any format and on any device, including Apple.

More notably, this is a capable all-in-one video cutter. In addition to cutting videos and audio, it can convert all popular video formats, extract audio from video files, and merge video and audio files from the same source into a new one.

Features:

Convert to Any File Format

Merge Video and Audio Files into Multiple Formats

Improved Accuracy & Efficiency in Cutting Videos

60X Fast Conversion

Pros:

  • Offers an easy way to cut, merge, and convert video files
  • Blazing fast video-cutting and file-conversion speed
  • Supports multiple audio and video file formats

Cons:

  • Can only merge videos from the same source. That means you can’t use the program to merge separate videos from your gallery.
  • The program doesn’t offer an easy way to remove an unwanted part of a video if it’s in the middle of the video. The only way to do that is by cutting the section before and after the video, then merging them into one.

Steps:

Step 1: Adding Video

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To add a video, click the “Open” button. Locate the video you want to trim from your collection and open it. Alternatively, you can use the drag-and-drop feature.

Step 2: Select the Segment to Be Trimmed

At the bottom of the Joyoshare video window, you’ll be able to see a time slider through which you can skip to your desired timeframe. Move the slider handles attached to the yellow timeline bar to set the starting and ending points of your video.

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Once you’ve set your desired starting point, click on the “[” button to highlight the starting segment, then move the right-hand slider to select the ending point, and click the ] button to set the end segment.

Step 3: Choose Your Desired Output Format and Destination Folder

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Click the “Format” button, and a new window will pop up where you’ll be able to choose your preferred output format.

Step 4: Trim the Video

Click the “Start” button to begin trimming the segment. Wait for a minute for the program to finalize trimming the segment, then click the save button. That’s it! You’ve successfully trimmed your first video.

If you wish to cut and merge several segments, click the “+” icon at the bottom of the segments tab, then follow the above procedure to create several segments.

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MOVAVI VIDEO EDITOR

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Supported OS: Mac and Windows

Movavi Video Editor for Mac and Windows is a simple-to-use yet effective video editor and cutter. Aside from cutting and joining short videos, it can apply various video effects, add music and titles, and so on to make your movie more visually appealing. The video cutter tool has an easy-to-use interface and outstanding instructional videos, so you can get started quickly.

Movavi comes with a bunch of video editing controls into a straightforward, user-friendly interface. PiP, chroma-key, titling, basic keyframing, and even motion tracking are included. It isn’t as feature-rich or as fast as most of the competition, but it allows you to easily create visually appealing work.

The tool is not free, but it does offer a limited-time free trial to users. However, it is a little irritating when the ad appears after you install and launch the trial version.

Features:

  • Media Library
  • Templates
  • Upload video or audio file
  • Video and image management
  • Title Editor
  • Trim & Slice
  • Video Effect
  • Slow Motion & Time Effect
  • Social Sharing
  • Brand Overlay
  • Text Overlay
  • Audio Tools
  • Speed Adjustment
  • Split / Merge
  • Video Stabilization

Pros:

  • Easy-to-understand user interface
  • Transitions with sound
  • Motion tracking and picture-in-picture tools
  • Chroma keying
  • Quick movie-creation tool

Cons:

  • Lacks advanced trim modes and clip pre-trimming
  • Rendering on the slow side
  • Not compatible with Apple Silicon M1

Steps:

  1. Add Video Files

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Launch Movavi’s MP4 trimmer, click the Add Media Files button, and upload the MP4 files you want to work with. The videos you’ve added will appear on the Timeline in the lower part of the program window.

  1. Cut And Trim Your Videos

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So how to cut MP4 video with Movavi Video Editor Plus? If you want to snip a video into two or more parts, click the file on the Timeline and move the red marker to the place where you want to make the first cut. Then click the Split button with the scissors icon or hit Ctrl+B. Repeat the process as many times as you need.

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If you want to trim your video clip, select the file on the Timeline and then just pull the edge of the clip to shorten it as shown in the picture.

  1. Save The Result

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All that’s left to do is save your edited video. Click the Export button, choose the appropriate video format, and hit Start.

XILISOFT VIDEO CUTTER

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Supported OS: Mac and Windows

Xilisoft Video Cutter is an effective programming cutter that lets you choose and cut your preferred segments in a single file as well as cut out the segments you don’t like. It is compatible with almost all popular video formats, including VCD, AVI, MPEG, MP4, WMV, 3GP, /MPEG-4 AVC, /PSP AVC, MOV, ASF, and others. It enables you to precisely set the start and end points.

While the software cannot cut segments from multiple input files at the same time, it can cut your selected source video into the number of clips you require in a single step. Xilisoft Video Cutter goes beyond standard cutting or slicing by allowing you to convert your video input files to a variety of well-known codecs. It is possible to convert the entire source file or just a specific segment, but this requires removing those unnecessary parts that frequently cause problems (TV advertisements, trailers, etc.).

Features:

Easily Cut Video Clips

Multi-trim Video to Whole

Output Clips to Multiple Formats

Instant Preview

Clear Timeline

Advanced Editing

1-2-3 Interface

Multilingual Interface

Pros:

Supports all of the most widely used video file formats

Converts your videos between formats

Simple cutting interface

Allows for multiple cuttings from a single source file

Cons:

Does not support batch processing

Steps On How To Cut Your Favored Segments:

  1. Add Source Video File

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Click the “Open“ button on the main interface, and select a video file in the pop-up window.

  1. Set Clip Segments

Click “Play” and click the “Set Start Point” and “Set End Point” buttons successively during playing the video to set the start point and endpoint of the clip.

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You can also set several segments. Click the “Show Advanced Mode” button and click the “New Clip” button in advanced mode to set the start and endpoints of the segments. Repeat the above steps to set several segments.

Tip: To delete a segment, please choose the segment in the segment list, and click the “Delete Clip” button on the toolbar; to adjust the segment order, please choose the segment and click the “Move Up” or “Move Down” button to adjust its order.

  1. Output Settings

Click the “Cut” button at the bottom of the window to open the “Output Settings” window.

  1. Start Cutting

Click the “OK” button to start video cutting. During cutting, you can check the cutting status by dragging the process bar or canceling the cutting. Tip: After cutting is done, click the “Open Output Folder” button to open the destination folder to check the clippings. Click the “Done” button to go back to the main window.

WHICH SHOULD I CHOOSE: FREE OR PAID VIDEO CUTTER ON MAC?

Whether you choose Free or Paid Video Cutter, it still depends on your edit and navigation if the project will succeed like what you’re anticipating. Beginners in the industry can go for Free Video Cutters to practice the craft without worrying about the monthly subscription.

However, if you’re a professional, I highly suggest that you choose Paid Video Cutter to lessen the hassle and create amazing output.

FAQS ABOUT CUTTING VIDEOS

  1. How can I cut a video without losing quality?

Trimming VLC through LosslessCut

LosslessCut is an open-source video cutter that runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac. Like Filmora, this software also allows you to cut videos without re-encoding, so there is no loss of quality.

  1. Who is the best video cutter?

Filmora is one of the best video cutter software that allows you to change the aesthetic of your video with one click. It comes with a wide range of video effects that enable you to make clips look good. Features: This tool provides fast editing processing and adjustable preview quality.

  1. Why does trimming videos reduce quality?

In most cases, trimming only causes a minor loss of video quality. And there is no clear causal relationship between trimming and losing video quality. The main factors that influence video quality are Resolution, Bitrate, and Frame size.

If you are longing to pick up the best video cutter for Mac, you are supposed to evaluate it from different aspects, like operating interface, cutting features, output quality, post-processing ability, etc. Frankly speaking, there is no fixed answer. Everything depends on your actual requirements. If you want to cut videos on Mac with the forthright method, iMovie can be your top priority. If you prefer top-leading editing features, Blender is competitive enough for you.

Conclusion:

There you have it! Here is the alternative software to cut/shorten your video without using FFmpeg. All these editors cater to different needs, so be sure to try them out, understand your requirements, and use the right one for your project!

FILMORA VIDEO EDITOR

Supported OS: Windows and Mac

Filmora Video Editor is another well-known video editor that is widely used for video editing. It was released two decades ago to provide low-cost video editing software. Aside from video cutting and joining, it has some great features such as adding filters, titles, texts, and so on. You can also record your voice or live music, mix audio and video tracks, and do other things. It is simple to use and is available for both Mac and Windows users.

Filmora includes an instant cutter tool that can be used throughout clip import and is designed for use with large amounts of high-resolution content. As the names indicate, it is very simple and serves only one purpose. You can drag multiple clips onto its window, but only if the Merge sub-mode is enabled. Trim mode is only for trimming the ends of a single clip, and its interface only displays one clip in the left-size source tray. You can Add Segments, which creates a new clip based on your trimmed original, but you can’t split a clip explicitly.

Free Download

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Free Download

For macOS 10.14 or later

Features:

  • All editing tools and features are well-displayed in the main windows, which can be found and used easily;
  • Very easy to cut or trim video files just with a few clicks;
  • Lots of filters, overlays, motion graphics, titles, and more special effects can be added to the video.
  • More features like Picture in Picture and Green Screen and Split Screen can be used to make videos more unique.

Pros:

  • Intuitive Interface
  • Easy To Use
  • Great Features
  • Affordable Perpetual License
  • Great Final Video Results
  • Faster Renders And Previews
  • Supports Screen Capturing
  • Support Wide Range Of File Formats
  • User Support Is Good

Cons:

  • Lacks Advanced Feature
  • Free Version Has Watermark
  • Not Available For Linux And Phones
  • Pricing Is Expensive
  • Software Lagging

Steps On How To Cut Video On Mac Using Filmora Video Editor

Step 1: Import Video Files

You will begin by importing the video files into the project window of your program through dragging and dropping.

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Step 2: Add Video To The Timeline

Drag and dropping are the easiest way to add the video to the timeline.

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Step 3: Cut Video

If you want to trim the video, just move the cursor at the beginning or end of the video. When the cursor becomes a cross, move it forward or backward. Trimming only allows you to cut the beginning or end of a video.

If you need to cut a section of a video, you should follow do this: move the cursor at the beginning of the video section you want to cut, then click the scissors icon > Next, move the cursor to the end of the video section you want to cut and click scissors icon > Right-click on the video section you want to cut and click “Delete“.

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Step 4: Export the Video

To export your video, click the “export” button and choose the local tab. After selecting the output device and format, just click “Create” to save it.

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HANDBRAKE

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Supported OS: Linux, Windows, and Mac

HandBrake is a multithreaded video transcoder that is unfastened and open source. It can compress and convert nearly any virtual media layout to another. HandBrake is able to rip encrypted DVDs the usage of libdvdcss (libdvdcss is covered with the VLC media participant on macOS and AnyDVD/DVD forty three on Windows).

This software program additionally enables batch processing, which converts a couple of video files at the same time. Additionally, a plethora of presets are available to guide you to the preferred output without having to tinker with a plethora of options.

Handbrake is a powerful and excellent video converter for Windows, Mac, and Linux that should not be overlooked. It provides all of the necessary features in a simple tool that gives the user complete control over the output. Before we get into the specifics, here’s a rundown of Handbrake’s advantages and disadvantages.

Features:

  • Support of chapter selections
  • Support of subtitles
  • Integrated bitrate calculator
  • Picture deinterlacing, cropping, and scaling
  • Live Video Preview

Pros:

  • HandBrake has a very simple layout which makes the video converter very easy to use, even for those who are converting videos for the first time.
  • The live preview helps.
  • The fact that the software is free and has device presets for iOS and Android certainly makes HandBrake a welcome video converter.
  • The queuing tray for batch conversions is particularly nice.
  • People who convert a lot of videos will find it very helpful.

Cons:

  • On the flip side, the settings are not always easy to deal with.
  • It takes a lot of time and then there are errors. The latest version fixes some old bugs but there are hiccups.
  • The live preview is for up to four minutes of a video.
  • It is futile for very long videos.
  • The settings interface and that of the live preview could be better.
  • The open-source software also doesn’t support all video formats.
  • Given the diversity of devices and the multitude of formats in use today, HandBrake needs more compatibility.

Steps On How To Compress Video Using Handbrake

  1. After you download and install Handbrake, open the app. On the left side, under ‘Source Selection’, click ‘File’. Select the file from the folder and then click ‘open’.

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  1. Choose where you want the compressed video to be saved by clicking ‘Browse’.

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  1. Enter a name for the video, and click ‘Save’.

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  1. Under ‘Output Settings’, choose MP4 for ‘Container’.

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  1. Click the ‘Video’ tab, under it, is the ‘Video Codec’, choose (x264).

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  1. Select a Preset from the ‘Preset Drawer’. We recommend you choose Fast1030p 30 for high quality.

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  1. Choose the ‘framerate’, depending on your source video i.e. NTSC (29.97fps), then make it 30fps by choosing 30. Also, tick the ‘Constant Framerate’ to ensure better compatibility.

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  1. Enter an ‘Average Bitrate (kbps)’ for the video between 5,000-10,000 (take note: higher bitrate has higher quality video but will take longer to upload and download).

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  1. Click the ‘Picture’ tab if you want to change the video frame size or resolution.

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  1. Change ‘Anamorphic’ to ‘None’, and ‘Modulus’ to ‘16’. And tick ‘Keep Aspect Ratio’. Use the arrow down on Width to change from 1920 (full HD) down to 1280.

  2. Select the ‘Audio’ tab and choose 48 for the Samplerate. Choose Stereo for Mixdown. Choose 320 for your audio Bitrate.

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  1. Hit the ‘Start Encode’ button and wait until the video has finished compressing. Handbrake will let you know when it has finished.

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SHUTTER ENCODER

Supported OS: Mac, Linux, and Windows

Shutter Encoder offers a complimentary codec and conversion tool for everyone that was created in collaboration with video editors.

Convert your videos, images, and audio files to OP-Atom format, which is compatible with Avid Media Composer and Pro Tools. Encode your files, replace audio, burn to DVD, analyze audio volume, download web videos, and create your own timelapse.

Analyze audio loudness, replace audio, author DVDs and Blu-rays, create image sequences, download web videos, and more. Everything is done as simply and efficiently as possible

Shutter Encoder makes use of Java as well as other tools such as 7za, VLC, FFmpeg, ExifTool, MKVMerge (part of MKVToolNix), MediaInfo, DVDAuthor, youtube-dl, and others.

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Shutter Encoder offers advanced users the option to tailor the conversion individually. You can, for example, manually change the bitrate of audio and video, but you can also set a file size limit and perform the conversion based on that. Further work techniques, such as the ability to enable hardware of the computer itself and complete the conversion according to a predefined profile, are available in a separate box.

Features:

  • Without conversion: Cut without re-encoding, Replace audio, Rewrap, Conform, Merge, Subtitling (create subtitles for a video), Video inserts
  • Sound conversion: WAV, AIFF, FLAC, MP3, AC3, OPUS, OGG
  • Editing codecs: DNxHD, DNxHR, Apple ProRes, QT Animation, Uncompressed YUV
  • Output codecs: , DV PAL, XDCAM HD422, AVC-Intra 100, XAVC, HAP, , VP9, AV1, OGV, MJPEG, Xvid, WMV, MPEG
  • Archiving codec: FFV1
  • Image creation: JPEG, PNG, TIF, TGA, DPX, BPM, ICO, WEBP
  • Burn & Rip: DVD, Blu-ray, DVD RIP
  • Analysis: Loudness & True Peak, Audio normalization, Cut detection, Black detection
  • Download web videos using youtube-dl

Pros:

  • Conversion according to profiles
  • Extensive advanced options
  • Built-in editing capabilities

Cons:

  • Limited preview capability

Steps On How To Use Shutter Encoder

  1. To start, drag the video from your file manager and drop it onto the Shutter Encoder window, or use the ‘Browse’ button available in the upper left-hand side corner of the window to add a video.

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  1. Next, from the ‘Choose function’ drop-down menu, scroll to (it’s the first under Output codecs). You will now see some new options in a new panel that appears on the right-hand side of the Shutter Encoder window. From there, if you want to crop the video, click the Crop checkbox:

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  1. A new window will pop up where you can use your mouse to crop the video to the desired size. If you want to change it to a predefined, fixed-size ratio value, uncheck the ‘Manual mode’ box, and you’ll be able to choose a ratio from the ‘Pre-settings’ drop-down.

  2. Next, if you want to change the profile, expand the ‘Advanced features’ item in the Shutter Encoder sidebar, check the box for the Force profile option, then change the profile to what you want to use:

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  1. When you’re done with the video adjustments you want to make, click the ‘Start function’ button, and Shutter Encoder will begin encoding your new video.

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AVIDEMUX

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Supported OS: Linux, BSD, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows

Avidemux offers three fundamental operations: cutting, encoding, and filtering. Cutting allows users to copy, paste, save, or delete a specific part of a video and is incredibly beneficial when users are only interested in a small portion of a video or want to remove commercials from a TV show that they have recorded.

Encoding, on the other contrary, is the way of transforming a video to various formats so that it can be played on different players. Users of Avidemux can use this feature on videos they want to use for business or archive for personal use. They could also use this to convert a video that they intend to post online.

Users can also use Avidemux to filter their videos, which include incorporating subtitles and color profiles, deinterlacing, resizing and sharpening the image of a video, and increasing or decreasing the overall volume of the audio.

Meanwhile, Avidemux has task automation features that make video processing and editing quick and painless. A feature called Joblist allows users to organize their projects in a queue so that they can access their files from a single location. They can use this queue to handle videos in bulk as well.

Features:

  • Multiple Formats
  • Video Filters
  • Advanced Interlacing
  • Full Editing Control
  • Simple Interface
  • Open Source

Pros:

  • Covers standard formats.
  • All essential features are present.
  • Surprisingly advanced filtering, processing, editing, and filtering controls.
  • The interface is easy to learn.
  • Open-source

Cons:

  • The interface is very legacy and needs remodeling
  • No longer updated
  • No support

Steps On How To Cut Videos On Avidemux:

  1. Open up Avidemux, and load the video file that you want to work with. If you get a prompt like this one: we recommend clicking Yes to use the safer mode.

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  1. Find the portion of the video that you’d like to isolate. Get as close as you can to the start of the clip you want to cut.

  2. You want it to read I; if it isn’t framed type I, then use the single left and right arrow buttons to go forward or backward one frame until you find an appropriate I frame.

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  1. Once you’ve found the right starting frame, click the button with the A over a red bar. This will set the start of the clip.

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  1. Advance to where you want your clip to end. Click on the button with a B when you’ve found the appropriate frame. This frame can be of any type.

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  1. You can now save the clip, either by going to File –> Save –> Save Video, or by pressing Ctrl+S. Give the file a name, and Avidemux will prepare your clip.

BEST PAID FFMPEG ALTERNATIVE TO CUT VIDEO ON MAC

JOYOSHARE MEDIA CUTTER

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Supported OS: Mac and Windows

The best video cutting tool is Joyoshare Media Cutter for Windows (or Mac). As a professional video trimmer, it allows you to cut your media files at a 60X faster rate, allowing you to clip a 60-minute video or audio file in just one minute. The interface design is also simple and clean, allowing you to do it quickly.

Another noteworthy feature is the ability to easily cut and merge both video and audio without sacrificing quality. The cropper supports a variety of video and audio formats, including AVI, MP4, MPEG, VOB, WMV, ASF, RM, RMVB, 3GP, MP3, WMA, M4R, and others, allowing you to save the file in any format and on any device, including Apple.

More notably, this is a capable all-in-one video cutter. In addition to cutting videos and audio, it can convert all popular video formats, extract audio from video files, and merge video and audio files from the same source into a new one.

Features:

Convert to Any File Format

Merge Video and Audio Files into Multiple Formats

Improved Accuracy & Efficiency in Cutting Videos

60X Fast Conversion

Pros:

  • Offers an easy way to cut, merge, and convert video files
  • Blazing fast video-cutting and file-conversion speed
  • Supports multiple audio and video file formats

Cons:

  • Can only merge videos from the same source. That means you can’t use the program to merge separate videos from your gallery.
  • The program doesn’t offer an easy way to remove an unwanted part of a video if it’s in the middle of the video. The only way to do that is by cutting the section before and after the video, then merging them into one.

Steps:

Step 1: Adding Video

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To add a video, click the “Open” button. Locate the video you want to trim from your collection and open it. Alternatively, you can use the drag-and-drop feature.

Step 2: Select the Segment to Be Trimmed

At the bottom of the Joyoshare video window, you’ll be able to see a time slider through which you can skip to your desired timeframe. Move the slider handles attached to the yellow timeline bar to set the starting and ending points of your video.

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Once you’ve set your desired starting point, click on the “[” button to highlight the starting segment, then move the right-hand slider to select the ending point, and click the ] button to set the end segment.

Step 3: Choose Your Desired Output Format and Destination Folder

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Click the “Format” button, and a new window will pop up where you’ll be able to choose your preferred output format.

Step 4: Trim the Video

Click the “Start” button to begin trimming the segment. Wait for a minute for the program to finalize trimming the segment, then click the save button. That’s it! You’ve successfully trimmed your first video.

If you wish to cut and merge several segments, click the “+” icon at the bottom of the segments tab, then follow the above procedure to create several segments.

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MOVAVI VIDEO EDITOR

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Supported OS: Mac and Windows

Movavi Video Editor for Mac and Windows is a simple-to-use yet effective video editor and cutter. Aside from cutting and joining short videos, it can apply various video effects, add music and titles, and so on to make your movie more visually appealing. The video cutter tool has an easy-to-use interface and outstanding instructional videos, so you can get started quickly.

Movavi comes with a bunch of video editing controls into a straightforward, user-friendly interface. PiP, chroma-key, titling, basic keyframing, and even motion tracking are included. It isn’t as feature-rich or as fast as most of the competition, but it allows you to easily create visually appealing work.

The tool is not free, but it does offer a limited-time free trial to users. However, it is a little irritating when the ad appears after you install and launch the trial version.

Features:

  • Media Library
  • Templates
  • Upload video or audio file
  • Video and image management
  • Title Editor
  • Trim & Slice
  • Video Effect
  • Slow Motion & Time Effect
  • Social Sharing
  • Brand Overlay
  • Text Overlay
  • Audio Tools
  • Speed Adjustment
  • Split / Merge
  • Video Stabilization

Pros:

  • Easy-to-understand user interface
  • Transitions with sound
  • Motion tracking and picture-in-picture tools
  • Chroma keying
  • Quick movie-creation tool

Cons:

  • Lacks advanced trim modes and clip pre-trimming
  • Rendering on the slow side
  • Not compatible with Apple Silicon M1

Steps:

  1. Add Video Files

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Launch Movavi’s MP4 trimmer, click the Add Media Files button, and upload the MP4 files you want to work with. The videos you’ve added will appear on the Timeline in the lower part of the program window.

  1. Cut And Trim Your Videos

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So how to cut MP4 video with Movavi Video Editor Plus? If you want to snip a video into two or more parts, click the file on the Timeline and move the red marker to the place where you want to make the first cut. Then click the Split button with the scissors icon or hit Ctrl+B. Repeat the process as many times as you need.

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If you want to trim your video clip, select the file on the Timeline and then just pull the edge of the clip to shorten it as shown in the picture.

  1. Save The Result

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All that’s left to do is save your edited video. Click the Export button, choose the appropriate video format, and hit Start.

XILISOFT VIDEO CUTTER

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Supported OS: Mac and Windows

Xilisoft Video Cutter is an effective programming cutter that lets you choose and cut your preferred segments in a single file as well as cut out the segments you don’t like. It is compatible with almost all popular video formats, including VCD, AVI, MPEG, MP4, WMV, 3GP, /MPEG-4 AVC, /PSP AVC, MOV, ASF, and others. It enables you to precisely set the start and end points.

While the software cannot cut segments from multiple input files at the same time, it can cut your selected source video into the number of clips you require in a single step. Xilisoft Video Cutter goes beyond standard cutting or slicing by allowing you to convert your video input files to a variety of well-known codecs. It is possible to convert the entire source file or just a specific segment, but this requires removing those unnecessary parts that frequently cause problems (TV advertisements, trailers, etc.).

Features:

Easily Cut Video Clips

Multi-trim Video to Whole

Output Clips to Multiple Formats

Instant Preview

Clear Timeline

Advanced Editing

1-2-3 Interface

Multilingual Interface

Pros:

Supports all of the most widely used video file formats

Converts your videos between formats

Simple cutting interface

Allows for multiple cuttings from a single source file

Cons:

Does not support batch processing

Steps On How To Cut Your Favored Segments:

  1. Add Source Video File

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Click the “Open“ button on the main interface, and select a video file in the pop-up window.

  1. Set Clip Segments

Click “Play” and click the “Set Start Point” and “Set End Point” buttons successively during playing the video to set the start point and endpoint of the clip.

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You can also set several segments. Click the “Show Advanced Mode” button and click the “New Clip” button in advanced mode to set the start and endpoints of the segments. Repeat the above steps to set several segments.

Tip: To delete a segment, please choose the segment in the segment list, and click the “Delete Clip” button on the toolbar; to adjust the segment order, please choose the segment and click the “Move Up” or “Move Down” button to adjust its order.

  1. Output Settings

Click the “Cut” button at the bottom of the window to open the “Output Settings” window.

  1. Start Cutting

Click the “OK” button to start video cutting. During cutting, you can check the cutting status by dragging the process bar or canceling the cutting. Tip: After cutting is done, click the “Open Output Folder” button to open the destination folder to check the clippings. Click the “Done” button to go back to the main window.

WHICH SHOULD I CHOOSE: FREE OR PAID VIDEO CUTTER ON MAC?

Whether you choose Free or Paid Video Cutter, it still depends on your edit and navigation if the project will succeed like what you’re anticipating. Beginners in the industry can go for Free Video Cutters to practice the craft without worrying about the monthly subscription.

However, if you’re a professional, I highly suggest that you choose Paid Video Cutter to lessen the hassle and create amazing output.

FAQS ABOUT CUTTING VIDEOS

  1. How can I cut a video without losing quality?

Trimming VLC through LosslessCut

LosslessCut is an open-source video cutter that runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac. Like Filmora, this software also allows you to cut videos without re-encoding, so there is no loss of quality.

  1. Who is the best video cutter?

Filmora is one of the best video cutter software that allows you to change the aesthetic of your video with one click. It comes with a wide range of video effects that enable you to make clips look good. Features: This tool provides fast editing processing and adjustable preview quality.

  1. Why does trimming videos reduce quality?

In most cases, trimming only causes a minor loss of video quality. And there is no clear causal relationship between trimming and losing video quality. The main factors that influence video quality are Resolution, Bitrate, and Frame size.

If you are longing to pick up the best video cutter for Mac, you are supposed to evaluate it from different aspects, like operating interface, cutting features, output quality, post-processing ability, etc. Frankly speaking, there is no fixed answer. Everything depends on your actual requirements. If you want to cut videos on Mac with the forthright method, iMovie can be your top priority. If you prefer top-leading editing features, Blender is competitive enough for you.

Conclusion:

There you have it! Here is the alternative software to cut/shorten your video without using FFmpeg. All these editors cater to different needs, so be sure to try them out, understand your requirements, and use the right one for your project!

Also read:

  • Title: In 2024, Find Out What Track Mattes Are in After Effects and Learn How to Find and Use It with Simple and Easy-to-Follow Instructions
  • Author: Chloe
  • Created at : 2024-04-24 07:08:19
  • Updated at : 2024-04-25 07:08:19
  • Link: https://ai-editing-video.techidaily.com/in-2024-find-out-what-track-mattes-are-in-after-effects-and-learn-how-to-find-and-use-it-with-simple-and-easy-to-follow-instructions/
  • License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
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In 2024, Find Out What Track Mattes Are in After Effects and Learn How to Find and Use It with Simple and Easy-to-Follow Instructions