How to Trim Videos in VLC on macOS: A Comprehensive Guide

VLC Media Player is renowned for its versatility in playing various media formats, but did you know it can also trim videos? This guide will walk you through the process of trimming videos using VLC on macOS, providing you with a free and accessible way to edit your video content.

Introduction to Trimming Videos with VLC on macOS

VLC Media Player is a free, open-source multimedia player that supports a wide array of audio and video formats. While primarily known for its playback capabilities, VLC also offers basic video editing features, including the ability to trim videos. This functionality can be particularly useful for macOS users looking for a quick and cost-free way to edit their videos without installing additional software.

Setting Up VLC for Video Trimming

Installing VLC on macOS

1. Visit the official VLC website (www.videolan.org).
2. Download the macOS version compatible with your system.
3. Open the downloaded file and drag the VLC icon to your Applications folder.

Enabling Advanced Controls

To trim videos in VLC, you’ll need to enable the Advanced Controls:

1. Open VLC Media Player.
2. Click on “View” in the menu bar.
3. Select “Advanced Controls” from the dropdown menu.

This action will reveal additional buttons, including the crucial record button used for trimming.

Configuring Output Settings

Before trimming, it’s important to set up where your trimmed videos will be saved:

1. Go to VLC Preferences (VLC > Preferences or Cmd + ,).
2. Select the “Input/Codecs” tab.
3. Under “Record directory or filename“, choose your preferred save location.

Step-by-Step Guide to Trimming Videos in VLC

Opening Your Video File

1. In VLC, go to “File” > “Open File” (or use Cmd + O).
2. Select the video you want to trim and click “Open“.

VLC supports various formats, including M2TS files. Learn more about playing M2TS files in VLC.

Navigating to the Desired Segment

Use VLC’s playback controls to find the start point of the segment you want to keep.

Using the Record Button to Trim

1. Click the red record button when you reach the starting point of your desired clip.
2. Let the video play until you reach the end point of your clip.
3. Click the record button again to stop recording.

Saving the Trimmed Video

VLC automatically saves the recorded (trimmed) segment in the directory you specified earlier.

Tips for Effective Video Trimming in VLC

• Use keyboard shortcuts for more precise control: Space to play/pause, J and L to rewind/fast forward.
• Adjust playback speed (slower or faster) for more accurate trimming.
• Use the frame-by-frame navigation (E and D keys) for pinpoint accuracy.

Accessing and Managing Trimmed Videos

Trimmed videos are typically saved with a filename starting with “vlc-record” followed by the date and time. To better organize your files:

1. Navigate to your specified save location.
2. Rename the file to something more descriptive.
3. Consider creating folders to organize your trimmed videos by project or date.

If you need to convert your trimmed video to a different format, such as MP4, check out this guide on converting VPROJ to MP4.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Advanced Controls Not Visible

If you can’t see the Advanced Controls, ensure they’re enabled in the “View” menu. On some macOS versions, these controls might be hidden by default.

Trimmed Video Not Saving

Double-check your save location in VLC Preferences. Ensure you have write permissions for the specified directory.

Audio/Video Sync Problems

If your trimmed video has sync issues, try re-encoding the video using VLC’s convert/save feature, which can often resolve timing discrepancies. VLC also allows you to merge audio and video if needed.

Alternatives to VLC for Video Trimming on macOS

While VLC is a great free option, it’s not the only tool available for trimming videos on macOS:

• QuickTime Player: Built-in to macOS, offers simple trimming features.
• iMovie: Free Apple software with more advanced editing capabilities.
• Filmora: A user-friendly, feature-rich video editor (paid software).

Each of these alternatives offers a more intuitive interface for video editing, though they may lack VLC’s extensive format support. For those looking for alternatives to VLC, there are several options available.

If you’re working with vertical videos, you might want to explore dedicated vertical video editors for more specialized features.

Additional VLC Features

Beyond trimming, VLC offers other useful features:

• Merging Videos: VLC can merge multiple video files into a single video.
• Audio Extraction: You can convert M3U to MP3 using VLC, which is useful for extracting audio from playlists.

Conclusion

VLC Media Player on macOS provides a free and accessible way to trim videos, making it a valuable tool for quick edits. Its strength lies in its compatibility with various formats and its cost-free nature. However, for more complex editing tasks or a more user-friendly interface, you might want to consider alternatives like QuickTime or iMovie.

Ultimately, the choice between VLC and other video trimming tools depends on your specific needs, the complexity of your edits, and your comfort level with different software interfaces.

FAQs

Can I undo a trim in VLC? VLC doesn’t have an undo feature for trimming. Always work with a copy of your original file to avoid permanent changes.

Can VLC trim videos without re-encoding? Yes, VLC’s trimming method doesn’t re-encode the video, preserving the original quality.

Is there a limit to the file size VLC can trim? VLC can handle large files, but performance may vary based on your computer’s specifications.

Can I trim multiple sections of a video using VLC? VLC’s trimming method is best for single cuts. For multiple trims, you may need to repeat the process or use alternative software.

Does trimming in VLC affect video quality? No, trimming in VLC doesn’t affect the video quality as it doesn’t re-encode the file.