Non-Linear Editing

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What Does Non-Linear Editing Mean?

Non-linear editing is a type of new high-tech edit process where editors can access any frame in a digital video clip in order to add, alter or remove segments without starting from the beginning.

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It's been characterized as a ‘cut and paste’ technique that can really innovate how video makers approach videography.

Techopedia Explains Non-Linear Editing

In detailing how non-linear editing works, it's important to contrast this with similar but different technologies often called “non-linear editing systems” where edits may be “specified and modified by software.” Some of these systems include features like a pointer-based playlist or other similar methodology.

However, the term non-linear editing more commonly refers to the simple idea of being able to parse and clip bits of video, regardless of where they are in the linear piece of footage in question.

Essentially, non-linear editing is a consequence of taking what used to be an analog process with a single tape or reel, and making it digital, where you can really manipulate film and video differently.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology expert

Margaret is an award-winning writer and educator known for her ability to explain complex technical topics to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles in the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret’s idea of ​​a fun day is to help IT and business professionals to learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.