Can the latest version perform a lossless trim?

[Djard007]

I have been using MKVToolnix and AVIDeEmux to losslessly trim or cut segments from a video clip as my version of VideoStudio X10 requires recoding for such tasks. I'm prepared to upgrade if the new version can do the same. Anybody know if the latest version of VS can perform such lossless editing?

[rwernyei]

Nope. You could add FFmpeg to your arsenal too!

[Candive]

Interesting, Certainly if you place the clip on the timeline and export (share) the system may transcode the clip and you lose data but if you "save the trimmed video" I'm not so sure. I've compared the source and trimmed files using Mediainfo and all the attributes are the same other than file size but this is expected since this is a trimmed clip. I think you can even test this using X10.

Video Studio is so much more than just a clip trimmer. There has been so much development since X10 that I would recommend you download a trial version of VS2023 and play with it. You may find the new features valuable but then again if X10 suits your requirement you may decide not to upgrade. That is the great thing about a perpetual license. Another free lossless trimmer to consider is LosslessCut.

[Djard007]

Thanks for the kind responses.

I'm a little disappointed that VS cannot do what the free apps can do. But I still think the program is great for the money. As far as I know, MediaInfo cannot determine video quality.

I remember trying FFmpeg and finding it unfriendly...suited for experts. I'll try LosslessCut and see if it supports the WMV format that my screen capture app uses.

[lata]

Djard007
Have you tried using "saved trimmed video" it does create a new file using the original video properties/attributes
Smart Render should be used, this effectively copies the data rather than re-coding the file.
The quality of the new file should be the same as the original. That is how i understand it

[Candive]

Trevor, that was my understanding as well; "saved trimmed video" creates a new file with the original video properties/attributes. Is it purely "lossless" or does it do a little bit of rendering, I'm not sure. As Djard007 has indicated MediaInfo may not specifically determine video quality but it is a good quick check to determine if the new file has the same attributes to the source or has materially changed. Video Studio passes this test. As for the other "lossless" editors we can only take them at their word. As for WMV, as mentioned by Djard007, I don't think Avidemux can cut and save it in its native format. As for LosslessCut, when you drop a WMV file into it the following message appears:
"File not natively supported. Preview may have no audio or low quality. The final export will however be lossless with audio. You may convert it from the menu for a better preview with audio." So what does that exactly mean? WMV is not native to the program but it will be lossless in the end - trust me. This may be true or the file may need to be "tweaked" but still fits the developer's definition of "lossless." I honestly don't know, but like Video Studio it passes the MediaInfo test. Another program to try is http://www.radioactivepages.com/asfbin.aspx I have not used it but apparently it is specific to WMV and can cut the video lossless.

Video Studio can't do everything. These tools are very specific and are great for preliminary rough cuts to delete a lot of garbage video off your hard drive. Its the first step of your workflow. So VS doesn't replace these tools, it works in conjunction with them. Most amateur users, like myself, skip this step. We drag all our crap into VS and start cutting within the system. Hard drive space isn't an issue. We just want to create an enjoyable movie to share!