Understanding Nonlinear and Nondestructive Editing

Editing your video or audio file may seem daunting. However, there are several editing methods you can apply to create a final output that you will be satisfied with. There are two methods of editing that you can choose from: nonlinear editing or nondestructive editing.

Although often interchanged or a source of confusion, there are a few differences and some similarities between nonlinear and nondestructive editing.

Overview of Nonlinear Editing

Nonlinear editing is a video or audio editing method that entails accessing any frame in a digital video clip. Almost the same as the "cut and paste" method, this video editing style is often used in film editing.

With nonlinear editing, the original source of your files will not lose any data during editing. Any editing steps or decisions you make to the original source will be recorded in an editor decision list or EDL. This can be interchanged with other editing tools.

This style of video or audio editing provides flexibility to the user since you can make many variations of the original file without having the need to store copies of each. You can also easily make revisions to your editing by just editing the edit decision list. The quality of the original media file is also not compromised since you do not have to repeatedly re-encode the data.

Since you will be operating the EDL when using the nonlinear editing method, you can use low-resolution copies of the video as well as have the capability of editing both standard and high-definition broadcast quality on your computer desktop.

Overview of Nondestructive Editing

Nondestructive editing is generally the same as nonlinear editing in the sense that the original content is not changed or revised during editing. However, with nondestructive editing, the edits themselves are being edited. In a nutshell, nondestructive editing allows you to make modifications to the file without making any changes to your original source, thereby, saving the original source.

Just like nonlinear editing, the nondestructive editing method also utilizes an editor decision list where all changes you make are listed and stored. With this type of editing method, any edits or revisions you make can be seen as a new layer. You can apply the changes you make on your final output but still have the original source intact.

Editing in nondestructive editing method allows you to make several modifications and still the original source remains the same. Also, nondestructive editing allows you to transfer the files in a form wherein other users can make changes to the edits you have made. 

Differences of Nonlinear and Nondestructive Editing

There are several nonlinear and nondestructive editing applications you can get. Both of these editing methods will provide you with the comfort of flexibility in editing your videos. A nonlinear editing method uses an editor decision list much like a nondestructive editing application.

With a nonlinear editing, it is pretty much like creating your playlist. You can make several modifications to a playlist or save a specific song to different types of playlists, but deleting the song in one playlist does not necessarily mean that the song in all the playlists will be deleted as well.

With nondestructive editing, you can use the media file several times in different projects and still have the original source intact.

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