Utilizing video editing software doesn’t have to be complicated, especially if you have the right supporting equipment. While an expensive computer is not a requirement for editing software, you will need a decent monitor and video card. You’ll also need extensive hard drive capacity, either built-in, or in the form of an external hard drive, to insure you have the media storage you need and the data-transfer speed your projects will require. Nothing will sabotage your projects faster than sluggish computer performance, especially if you’re working with 4K video. For some, a flash drive will provide enough capacity to store footage, while also providing the portability, reliability, security and offline access that make an external hard drive appealing to many, just on a smaller scale.

Generally, Mac computers are preferred by beginners, but PCs are often favored by editors with intermediate and above editing experience, thanks in part to the larger selection of video editing software for Windows, with advanced yet easy-to-use features. You’ll also likely want a pair of high-performance, over-the-ear headphones that offer day-long comfort, and also accurate representation of the audio. Once you familiarize yourself with the capabilities of your new software, and begin finishing your first projects, you can upload them to a YouTube channel or stream them to your television via your media streaming device of choice, to share with family and friends.