How to Compress a Video: The Complete Guide
You were downloading or uploading a video file and got the error message the file is too large? You are not alone. It happens to every video editor, professional and hobbyist videographer, or anyone who loves high definition videos because video files are always huge.
What next after receiving the error message? Should you give up on the quality, you had specified and opt for a lower option? While this is an option, you can still download and upload your video if you compress it.
Read on to learn what video compression is and how you can compress video files.
What is video compression?
Video compression is the process through which a video file size is reduced to ensure it takes up relatively small space and allows for ease of sharing across different devices and over the internet.
This process eliminates non-functional and redundant data from the primary video, leading to reduced file size.
Need to Download VideoStudio?
Download a free 30 day trial now!
How to compress video
You can compress a video file using any of the following ways:
Automatic Size Reduction
You can reduce the video size file automatically. Follow the steps below to do it correctly:
- Ensure that you have the VideoStudio application downloaded, installed, and running on your computer.
- Go to the application's icon, open it and add the video.
- Select your desired size and output format.
- You will see a "reduce size" button, click it and wait for a short while as the application reduces the size.
It is necessary to choose the size you want from the provided list, so the video's quality remains. One significance of the automatic size reduction method is that you don't have to worry about the video parameters because the application handles everything.
Changing the Resolution
Another way to compress a video is by changing its resolution. Usually, high-definition videos consume a lot of space. Resolutions and substitutes contribute to the quality and the amount of space that videos take.
For instance, where your video may have a resolution of 1280 x 720, you can still have a relatively good quality video if you reduce the resolution to either 640 x 480 or 800 x 600. Additionally, if you will be watching the video on your phone, a resolution of 320 x 240 is still excellent.
Change the Video's Codec
The codec impacts the video size significantly. Whenever the appropriate codec is used, you can achieve a relatively light video. The choice of the codec determines the size and quality of the final video.
The H.264 codec guarantees you quality, similar to the case of a high definition video. However, you must ensure that your computer has a graphics card for you to opt for this codec, else you won't achieve quality resolution.
You can consider other video codec options: the AVI, XviD, Apple Video, WMA, and real audio.
You can change the codec using a reliable application such as the VideoStudio.
Remove Some Unnecessary Parts
Cutting some parts of the video can help reduce video file size. However, you don't cut the crucial elements or the climax. Some of the extras that you can remove to reduce the video size include recap, trailers, behind-the-scenes clips, commentaries, audio tracks, and interviews.
The video's black frame and edge considerably consume a relatively high percentage of space. So, cutting them whenever necessary can help you achieve a much lighter video for ease of downloading and sharing.
Conclusion
Reducing your video's size makes it easy for you to download, share, and even watch high-resolution videos on your devices. Learning how to compress a video can be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to, especially if you follow the steps above. However, it is advisable to have the right application to compress video files and choose the appropriate file size so you can achieve top video quality.
Need to Download VideoStudio?
Download a free 30 day trial now!