How to Trim & Cut the Video in VLC?
You probably know VLC Media Player as a tool for watching videos — but it can do much more than just play them.
It can help with easy video editing, such as cutting and trimming videos. This is a good option for people who want to remove unwanted parts from their videos or extract a short video from a long video. This means you don't have to worry about purchasing expensive editing software, such as Premiere Pro. So, let's see how you can cut and trim videos in VLC Media Player with our step-by-step guide!
Part 1: Why Use VLC to Cut or Trim Videos?
VLC Media Player is not just a video player — it's a versatile tool that millions of people use daily. While its main purpose is to play almost any video or audio format without additional codecs, it also comes with handy editing features like trimming and cutting.
One of the biggest reasons people choose VLC for trimming is that it's completely free and open-source, with no hidden costs. It's also cross-platform, working seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and because it's lightweight, you don't need a high-performance computer to run it.
Compared to professional editors such as Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve, which are powerful but complex, VLC offers a simple, no-frills solution. If your only goal is to cut out a short highlight, it's incredibly easy to edit videos with vlc without dealing with complex timelines or heavy exports. However, if you want more advanced editing features, you might consider a VLC alternative.
VLC provides two straightforward ways to cut or trim:
- Recording function: lets you instantly capture clips while watching the video.
- Convert/Save function: allows you to trim specific sections and export them in your preferred format.
Bonus: The Best Camera for Recording - OBSBOT Tail 2 Live Production Camera
Since VLC Media Player isn't designed as a full professional editor, trimming and cutting work best when your footage is already stable and high-quality. That's where the OBSBOT Tail 2 comes in — it captures clean, ready-to-edit videos from the start. With clear and smooth recordings, you won’t waste time fixing shaky or low-quality clips, and VLC can handle trimming more efficiently. The Tail 2 also offers multiple transfer options, making it simple to import videos to your computer and export the final edits.
Key Features:
- Up to 4K@60fps Recording: The OBSBOT Tail 2 can capture a well-detailed video, so the trimmed and cropped videos still retain a good resolution once exported from VLC.
- 1/1.5" CMOS Sensor: Tail 2 camera makes sure that the videos are balanced and clean, which means you won't need to edit the videos too much before or after trimming.
- All-pixel PDAF: It keeps moving shots sharp and helps reduce unusable takes, making it easier to find clean cut points in VLC.
- 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilization: Tail 2 ensures smooth and shake-free video recording. So your cuts feel natural and don't require digital stabilization in VLC.
- Multiple Transfer Options: Tail 2 provides a variety of transmission methods, allowing videos to be quickly imported into VLC and efficiently exported into films, speeding up the workflow.
Part 2: How to Trim & Cut the Video in VLC?
Before diving into the step-by-step guide, it's important to understand that VLC video cropping and editing relies on the player's built-in recording feature. Follow these steps:
Step 1. Install VLC and Upload Your Video
First, make sure you have VLC Media Player installed. If not, download it from the official VLC website, follow the installation process, and then launch the program.
- On the VLC menu bar, click Media → Open File.
- Browse and select the video you want to cut (for example, an MP4 file).
- Click Open to load the video into VLC.
Step 2. Enable Recording Controls
By default, VLC hides the recording tools. To turn them on:
- Go to the top menu and click View → Advanced Controls.
- You'll now see new buttons above the regular playback controls, including the red Record button.
Step 3. Cut Your Video
Now you're ready to cut a portion of your video:
- Play the video and pause it at the point where you want the cut to begin.
- Click the Record button (red circle) to start capturing.
- Let the video play until you reach the point where you want the cut to end.
- Click the Record button again to stop.
Step 4. Find Your Video
VLC will automatically save the video as a new file in your default media folder:
- Windows: Videos folder → This PC > Videos
- Mac: Movies folder
That's it! You now have a new video file that contains only the selected portion. You can then rename or move the file as needed.
Part 3: FAQs About Cut the Video in VLC
1. How to cut a part of a video in VLC?
You can use the Record function. Just play the video, press the Record button at the start, and press it again at the end. VLC will automatically save the new clip.
2. What are the best alternatives to VLC for video cropping?
Some of the best alternatives to VLC for video cropping include OBSBOT Center, Shotcut, OpenShot, DaVinci Resolve, and Adobe Premiere Pro, all of which provide dedicated cropping tools and more precise editing features.
3. How to download YouTube videos using VLC?
You can use VLC to stream a YouTube video and obtain its direct media URL, which can then be opened in a browser and saved. However, this method may not work consistently because YouTube frequently changes its streaming protocols.
4. Are there any tips for cropping videos more precisely in VLC?
For more precise cropping in VLC, use exact crop values instead of preset aspect ratios, preview the video before saving your settings, and consider using a dedicated video editor if you need frame-accurate cropping or want to export the cropped video permanently.
Conclusion
VLC is much more than a media player. With just a few clicks, you can cut the video in VLC using the Record function or trim the video in VLC using Convert/Save. Whether you're a student making quick clips, a content creator repurposing footage, or just someone who wants to save favorite movie moments, VLC is a lightweight and reliable solution. For professional recording, pairing VLC with a camera like the OBSBOT Tail 2 Live Production Camera ensures high-quality input that looks great even after cutting or trimming.
