The ETO Content Production Team tests out ClipChamp

Key takeaways after testing ClipChamp:

Each member of the ETO Content Production tested out a few different features of ClipChamp which we then discussed as a team. Below, expand the accordion items to read up on the features that were explored and our key observations.

Recording camera and audio using the teleprompter

Many tools do screen capture, we wanted to test ClipChamp's more unusual feature: a built-in teleprompter. Inga and Marisa tested out the self-capture features and agreed that it was a good alternative to other self-capturing tools like Snagit, with the added bonus of having a built-in teleprompter.

How to access the teleprompter: Before using the tool, you'll need to have your script prepared. Go to: Record & Create > Webcam > Settings (...) > Teleprompter and paste in your script. 

Inga: It's nice to have the option to capture either your screen or yourself or both at the same time, and that it automatically saves in Stream.  Having a pre-written script decreases the time it takes to record your video. However, as with any self-capture tool, it's important to make sure you are framed properly, well-lit, and have clear audio (check out our guide on self-recording instructional videos). 

Marisa: The option to self-capture would be great for short videos that don't require a lot of editing afterwards.  The teleprompter is optional and I found it easy to use.  You can adjust the text size and speed to make it comfortable to read while recording, and you can make changes to the script once the recording begins.

Adding media to the editing timeline

Every editing tool has an editing timeline. As Adobe says, "It's the backbone of an editing tool." Cheryl and James explored ClipChamp's take on the editing timeline to see what is similar to other tools and what sets it apart. Overall - this is a helpful and simple tool; what makes it appealing to some users is also what would make it too limiting to other (more advanced) users. 

Cheryl: The simple design of the editing timeline makes ClipChamp ideal for someone with little-to-no editing experience who is interested in producing a short video. However, the simplicity and limited functionalities could be frustrating for someone who comes to use to the tool with prior in-depth editing experience and expectations.

James: It would not the right tool to use if it's important to see the audio waveform (for more nuanced audio editing) or if you need to edit and export in 4K.

Applying effects and adding stock media

James and Marisa were especially curious about what effects can be applied to clips and the stock options that are available. Many tools come with a few built-in styles. Users can plug and play these elements in their own projects. 

James: There is a decent variety of video effects and transitions that you can add to video clips. You can adjust those effects and transitions as well, albeit to a limited degree.

Marisa: Clipchamp offers an extensive collection of royalty-free stock videos and photos that span a wide range of categories, including nature, business, lifestyle, and technology. The stock media is embedded directly into the video editor interface, making it easy to browse and insert media into projects. 

Reduce recording time with Text-to-Speech

Inga experimented with generating an AI-voiceover based on text prompts.

Inga: The capabilities of the text-to-speech feature are impressive.  There are many voices to choose from, the read-through is fairly naturally sounding depending on the selected voice, and it generates quickly.  However, I would caution on when this feature should be used, since it is capable of generating speech in different languages, regional accents, and for any word that is input.  It's also important to listen to the output since it not 100% accurate.

For questions or assistance with setting up your self-capture, please contact the EdTech Office or book a consultation.