Many car owners often install dash cams in their cars to capture road conditions while driving to serve as evidence in the event of an accident or dispute. Dash cam recordings can also be a great way to document road trips or to craft interesting short videos that will soon receive a lot of hits on social media. Today, I’m going to recommend a couple of dash cam video editing software that are worth checking out. You can take a step-by-step look at how to edit dash cam video here as well.
7 Dash Cam Video Editors Worth Considering
You might consider using the following software running on your Windows device to view and edit dash cam video.
#1. Microsoft Clipchamp
Microsoft Clipchamp is one of the best free dash cam video editors that run on Windows computers, Macs, and Chromebooks. It packs a variety of basic editing capabilities, such as cutting, trimming, and resizing videos, as well as a diverse range of visual and audio effects to improve videos.
The software’s intuitive user interface and drag-and-drop functionality make it simple to import videos and images and work through the editing process. It supports resolutions of up to 4K for high-quality footage. Plus, it delivers straight export choices to YouTube or Google Drive for convenient sharing.
#2. Microsoft Photos
Microsoft Photos is one of the top video editors you can use to edit dash cam footage. Even though it sounds like a photo management app, it is much more than just one.
Microsoft equipped basic video editing capabilities to Photos after Windows Movie Maker was removed. You can split, trim, and combine videos by using it. In addition, it enables users to add captions and music to improve videos slightly.
#3. Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the most professional dash cam video editing software. It is suitable for people who desire more advanced dash cam footage editing features. Both Windows and Mac users can use it.
It offers intuitive trimming tools, built-in transitions and effects, captivating titles, high-quality music tracks, and more. You can even quickly finish and share videos without leaving Adobe Premiere Pro.
#4. MiniTool MovieMaker
MiniTool MovieMakerClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
MiniTool MovieMaker is a free video editor without watermark that can be used to edit dash cam video files on Windows 11/10. Due to its user-friendly interface, multi-track timeline, and rich editing features, it is a fantastic option for both novices and experts.
The application provides an extensive library of transitions, effects, filters, motions, and animated elements, along with attractive melodies and customizable titles, captions, or end credits. In the meantime, it allows users to split, crop, or trim videos, merge footage, and change the aspect ratio for multiple videos.
Furthermore, MiniTool MovieMaker has the potential to flip or rotate videos, adjust the color of videos, speed up or slow down videos, remove audio from videos, and create videos with picture-in-picture or split-screen effects. Following these editing tasks, you can use it to configure optimal output parameters and save high-quality videos.
#5. CapCut
CapCut is another free app for editing dash cam videos. It works on Windows PCs, as well as Android and iOS smartphones. It includes a set of basic editing functions, for example, cutting or trimming videos, integrating music, and applying different effects, filters, or stickers.
The app’s intuitive interface and easy export and share options make it a terrific solution for casual video editing anytime, anywhere. Besides, it enables you to add text overlays to footage, change video speed, and reverse videos.
#6. VSDC Free Video Editor
VSDC Free Video Editor is a simple-to-use, robust dash cam video editor compatible with Windows computers. It is capable of cutting and combing videos, too.
The program has a sizable array of trendy video transitions, filters, and effects. Meanwhile, it provides crucial tools such as 360-degree video editing, zoom, charts, and color correction.
Moreover, easy export profiles within the app make it simple to save videos for different devices.
#7. Animotica
Animotica is also one of the best dash cam video editing software in the list I compiled. It is a feature-rich application for Windows 11/10 that is simple to use even for novices.
Whether your goal is to trim or combine multiple videos, or to perform comprehensive post-production tasks, it can satisfy all your needs!
Some of the fun things you can accomplish using the software contain chroma key effects, motion effects, transitions, fade-in/out effects, and so on.
Aside from that, it gives you the flexibility to craft videos for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, etc.
How to Edit Dash Cam Footage? Step-by-Step Guide
Before you begin editing dash cam videos, you need to transfer the raw footage from the dash cam to your computer. Since the majority of modern dash cams keep their recordings on internal storage or a microSD card, you can use a USB cable to access the internal storage or remove the microSD card, then copy the recordings to your computer’s local folder. Generally, dash cam video is saved in either MP4 or MOV format.
Now, I’ll show you step-by-step how to edit dash cam footage, using MiniTool MovieMaker as an example.
Step 1. Import Your Dash Cam Footage
To start, click the button below to download free video editor and install it on your computer. Run the MiniTool MovieMaker software. Choose the needed aspect ratio and click the New Project button to create an empty project from scratch.
MiniTool MovieMakerClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
When you are in the editing interface, click anywhere within the dashed box labeled Import Media Files to open File Explorer, locate and select the original material you transferred, and hit the Open button. The imported dash cam video will appear in the Media tab.
Click the + icon in the bottom right corner of the video thumbnail to add it to the timeline. Drag and drop it onto the timeline’s video track instead.
Step 2. Split and Trim the Dash Cam Footage
If you want to keep the crucial parts like scenic drives or remove irrelevant portions like uneventful driving, the split and trim tools in the app can get the job done quickly.
- Split video: Highlight the video on the timeline, move the playhead to the point where you want the split to happen, and click the Split (Scissors) icon on the playhead or the timeline toolbar. Repeat the process to split other sections of the video. Then right-click on the unwanted clip and select Delete to remove it.
- Trim video: Select it on the timeline, put the mouse cursor on its start or end until you see the Trim icon, and then drag either edge towards the middle to remove its unwanted beginning or ending portions.
Step 3. Blur or Hide Private Information in the Footage
If you need to blur a car owner’s license plate number or hide someone’s face, you can do so by adding a mosaic effect.
Select the target clip on the timeline and drag the playhead to the location where you want the mosaic to begin.
Go to the Elements tab at the top. Type “mosaic” in the search bar and press Enter. The mosaic effects provided by the program will then appear. Or you can find them in the Basic subtab.
Click the Download icon to get the desired one. After a few seconds, click the + icon to add the downloaded mosaic to the timeline.
Use the trim function to make the mosaic effect the same length as the portions of the clip you want to blur or hide. In the preview window, scale the mosaic if necessary and move it to where private information needs to be blurred or hidden.
Step 4. Create Transitions Between Scenes
Creating transitions between scenes in MiniTool MovieMaker is a simple process. To do this, click Transitions in the top menu, find and download trending or other transitions you would like to use and drag and drop the downloaded ones in between two clips on the timeline.
You can opt to change the duration or the mode of the transitions you’ve just added from the Transition Property panel.
Step 5. Modify the Color of Clips
If your dash cam footage appears too dark or washed out, you can modify its contrast, saturation, or brightness. Proceed as follows:
- Double-click on the target clip in the timeline.
- Select the Color tab from the Video Property panel.
- Slide the Contrast, Saturation, or Brightness sliders to reach the intended values or input proper numbers.
From there, you can also add a 3D LUT to any clip to make it look even better.
Step 6. Incorporate Music or Sound Effects into Segments
Pick music or sound effects that match the mood of the dash cam video. To achieve this, click Audio at the top, select the Music or Sound Effects subtab on the left, find and download your preferred melody, place the playhead at the beginning of the sequence, and click the + icon to add it to the audio track on the timeline.
Additionally, utilize the application’s split and trim features to remove any extraneous portions of the melody. When you highlight the audio or sound effect on the audio track, the Music Property panel will come up, where you can fade the melody in or out, reduce or increase the volume, or mute/unmute it.
Step 7. Overlay Text on Segments
To overlay text on segments, click Text from the top menu, select Caption on the left side, find and download the text styles you desire in this category, and drag and drop them above the target segments on the timeline.
Highlight any caption on the timeline. The Text Property panel will show up in the interface’ top right corner. Include a timestamp, location, or other text description relevant to your route in the box below the Text Editor. Further, customize the text font, size, line spacing, alignment, color, opacity, and more.
Step 8. Export the Edited Dash Cam Video
When you are satisfied with your edited dash cam video’s aesthetic, click the Export button in the upper right corner to bring up the export settings window.
In the Export window, give the edited dash cam video a name, specify the destination folder, and configure the common format like MP4, suitable resolution like 1080p or 720p, and other parameters.
Finally, click the Export button at the bottom to save the edited dash cam video to your computer.
![How to Start a Travel Vlog and Make Money? [Best Ideas & Tips]](https://images.minitool.com/moviemaker.minitool.com/images/uploads/2022/05/travel-vlog-thumbnail.jpg)
Conclusion
I’ve compiled a list of the top dash cam video editors for your convenience. As well, you discovered how to edit dash cam video from scratch with MiniTool MovieMaker. Start creating engaging videos from original dash cam recordings in a flash!
Please email us at [email protected] if you have any questions about MiniTool MovieMaker.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Jocelin is keeping a strong passion for the multimedia industry with her first thoughts and visions. While continuously absorbing relevant knowledge, she believes that pictures, videos, and music can bring so much pleasure to life. To go deeper into the industry, she has acquired many skills in video editing. Also, she can provide readers with ways to solve problems on image, video, and auido topics.