How To Defeat YouTubes Awful Compression | Tips For Uploading Your Videos

Introduction

Hello everyone, Nick Pringle here! Today, we’re going to discuss how to upload the highest quality videos to YouTube. But before we dive in, I’d appreciate it if you consider subscribing, checking out my other videos, hitting the like button, and dropping a comment below. It’s free and really helps me out. Thank you, and enjoy your day!

Understanding YouTube Compression

Many creators often ask how to achieve the best upload quality for their videos on YouTube. YouTube provides its own guidelines regarding the best formats, codecs, and settings to use for uploads. While I used to follow these guidelines closely, I’ve since adapted my approach due to advancements in camera technology.

With modern cameras—such as those from Sony, Blackmagic, Canon, and RED—you can capture footage in much higher quality than ever before. Historically, I would render videos in H.264, which is a compressed format, without noticing much difference. However, conditions have changed, especially for those shooting in RAW formats and high-quality settings.

My Workflow for High-Quality Uploads

After I color grade my footage in DaVinci Resolve, the first thing I do is choose the right format and codec. The choice of codec often varies based on the project’s requirements. For example, if I have a significant amount of footage, I prefer a codec that allows for quicker exports.

For my typical YouTube videos, I export my footage as ProRes 422 LT. This codec balances file size and quality, producing a more refined finish without excessive compression artifacts. While you may encounter other options like ProRes 422 HQ or Proxy, I've found that LT provides a satisfying balance for my needs.

After exporting from Resolve, I move onto Final Cut Pro to edit my video. Once editing is complete, I export again in ProRes 422 LT. I’ve experimented with various formats and found ProRes 422 LT to be the sweet spot. The difference in quality is noticeable—there's less banding and overall better clarity.

One downside to this method is the larger file sizes. My average YouTube video file ends up being around 20 to 30 GB. For those with fast internet, long upload times might not be a problem, but remember that YouTube takes time to process the video, especially at higher resolutions like 4K or 6K. This can lead to a lengthy wait as your video transitions from lower resolutions to its final quality.

Conclusion

In summary, uploading high-quality videos to YouTube requires some effort and patience, particularly regarding file sizes and processing times. But with the right settings and codecs, you can achieve crisp, professional-looking results.

If this is your first time on the channel and you found these tips helpful, I invite you to hit the like button, drop a comment, and explore other content I offer. Subscribing to the channel is appreciated, but ringing the notification bell is not necessary—just subscribing will do.

Now, go ahead and create your content, and I’ll see you in the next video!

Keywords

YouTube compression, high-quality uploads, H.264, codec, ProRes 422 LT, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, color grading, video processing, upload settings.

FAQ

Q: What codec should I use for my YouTube videos?
A: I recommend using ProRes 422 LT for a balance of quality and file size.

Q: Does file size affect upload quality?
A: Yes, larger file sizes generally have better quality due to less compression, so using high-quality codecs is essential.

Q: How long does it take for YouTube to process high-quality videos?
A: Uploading and processing times vary by internet speed and video resolution, but expect longer processing times for 4K or 6K videos.

Q: Is following YouTube's guidelines still necessary?
A: While following official guidelines can be useful, adapting your settings based on your camera and workflow can yield better results.

Q: How does color grading affect video quality?
A: Proper color grading enhances the visual appeal and depth of your footage, contributing to the overall quality of the final upload.