# Need recommendations for simple video editing software

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-simple-video-editing-software/265406>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [September 22, 2004, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-simple-video-editing-software/265406 "2004-09-22T01:06:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\
**Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-simple-video-editing-software/265406/1 "2004-09-22T01:06:02Z")

</div>

I want to be able to take video (digital video from a camcorder) and take an entire tape/file and cut it up into pieces and rearrange those pieces - pretty simple… think about watching a game of baseball or something and creating a highlight reel. I need software where I can linearly edit out chunks and compose them in whatever order I need to. Freeware would be nice, but I’ll look into buying software if I need to.

Extra features and ease of use would be nice, but my primary need is something that can simply edit and splice chunks of video on a timeline.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![vertizontal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ad7895/32.png) [@vertizontal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vertizontal)\
**Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-simple-video-editing-software/265406/2 "2004-09-22T01:33:17Z")

</div>

I was able to start using [Pinnacle Studio](http://www.pinnaclesys.com/ProductPage_n.asp?Product_ID=1501&Langue_ID=7) fairly quickly.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\
**Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-simple-video-editing-software/265406/3 "2004-09-22T02:03:39Z")

</div>

Everyone I know who does video editing swears by Final Cut Pro.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Toddly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@Toddly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toddly)\
**Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-recommendations-for-simple-video-editing-software/265406/4 "2004-09-22T02:10:37Z")

</div>

I got [Ulead Video Studio](http://www.ulead.com/vs/runme.htm) with my camcorder. It works OK for a beginner. There is a free trial period for some of these programs.