The Free Video Editing Guide

This is an uninformative step-by-step guide to editing videos for free.

What do you need?

A computer with a massive amount of free hard disk space, lots of free time, patience.

Step by step Guide

1.       Convert video files into .avi. You need .avi files to use on Windows Movie Maker.  Use Hamster http://download.cnet.com/Hamster-Free-Video-Converter/3000-2194_4-75218449.html because there are a lot of rubbish free video converters out there.  It roughly takes 1 minute to convert 1 minute of video.  Be warned: your computer will be loud!

2.       Video editing using Windows Movie Maker (WMM)If you are just stringing video clips together, it’s fairly simple.  However, if you looking for more “edit”, then expect to invest your time.  Use the button “M” to split (cut) the video then drag it to where you want it.  Afterwards, perform some simple titles and transition effects (fade is best).  Publish your edit into an .avi file.  All published .wmv files will give your video the bottom half a green screen.   If can you, watch the video because occasionally WMM will not publish your video correctly. 

My aim was to put together an individual volleyball player’s service aces, kills and blocks from their last match.  With a potential 50 cuts total for all 6 players and no way to tag them, it was a problem.  I decided to watch the video on VLC player (http://download.cnet.com/VLC-Media-Player/3000-13632_4-10267151.html) and code the match (player, action and time).  At one player at a time, I was able to cut out their actions from the coding and then organise them into aces, kills and blocks.

3.       Upload Video on the internetUpload your video on Facebook or YouTube (check out my channel at http://www.youtube.com/thevolleyballanalyst).  However, your video file may be big so expect a long upload (my 2-3min video clip = 500-600Mb = 75min upload). 

4.       Player permissionSeek player permission to make the video of them public.  It is advisable to upload videos as “unlisted” then make it “public” when you have permission.  It’s a courtesy.

Conclusion

From start to finish, it took me approximately 21 hours total to upload six edited 2-3min videos.  It took a long time but priceless in terms of obtaining performance analysis experience.  

*** Update 2 February 2021 | This is definitely an old guide.  Windows Movie Maker is extinct now and with the current internet speeds, it doesn’t take long to upload an entire volleyball match ***