Edit MOV files: how it works with freeware
You cannot only edit MOV files with expensive video editing software. The following two freewares offer you numerous options for cutting, scaling, mirroring and stringing MOV files together. You can also insert credits, subtitles and other texts.
What are MOV files?
Files with the ending MOV do not necessarily contain the same type of data in the same formats. This is MOV:
- MOV is a container file that can contain audio, video, and text.
- Different audio and video codecs are allowed.
- In CHIP articles, we explain how to open MOV files and convert them to other formats.
- We show you in a practical tip how to change the video codec efficiently.
XMedia Recode
You can open, edit, cut and convert MOV files with the free tool XMedia Recode:
- You can simply drag and drop the MOV file into XMedia Recode.
- In a practical tip we give you an introduction to XMedia Recode.
- With this free tool you can, for example, exchange the soundtrack, adjust the volume or create a MOV file with several soundtracks.
- In addition, under "Filter / Preview" you can easily generate time and image sections, scale, mirror, remove noise and apply many other effects.
- Of course, it is also possible to convert the original or edited video into another format.
- Unfortunately, you cannot use XMedia Recode to string or merge several MOV files. Windows Movie Maker is ideal for this video editing.
Windows Movie Maker
Cut and line up MOV files, insert transition effects, titles and end credits with the free Movie Maker:
- Simply drag-and-drop the MOV file into the Movie Maker.
- If this is not possible, or if the image of the MOV file is not displayed in Movie Maker, you are still missing the appropriate codec. In this case, install the K-Lite Codec Pack.
- We show you in various practical tips how to cut videos, rotate the image and export individual images in the Movie Maker.
- In Movie Maker, you can also remove sound from MOV files, change the playback speed, or insert text for a title or credits.
- Due to compatibility problems, Windows Movie Maker sometimes does not open MOV files despite the appropriate codec. In this case, uninstall K-Lite and try the X Codec Pack or the Vista Codec Pack.
- As a makeshift measure, you can convert the MOV file into a WMA file using Xmedia Recode or efficiently change the video codec according to our instructions to make it compatible with Movie Maker.
