Best Video Compression Settings For Youtube
Education
Introduction
Uploading large video files can be time-consuming, especially if you have a slow internet connection. Compressing your videos can save space and reduce upload times without compromising quality. In this article, we will explore how to use HandBrake, an open-source video transcoder, to compress video files efficiently.
Step-by-Step Guide to Compressing Video Files
Install HandBrake
- Download and install HandBrake from the official website. It's available for Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.
Open HandBrake
- Launch HandBrake on your system.
Select Source
- You can either select a single file or an entire folder for batch processing.
- For this example, select a file.
Adjust Preferences
- Navigate to
Tools > Preferences
. - Enable the option
Allow use of the Advanced tab for x264 options
.
- Navigate to
General Settings
- In the main interface, select
MP4
as the container. - Enable
Web Optimized
. - Ensure the resolution remains 1920x1080 for HD videos.
- In the main interface, select
Filters Tab
- Leave all options in this tab as default unless you need specific adjustments.
Video Settings
- Leave
Codec
set toH.264
. - Set
Frame Rate
toPeak Framerate
. - Use
Constant Quality
. Values between 18-24 are suggested for Standard Definition (SD) and 20-23 for High Definition (HD). Set it to 13 for this example for slightly lower quality. - Encoder Preset can be set to
Medium
. - Keep Encoder Profile and Encoder Level on
Auto
.
- Leave
Audio Settings
- Reduce the bitrate to
128 kbps
.
- Reduce the bitrate to
Subtitles and Chapters
- No need to adjust these settings for basic compression.
Advanced Settings
- Click on the
Advanced
tab. - Adjust
Reference Frames
to5
to enhance compression efficiency.
- Click on the
Save Preset
- Save your presets for future use by clicking on
Add
and giving a name like1080p YouTube
.
- Save your presets for future use by clicking on
Select Destination
- Choose a destination folder and name your compressed file.
Start Encoding
- Click
Start Encode
and wait for the process to complete.
- Click
Comparison of Original and Compressed Files
The original video file was 328MB, and after compression, the file size reduced to just 73MB without significant loss in quality.
Keywords
- Video Compression
- HandBrake
- YouTube Upload
- Video Quality
- Open Source Transcoder
- MP4
- H.264 Codec
FAQ
1. What software can I use to compress video files? HandBrake is an excellent open-source video transcoder available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
2. What is the advantage of compressing video files? Compressing video files reduces file size, saving space and significantly reducing upload times, which is beneficial for slow internet connections.
3. What settings should I use for the best quality to size ratio?
Use the H.264
codec in an MP4 container. Set the Constant Quality
between 18-24 for SD and 20-23 for HD. Use a resolution of 1920x1080.
4. How can I enable advanced settings in HandBrake?
Go to Tools > Preferences
and enable the option Allow use of the Advanced tab for x264 options
.
5. How much can I reduce my video file size using HandBrake? The reduction in size depends on your settings and the original file. In this example, a 328MB file was reduced to 73MB.
By following these steps, you can efficiently compress your videos for faster uploads and minimal quality loss, ensuring your content reaches your audience quicker.