BATS - ClipCut

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Trim clips losslessly – no re-encoding, done in seconds

Remove unwanted parts without touching the video codec: ClipCut saves the IN/OUT-marked part of a clip as a separate file – using an FFmpeg stream copy (-c copy). Nothing is re-encoded, so no picture properties are lost and the job runs far faster than any re-encode. The only catch: with GOP-based formats (e.g. H.264) FFmpeg can only cut at the next I-frame – which is exactly what the assistant’s adjustable safety margin in seconds is for.

Adding the menu entry

“ClipCut” is added through the “Add function...” assistant (right-click in the BIN → Add function... → pick ClipCut - Trimm Clips lossless). The assistant’s questions:

  1. Safety margin (“Select the time in seconds”): the number of seconds taken additionally at the beginning and end (−10 to +10, default 1 second). The margin compensates for the cut snapping to the nearest I-frame boundary. A negative value instead removes material from both sides.
  2. Add the result to the BIN? “Yes, add result to BIN” (registered under __BAT Server\Video) or “No, do not add result” (file is simply stored next to the source).
  3. Placement: context menu of the BIN or of the timeline.
  4. Name of the menu entry (suggestion: “ClipCut”), then [Preview '.bat0' file] / [Add menu entry].

How to use it

  1. Set IN and OUT on the clip (BIN clip or timeline clip).
  2. Right-click → Generate Video submenu → ClipCut (or the name of your entry).
  3. BAT Server creates the new file: the IN/OUT range plus the safety margin, completely without re-encoding. With “Yes, add result to BIN”, the result lands in the BIN under __BAT Server\Video right away.

Good to know

  • Lossless means: no quality loss, but fixed cut points: the cut happens at the next I-frame (GOP structure) – hence the margin. Material with long GOPs (e.g. older web encodes) may need a larger value – in that case simply create a second entry with e.g. 2–3 s.
  • New file, original kept: ClipCut always creates a separate file; the source clip (and its IN/OUT values) remains unchanged.
  • Audio is included: the complete stream (video + audio) is copied along.
  • Margin is baked in: the chosen number of seconds is part of the .bat0 – different margins mean different entries.

Managing the preset

Entries created via the assistant are user presets: the .bat0 file lives under C:\ProgramData\EdiusPowerTools\BAT-server\bat_files\BIN\ or …\bat_files\timeline\ depending on your choice, and can be freely edited, renamed or deleted (deleting removes the context-menu entry). As with all BATS presets, the .bat0 is a template from which BAT Server generates the concrete job file on every run – changes take effect from the next run.