Editing AVI

[OldGuy100]

I just need to cut of the first five seconds of a 5 gig AVI file. What would be the easiest way to do this?

[daamon]

Hi OldGuy100,

Download VirtualDub (free) and check one of the many guides listed under the tools info on this site.

[OldGuy100]

I actually downloaded that and tried to figure it out (read several guides) before I posted here, but I can't for the life of me figure it out.

[daamon]

Hi OldGuy100,

Refer to this large screen shot of VirtualDub where needed...

1. Open up VirtualDub
2. File -> Open AVI...

3. Move the slider along the bottom to the point where you want your footage to start.
4. Click the "In Point" button. It's the left of the two buttons that look like black flags laying down - the far right pair of buttons at the bottom of the window. Sorry if that's a crap description.
5. Move the slider to where you want the footage to end.
6. Click the "Out Point" button. The other "black flag" button.
7. Your desired length of footage will (should) now be highlighted.

8. Click Video -> Direct Stream Copy (if not set already).
9. Click Audio -> Direct Stream Copy (if not set already).

10. Click File -> Save as AVI...

This will save your AVI with the bit(s) chopped off that you want chopped off.

[OldGuy100]

Thanks so much. I haven't given up, but everything I try takes 10 min. because of the size of this file....

[jimmalenko]

Hi OldGuy100,

Download VirtualDub (free) and check one of the many guides listed under the tools info on this site.

Yep, VirtualDub all the way.

this guide might help.

Also your left arrow and right arrow buttons on your keyboard will advance the slider one frame either to the left or right, and there's a lot of navigational commands on the Edit Menu, such as Advance 50 frames, Go To and other functions.

[daamon]

No problem.

For big files, even with a PC with your specs, it will take a while coz (I believe) VirtualDub doesn't just trim, I think it re-writes the chosen bit - hence the time.

I've had a recent dabble with AVCutty - But may take longer to learn that it would for VirtualDub to trim... That said, it's got some good features though.

And, I think that that too doesn't just "chop off" unwanted bits.

[OldGuy100]

You're a life saver. Thanks very much for the help.