How to Compress Video Online

In the age of high-definition video, large file sizes can be a headache. Fortunately, you can "compress video online," allowing you to reduce the video...

In the age of high-definition video, large file sizes can be a headache. Fortunately, you can "compress video online," allowing you to reduce the video file size without significant loss in quality. This guide will walk you through understanding video compression, differentiating between a video compressor and a video editor, and how you can compress a video on the internet.

How Do You Know that a Video is Compressed?

A compressed video is usually a fraction of the original file size. By using a video compressor, a large video is reduced into a smaller file that's easier to store and share. You may notice that the video quality is slightly degraded, especially if highly compressed. Tools exist to compare the file sizes and bitrates of videos to determine their level of compression.

What Do You Need to Compress a Video?

To compress a video, you need a video file (MOV, AVI, MKV, WMV, MPEG, FLV, ASF, or any other format) and a video compressor application or an online video compressor. The video compressor will encode the video, reducing its bitrate, resolution, and possibly frame rate to lower the file size.

Average Size of a Compressed Video

The size of a compressed video greatly varies depending on factors like the original video quality, video resolution, encoding method, output format, and compression settings. For instance, a compressed 1-minute video for social media might be around 1-2MB, while the same for high-quality playback could be around 20MB.

Video Compressor vs. Video Editor

A video compressor mainly reduces video file sizes by tweaking video resolution, bitrate, and frame rate. Meanwhile, a video editor provides features for video editing, like adding transitions, subtitles, watermark, and more. Some video editors also include video compressor features, enabling you to edit and compress in one software.

Compressing a Video on the Internet

To compress video online, you need a reliable web browser and an online video compressor. The process usually involves uploading your video file to the compressor website, choosing your desired compression settings, and downloading the compressed video.

What Does Compress Video Online Mean?

"Compress video online" means reducing the size of a video file using an online tool. This process typically involves reducing the video resolution, bitrate, and sometimes, the frame rate. It is convenient as it doesn't require any software installation and can be done from any device, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.

Online Video Compression Websites

Several websites offer online video compression services. They include Clipchamp, YouCompress, VideoSmaller, and more. These sites allow you to upload video files from your computer, Dropbox, or Google Drive, select the desired output format and compression settings, and then compress your video.

Video Compression Format

Video compression format refers to the file format of the compressed video (like MP4, WEBM, GIF). It affects the video quality, file size, and compatibility with different devices and platforms.

Top 8 Software or Apps for Video Compression

1. HandBrake: Free and open-source video transcoder that supports numerous formats, including MP4, MKV, and AVI. It allows users to adjust quality settings, including bitrate, frame rate, and resolution.
2. Clipchamp: An online video editor and compressor that offers customizable video resolution and size options. It supports a wide range of video formats and integrates with Google Drive and Dropbox.
3. Adobe Media Encoder: Part of Adobe's Creative Cloud, it offers advanced settings for video compression. It supports many video formats, including MOV, AVI, and FLV.
4. Any Video Converter: This software doubles as a video converter and compressor. It supports over 160 video formats and has user-friendly settings for video quality, resolution, and bitrate.
5. VLC Media Player: Apart from being a media player, VLC can also compress video files. It offers adjustable settings for bitrate, frame rate, and resolution.
6. VideoProc: A video editor that provides video compression capabilities. It allows for resolution, format, and bitrate adjustments.
7. iMovie (Mac, iPhone, and iPad): Apple's native video editor offers basic video compression capabilities and supports MOV, MP4, and other formats.
8. VidCompact (Android and iOS): An app primarily for compressing and converting videos. It supports various formats, including MP4, AVI, and WMV, and connects with social media platforms like WhatsApp.

Compressing videos online is a handy skill in the digital era. Using an online video compressor or a dedicated app can help optimize your videos for storage, sharing, and posting online. So go ahead, select your preferred tool, and start compressing!