Edit Video and Audio with QuickTime on Mac
QuickTime: Beyond Video Playback on Your Mac
The QuickTime application that comes standard with macOS offers more than just video playback capabilities. It provides fundamental video editing functionalities, allowing you to trim video files, merge several files together, and even capture new video content. These features extend to audio files as well!
While QuickTime isn't a substitute for a fully-featured editor like iMovie, it’s not intended to be. Similar to how the Preview application handles basic PDF editing, QuickTime delivers the essential tools you need within a streamlined program.
Editing Video or Audio Files: Trimming
Further Reading: Leverage Your Mac’s Preview App for PDF Merging, Splitting, Markup, and Digital Signatures
Begin by opening a video file, such as an .mp4, within QuickTime. As the default video player on macOS, simply double-clicking the file should launch it. You can also open audio files; just Command-click or right-click the file, choose "Open With," and then select QuickTime.
Once the video (or audio) is open in QuickTime, navigate to Edit > Trim. This will activate a straightforward trimming interface. Adjust the handles at both ends to define the segment of the file you wish to retain.
After selecting your desired portion, click "Trim" to remove the unwanted sections of the file. Then, choose File > Save to store the edited video, discarding the removed content. Alternatively, select File > Duplicate to create a copy of your edited video, preserving the original, unaltered file.
Merging Files with QuickTime
The QuickTime application is capable of merging several video files into a single, cohesive unit. Begin by launching the initial video file within QuickTime Player. Subsequently, utilize a drag-and-drop action to introduce another video file directly into the QuickTime window.
The newly added file will be appended to the end of the first. Rearrangement of these clips is easily achieved through further drag-and-drop operations. A double-click on any clip will access the Trim editor, allowing for precise removal of unwanted sections.
This functionality extends to audio files as well. Dragging an audio file onto the QuickTime window will position it on a separate track beneath the video content. This results in the simultaneous playback of both the video’s original audio and the overlaid audio track.
For instance, this method can be employed to incorporate background music into a video project. Both audio streams will be audible concurrently.
Upon saving – or duplicating and saving – the file, the appended content will be integrated at the end, mirroring the order displayed on the screen’s timeline. The process is remarkably straightforward!
Editing Media with QuickTime: A Comprehensive Guide
QuickTime provides functionalities for rearranging existing media files. To begin, open the desired file within the application. Then, position the playback head at the point where you wish to divide the clip.
Select “Edit” from the menu bar, and choose “Split Clip.” This action will segment the file into two distinct portions. This process can be repeated to generate numerous, shorter segments.
Rearranging and Combining Clips
Once split, these individual clips can be easily repositioned. Drag and drop them to achieve the desired sequence, similar to merging separate files.
This allows for non-destructive editing, meaning the original file remains unchanged while you experiment with different arrangements.
Recording Video and Audio Content
QuickTime also offers integrated recording capabilities, providing a convenient method to capture video or audio directly on your Mac. It supports various input sources beyond the standard webcam and microphone.
For instance, it can record your desktop, creating a screencast, or capture the screen of a connected iPhone or iPad via a Lightning cable.
To initiate recording, launch QuickTime by pressing Command + Space to access Spotlight search, typing “QuickTime,” and pressing Enter.
The recording options – New Movie Recording, New Audio Recording, or New Screen Recording – are located under the File menu. Selecting “New Movie Recording” and choosing your iOS device as the “camera” enables iPhone/iPad screen recording.
After initiating a recording, configure your preferred audio and video sources. Then, click the red Record button to start. Stop the recording when finished, and a preview of the captured video will appear.
QuickTime’s Trim feature can be used for immediate editing. Finally, save the recording by navigating to File > Save.
Transcoding and File Size Reduction
QuickTime includes basic transcoding features, enabling you to reduce file sizes for easier sharing or storage. This is particularly useful for emailing or uploading videos, or for optimizing files for portable devices.
These features can also extract the audio track from a video file, saving it as a separate audio file. To access these options, open the media file and navigate to the File menu.
Utilize the Export options to select the desired quality level. Exporting directly to iTunes provides additional quality control and facilitates easy transfer to iPhones, iPods, or iPads.
QuickTime offers additional editing tools for enhanced control. The Rotate and Flip options, found under the Edit menu, allow you to adjust the orientation of clips or entire files.
This is helpful for correcting accidental misorientations, such as a video recorded upside-down. Comparable basic audio and video editing features would necessitate a third-party application like Avidemux on Windows systems.