MP4 is the most common file format used for recording and sharing videos on the Internet. It stores audio and video information in high quality but the file size still stays small. Besides, almost any device recognises MP4 files. This is why it gained such popularity. So you recorded a video in this format and want to upgrade it? There are lots of ways to edit MP4 video files. Today we will share a couple of tricks with you. We hope you’ll find them useful. So let’s get down to business.
- Cut Out Unwanted Parts
Your footage turned out too long? No problem – you can easily make it shorter by removing all the irrelevant parts of the video. This feature might come in handy in case you are going to upload the edited MP4 video to social networking sites with length standards. For instance, TikTok videos typically last 13-15 seconds, while YouTube videos can be 10 minutes long, or even a few hours long. The duration depends on the genre and the goals of the video.
- Improve the Audio
Another trick for fine-tuning your MP4 video is editing the audio. For example, you can add sound effects for a dramatic or comedic mood. It is also a good idea to use a background tune – either add your favorite song or find a list of suitable music on the Internet. Just make sure the selected track matches the atmosphere of your footage. Besides, you can record yourself and add your voice comments to deliver your message. However, background noise is the most common problem, but it has a solution – simply select the segment with an unpleasant sound and mute it.
- Stabilize the Shaky Video
Don’t worry if you don’t have a professional camera and record your videos using a smartphone. Even if your footage turns out too shaky, you can stabilize it using a video editor. Your MP4 video will look smooth and professional. So, there is no need for buying an expensive camera stabilizer – a video editing program will fix it in mere seconds.
- Change the Speed
One more way to improve your footage is by slowing down or speeding up particular video segments. The effect is very popular nowadays, especially on social media. Slow-motion gives a comedic effect or helps to highlight important moments and phrases in the footage. As for fast motion, it will help you skip all the wishy-washy parts of the video and leave interesting, eye-catching parts worth showing to your audience.
- Add Text to Your Video
When you edit your MP4 videos, don’t hesitate to add captions to your footage. Why? Unfortunately, we tend to watch videos muted but it’s crucial to let your viewers know what the clip is about and grab their attention. Besides, you can add titles to give the video a professional look, or write your name if you’re presenting a project at work or college. All you need to do is pick a suitable caption style and animate the text the way you like.
- Overlay an Image
Adding a picture to a video is always a good idea to keep in mind. This feature will be useful in almost any situation and for any type of video. For instance, you might be recording an educational video where you need to show an example of a phenomenon. Or you might want to upload your MP4 video to YouTube or any other social media, and for that you should personalize your video with a logo – just insert the logo to the footage, place it in the corner, adjust the opacity, and here you go. Moreover, it’s a good idea to decorate the footage with clipart and stickers to set a certain mood.
- Apply a Filter
Using filters is one of the quickest ways to edit MP4 files. Although there is a negative approach to them since filters might be deceiving or simply look unnatural, today designers create stunning effects for various purposes – vintage, romantic, futuristic, stylized, and so on. Some filters have no particular style and just enhance the video and improve the quality. In other words, if you don’t have much time to tweak your MP4 footage, filters will definitely help you out.
Conclusion
Video montage can be intimidating at first, but once you start there’s no stopping you. In this article, we gave a few ideas on how to edit your MP4 videos – just follow our 7 tips and take your footage to a new level. Want to put them into practice right now? Then read this step-by-step guide to find out how to edit MP4 video files using the best video editing programs.
