How to compress large video files for free!
In today's world almost everyone is capturing videos, especially with smartphones offering high-quality recording capabilities. However, these videos often end up being huge files, causing a bunch of problems:
Difficulty in sharing with others.
Slow downloading or streaming online, particularly in areas with poor internet connectivity.
Increased need for storage space to accommodate numerous video files.
Sluggish performance of apps when large videos are integrated.
Your Options to Reduce File Size
When it comes to reducing the size of video files, traditional compression methods like zipping or similar techniques are unlikely to yield significant results. Unlike text or other types of files, video content is already compressed in a specific format, such as MP4 or AVI. So if you try to compress them further you are likely to see little if any reduction in file size.
The best way to make your video files smaller is by changing them to a lower resolution. Usually this is fine because you don't always need super high quality. For instance, it's often okay to use a 720p video in a PowerPoint instead of the original 4k file because it fits better on the slide.
You could try online services, some of which are free. But keep in mind that uploading, processing, and downloading files can take a lot of time. Plus, these services might not let you upload big videos because making them smaller requires a lot of costly computer power.
We recommend using HandBrake, a free video encoder. It works on both Mac and PC and changes your videos into smaller, efficient .mp4 files. This can significantly reduce file sizes while still keeping good quality for both the picture and sound.
In this guide, we'll show you how to shrink your video files using HandBrake in a few simple steps. Our example uses a 1-minute video shot at 4K (3840 x 2160) that is a whopping 141MB in size! We show you that by transcoding to 720p (1280 x 720) the file is reduced to just 12.4MB!
Prefer to watch a video tutorial? Jump to the bottom to see it.
Original file 141MB | Compressed file 12.4MB
NOTE: In this guide we use the Windows version of HandBrake - other platform versions may vary.
Step 1: Download and install HandBrake
Visit HandBrake’s download page, choose your platform’s installer file and install it on your machine.
Step 2: Add file
Open HandBrake and use the Open Source button to select the source file (your large video file to reduce).
TIP: To batch compress files you can add multiple files or folders.
Step 3: Configure settings
There are lots of settings (and combinations of settings) that affect the compression quality and size of the output file. HandBrake includes some presets that cover the most common scenarios, which avoids you having to understand each individual setting.
For this example, we want a 720p output file but you need to decide what works best for your scenario and use the most appropriate preset.
- Set the preset to Fast 720p30
- [Optional] Check the Web Optimized checkbox if your file is for streaming on the web.
- Choose a location and filename for your compressed file
Step 4: Start Encoding
Just click Start Encode and your video file will be transcoded by HandBrake. Remember, the time it takes to finish depends on how powerful your computer is.
TIP: If you added multiple files and want them all to be compressed with the same settings, you can use the dropdown next to the Add to Queue button and select Add All before you start encoding.
In conclusion, HandBrake offers a simple and effective solution for reducing video file sizes without sacrificing quality. By following the easy steps outlined in this guide you can quickly and efficiently compress your videos, making them easier to share, store, and manage. Whether you're dealing with large files for presentations, or struggling with slow upload speeds, HandBrake provides a user-friendly tool to streamline your multimedia experience. Give it a try and see the difference for yourself!
