How to Shorten a Video File in VLC: A Detailed Guide
Whether you’re a content creator looking to trim down your video for social media or a casual user who wants to remove unwanted parts, VLC Media Player is a versatile tool that can help you achieve this. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of shortening a video file in VLC, covering various aspects to ensure you have a comprehensive understanding.
Understanding the Basics
VLC Media Player is a free and open-source media player that supports a wide range of audio and video formats. It’s not only a media player but also a powerful video editor. To shorten a video file in VLC, you’ll need to use the built-in video conversion feature, which allows you to trim and merge video files.
Step-by-Step Guide to Shortening a Video File in VLC
Follow these steps to shorten a video file in VLC:
- Open VLC Media Player and click on “Media” in the menu bar.
- Select “Convert / Save” from the dropdown menu.
- In the “Open Media” dialog box, click on the “Add” button and select the video file you want to shorten.
- Click on the “Convert / Save” button to open the “Convert” dialog box.
- In the “Profile” dropdown menu, select “Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4).” This profile is suitable for most video formats and ensures good quality.
- Click on the “Edit selected profile” button to open the “Profile edition” dialog box.
- In the “Profile edition” dialog box, click on the “Video codec” tab.
- Under the “Video codec” tab, click on the “Profile” dropdown menu and select “Custom.” This will allow you to adjust the video settings manually.
- In the “Custom” profile, you can adjust the video resolution, bitrate, and frame rate. For most cases, you can leave these settings at their default values.
- Click on the “Audio codec” tab and select “Audio – MP3 (MP3).” This profile is suitable for most audio formats and ensures good quality.
- In the “Audio codec” tab, you can adjust the audio bitrate and sample rate. For most cases, you can leave these settings at their default values.
- Click on the “Container” dropdown menu and select “MP4.” This format is widely supported and compatible with most devices.
- In the “Container” tab, you can adjust the container settings, such as the metadata and the number of audio and subtitle streams. For most cases, you can leave these settings at their default values.
- Click on the “Browse” button to select the destination folder for the shortened video file.
- Enter a name for the shortened video file and click on the “Save” button.
- Click on the “Start” button to begin the conversion process.
Additional Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you shorten a video file in VLC:
- Use the “Convert” dialog box to preview the video: Before you start the conversion process, you can use the “Convert” dialog box to preview the video and ensure that you’ve selected the correct start and end times.
- Adjust the start and end times: You can adjust the start and end times by clicking on the “Edit selected profile” button and then clicking on the “Time” tab. This allows you to specify the exact start and end times for the shortened video.
- Use the “Crop” feature: If you want to remove unwanted parts of the video, you can use the “Crop” feature in the “Profile edition” dialog box. This allows you to specify the area of the video you want to keep.
- Use the “Filters” feature: VLC Media Player also offers a “Filters” feature that allows you to apply various effects to your video, such as brightness, contrast, and saturation.
Conclusion
Shortening a video file in VLC is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily trim down your video and share it with others. Whether you’re a content creator or a casual user, VLC Media Player is a valuable
