This tutorial is an original manually prepared language version. It does not use the article live-translation service.
Quick answer
Use normal Clip Duration when you want a practical source window and some flexibility around the final cut. Use Exact Duration Mode when every exported clip must have the same fixed length. Never expect both controls to influence the same output.
Use the relevant BestAI tool with one short test file or paragraph first. Confirm the result, then process a larger batch. This prevents a small setting mistake from being repeated across many clips or a long narration.
Why this tutorial matters
Duration conflicts are one of the easiest ways to create unpredictable clips. The interface therefore disables normal duration controls when Exact Duration is active, and the backend follows the same rule. Understanding that ownership prevents a plan from showing one value while the processor uses another.
The BestAI workflow is designed around a simple rule: one active control should own one decision. When a mode overrides another setting, the conflicting control is disabled in the interface and ignored by the backend. This makes the plan shown on screen match the actual result.
Recommended starting settings
| Setting | Practical starting point |
|---|---|
| Normal Clip Duration | Best for general Shorts, interviews, vlogs and mixed source material. |
| Exact Duration | Best for fixed templates, advertisements, countdowns and equal-length batches. |
| Minimum/maximum length | Use only with normal duration mode. |
| Jump Cut | Use only when flexible source selection is active. |
| Review point | Check sentence endings and visual action before approving a fixed length. |
These values are starting points, not universal rules. Source quality, speaking style, platform, audience and the purpose of the video can require a different choice.
Step-by-step tutorial
Step 1: Decide whether equality is a real requirement
Ask whether every output truly needs the same number of seconds. Many creator videos only need a sensible range, while branded packages, ad slots or repeated templates may require exact equality.
Step 2: Use normal duration for editorial flexibility
Set Clip Duration as the source window and use min/max final length when available. This mode is more forgiving when speech and visual actions do not finish at identical times.
Step 3: Use Exact Duration for fixed deliverables
Turn Exact Duration on and enter the required length. Confirm that normal duration, min/max and conflicting jump-cut controls become disabled. This visual change confirms that the fixed value owns the decision.
Step 4: Compare the live clip plan
Switch modes while watching the estimated count. A shorter exact duration may produce more full clips, while a longer one may leave a remainder that is intentionally not exported.
Step 5: Test sentence and action boundaries
A fixed clip can end during a word, camera move or demonstration. Adjust the source start, exact value or selected range so the important action finishes cleanly.
Step 6: Document the reason for the mode
Save the chosen duration with the project name. The next editor should know whether the value is a creative preference or a delivery requirement.
Quality-control checklist
- The selected mode matches the business or editorial requirement.
- Disabled controls clearly show which duration rule is inactive.
- The live estimate changes as expected.
- No exported clip ends in the middle of a critical word or action.
- The remainder policy is acceptable for the project.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Turning Exact Duration on but continuing to adjust Clip Duration.
- Choosing a fixed value only because every clip looks visually tidy in a list.
- Ignoring incomplete remainders at the end of the source range.
- Using an extremely short duration that removes context.
- Using an extremely long duration that combines several unrelated ideas.
Frequently asked questions
Can both duration settings work together?
No. Exact Duration intentionally overrides the normal duration controls so there is one authoritative value.
Which mode is better for interviews?
Normal duration is usually easier because answers have different natural lengths. Use Exact Duration only when a fixed campaign format requires it.
Why did the clip count change?
The number of complete clips depends on the usable source range and the active duration. Changing the authoritative duration changes how many full segments fit.
Practical example
A campaign needs ten 30-second product clips, so Exact Duration is appropriate. A podcast interview has answers ranging from 22 to 70 seconds, so normal duration is better because the editor can preserve complete thoughts. The content type—not a preference for neat numbers—decides the mode.
A useful decision rule
If changing the clip length would violate a delivery specification, use Exact Duration. If changing the length would improve sentence completion or visual meaning, use normal duration and review the final boundaries. ## Final takeaway
Pick duration based on the deliverable, not the appearance of the form. Flexible content usually benefits from normal duration; fixed templates benefit from Exact Duration. One active rule produces predictable results.