Why Should You Compress Video?
Video compression is useful for a number of reasons. If you want your videos to upload and download quickly online, compression reduces the file size and makes that an easier process, especially on social media. If your video will only be watched on a device with limited storage, compression can help you save space. And if you want to send videos via email or over social networks, compression helps you meet any file size limits.
How Video Compression Works
The video you’re shooting is probably compressed. Unless you’re filming a video with a professional cinema camera, most video devices, whether they’re your smartphone, your DSLR, or your camcorder, compress the video as you shoot it using a piece of software called a codec. Codecs can be “lossy” or “lossless”. For example, YouTube uses lossless codec H.264. The codec takes each frame of a video and divides it into a grid. It then compares the grids. If the information in the grid hasn’t changed, those squares aren’t loaded during playback in lossless formats, or discarded entirely with lossy formats. Lossy codecs can squish a video down to a much smaller size, but it comes at a loss of quality. Lossless sacrifices space for quality, although it can achieve surprising reductions. As a general rule, modern devices shoot using a lossless codec and let you decide whether to compress it further when you’re shooting and editing.
Before You Compress Video
With any video camera, there are certain steps you should take before you start filming.
Compressing Video in Windows 11 and Windows 10
Windows 11 and 10 come with an app called Video Editor (formerly Movie Maker) that allows you to make simple videos. It’s a useful way to quickly compress video in Windows. Another advantage is that it exports a copy of your project, instead of destroying your files, so you can go back and try again.
Compressing Video in iOS and macOS
iMovie comes standard in both macOS and iOS. Starting with iOS, follow the next few steps. The macOS version of iMovie works similarly to the iOS version, with a couple of differences.
Compressing Video in Android
While Android apps are not necessarily standardized, most modern Android devices include a simple video editing tool in the Gallery app with a few compression options.
Compressing Video With a Website Video Editor
Websites that edit videos also offer compression options. However, they may compress the video as part of the export process. As a rule, once you’re finished with your project, select a button marked Export Video or Finish Video and choose from a shortlist of options. Here, for example, are Clipchamp’s choices. Notice the stars next to higher-resolution options: These are paid features on this particular site. You may need to try out several sites to find one that allows better compression for free.
