There are many video editing tools, with options ranging from basic to full-featured. The guide provides an overview and feature comparison of four easy-to-use editing tools currently available in the U of T Academic Toolbox for recording and editing videos:
The information on this guide will help you decide which tool is best for recording and editing your videos. It covers key factors like editing features, export formats, recording capabilities, and platform compatibility.
If you are looking for tips on how to record content, see this guide on how to self-capture (and share) course content. If you need help with editing existing content or new recordings, consider participating in the remote editing process.
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1. Overview of recording and editing software in the U of T Academic Toolbox
This guide focuses exclusively on video recording and editing tools that are part of the U of T Academic Toolbox. For additional options, consider also:
- QuickTime Player (free for MacOS users, unavailable for Windows users)
- TechSmith Camtasia (not free, education pricing available)
1.1. TechSmith Snagit
Snagit is a user-friendly screen recorder that offers some basic video editing functionality.
- Best suited for: Quick screen recordings for short tutorials (e.g., process or software walkthroughs), splicing clips together, and quick edits that are limited to trimming and cutting parts of the recording.
- Not ideal for: Videos that will require in-depth editing, captioning.
1.2. Microsoft Stream
MS Stream offers a straightforward tool for recording video and sharing it internally. It is integrated with other MS 365 tools, including Teams.
- Best suited for: Screen and webcam recordings that will be stored and shared on MS Stream, generating auto captions, and adding interactive elements such as quizzes and call-outs.
- Not ideal for: Videos that will require in-depth editing.
1.3. PowerPoint
MS PowerPoint offers simple recording and editing features to create narrated slide presentations and export them as videos.
- Best suited for: Lecture recordings or slide-based tutorials, quick trimming at the end and/or beginning of recording.
- Not ideal for: Editing videos, general screen recording (i.e., anything outside a PowerPoint window).
1.4. Clipchamp
Clipchamp (now included in the U of T Microsoft Office 365 subscription) offers a comprehensive set of recording and editing tools for video and audio recordings. It is integrated with OneDrive and SharePoint.
- Best suited for: Creating videos with templates, using editing features that include trim, join, transitions, filters, text overlay, audio controls, screen/camera recording, and text-to-speech.
- Not ideal for: Videos requiring interactive elements such as call-outs and quizzes.
2. Comparison table of recording and editing tools in the U of T Academic Toolbox
| Stream | Clipchamp | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensing | Licensed for all U of T staff, faculty, and students (Download SnagIt) | Included with U of T’s Office 365 subscription; login using @utoronto.ca email required | Included with U of T’s Office 365 subscription; login using @utoronto.ca email required | Included with U of T’s Office 365 subscription; login using @utoronto.ca email required |
| Recording capabilities |
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| Editing capabilities | Trim, cut, combine video clips (see Editing a Video in Snagit) |
Trim (see How to trim videos in Microsoft Stream) Add music (only for screen and webcam recordings created directly in Stream) For more advanced editing, open your video in Clipchamp. |
Trim (see Trim a video, music clip, or sound clip in PowerPoint) | Trim, Cut, Transitions, Text, Music, Effects (see How to edit a video in Clipchamp) |
| Interactivity options | No | Yes; | No | No |
| Supported file formats | Almost all video formats | Almost all video formats | Almost all image, audio, and video formats | Almost all image, video, and audio formats |
| Exported file formats | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, WMV | MPEG-4 |
| Accessibility options |
To generate captions, upload your Snagit recording to MS Stream or Clipchamp. |
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| Microsoft Stream integration | No; Requires upload to Stream |
Yes; Saves directly to the user's Stream account |
Yes; Publish directly to Stream |
Yes; Export and share to OneDrive or Stream |
| Compatible platforms | Windows, MacOS | Windows, MacOS | Windows, MacOS | Windows, MacOS (Desktop app available only for Windows; Mobile app is available for iOS devices) |
The tools in the above table are what we are describing as "light" editing options - if you're looking for more robust options, or have a particularly complex project (or are just really into video editing), you may want to consider Adobe Premiere Pro or Da Vinci Resolve. You might also consider a software tool that is intended for live streaming, but can also work as a recording option, Open Broadcaster Studio, OBS.