Video Compression Experience - Practical Tips from Real Projects

Why Are Videos So Huge?

Many people don't realize video size is mainly determined by these factors:

• Resolution - 4K video is 4 times larger than 1080p, but on a phone, the difference is negligible.

• Frame Rate - 60fps is double the size of 30fps. Unless it's a gaming video, 30fps is sufficient.

• Bitrate - This is the most critical factor. Higher bitrate means better quality, but also larger files.

My Compression Methods

Method 1: Lower Resolution (Most Effective)

That 8GB wedding video was originally 4K. I experimented by lowering it to 1080p, and the file dropped directly from 8GB to 2GB. It still looked great on the TV.

Method 2: Adjust Bitrate

This is slightly technical, but the results are good. I generally use these settings:

• 1080p video → Bitrate 5000-8000 kbps
• 720p video → Bitrate 2500-4000 kbps
• 480p video → Bitrate 1000-1500 kbps

💡 Tip: If the video content is relatively static (like a speech), you can use a lower bitrate.

Method 3: Use H.265 Encoding

This is a newer technology where the file can be 40-50% smaller with the same quality. But there's an issue - older devices might not play it.

My approach is: send H.265 versions to younger people, and H.264 versions to elders. It's a bit more trouble, but it ensures everyone can watch.

Recommended Tools

Lessons Learned

• Don't use "Fast Compression" - Many software options have this, and while it's fast, the quality is terrible.

• Watch the Audio - I once compressed only the video and forgot the audio, so the file was still huge.

• Keep Originals - Compression is irreversible; if you ruin it, you can't go back.

• Test Playback - Always watch the whole thing after compression to make sure it's fine before deleting the original.

Real Case Study

Here is how that wedding video was finally handled:

1. Reduced 4K to 1080p
2. Reduced 60fps to 30fps
3. Used H.265 encoding
4. Bitrate set to 6000 kbps

It ultimately compressed from 8GB to 800MB, and the quality looked great on both phone and PC. My friend was very satisfied, saying it was cleaner than the version from the wedding company (probably psychological 😄).

My Suggestions

Choose compression level based on usage:

• WeChat/Share - Under 100MB, 720p is enough
• Cloud Storage - 1080p, moderate compression to keep quality
• Professional - Keep original quality as much as possible, only lower bitrate

Most importantly, test a small segment before compressing. I once compressed a whole video only to find the result poor, having to redo it and wasting hours.