In today’s Microsoft Clipchamp review, we’re focusing on the evolving functionality of Microsoft’s video editing tools, now available for enterprise customers. Microsoft acquired the web-based video creation and editing software company Clipchamp back in 2021.

However, until recently, the solution was only available to users via their personal Microsoft accounts. As video-centric interactions become more common in the modern world of work, Microsoft has decided to move in a new direction with its editing tools.

In July 2023, the tech giant announced a new “business” version of the Clipchamp service, available to Microsoft 365 Commercial customers via a targeted release program. According to Microsoft, this new release will make it possible for any business to further extend the power of video in the workplace for productivity, collaboration, training, and more.

Microsoft Clipchamp Review: What is Microsoft Clipchamp?

Clipchamp from Microsoft is an application now available as part of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, allowing users to capture, craft, edit, and use videos in various ways. Ideal for marketers, training initiatives, and presentations, the solution offers easy-to-use templates and built-in editing tools designed to enhance the impact of visual content.

Though initially, the solution was intended for consumers, the new enterprise version of Clipchamp pulls attention to the benefits of the software for business users. As Microsoft notes, video has become a powerful communication tool in recent years.

We aren’t just relying on video for conferencing sessions; we’re also using technology to share content, onboard team members, and more. However, creating videos can be a complex process. With Clipchamp in Microsoft 365, business users can now easily create, manage, and securely share video. The solution even integrates seamlessly with various Microsoft tools.

Microsoft Clipchamp Review: The Features

Fundamentally, Microsoft Clipchamp is designed to help users make an impact through video without complex workflows. The “Clipchamp for work” solution is being integrated into various experiences throughout Microsoft 365 so users can experiment with video without disruption.

For instance, the in-browser video editor can be accessed at the click of a button, and all videos are stored in OneDrive, where users can access, edit, and share their content. All you need to get started is a Microsoft account, and the toolkit includes in-app guidance to walk you through the process.

Features include:

Easy Video Creation

With Clipchamp for work, any professional can start creating high-quality videos with no prior experience. You can either create a new video from scratch using the straightforward editing interface or leverage Microsoft’s AI capabilities to automate the process.

Clipchamp includes built-in template tools for adding media, text, graphics, stock images, transitions, and more. Plus, you can add clips from local folders, your webcam, and online media storage tools like OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox.

The templates available include access to stock footage and background music you can use or replace with your content. They make it easy for any user to create videos suited to a wide range of platforms without spending too long fiddling with formatting.

Video Content Editing

Microsoft makes editing professional video content straightforward, too. The Clipchamp interface might not be as advanced as other video editors. However, it features most editing tools the average user might need. You can trim unwanted footage, use gap removal to merge videos, and crop unwanted edges with the “video cropper.”

There’s the option to adjust the timing of components within videos. Plus, Clipchamp offers a variety of options to adjust backgrounds to suit your professional context. There’s even a built-in video resizer to ensure your content is ready for promotion on any channel.

If you want to add text to your content, you can choose from various text overlay styles, including animation. Plus, there are over 60 typefaces and multiple font colors and sizes. However, advanced brand kits, stock videos, audio, and images are not yet available outside of the consumer version of the product.

Advanced Video Effects

If you want to make your training or promotional content stand out, Clipchamp includes a variety of advanced filters, effects, and text overlays. There’s a green screen filter to eliminate unwanted backgrounds and replace them with something more professional.

In our Microsoft Clipchamp review, we found more than 40 filters to choose from and unique “effects,” like motion blur, cartoon, or zoom. Graphics overlays include GIFS and stickers, ideal for social media posts. There’s also a handy library with videos, photos, and music to access.

Other notable effects include the ability to record webcams and screens simultaneously. This could be ideal for creating training content for new employees or presentations.

Clipchamp Review: AI Features

Microsoft’s investments in AI have also made their way into the Clipchamp platform. However, how many AI features will be available to business users is uncertain. The consumer version of Clipchamp includes the option to create AI movies automatically by choosing a topic and adding media files.

Users can browse various styles, choose format options, and even select a specific “music style” before handing the rest of the production process over to AI.

Speaking of AI solutions, the consumer Clipchamp platform also comes with an auto-captioning solution. This allows users to rapidly create text captions for content that users might be viewing with the sound on. There’s even an option to filter profanity and edit each caption.

This functionality is not yet available for the work version of Clipchamp but may come in the future.

Clipchamp Audio Options

From an audio perspective, Clipchamp ensures professional users can add their own voice to every video clip and various other sounds. In our Clipchamp review, we browsed through a vast selection of music soundtracks in Microsoft’s library, each separated into different categories.

As with most of the asset options in Clipchamp, users can simply drag a soundtrack into their desired space on a timeline. The Windows 11 app also allows users to separate a clip’s audio and save it as an M4A file so you can edit it externally.

At present, there’s no option for removing external background noise, but this could be something Microsoft invests in as it introduces Clipchamp to more business users.

Exporting and Sharing Videos

Perhaps the best thing about Clipchamp for business users is how easy it is to securely create, store, and share video content. Clipchamp supports single sign-on for workplaces, and the app includes centralized security and permission controls for organizations.

The technology builds on OneDrive and SharePoint and integrates with other Microsoft productivity apps. Anything you export from Clipchamp can be embedded and played in Microsoft Teams, shared in emails with Outlook, or broadcast on Microsoft Stream.

Users can even add training videos and presentations to Microsoft Viva Engage. There’s also the option to export movies as a video link or store clips in YouTube, Google Drive, Dropbox, and other environments.

Microsoft Clipchamp Review: Pricing

At the time of this Microsoft Clipchamp review, the tech company hasn’t announced any specific pricing packages for businesses. However, Microsoft notes that admins can set up standard or targeted release options in their Microsoft 365 account to opt-in to the service.

At the time being, access to Clipchamp’s editing features is free for beginners, with limitations on your export options and access to assets. Consumers can also access the full service with a monthly subscription starting at $11.99 for 4K exports, premium audio, images, filters, and a brand kit for logo and color management.

Clipchamp for work will be added to a range of Microsoft 365 SKUs, including Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Business Premium, E5, and E3. It will also be available via integration points in OneDrive and SharePoint.

Microsoft has also announced the service will be available to users on education and government plans at a later stage.

Bringing Microsoft Clipchamp to the Workplace

Hopefully, this Microsoft Clipchamp review has given you a basic insight into the benefits Microsoft’s video editor can bring to workplace teams. At the moment, the business-focused solution is yet to become “generally available.” Microsoft is rolling the solution out through a targeted release strategy, so you’ll need to opt-in to this program to get started.

When the solution rolls out for everyone, users can access it through the Microsoft 365 app launcher or the Clipchamp start page for the web. There’ll also be the option to use the Microsoft 365 “Create New” page or design videos within SharePoint or OneDrive.

Although Clipchamp for workplace users doesn’t have the same functionality as the consumer app at this stage, Microsoft is likely to add new solutions going forward. It’s worth watching the Microsoft development roadmap for new features and updates.



from UC Today https://ift.tt/ejJ4UbZ