Trim Video Clips Fast in VLC without Extra Software

VLC Media Player does more than just play videos; it can also trim video clips without needing additional software. While VLC isn’t a full editing suite, it provides enough control to cut sections from videos for a quick edit. Whether you’re looking to save a favorite clip, cut out unnecessary parts, or split a file, VLC offers several methods to accomplish this. Let’s explore them one by one.

VLC Trim Video – How to Trim Video Using VLC

Using VLC’s Recording Feature While Playing

One of the simplest ways to trim a video in VLC is by using the recording feature. It lets you manually select where the trimmed clip should begin and end while the video plays. This method doesn’t require processing the entire file, which is useful for quick, on-the-fly trims.

First, ensure the record button is visible. If not, go to the View menu and enable Advanced Controls. This adds extra buttons above the play/pause area, including a red circle for recording. Load your video and play it. When you reach the part where you want the trimmed clip to begin, hit Record. Let the video play until the section you want ends, and press Record again. The new clip is saved to your Videos folder (or the default save location set in your VLC settings).

Trimming with Start and Stop Time in the Command Line

VLC also allows trimming through command-line arguments. If you’re comfortable with typing commands, this method is excellent for precise control over start and end times without needing to open the video.

To use this, open your system’s command prompt or terminal and enter a command like:

vlc input.mp4 --start-time=30 --stop-time=90 --sout "#file{dst=trimmed.mp4}" vlc://quit

This command tells VLC to start the video at 30 seconds and stop at 90 seconds, then save that clip as trimmed.mp4. Ensure the filename and path are correct. You can adjust the start and stop times as needed.

This option doesn’t require the VLC window to open or playback, making it faster when you know the times you want. The trimmed file is saved directly, and there’s no need for extra exporting or manual work. However, precise time codes are essential.

Cutting Using the Convert/Save Feature

The Convert/Save tool in VLC can also trim video, though it takes a few extra steps. It’s primarily for file conversion, but with specific playback points, it becomes a way to create a trimmed copy.

Open VLC and go to Media > Convert/Save. Add the video file you want to trim. Instead of pressing Convert, click the small arrow beside it and choose Convert. You’ll reach a screen with output settings. Look at the Edit Selected Profile icon (a wrench symbol) to pick video and audio codecs. Leave them as is unless a specific format is needed.

Here’s where it becomes a trim tool: before converting, set start and stop times by creating a custom stream output with time constraints. This method is somewhat clunky and hidden, so it’s often skipped. However, it’s handy for automating the process if you’re editing multiple clips.

Extracting Clips with Playlist Bookmarking

VLC’s bookmarking feature can help identify exact in and out points before cutting a clip using another method. When playing a video, go to Playback > Custom Bookmarks > Manage. Here, set a bookmark at any point in the video and label it.

While this doesn’t trim anything on its own, setting bookmarks for the start and end of a section helps when using the recording method or applying times in a command-line trim. It’s a support tool rather than a direct method but simplifies the process, especially with longer files.

Using VLC with a Lua Script for Auto Trimming

For advanced users, VLC supports Lua scripting. Some write Lua scripts to automatically open a file, trim it from one timestamp to another, and save the output. This isn’t built into VLC’s main interface, so you’ll need to write or find a script. After placing it in VLC’s Lua extensions folder, run it through the View > Extensions menu.

The main advantage of this method is automation, allowing the same trimming task on multiple videos without repeating steps manually. However, it’s technical and not for beginners. If unfamiliar with Lua or scripting, the learning curve can be steep.

Final Thoughts

VLC isn’t a full video editor, and that’s okay. It provides just enough tools to get simple jobs done. Whether you’re manually recording a clip, using the command line for precision, or combining trim work with format conversion, VLC lets you cut videos without extra software. It’s fast, free, and works across systems, making it one of the easiest choices when you need a quick trim. Stay tuned for more!