Understanding Video Compression Basics
Video compression is the process of reducing the file size of video content while maintaining acceptable quality. Modern video files contain massive amounts of data - an uncompressed 1080p video can be over 1GB per minute. Compression makes videos practical for storage, streaming, and sharing online.
Codecs
Compression algorithms that encode and decode video data
Resolution
The number of pixels that make up your video frame
Bitrate
The amount of data used to represent each second of video
Popular Video Codecs Explained
H.264 (AVC) - The Universal Standard
The most widely supported video codec, perfect for beginners and guaranteed compatibility across all devices and platforms.
- • Universal browser and device support
- • Hardware acceleration available
- • Mature and stable technology
- • Great balance of quality and file size
- • Web streaming and YouTube
- • Social media content
- • Mobile video recording
- • General-purpose video compression
H.265 (HEVC) - Next-Generation Efficiency
Advanced codec offering 50% better compression than H.264 while maintaining the same quality. Ideal for 4K content and bandwidth-limited scenarios.
- • 50% smaller files than H.264
- • Excellent for 4K and HDR content
- • Growing device support
- • Future-proof technology
- • 4K and high-resolution content
- • Limited bandwidth scenarios
- • Archive and long-term storage
- • Premium streaming services
AV1 - The Future of Video
The newest open-source codec backed by Google, Netflix, and other tech giants. Offers the best compression available but requires modern hardware.
- • Best-in-class compression efficiency
- • Royalty-free and open source
- • Optimized for streaming
- • Excellent quality at low bitrates
- • Streaming platforms (Netflix, YouTube)
- • Bandwidth-constrained environments
- • Future-focused projects
- • High-volume content delivery
Resolution and Quality Settings
Common Video Resolutions
| Resolution | Dimensions | Common Name | Best Use Case | File Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 480p | 854×480 | SD | Mobile, Low bandwidth | Smallest |
| 720p | 1280×720 | HD | Web streaming, Social media | Small |
| 1080p | 1920×1080 | Full HD | YouTube, Professional content | Medium |
| 1440p | 2560×1440 | 2K/QHD | Gaming, High-quality content | Large |
| 2160p | 3840×2160 | 4K/UHD | Premium streaming, Cinema | Largest |
Resolution Selection Strategy
- • Start with 1080p for most content
- • Use 720p for older devices/slow connections
- • Consider 480p for very limited bandwidth
- • 1080p minimum for business content
- • 1440p/4K for premium experiences
- • Always provide multiple resolution options
Practical Compression Tips
✅ Best Practices
- Use two-pass encoding for better quality
- Match your bitrate to your resolution
- Keep frame rates at 30fps or below for most content
- Use hardware acceleration when available
- Test different quality settings for your content type
❌ Common Mistakes
- Using too high bitrate wastes bandwidth
- Compressing already compressed videos
- Ignoring audio compression settings
- Not testing on target playback devices
- Using outdated codecs for new projects
Getting Started: Your First Video Compression
Beginner's Compression Workflow
Choose Your Target Platform
YouTube, social media, web hosting, or local storage? Each has different optimal settings.
Select Resolution & Frame Rate
Start with 1080p at 30fps for most content. Scale down for better performance if needed.
Choose Your Codec
H.264 for maximum compatibility, H.265 for smaller files, AV1 for cutting-edge efficiency.
Test & Optimize
Always preview your compressed video and adjust settings based on the results. Quality vs. file size is a balance.