Friday, July 15, 2011

VideoPad Video Editing Tips & Tricks

VideoPad Video Editing Software Tips and TricksSome of our most popular blog entries have been the posts about speed changing feature to VideoPad and how to stabilize video. Not surprising since changing video speed was such a long-awaited video editing feature for the popular video editing software. To expand on the topic of helpful video editing effects and features here are several Tips and Tricks for how to edit video with VideoPad. If you have any tips of your own please comment and add them to our list. You can also get started with video editing by watching the the VideoPad video tutorials.

Title Screen and Ending Credits
Add a blank slide to the beginning or end of the timeline. Add text to the slideslide by clicking the green plus button on the Overlay Track, and a fade transition to create a dramatic opening or closing effect to your movie. For ending credits, select the vertical scrolling option and adjust the clip duration to control the scrolling speed.

Text Overlays
Adding captions, title screens and credits is a cinch. See our post on Adding text to your videos for some tips to help you get started using the Overlay Track to add text to video clips.

Video Subtitles
Subtitles are another way of adding text to your video projects. See our post on adding subtitles to your video for a quick overview on importing or creating an .ssa subtitle file in VideoPad, or for more detailed instructions go to our video subtitles tutorial.

Image Overlays
To create a watermark effect or add images to your video for presentations, use image overlays. Click the green plus button on the Overlay Track, select the Image or Video radio button, browse for a file and apply it to the sequence. Once it’s on the sequence, you can select it and edit its size, opacity, positioning and more.

Control Effect Duration
To apply an effect to only part of a clip, try slicing the clip in two. Apply an effect to only one slice, and place a cross-fade between the slices for a seamless transition.

Change Video Speed
Speed up or slow down video clips by selecting a clip and selecting the Speed effect from the Effects tab, then use the slider to select the new speed for the video clip, (i.e. 50% for half speed, 200% for double). You can also choose to play the clip backward.

Video Stabilization
One possible problem you may have with videos you have recorded on your camcorder is video clips that are shaky or unsteady. This is a common problem when you film without a tripod to keep the camcorder still no matter how steady you think your hands are. The video stabilization feature is an easy solution to eliminating camera jitter in your videos, giving you a final video that won't make you seasick to watch.

Upload Videos to YouTube
VideoPad has a wide range of output options for saving your final video, and if you are creating your video for YouTube you can even skip a step and upload to YouTube from VideoPad by entering your YouTube account information and other details, which is just one of the many choices available when saving your finished movie. VideoPad also has automated upload options for Facebook and Flickr.

Sound Effects
VideoPad comes with a Sound Effect Library. You can preview and download sounds from the Sound Effects Library by going to Edit -> Sound -> NCH Sound Effect Library. And since VideoPad has unlimited audio tracks, you have plenty of room to add and mix in the sound effect to your movie soundtrack.

Greenscreen Video Editing
For shooting those scenes you can’t do on location, use the chroma-key feature to transport yourself to another locale. To use chroma-key, click the green plus button on the Overlay Track, select the Image or Video radio button, click the Record button, click the Remove Background button, and follow the onscreen instructions. Also see out post on Easy Chroma Key Overlays.

VirtualDub Video Plugins
For even more effects, VideoPad supports VirtualDub plugins. You can add new plugins by selecting Load/Unload Plugins on the Effects Tab, and loading your saved .vdf format VirtaulDub plugin filter.

And for improving the audio or working on a soundtrack for your movie you may want to start by checking out the WavePad audio editing tips and tricks to help get you started with audio editing.

84 comments:

  1. Watching the tutorial video it instructed me to use a blank clip and add text to make an end credits. The credits scroll too fast. How do I adjust the speed?

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  2. Harriet, change the clip duration to control the scrolling speed.

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  3. Jennifer, I did change the clip duration and it scrolled a little slower but it didn't scroll for the duration of the clip. Where is the vertical scrolling option located? I didn't have any problem with the title page. Other than that, I am enjoying Video Pad. Thank you for your help!

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  4. I have Video Pad and i want to download an effect (if they even have the one I am looking for)it is where u can see to of yourself twice at once and not put it on the overlay track bar. my friend has an editor that can do that, but i don't want to download her editor and i don't want to buy the editor either. The effect is called split verticle soft on her editor. I don't know if it is called that for video pad but, I am going to look.

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  5. VideoPad supports VirtualDub plugins so searching through those would be a good place to look for more effects that you can add

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  6. I need to add a picture to one of the slides in Videopad. How do I do that without it just taking up a slide of it's own?

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  7. Sounds like you want to do an image overlay.

    Click the green plus button on the Overlay Track to the left of the sequence. This will open a window where you can create a text, video or image overlay.

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  8. Great programme guys. Even the free download has wowed me compared to other video editing programmes that you have to pay for. I' definately upgrading.

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  9. hi im recording me playing electric guitar and i want the solo clip to overlay the main verse clip but it doesnt work with the overlay effect because the solo clip wont play any audio... how can i make it overlay with the audio?

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    1. I would recommend you try separating the audio from the clip you are adding so you will have both an audio track and a video overlay on your timeline.

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  10. Iam trying to fade out the vedio clip and keep sound as it is

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    1. You should also try unlinking the audio from the video before fading out on the video portion

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    2. how do you fade out the vedio picture only

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  11. how do you delete a clip without deleting the sound

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    1. Right click on the video clip when it is in you time line, and choose to "Unlink Sound Clip" Then you can select either only the audio or only the video to be deleted or moved.

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  12. I have 3000 pictures for a timelapse shot, when I select them all in my "media list" I click on the duration in seconds tab and reduce the time to 0.2 sec, than apply and drag them into the bar for editing but only the first picture show up as 0.2 sec, and the rest are 3.0 sec. I've tried going to the effects bar and selecting the speed tab and sold it all the way up to 1000 but again only the first pic's time is changed. Please help its driving me crazy!! Thanks.

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    1. You need to set the duration for each individual clip. Unfortunately there is no way to set all of the clips at the same time. I am not sure how you have been trying to set the timing previously but at this time it appears that you will need to do so when the pictures are in the timeline. Because of the amount of photos you have and the consistent setting you want to apply to them I actually suggest trying PhotoStage instead. This may be better suited to what you would like to do because you want to display your images, not necessarily edit video.

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    2. Go into options, general, set default image duration to wat you like and every photo will be added at that length of time.

      I'm doing the same for the start of my video but I want it even faster which can be done by shortening the clip manually in the sequence section but for all those photos?? Doubt it, a ridiculous use of time that would be.

      I wish there was an overall effects area where multiple clips (such as images) can be munipulated together at once. Anyone know how to do this on video pad??

      I'm gonna try what you've suggested Jennifer with PhotoStage, thanks.

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    3. Belatedly, thanks for the tip on PhotoStage. I was doing just what the OP was and it was taking a very long time.

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    4. Actually, you can set the default time to .2

      This would solve your problem. You can find it in the Options window.

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  13. what format must a music file be in in order to be put into this move maker?

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    1. VideoPad supports a very wide range of formats making it very versatile. You can import video clips that are avi, mpeg, wmv, divX, Xvid, mpeg1, mpeg2, mpeg4, mp4, mov, vob, ogm, 3gp, H.264, RM and more.

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  14. Is there a way with Videopad, to select and edit all the cut/split clips at the same time??? I want to edit the temp, saturation, contrast for the video but I want all the separate clips to look the same. Is there a way to do this?
    Thanks

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  15. Hello, please could someone recommend the best settings to save a video if i want to post it to facebook? I am mainly using the video for audio and just having a picture in the background whilst i talk. Thank you and would really appreciate any help and advise... Thank you

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  16. I'm trying to add photos in between my video clip but the video just keeps on playing. What to do to pause the video for the photo?

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    1. Sounds like what you what to do is Slice your video clip so that you can move the two pieces individually so you cam insert the photo between the two portions of the video clip

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  17. I am trying to get a person to fade in and out of the picture, while someone else is still in the frame without fading (like a ghost disappearing) how can I do this? I am trying to make a urban legend short film for a film fest in my city...

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  18. also, the application is running very slowly. Can you tell me how to speed it up? I haven't had any problems in over a year of using NCH. I really like it. So, I'm quite confused about what's happening. thank you!

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  19. How can i put another video on that video....so i want to put small CLIP1 in down-left while CLIP2 is in background?

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  20. Hi, how come you can only do one cross fade or other transition between two tracks in a sequence? If you add another track you can't make a proper transition, the clip where the transition is will stop playing as soon as the transition starts. The clip which is transitioned to plays fine. If you have 10 or more clips you want cross fades between, it's quite a job to organise them in multiple sequences to make it work. /Thomas

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  21. Is there a way to fade to a picture in the middle of the video clip but also still have the sound of the video continue while the image is being displayed?

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  22. Hello I purchased the basic video pad about 4 months ago-I've just gone to use it and I have a message saying I need to upgrade and pay again! Is there any way I can stick to my"old" version? Thanks

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    1. Hi, you aren't required to upgrade to the new version. If you have your original installation file you can just run that one again and enter your registration information. If you no longer have your installation file, please let us know which version of the software you were running and we can supply you with a link to download the correct installer.

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  23. Quoted from someone else:

    "Jo on August 20, 2012 at 4:34 AM

    Is there a way with Videopad, to select and edit all the cut/split clips at the same time??? I want to edit the temp, saturation, contrast for the video but I want all the separate clips to look the same. Is there a way to do this?
    Thanks"

    Yes I wish to crop all clips at the same time, but I don't know how. Can someone please reply.

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  24. Can someone PLEASE help me render my project. It is about two hours long and does not contain any complex edits or layering. I have Windows 7 Pro on an HP with a 3.4 intel processor and 12 gig of ram. Although that should be more than enough to handle this task, I have cleared all caches and temp files and closed all other programs and refrained from using the computer during the rendering process.I have tried at least ten times. I have tried direct to file using avi, mpg and wmv. It reached 90 percent a couple of times, but usually crashed long before that. I have tried burn to disc and haven't gotten past 20 percent. Abnormal execution, abnormal exception, etc., etc. Any suggestions?

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    1. This is a continuation of the request for help with rendering. I should say that I am using VideoPad 3.04 and have downloaded all updates and have tried repair and uninstall/reinstall.

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  25. Can I insert a shot? In other words, I have a long take and I want to insert a closeup real quick and cut back to the original take. Basically, I want to remove a piece of video, but still keep the original audio intact. Is there a say to do this?

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  26. I keep getting no clip selected on v. 3.04. I try editing the old way, but the clip just doesn't seem to show up. I just use simple editing features like connecting short clips and removing parts of them before I finalize.

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  27. I have the problem that the sound and the video are not synchronic when i watch the video in the preview. When I watch it in the normal corner in the top right there is no delay though. What can I do to fix it?

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  28. it is possible to split clips, but i cant find anywhere where i can join them up once again. which would help a lot.

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    1. You can link clips so they will move together, or you could put the two clips on a new sequence, and then use the new sequence as single clip on another sequence

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    2. Jennifer Saksa, How do you link the clip together so that they are able to move as one piece???? I've been struggling to find this option for the last several hours....help!

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    3. You can hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard and then click on the clips you wish to keep together to select multiple clips at once. When you are done selecting you can then drag all of the clips you selected in one piece to your desired location.

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  29. Jennifer,

    I'm editing together a sequence of clips, but when I preview the project, there are blank clips in-between each clip I've placed on the storyboard. These blank clips only appear for a fraction of a second, but they are creating 'jump cuts' whereas I would prefer the editing to be seamless. Any suggestions on fixing this problem?

    -Leanne

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  30. Hi Leanne, sorry you're having this issue. Our support team can help you with this: http://www.nch.com.au/support/supportcontact.html?software=VideoPad

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    1. I am having this problem as well. Any tech note on how to get around this problem?
      Thank you.

      -Ebbe

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  31. Does anybody know why sometimes VideoPad will export a video to your computer lickety-split, and other times it takes HOURS. It's becoming extremely frustrating. The percent progress bar on the "Creating your movie..." popup just flickers rapidly, and lately has been taking up to 10 minutes just to progress to 1% completion. What gives?

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  32. How does one import a sequence from another project, or, is there a way to import a project into another project?
    Thanks.

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    1. Please contact our VideoPad support team at http://www.nch.com.au/support/supportcontact.html?software=VideoPad

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  33. How to add a watermark to the new version of Videopad. It's driving me insane. I can add an image and change opacity, but no clue how to change it's location or size.

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  34. My clips are 25 fps Pal mp4/H264 ;
    Once edited, I select 25 fps Pal mp4/H264 to export.
    The final video is 24.574 fps !
    And the sound is shifted...
    With the new version 3.25 ; not this problem with the last version.
    I need 25 fps : how to do ?

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    Replies
    1. Hello,
      That sounds like a question that our fantastic Support Team would be happy to help with. You can contact them here:
      http://www.nch.com.au/support/supportcontact.html?software=VideoPad

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  35. I didn’t know that the more audio you add the video the louder it becomes. What is the reason a video sounds super low on YouTube but fine on my computer?

    Jemma

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  36. Hello Jemma,
    There could be several causes for low audio output. If it sounds fine on your computer, it may be an issue with YouTube. If you would like to speak to a Support Member, you can contact them here:
    http://www.nch.com.au/support/supportcontact.html?software=VideoPad

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  37. Are there any restrictions or crippling with the free download VideoPad 3.29? I need to learn an editor for a school project, but I don't want to run into anything unexpected before the end of term!

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  38. This program is so good, but it make many chances in a computer, too ersa many dll libreries, thanks. Greteens for you.

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  39. Can you go through the steps of how to zoom in and back out on a still shot...or video for that matter...the older version seems to have been MUCH easier to work with for this feature

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  40. How do you add a spot shadow to a clip?

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  41. 1. Is there an effect to blur the certain part of the video for some time.
    2. Is there an option to add annotiations where we want them to be on the video screen. (not what it was preimplemented, down, up, corner left right...)

    Thanks in advance

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    Replies
    1. Answer to #2: Right-click the clip and select 'current effect properties', then adjust the bars under 'Meter'.
      Hope this helps.

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  42. Whenver i try to export the video the audio gets messed up.. it becomes high pitched and really fast.

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  43. Hi, I've added 4 overlay videos one in each corner) to my project of a friend singing, but the video is now pixelated, which happens after adding just one overlay video.
    Is there a way I can counter this pixelation?

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  44. I'm adding 4 video overlays to a project,but as I add each one the project becomes more pixelated. Is there something I can do to stop that? Thank you in advance.

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  45. I am trying to set the transition time between clips. On the first transition (fade), I was able to set a transition time of 1.4 sec. On the subsequent transitions (also fades), it is limiting the transition time to either .012 sec, or .100 sec. I am unable to pick anything different, or enter any other value other than those. Anyone know why this might be happening?

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  46. how to crop the video? to focus my subject?

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  47. I have a video that has 2 audio streams, normal and commentary. When I add the file to Videopad it chooses the commentary. Is there any way to choose the non-commentary audio track?

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  48. Loving the software thus far, I just have two requests. First, is there, or can there be added, a way for me to simultaneously adjust the clip speed of all clips in a group. Second, I'd like to be able to surpass the 900% clip speed barrier without having to export the video maxed out and bringing it back in.

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  49. After scaling a overlaying video, how do I drag it to a corner of the screen?

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  50. After scaling a video, how do I drag it to a corner of the screen?

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  51. I got a video that is 20MB. how do i scale it down to t10 MB

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  52. is there any way to batch convert files (I have uncompressed files I want to convert with the excellent quality encoder Videopad offers, but I think I have to load a file, place it on the sequencer, and then export that one file). is there any easier way? (I know some free editors that can batch convert, but the compression they offer is terrible)

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    Replies
    1. Hello, Prism Video Converter from NCH Software can help you batch convert video files. More info here:
      http://www.nchsoftware.com/prism/index.html
      - NCH Software

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  53. How do I change the background color of clips to anything but black? lack is so boring.....

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  54. Hello,
    Can I copy this article into the my Website? this is my website Tutorial Videopad
    Thanks Before

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  55. Any idea how to add the Typewriter effect, so it makes videos a better look if you are making it military style.

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    1. The latest version of VideoPad allows you to do this. Simply go to the Add Text tab and then under Character Animation there is a Typewriter effect for your text.

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  56. i have this video of this person crying but i want to make them black devilish how would i do that

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  57. is there a way to use both my camera and screen recordings at the same time? like putting my camera recording in the corner of the screen while im playing a game or something? i am trying to make gameplay videos with my camera recording in it also but i dont know if its possible.

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  58. Hi, I created a video for YouTube, but would like to upload it as three parts! what is the easiest way to save individual parts of a video separately, or upload individual parts of the project?

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  59. is this a one time purchase with unlimited video uploads or am i only getting so many uploads then gonna have to purchase again im so confused

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  60. You will always have full access to all of the program's features for the version that you purchased. Your registration code is good for life for that version.

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  61. Is there a way to batch render? I have edited about 20 videos, each one takes about 4 hours to render (they are long videos) I would like to set it up to simply render one after the other without having to do it manually for each one. That way I can get on with other work and forget about the videos until they are done. Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. Your best bet for batch video editing options is to go to the file tab > Batch Video Editor. From there you can add your video files to the batch editing window and have all of your editing applied to all of your video clips.

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    2. Thanks Cody but it's batch rendering I'm after. I know how to bulk edit but it's how to vie numerous videos for rendering that I'm having trouble with.

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