How to Compress a Video

Video compression reduces the file size of a video, which is often necessary for making it easier to upload and share. It can also be helpful in cases where you want to send a video but don’t want to send the entire thing. In this blog post, we will discuss different methods for compressing videos.

The Basics of Video Compression

There are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind regarding compressing videos:

Lossy vs. Lossless Compression

There are two main types of video compression:

• Lossy compression reduces file size by discarding some of the information in the video. This can result in a lower quality video, but the file size will be much smaller.
• Lossless compression, on the other hand, does not discard any information. This means that the quality of the video remains, but the file size will be larger.

Pros and Cons of Different Compression Methods

There are different compression methods, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

• MPEG-ES: A lossy compression method typically used for videos that will be streamed or uploaded to the internet.
• H.264: A lossless compression method often used for videos that need to be edited or are of a high quality.
• HEVC: A newer compression method becoming more popular because it can achieve a high level of compression while still maintaining a good quality video.

How Are You Going to Use the Compressed Videos?

How you compress a video will depend on how you plan to use it. For example, if you are going to upload a video to the internet, you will want to use a lossy compression method like MPEG-ES.

But if you are going to edit the video or need to maintain a high quality, you will want to use a lossless compression method like H.264.

Times You May Need to Compress Your Videos

You might need to compress videos if:

• You want to embed a video onto your website.
• You need to share a video with your team members.
• You’re trying to email yourself a video that’s too long to send as it is.

Ways to Compress Videos

Now that we’ve gone over the basics of video compression, let’s discuss how to actually compress a video.

1. Compress the Video Online.

One way to reduce the resolution of a video is to compress it online. This can be done with a shortcut or by using a player like VLC or QuickTime.

To compress a video with a shortcut, simply right-click on the file and select “Compress.”

To compress with QuickTime, open the player and go to File > Export As > Custom QuickTime Movie. In the settings, select “Video Compression” and choose a lower quality.

2. Download the Video in Lower Quality

You can also download a video in lower quality by selecting a lower resolution when prompted.  This is a good option if you want to save some space on your computer or device.

To do this, simply go to the video page and look for the “download” or “save” option. Select a lower resolution and wait for the video to download. You can also use a free video converter to download videos in lower quality.

3. Create a Zip File

Another way to compress videos is to create a zip file. This will compress the video without losing any quality. To do this on a Mac, simply right-click on the video and select “Compress.” You can then rename the zip file if you so choose.

On windows, the process is similar. Start by right-clicking on the file you want to convert, then click Send to > Compressed (zip) folder.

4. Send the Video as a Link

If you want to send a video but don’t want to upload the entire thing, you can send it as a link instead. To do this, go to the website where the video is hosted and copy the link. Then, paste it into an email or chat window.

This is a quick and easy way to share videos without taking up a lot of space. You can also send links to videos you create by uploading them to Google Drive.

5. Trim the Video Down

You can also trim a video to make it shorter. This can be done with most video editing software. Simply open the video in the editor and select the portion you want to keep. Then, export the video as a new file.

If the video is hosted in your camera roll, you can generally trim it right from there. This is a good option if you only need to share a portion of the video or want to save some space.

Upgrade Your Video Compression!

Compressing videos is a great way to reduce the file size and make them easier to share. There are many different ways to compress videos, so choose the one that best suits your needs. Remember to keep in mind how you plan to use the video when deciding which method to use.

By following these steps, you can easily compress videos without losing too much quality. This will make it easier to share your videos with others without having to worry about large file sizes.