Windows Movie Maker - trimming music

[eager to learn]

Hi I'm a total newbie to video editing on a zero budget (think free only!).

I'm using XP Pro on a PC with Windows Movie Maker.

I understand there a better editors but this is free and what I must use without funds to buy a better one.

My music is longer than my video. I would like to trim the music so it fits the video length. My goal is to retain the beginning and end of the music but trim down the middle.

When I highlight the video/audio "file" (with my mouse) as I saved it, it appears in the larger box on the left of the screen, and then I choose Clip (tab) the drop down menu reveals Set Trim Point and Set End Point all both in gray - so it's not in the dark black where it can be activated/applied.

I'm just not familiar with Set Trim Point or Set End Point.

Thank you!!!

[Hoser Rob]

There are lots of free editors better than wimdows movie maker.

If fact, in the $50-100 range you're probably better off with a good free one. Most of the ones that charge you that much are crappy.

Avidemux is my favorite one that's fairly simple.

[eager to learn]

Hi Rob,

I peeked at Avidemux and it looked way beyond my pay scale!

I have no education, training or experience video editing and much of WMM was simple ... except when it comes to trimming your music to fit your video.

Is there an active, helpful and compassionate Avidemux forum for newbies?

Thank you.

[smrpix]

Try Vegas movie studio. It can usually be found for around $40 and has excellent audio editing -- including the ability to stretch or shrink with or without changing the pitch.

If this is a one time thing you can certainly get it finished during the free trial period.

edit: you may have to go back a few versions to get it to work with xp.
here you go: http://download.cnet.com/Sony-Movie-Studio-HD-11/3000-13631_4-10497131.html

[MaverickTse]

Hi I'm a total newbie to video editing on a zero budget (think free only!).


My music is longer than my video. I would like to trim the music so it fits the video length. My goal is to retain the beginning and end of the music but trim down the middle.

The usual meaning of TRIM, is the removal of the beginning and the end. Also if you want to cut away part of the AUDIO only, then you will either need to extract the audio track for processing then mux it back later, OR use an NLE.

Learning curve applies to either workflow, but if you cannot even handle Avidemux, I will suggest you to give up.

Freeware (videohelp's software section has a large collection, browse around there...):

Audio editor:
Audacity

General Editor:
VirtualDub
Avidemux

NLE:
AviUtl

Advanced:
AviSynth+

[hanshotfirst1138]

I took an editing class in college where we used FCP, and I found WMM to be hugely limited in what it could do in even small ways. There are a few pretty cheap editing softwares around, I'm sure the fine folks around these parts will be able offer better recommendations than I can, but I'd recommend looking at them. I didn't use WMM very much, but remember it being pretty rudimentary.