CLIPCHAMP Free Video Editing App - Is It Any Good?

Creators First
7 Mar 202310:31

TLDRClipChamp, a free video editing app introduced with Windows 11, is reviewed from a content creator's perspective. While it offers templates, media import, and basic editing tools, it lacks advanced features like audio waveforms and color correction. The app is suitable for beginners making simple videos but falls short for complex editing needs. The rendering quality is also a concern, making it less appealing for professionals.

Takeaways

  • 📅 Clipchamp was released in 2022 as part of a Windows 11 update.
  • 🔐 Users must sign in with a Microsoft or other account to use Clipchamp, even for the free version.
  • 🎬 The app offers templates for various purposes including social media formats, holidays, and more.
  • 💻 It allows recording using webcam, screen, or microphone, but the review focuses on video editing.
  • 📂 The interface includes a media panel for importing clips, a timeline for arranging assets, and a sidebar for transitions and effects.
  • 🖥️ The preview takes up most of the screen, with playback buttons and timeline tools below.
  • ✂️ The app lacks an audio waveform for video tracks, which can hinder precise editing.
  • 📈 Real-time playback only, with no option to speed up, which can slow down the editing process.
  • 📱 Aspect ratio options include standard 16:9, 1:1, and 9:16 for vertical video.
  • 💾 Auto-saving is the only option, with no manual save or 'save as' feature.
  • 🎥 The app is suitable for beginners and basic video types like shorts, Vlogs, and educational content.
  • 🚫 Not recommended for complex editing like documentaries, animations, or films due to slow rendering and low output quality.

Q & A

  • What is ClipChamp and when was it released?

    -ClipChamp is a free video editing application that was released in 2022 as part of a Windows 11 update.

  • What are the account options for signing into ClipChamp?

    -You can sign into ClipChamp using a Microsoft account or other account types, which is also used for purchasing paid upgrades and storing projects in the cloud.

  • What types of templates are available in ClipChamp?

    -ClipChamp offers templates for graphical assets like intro screens, social media formats, holidays, and more.

  • Can you create recordings using ClipChamp?

    -Yes, ClipChamp allows you to create recordings using your webcam, screen, or microphone.

  • What is the main area of the ClipChamp interface used for?

    -The main area of the ClipChamp interface is a preview of your video, where you can see the output of your editing.

  • How does the timeline in ClipChamp work?

    -The timeline in ClipChamp is where you place assets like video clips, audio, and more. It's below the video preview and is essential for editing your video sequence.

  • What are the limitations of the media panel in ClipChamp as described in the review?

    -The media panel in ClipChamp is simple but lacks a folder feature to sort content, which could become inefficient for larger projects.

  • Why does the reviewer not recommend separating audio from video in ClipChamp?

    -The reviewer does not recommend separating audio from video in ClipChamp because it causes the audio and video to become out of sync, which slows down the editing process.

  • What is the reviewer's opinion on the playback speed in ClipChamp?

    -The reviewer finds the playback speed in ClipChamp to be limited to real-time, which adds inefficiency as they believe it should be possible to play back at double speed or faster.

  • What issues does the reviewer face while adding b-roll in ClipChamp?

    -The reviewer faces issues such as not being able to extract parts of the video before placing it on the timeline and having to trim out what is needed after adding it.

  • What is the reviewer's opinion on the color correction capabilities in ClipChamp?

    -The reviewer finds the color correction capabilities in ClipChamp to be very basic and lacking essential features like the ability to copy and paste effects or reference values for effect sliders.

  • What are the audio editing limitations in ClipChamp as mentioned in the review?

    -ClipChamp's audio editing is limited to adjusting volume levels with no features for noise removal, compression, or audio metering.

  • What is the reviewer's final verdict on ClipChamp's suitability for professional use?

    -The reviewer concludes that ClipChamp is not suitable for professional use due to its limitations and low-quality rendering output.

Outlines

00:00

📹 Clip Champ Review Overview

The paragraph introduces a review of Clip Champ, a free video editing application released as part of a Windows 11 update in 2022. The reviewer, a full-time content creator, compares Clip Champ to professional software like Premiere Pro. The review focuses on the free version, discussing the sign-in process, the home page, and the available templates for various purposes. The interface is described, including the video preview, timeline, playback buttons, sidebar for assets, and properties for clip modifications. The reviewer decides to start from scratch to evaluate the workflow.

05:01

🎞️ Exploring Clip Champ's Editing Features

This paragraph delves into the editing process in Clip Champ. The reviewer discusses importing media, arranging clips, and the lack of audio waveform visibility. They mention issues with audio and video sync when separating the audio track. The limitations of real-time playback and the difficulty in distinguishing between cuts are highlighted. The paragraph also covers adding b-roll, stacking clips, and the challenges faced due to frequent buffering. The reviewer finds the application suitable for basic video editing but inefficient for more complex tasks due to the absence of advanced features and the software's performance issues.

10:01

🚀 Final Thoughts on Clip Champ

The final paragraph summarizes the reviewer's experience with Clip Champ. They conclude that it is suitable for beginners and can handle basic video formats like shorts, Vlogs, and educational content. However, for more complex editing like documentaries or animations, the reviewer finds Clip Champ too slow and the rendering output too low quality. They advise professionals to consider more advanced software and suggest that Clip Champ is a starting point for new content creators who can later upgrade to more sophisticated tools. The reviewer appreciates the existence of a free editing option integrated into Windows, reducing the risk of installing unfamiliar third-party apps.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Clipchamp

Clipchamp is a free video editing application that was released as part of a Windows 11 update in 2022. It is designed to be user-friendly and offers features such as video recording, screen recording, and access to templates for creating social media content. The application allows users to edit videos with basic tools and export them for sharing on various platforms. It also has paid upgrades for additional features and cloud storage [^2^].

💡Templates

Templates in Clipchamp refer to pre-designed video layouts and formats that users can utilize to create content quickly. These templates cover a range of uses, from social media posts to holiday videos, and they streamline the video creation process by providing a starting point that users can customize with their own media [^2^].

💡Timeline

The timeline in Clipchamp is where users arrange their video clips, audio, and other assets. It is a critical component of the editing process, allowing for sequencing, trimming, and adjusting the order of media within the video project. The timeline provides a visual representation of the video's structure, making it easier to manage and edit [^2^].

💡Brand Kit

The Brand Kit feature in Clipchamp is a tool that helps users create consistent branding across their videos. It allows users to save and apply custom color schemes, fonts, and logos to ensure that all video assets align with their brand identity. This feature is particularly useful for businesses and content creators who want a cohesive look in their video content [^2^].

💡Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio in video editing refers to the proportional relationship between the width and height of the video frame. Clipchamp allows users to adjust the aspect ratio of their projects, supporting standard ratios like 16x9 as well as vertical video formats such as 1x1 or 9x16, which is essential for creating content that fits different viewing platforms [^2^].

💡Export

Exporting in Clipchamp is the process of finalizing and saving the edited video as a video file. Users can export their videos in various formats, with the option to choose the quality and resolution. The export feature also includes the ability to share or upload the video directly to social media platforms from within the application [^2^].

💡Cloud Backup

Cloud backup in Clipchamp is a feature that allows users to store their video projects and assets in the cloud, enabling access from multiple devices and providing a safety net against data loss. This feature is particularly useful for users who work on videos across different computers or need to collaborate with others [^2^].

💡Audio Waveform

An audio waveform in video editing represents the shape and volume of audio over time. In Clipchamp, the reviewer found the lack of a clear audio waveform for the video track to be a significant drawback, as it makes it difficult to sync audio with video and identify specific audio events visually [^2^].

💡B-roll

B-roll in video editing refers to supplementary or alternative footage that is edited into the main video to add variety and context. In the context of Clipchamp, the reviewer discusses adding b-roll footage to enhance the video by cutting away from the main narration to provide visual interest [^2^].

💡Transitions

Transitions in video editing are the effects used to move from one video clip to another. Clipchamp offers a variety of transitions that users can apply between clips to create a smooth flow or to indicate a change in time, location, or mood. The ability to customize the duration of transitions adds to the creative control users have over their videos [^2^].

Highlights

Clipchamp is a free video editing application released in 2022 as part of a Windows 11 update.

It requires signing in with a Microsoft or other account, possibly for cloud storage and purchasing upgrades.

The free version offers templates for various purposes including social media formats and holidays.

Users can create recordings using their webcam, screen, or microphone.

The interface includes a preview screen, timeline, playback buttons, and a sidebar for assets.

The media panel allows users to import video, images, and audio clips, but lacks a folder feature for organization.

There is no audio waveform visible for video tracks, which is a significant drawback for editing.

Separating audio from video causes desynchronization, which is not recommended.

Playback is limited to real-time, lacking the ability to fast-forward or rewind quickly.

The video editing process can be inefficient due to the lack of advanced editing tools.

B-roll footage can be added and layered, but the application does not allow for in-point editing.

Buffering issues occur frequently, affecting the preview of transitions and other effects.

Adding text and transitions is straightforward, but color correction and audio editing are very basic.

There is no way to save manually, and the application appears to autosave.

Exporting is limited to 1080p HD, and the rendered video quality is noticeably lower than the original footage.

Clipchamp is suitable for beginners and basic video types like shorts, Vlogs, and educational content.

For more complex editing like documentaries or animations, Clipchamp may be too slow and unreliable.

Professionals are advised to look for more advanced software with fewer limitations.

Clipchamp is a decent free option, but there are better alternatives for those who can afford them.

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