Film Editing – How to Save Video Into Different Files With Avidemux

I was recently asked to convert some existing camcorder video footage, into multiple video files. One stumbling block, was that two different camcorder’s were used. Also, I had to work with two different video file types, .mov and .avi.

Currently, I like to use OpenShot Video Editor for basic editing of videos. However, I don’t think this program allows you to cut and then save new video files, without converting them. Cutting and then saving video into new files can save a lot of time.

I was able to easily cut and then save new video files with Avidemux, which is available for MAC, Linux, and Windows. This saved me lots of time waiting for these files to go through a conversion process. This is how I quickly made new video files from existing .avi files without converting them:

Start Avidemux and then click on “Open” to browse to a video file you want to work with. Avidemux supports many file types, including .avi, DVD compatible MPEG files, .mp4 and .asf. You may receive this error when trying to open some video file types:

H.264 detected

If the file is using B-frames as reference it can lead to a crash or stuttering.
Avidemux can use another mode which is safe but YOU WILL LOSE FRAME ACCURACY.
Do you want to use that mode?

H264 Detected

Click on “Yes” or “Use safe mode”. Once your video file is loaded, you will then mark your points where you want to cut and save a new video file. On a timeline move to that time or frame that you want your new video file to start.

Click on a button with an A below your time line or select “Edit” from menu and then select “Set Marker A”. This now marks your “Selection: Start”. Now move on that timeline to time or frame that you want your new video file to end.

Click on a button with a B below your time line or select “Edit” from neu and then select “Set Marker B”. This now marks your “Selection: End”. You can select “File” then “Save” or click on a “Save” button on toolbar to save your new video file.

A “Select File to Save” dialogue will open. Browse to where you want to save your file. Also, name your new file in a “Name:” box.

You will see a “Done File xxx.xxx has been successfully saved” pop up window. Click “OK. You now have just created a new video file without reconverting. Length of time for Avidemux to save that new file depends on size of your new video file and speed of your computer.

You can download Avidemux from their downloads page.