A Guide to Choosing Best Video Editing Equipment

How to Choose Video Editing Equipment

As you look for professional video editing equipment that can produce great results, there are several items to consider. Powerful and feature-rich video editing software is crucial, but you may also want to consider the types of hardware and accessories that can help with the editing process. The following are some specific pieces of equipment to shop for as you prepare your video editing setup.

An Editing Computer

When editing your videos, you'll want to make sure that you have a computer that's capable of handling potentially demanding editing tasks. You also need to make sure you have a computer that's compatible with the type of footage you're using. If you're working with equipment for digital video or other media, ensure that your computer and software can work with it. A computer with ample hard drive space and computational power can help keep the editing process smooth throughout.

Video Editing Software

In addition to capable hardware, you'll need video editing software. Today, non-linear video editing equipment is ideal for editing, replacing the outdated analog method of linear editing. A good non-linear video editor will give you total control over the editing process, with the ability to freely manipulate your footage however you wish. Based on what you need for your videos, a complete editor can enable you to use multiple timelines, crop and trim video clips, rotate and resize footage, apply transitions and other effects, add titles or subtitles, clean up your footage, and much more. You may also want to find editing software that includes a media encoder, which can convert and export the final cut into any digital format, making it easy to upload your video to YouTube and other platforms.

Monitors Conducive to Editing

Ideally, your computer monitor should be large enough to give you a complete view of your editing workstation. Many editors work with as many as three monitors to maximize their virtual workspace, but a dual setup is often ideal. With two monitors, you can use one exclusively for editing, while a second monitor displays a playback, which can further help with color correction. Depending on your setup, you may also require mounts to hold your monitors and keep them properly angled.

Headphones and Speakers for Mixing

While video editing may be primarily visual, accurate sound mixing is another key consideration for video editing. This is why it's best to have a good pair of headphones and monitor speakers that allow you to clearly hear the audio. This video editing equipment can also help mimic different environments to help you optimize audio settings accordingly.

Consider Video Editing Equipment Prices

Regardless of the video editing equipment you choose, you need to make sure it's within your available budget. Start with what you need to get the results you want, but keep in mind that you can always upgrade as you establish a bigger budget over time. Starting with a basic setup can also help you familiarize yourself with the process if you're new to it. As you develop more advanced skills, it may be worth it to invest in more advanced editing software and hardware.