HOWTO: Restore a Video its Original Length

[HOTELECHOMIKE]

PE 14.1 on a WIN7 PC.

Is there a way to restore a video clip on the timeline to its original length?

Background: I have created a number of short videos on the subject of flying sailplanes.

Such videos on YouTube are generally fairly short to avoid boring viewers.

I then create a "Director's Cut" version of same video for club members who are prepared to watch for much longer.

This what I need to do is to take a number of clips on the timeline that have been trimmed front & back and

restore to the full length in order to be able to re-trim or possibly show in full.

How to?

[Steve Grisetti]

There is no automatic way to do this. You just have to drag on each end of each clip to fully extend it.

[Ann Bens]

Make a new project and import the files you want.

[Bill Sprague]

Maybe you can set up the Director's Cut first.  When it is done the way you like it, do a Save As "YouTube Version" and do the appropriate trimming.   They aren't linked, but you wouldn't have to undo anything.

[HOTELECHOMIKE]

There is no automatic way to do this. You just have to drag on each end of each clip to fully extend it.

Although I found I could extend the clip to the right (i.e. restore towards the end) I could not extend it to the left (restore the beginning) - the previous clip got reduced in length.

Make a new project and import the files you want.

I didn't want to start again from scratch!

Maybe you can set up the Director's Cut first.

Do the professionals work that way?  I get the impression that at least the "Director's Cuts" appear after the initial release (so they get their customers to pay twice .

ANYHOW - as far as I can see one way (the only way?) is to delete the trimmed clip from the timeline & then drag the original clip from the Project Assets into the hole.  Then trim again as apprpriate.

[Bill Sprague]

HOTELECHOMIKE wrote:

Do the professionals work that way? I get the impression that at least the "Director's Cuts" appear after the initial release (so they get their customers to pay twice .

Professionals?  This is $70 ameteur software for video shot with consumer gear!  IMHO, it is very good for it's intended purpose. 

[Ann Bens · Accepted solution]

Although I found I could extend the clip to the right (i.e. restore towards the end) I could not extend it to the left (restore the beginning) - the previous clip got reduced in length.

You can extend a clip to the left. Make sure the tool is on the correct side of the clip.

There are two different versions of that tool: arrow pointing to the left and one pointing to the right (has more white).

[HOTELECHOMIKE]

I confirm that this works

I'd previously had the cursor exactly on the dividing line between the clips but if I put it slightly to the right of the dividing line I can move the start of that clip towards its original beginning.

Actually I see a double arrow (black) & nothing with white (I'm in "Expert" mode).

[Ann Bens]