We watch 1 billion hours of YouTube every day. So do you remember any video that you saw earlier today where the filming and editing might have amazed you? If you have any interests in video making then you may know that editing a video is not as easy as filming it. Well if you think so, stop right there as I have come with a suggestion that makes video editing quite easy. This free software by the name of VideoPad Video Editor helps you to edit videos on Windows PC.
What is NCH software?
NCH is a software company that provides software programs for photos, videos, graphics, audio and business. Founded in 1993, since then it has provided several programs. The most eminent software to date is no other than VideoPad.
What is VideoPad Video Editor?
VideoPad is a movie maker program that allows you to perform basic editing tasks and create videos within minutes. You can create movie projects by combining various video clips. It comes with a simple interface and has all the necessary features to stand up against other rivals. With more than 50 transitions and visual effects, you can now give a more professional touch to your videos. VideoPad is available for both Windows and Mac.
Now let’s see what important features this software has to offer:
Video Transitions and effects
Stunning transitions can enhance the look and feel of any video. This video editing software allows you to pick the best transitions from the available options to smoothly move from one clip or screen to the next. Keeping in mind that nobody likes those boring PowerPoint transitions that display swirls and springs, NCH has incorporated all the useful transition as per the taste of the users. You can also customize the duration of applied transitions which gives you more control over transitions. Use the preview button to preview the effects in real-time.
Video Optimization
As I mentioned earlier that capturing or recording a video is easier than editing it. Well, at least now you know that this is not the case with VideoPad video editor. It allows you to easily fine-tune your clips, so now you know what to do if next time you capture a video clip in lowlight conditions. This software can not only fine-tune brightness but also adjust the colours and saturation as per your requirements. You can also apply effects like black and white, negatives and sepia tone. Several effects can also be combined to create a customized effect.
VideoPad lets you add still photos and images in between the clips or even onto the clip. To add any random tax or a specific description of something you can use ‘add text caption’ feature. This software also has other basic tools such as crop, trim, split, mix, slow down, reverse or speed up a video clip. This is quite helpful when creating looped gif videos. Unlike most of the other software out there, it incorporates a video stabilization feature that reduces camera shake.
Digital Audio Tools
Quality music and sound effects can boost a video from zero to one. If used otherwise, they can also make any top-notch video lose its worth. VideoPad enables you to import music tracks and record your narrations. In addition to that, you can also use audio effects including distortion, choral, echo and more. Not only that but you can also add suitable sound effects from the free sound effect library.
Export
This app allows you to burn to DVD and watch your video on TV. If you make vlogs or any videos for your YouTube channel, there is an option to directly upload it to YouTube as well. Furthermore, you can save the video to PSP, iPhone or iPod. Complete video after editing can be saved in multiple resolutions including full HD, 2K and 4K. Video and still images include these supported formats: CD, DVD, Blu-ray or HD-DVD, wmv, avi, mov, mp4, mpg and 3dp.
FAQ’s
Is NCH software VideoPad really free?
Well NCH officially says that this program is completely free for non-commercial use. But if you are interested in using it for commercial purposes, you can pay for any of the two versions of VideoPad available.
The top-end version called, “Masters Edition” is available for $90. It supports an unlimited number of external plugins and external audio tracks. This version offers every feature of VideoPad. A less costly version of VideoPad is priced at $60 and is known as the “Home Edition”. This version does not support external plugins and also restricts you to add only two tracks.
Is VideoPad safe?
A vital concern for most of us is that if the software that we are using is safe? Well, talking about VideoPad let me assure you that this is safe software as I have tested and scanned the contents of this software with an antivirus. It is also on the list of many software suggestion sites and countless PC users have downloaded it.
Does VideoPad have a watermark?
VideoPad is free software for non-commercial projects. Mostly free software out there put on a watermark to the finish projects which might be a turn-off for the user. This is NOT the case with NCH VideoPad as you can export videos without losing any quality and that too without any watermark.
Alternatives
Filmora:
It is software that features all the video editing tools to spice up your editing skills. The brief tutorials help you to understand the software better. This economical software provides the best value for money. It comes with many pre-set effects ready to be added just right away.
Final Cut Pro X:
It is simple software with a remarkable interface. It is quite user-friendly thus allows you to easily figure out how to use the software. Final Cut Pro has most of the features that you expect in any top-end software such as Premium Pro.
iMovie:
It is an intuitive program that is easy to use. It can be used with a very basic knowledge of editing. Using it with a Mac or any apple device is a timesaver as it is specially designed to work with Mac. It gives you several advantages over other software as you can grab music from iTunes directly into the software.
Verdict
Anything that you get for free is never equal to another thing that you paid for. VideoPad by NCH is great software to edit clips for non-commercial purposes. As per my experience, it is very convenient to use and I expect that anyone with a minimalistic knowledge of video editing can use it. Although, just like any other software you need some time to get used to it and figure out how each tool works. The free version can do all of your basic editing with a few restrictions. Otherwise, you may purchase the paid version to enjoy additional perks. External plugins make it more useful and it is far better than many of its $50-$100 competitors.
Despite being so much positive about VideoPad, I would not recommend this software to the audience that is in search of a pro video editor. A person who has hands-on experience with other video editing software may not find VideoPad much useful as it lacks some features used in other popular programs. Nonetheless, it is useful for basic editing.