Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro are equipped with high-quality cameras that can shoot in 4K resolution and slow motion. However, footage often requires refinement before sending to messengers or uploading to social networks. The main stage of post-processing is framing, allowing you to remove excess frames and leave only the key point.
The editing process on MIUI shell devices is as simple as possible and does not require the installation of additional software. The built-in video editor offers a wide range of functionality available directly from the gallery. Understanding the nuances of working with this tool will save you time and create quality content.
In this article, we'll go into all the ways that we can crop video, and you'll learn not only about standard methods, but also about professional techniques that can help you avoid quality loss, and the result will look like it was created by an experienced editor.
Standard Video Editor at MIUI Gallery
The first and most accessible tool is the built-in Gallery app, where Xiaomi developers have put the basic functionality to quickly process media files, and you need to open the desired video and click on the edit button, which is usually presented in the form of a pencil or slider.
The interface of the editor is intuitive: at the bottom of the screen is a timeline with sliders on the edges. By moving these markers, you set a new starting and ending point of play. It's important to remember that standard framing does not change the physical resolution of the frame, but only cuts off extra seconds.
Once you have set the desired boundaries, the system will suggest saving the changes, and here lies an important caveat: when saving the original, you can overwrite or create a new file. To avoid losing the original material, always choose the option "Save as a copy" if it is available in your version of the firmware.
⚠️ Note: When re-saving video in format H.264 or H.265 And the flow is recoding, and the multiple retention of the same file leads to the accumulation of compression artifacts and a marked deterioration in image clarity.
The feature of the built-in editor is constantly updated, and in recent versions of MIUI, it is possible to add filters and music directly during the clipping process, which allows you to perform basic preparation of the video for publication in minutes without switching between applications.
Step-by-step: cropping through the application “Video”
An alternative way is to use the system app Video, which is often pre-installed on Xiaomi smartphones, which has more advanced editing features than a simple gallery. To get started, launch the app and open a file from the device's local memory.
In playback mode, click on the screen to call the control menu, and find the edit icon. In the menu that opens, select the "Cut" tool, and you'll see an interface that not only shortens the duration, but also changes the aspect ratio of the frame, which is especially important for creating stories.
☑️ Algorithm of actions in pruning
Special attention should be paid to the choice of the format of saving. the application offers presets for popular social networks: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube. Automatic adjustment to these formats eliminates the need to manually set export parameters, and once confirmed, the rendering process will begin.
The processing time depends on the length of the original roller and the power of the Snapdragon 855 Plus processor installed in the Mi 9 Pro. Usually, the process takes a few seconds. Upon completion, you will receive a notification of successful saving, and the file will appear in the gallery with an edit date marked.
The Hidden Functions of the Editor
Use of third-party applications for professional installation
If standard tools are not enough, Google Play’s specialized apps come to the rescue, with CapCut, InShot, and KineMaster leading the way, providing multitrack editing, key personnel, and advanced effects.
To install any of these apps on the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro, just go to the store, type in the name in search and click "Install." After the first launch, the application will request access to media files - this is necessary to work with your video library. Allow access to continue.
Professional editors allow you to do what's called nondestructive trimming, which means that the original file remains intact, and all the changes are saved as a project, so you can go back to editing, change the length of the segments, or add new effects at any time.
| Annex | Difficulty | Watermark | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| CapCut | Medium | No (can be deleted) | Automatic subtitles |
| InShot | Low. | Available (removed by viewing ads) | Social media convenience |
| KineMaster | Tall. | It's in the free version. | Multilayeredness |
| VN Video Editor | Medium | No. | Professional interface |
The choice of the specific application depends on your tasks. InShot is great for quick trimming and overlaying music. If you plan to work seriously with graphics and color correction, you should pay attention to KineMaster or VN. They are all optimized for working on Qualcomm processors.
Subtleties of work with resolution and quality
Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro is capable of shooting at 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. When cutting such material, it is critical to maintain the original export parameters. If the video becomes blurry or twitched after editing, then the output settings were wrongly chosen.
In your export settings (often marked as Save or Export), always check the Permission setting. It should match or be higher. 1080p or 720p This will result in a loss of detail, which is particularly visible in the AMOLED-screen of your smartphone.
The bitrate is also important. The higher the bitrate, the better the image quality, but the larger the file size. For social networks, the bitrate is 10-15 Mbit / s, whereas for archival storage it is better to leave 40-50 Mbit / s. Hardware acceleration in the Mi 9 Pro allows you to process high bitrates without system freezes.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to artificially increase the resolution of the video when cropping. 1080p, preserve 4K It will only increase the file size, but not add details, but rather make digital noise.
Frame rate (FPS) is another parameter that can't be ignored. If you shot at 60 FPS, keep that value. A conversion of 30 FPS will make the movement less smooth, and trying to add frames artificially will lead to artifacts ("jelly") on fast motions.
Video processing in HEVC format (H.265)
Modern Xiaomi cameras can default to HEVC (H.265) codec to save space, which provides better quality with a smaller file size, but requires more processing resources.
The built-in MIUI tools and modern third-party apps fully support this codec. However, if you are faced with the problem of playing a cropped file on other devices, it makes sense to choose a compatible H.264 (MP4) format when saving.
The process of transcoding from HEVC to H.264 takes longer, while the Mi 9 Pro processor can get warmer and the system speed can slow down, a normal situation due to the complexity of mathematical calculations when converting video.
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Tip: If you plan to send video via messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), convert HEVC to H.264 in advance, which will ensure maximum compatibility and black screen problems for the recipient.
You can check the codec you are using in the file properties in the gallery or through third-party file managers. (Details) will specify "Format: HEVC" or "Codec: hvc1".
Cache cleaning and optimization after installation
Active work with video files, especially in high resolution, quickly fills the temporary storage system. Editorial applications create many intermediate files that become useless garbage when you finish work. Regular cleaning of the cache helps to keep the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro running.
To clean, go to Settings. → Memory. → Cleanup. The system will prompt you to delete temporary files. You can also go to the settings of a particular application (for example, Gallery or CapCut) through the Application menu. → All apps and select Clear Cache. Don't confuse this with Data Cleanup, which will delete your projects.
Optimization is also about organizing files, and when you trim, you often have originals and new versions left over, and to avoid confusion, use Favorites or create separate albums for processed content, which will speed up the gallery and make it easier to find the right video.
Remember to reboot your smartphone periodically after heavy installation sessions, which allows the Android operating system to reset background processes, free up RAM and calibrate sensors, which has a positive effect on the overall stability of the device.
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Regularly cleaning the video editor cache frees up gigabytes of space and prevents the system from slowing down when heavy applications are launched.