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Give your video clips the look of a vintage camcorder filter with the VHS effect. An authentic VHS overlay can intensify nostalgia for any content such as holiday recap slideshows, vlogs, or sale ad videos.
Clipchamp lets you easily add the free VHS effect to your videos with no downloads needed. Add the grainy, VHS static, and bleeding color lines aesthetic to your videos and photos without leaving your browser. You can even add vintage 90s overlays and on-theme video transitions between clips to add to the video rental store vibes.
Read on to learn how to add and customize the VHS effect to videos, photos, animated text, graphics, and how to pair your video with the perfect old school background music with Clipchamp.
How to add VHS effect to videos
Step 1. Import your own media or add stock videos
If you would like to use your own video, photo, and other media files, click on the import media button within the your media tab on the toolbar. Browse your computer files or connect your OneDrive to import.
If you’d like to create a video using stock video footage or images, click on the content library tab on the toolbar and select videos or images. Enter keywords in the search bar or just browse the royalty-free video and image library to select the right stock to which you want to apply the VHS effect.
Drag and drop your videos or images onto the timeline to start editing with the VHS effect.
Step 2. Add the VHS effect to your video
Click on the video on your timeline so the video is highlighted. Next, click on the effects tab on the property panel. The VHS effect can be applied as an overlay to videos, photos, stickers, graphics, and GIFs.
To apply the VHS effect to your video, click on the VHS effect. Your video will now have an old-school 90s aesthetic. You can edit the VHS noise effect by dragging the grain slider to adjust the texture and dragging the intensity slider to adjust the effect’s overall richness.
Step 3. Preview your video and save
Make sure to preview your video before saving by clicking on the play button. When you’re ready to save your video, click on the export button and select a video resolution. We recommend saving videos in 1080p HD video resolution for the best video quality. If you’re a paid subscriber, you can save in 4K video resolution.
Explore more video filters or finetune your video color correction and other settings using the video enhancer.
How to add VHS effect to animated text and graphics
You can add the VHS effect as a filter to animated text and titles, and graphics like stickers and GIFs as well. To add the VHS effect onto text, drag and drop a video title onto the timeline, then click on the effects tab on the property panel. Click on the VHS effect to apply.
To add the VHS aesthetic to stickers and GIFs, click on the content library tab on the toolbar then click on the visuals drop down arrow and select stickers or GIPHY. Then, same as for video, images, and text, click on the sticker or GIF asset in the timeline then click on the effects tab on the property panel and select the VHS effect.
How to choose music for your VHS video
Finding the right background music and sound effects for your video is just as important as choosing the perfect stock videos or photos. Click on the music & SFX tab on the toolbar to open the royalty-free music library. Search keywords like 80s, 90s, retro, vintage, old school rock, and more into the search bar to choose the perfect background tune. Click on the + button to add the audio onto the timeline.
5 easy video ideas using the VHS effect
If you’re not sure what video to apply the VHS aesthetic to, look at some of these popular video ideas.
Achieve a vintage aesthetic in your travel vlogs.
Add that old school feel to lofi hip hop and retrowave music videos.
Create a moody and mysterious look for your Y2K TikTok videos.
Give your fancam video a handheld camcorder look and feel.
Make your throwback gaming reaction video look like it was actually made in the 90s.
Don’t forget to match your VHS effect overlay with sound effects and background music from the Clipchamp audio library.
Looking for more ways to enhance your video aesthetic with filters and effects? Find out how to easily color correct videos or create a double exposure video effect.
Create a vintage VHS aesthetic in your video today for free with Clipchamp or download the Microsoft Clipchamp Windows app.
