YouTube adds video editing functions

YouTube is globally launching some video editing functions for uploaded videos. The functions are being added to make minor changes to videos that aren’t quite ‘polished’. Changes include minor trims, soundtrack swaps and added effects. Users can upload their videos to YouTube and edit them on the website using the same YouTube IDs, which means that editing will not affect their view counts and comments. All existing links to videos will still work and reuploading is not necessary.

Video demonstrating YouTube’s new editing functions

To edit a video, click on ‘Edit video’ on the video’s page or on the My Videos page. There, users can stablize footage that was shot handheld, rotate a video, boost contrast and colours, and click on ‘I’m feeling lucky’ for 1-click colour correction. YouTube has also collaborated with Picnik to allow users to add filters like Cross process and Lomo-ish to their videos. As is evident by the capacity of edits, these functions are in no way intended to replace services like Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro, but can be used as last minute tools for ‘unpolished’ videos.

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Once the editor hits ‘save’, the video edits start processing. If the video does not turn out to the editor’s liking, they can revert to the original and start editing again. Edits can also be saved into a new video and multiple versions can be tried out. However, popular videos, that is, videos with over 1,000 views, as well as videos that contain third party content can only be saved as new videos once edited.