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How to Brighten a Dark Video in Windows and Mac: The Easy Fix!

Have you recorded a video or received a clip, only to realize later it’s too dark to enjoy? Whether you’re capturing special moments or creating content to share, a dim clip is disappointing because you can’t share it to get positive feedback. Luckily, both Windows and Mac offer simple tools to help brighten those videos and bring them to life. Windows Movie Maker and iMovie make it easy for you to adjust your video’s brightness, and if you prefer something online, tools like HitPaw Online AI Video Enhancer have you covered.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to brighten a dark video on your Mac and Windows PC for the best results. Let’s get started and light up your memories!

Part 1. How to Make a Dark Video Brighter in iMovie on Mac

You don’t need to be a professional video editor on your Mac to brighten your dim or dark videos. You already have iMovie, a fantastic and free tool that can save the day and transform your clips into something clear and vibrant.

Step-by-step guide on how to make a dark video lighter in iMovie on Mac:

1. Open Launchpad (the rocket icon in your dock). Type iMovie in the search bar and hit Enter. Once it opens, you’ll see a clean workspace ready for you to dive in.

2. Click the Create New button, which looks like a big plus (+).

3. Choose Movie from the options—it’s perfect for editing videos like a pro without any fuss.

4. In the top menu, click “Import Media.”

importing video in imovie

5. A file browser will pop up. Navigate to where your video is saved, select it, and click “Import Selected.” Your video will now appear in iMovie’s media library and be ready for editing.

6. Click and drag the video clip to the timeline at the bottom.

Dragging video to iMovie timeline

7. Then, simply click your video clip in the timeline to select it. Look above the preview window and find the “Color Correction” icon—it looks like a painter’s palette. Click it to open the editing tools.

Color Correction option in iMovie

8. In the Color Correction panel, locate the brightness slider (a line with a sun icon). Drag the slider to the right to brighten the video.

Dragging the slider to brighten video in iMovie

9. Keep a keen eye on the preview window as you keep adusting the brightness. Find the sweet spot where your video looks bright and natural.

Previewing brightened video in iMovie

10. When you’re happy with how the video looks, click “File” > “Share” > “File.” Choose your desired resolution, set a file name, and click “Save.”

And voilà! Your video is brighter and ready to impress. iMovie makes video editing so approachable, and with these steps, you’re now a brightness-adjusting wizard.

Part 2. How Can I Make a Dark Video Brighter in Windows

Windows Movie Maker is a very simple and effective editor for Windows PCs. It is a handy, user-friendly tool that is perfect for brightening up your videos so they look professional. Even if you’ve never edited a video before, you’ll find this process surprisingly easy. Let’s dive in and turn that gloomy footage into something you’re proud to share!

Step-by-step guide on how to lighten a dark video in Windows Movie Maker:

1. Launch Windows Movie Maker from your Start menu or desktop shortcut. If it’s not installed, download it from a trusted source, as it’s part of the old Windows Essentials suite.

2. Once Movie Maker opens, click “Add videos and photos” from the Home tab and browse your computer to find the dark video you want to brighten. Select it and click “Open.” Alternatively, drag and drop the clip straight into the editor to move to the timeline on the right pane.

opening video in Windows Movie Maker

3. Now, from the top menu, click “Video Tools,” then click “Visual Effects,” and select the “Brightness” option—it’s usually represented by a sun icon.

Brightness option in Windows Movie Maker

4. Drag the brightness slider to the right to brighten your video. As you adjust, watch the preview window to see how the changes look in real time. Don’t overdo it—aim for a natural, balanced look.

Adjusting video brightness in Windows Movie Maker

5. Once you’re satisfied with the brightness, click “File” > “Save Movie,” choose the “Recommended for this project” option, name your video, and click “Save.”

Tip: While you’re in the Visual Effects tab, explore other tools like contrast or color correction to make your video even better.

Part 3. How to Make Dark Videos Brighter and Clearer with HitPaw Online AI Video Enhancer

Instead of going through multiple steps in iMovie and Windows Movie Maker to brighten up your videos, you can do this in a couple of minutes by using HitPaw Online AI Video Enhancer. The best bit is you don’t need to download any software, and your dark clips will convert right from your browser.

Here are the steps:

Create Now!

1. First, open any browser on your Windows/Mac PC and go to the HitPaw Online AI Video Enhancer page.

2. Sign up or sign into your account, and click “Choose Video” to upload the video file to the online tool.

Uploading video to HitPaw Online AI Video Enhancer

3. In the left menu, select the “Low-Light Video Enhancement” option and see how the AI magic works to brighten up your dim video within seconds.

HitPaw Online AI Video Enhancer option

4. Preview the before and after results, and if you are satisfied, click “Export” to save the new and clearer video to your Windows or Mac computer.

Downloading brightened video using HitPaw Online AI Video Enhancer

Part 4. FAQs of Brightening a Dark Video

Q1. Can you brighten a video using Windows Movie Maker?

A1. Yes, you can brighten a video in Windows Movie Maker. First, open your video in the software and drag it to the timeline. Select the “Visual Effects” tab at the top, then choose “Brightness.” Then, drag the slider to the right to adjust the brightness and make the video lighter. Preview the changes, and if satisfied, click “Save Movie” to export the edited video. While Windows Movie Maker is simple to use, its editing options are limited compared to modern tools.

Q2. How do I brighten a video on Mac?

A2. In iMovie, import your video and drag it to the timeline. Click on the “Color Balance” button above the preview window, then select the “Brightness” option. Adjust the slider to increase the brightness until the desired effect is achieved. Now preview the adjusted clip and export it using the “File > Share” menu. iMovie offers intuitive controls and is a great choice for enhancing video brightness on Mac.

Q3. How do I remove blackness from a video?

A3. HitPaw Online AI Video Enhancer is an excellent choice for removing blackness from videos online. Upload your video directly to the platform, select the “Low-Light Video Enhancement” feature, and let the AI process it. Once completed, preview and download the improved video. The tool is beginner-friendly and works without installation, which makes it a convenient option for quick edits.

Q4. Is it better to use desktop software or an online tool to brighten videos?

A4. Windows Movie Maker provides manual sliders for brightness adjustments but lacks advanced features. iMovie offers better visual controls with real-time previews, which is suitable for Mac users. HitPaw Online AI Video Enhancer automates brightness enhancement with AI, making it the easiest option but less customizable. Use Movie Maker or iMovie for precise edits and HitPaw for quick, hassle-free fixes.

Q5. What is the app that brightens videos?

A5. HitPaw AI Video Enhancer web app is a user-friendly online tool that lets you quickly adjust the brightness of your videos without needing to download anything. For offline editing, tools like iMovie (for Mac) and Windows Movie Maker (for Windows) are great options. iMovie offers precise brightness controls with real-time previews, while Windows Movie Maker provides simple sliders to lower the darkness in your footage.

Conclusion on Brightening a Dark Video

And there you have it—knowing how to brighten a dark video and making this happen is simpler than it seems! If you’re using Windows Movie Maker, iMovie on your Mac, or an easy online tool like HitPaw Online AI Video Enhancer, you’ve got all the tools you need to bring out all the details and colors you thought were lost.

So, the next time your video looks a little too shadowy, you know just what to do. Don’t let the darkness hold your memories back. Light them up and share them with confidence.

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