Video editing is the modification of either a digital or analog continuous motion video or film. The type of equipment required depends of the original video source, how it was created and when. Video editing is part of the process when creating any type of film or movie.
A digital video can be created using a camcorder, digital video recorder or a professional video camera. The images are stored digitally on a disk or hard drive. To edit this type of video, you will need three components: hardware, software and storage capacity.
The basic requirement for digital video editing is a computer with a fast processor. Any computer that meets the minimum specifications of the computer software program can be used for video editing. Apple® provides specialized video and graphic related software that can be used for editing. The increased monitor size, deeper color resolution, and enhanced software functionality are well suiting to this type of work.
The quality of the editing software available in the consumer marketplace is parallel to those tools available in the professional film industry. When selecting software, check the operating system and hardware requirements carefully. Look at the price and complexity of the software and think about how you plan to use these tools.
There are very simple programs available that will allow you to easy complete the most common tasks, such as deleting scenes, cut and paste and refocus a scene. The more complex software has additional features that are typically required only for professional grade video editing. Avoid purchasing software with features that you will never use, as this can be very costly.
Video and sound files require a significant amount of memory or storage space to process on the computer. Investigate the storage capacity of your computer hardware and consider investing in an external hard drive. These units provide the ability to expand your storage capacity without opening your computer and are portable.
Analog video editing is no longer very common, but a large library of film is stored in this format. This type of editing requires a film editor workstation to allow you to physically cut and paste the film in the required sections. New tools are available to convert analog film to digital and edit it using digital software. There are wide ranges of format conversion software tools that scan the analog film and create a digital file. This file can then be modified, corrected, and improved using the latest technology.