Shotcut Video Editor Simple Quick Start

While testing the free Shotcut Video Editor, I ran into some compatibility issues with programs like Camtasia and Vegas Video Studio. With help from ChatGPT, I put together this simple step-by-step guide for editing VHS recordings converted to DVD using a Panasonic VHS/DVD recorder and exported to MP4 with Uniconverter.

Shotcut Complete Workflow – New Project → Export MP4

Create a New Project

1. Open Shotcut.
2. Click File → New Project.
3. Set:
   • Project Folder: where all project files will be stored.
   • Project Name: choose something meaningful.
   • Video Mode: (optional now, can set later) leave Automatic for simplicity.
4. Click Start.

Your project is now ready with an empty timeline.

2. Import Media

1. Click Open File → select your MP4 (or any media file).
   • The video will appear in the Preview Window.
2. Optional: Open View → Playlist to see all imported files in a panel.
   • This is useful if you plan to work with multiple clips.

3. Add Media to Timeline

1. Open View → Timeline (if it’s not visible).
2. Drag the video from Playlist (or Preview) onto the Timeline.
   • You should now see V1 (video track) and A1 (audio track).
3. Ensure the clip starts at 0:00 on the timeline.

4. Basic Editing – Remove Sections

To remove the first 10 seconds (or any unwanted portion):

1. Move the playhead (vertical blue line) to the end of the portion you want to remove (e.g., 10 seconds).
2. Click the clip in the timeline to select it.
3. Press S to split at playhead.
4. Click the unwanted portion (first 10 seconds) → press Delete.
5. Drag the remaining clip to the start of the timeline (0:00) if needed.

You can split multiple times to remove other unwanted sections.

5. Apply Filters / Crop Video

1. Select the clip in the timeline.
2. Open View → Filters (or press Ctrl+7).
3. Click + → Video → Crop: Rectangle.
4. Adjust Left / Right / Top / Bottom sliders to remove unwanted edges.

Optional:

• Add Deinterlace → YADIF if your source is interlaced VHS.
• Add Reduce Noise → HQDN3D (light settings) for VHS cleanup.

6. Set Video Mode (Optional for VHS)

1. Click Settings → Video Mode → NTSC → NTSC DV (720×480) 4:3
   • This ensures the timeline matches VHS/DVD resolution and aspect ratio.
   • Useful if preserving original VHS proportions.

7. Configure Export Settings

1. Click Export (top toolbar).
   • The Export panel appears on the left.
2. Choose a preset: H.264 Main Profile → MP4 (good default).
3. Optional advanced settings:
   • Resolution: 780 × 420
   • Frame rate: 29.97 fps (or match your source)
   • Scan mode: Progressive
4. Audio tab:
   • Codec: AAC
   • Bitrate: 128–192 kbps

8. Export the Video

1. Click Export File at the bottom of the panel.
2. Choose filename and location → click Save.
3. Open View → Jobs (Ctrl+8) to monitor progress.
4. Wait until Finished — the MP4 is now playable.

Tips & Notes

• Timeline = everything you want in final video. Only clips on the timeline are exported.
• Split (S) → Delete = Shotcut’s “cut” tool. There’s no select-and-cut tool like some editors.
• Always check the playhead position before splitting.
• Crop filter only applies to selected clip; make sure clip is highlighted.
• Export panel must be used — File → Export → Save As alone will NOT produce a real MP4 in newer versions.

This workflow covers everything you need for a simple VHS workflow:

1. Start a project
2. Import media
3. Cut/remove unwanted sections
4. Crop edges
5. Set video mode (optional)
6. Export to playable 780×420 MP4

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Quick Reference Table

Action	Shortcut / Location
Show Timeline	View → Timeline
Show Filters	View → Filters (Ctrl+7)
Split Clip	S
Delete Clip	Delete key
Crop	Filters → + → Video → Crop: Rectangle
Export Panel	Export (top toolbar)
Monitor Render	View → Jobs (Ctrl+8)

Tips for VHS

• Crop a few pixels on left/right to remove black edges.
• Crop top/bottom if there are tracking lines or border noise.
• Use Deinterlace for interlaced VHS sources.
• Keep timeline start at 0:00 for clean export.