What is a key characteristic of non-linear editing?

The ability to access any frame at any time is a fundamental characteristic of non-linear editing (NLE). This flexibility allows editors to work with video files freely, without the constraints of a linear sequence dictated by the order of the footage on the tape. Editors can jump around, rearrange clips, and make alterations to any specific part of the video without needing to follow a predetermined order, providing great efficiency and creative freedom in the editing process.

In contrast, the sequential arrangement of footage describes a linear editing process, where material must be edited in the order it was recorded. A fixed timeline for edits is also a characteristic more associated with linear methods, which do not allow for reordering clips easily without a complete reworking of the timeline. The use of physical tape for editing is characteristic of older editing methods and does not apply to modern non-linear techniques, which utilize digital files and software for editing processes.