How to Compress Your Videos Without Compromising Their Quality

While uploading the files on the OTT platforms, large files might trouble you a lot. They take more time to get uploaded and consume more bandwidth. And even after you successfully upload the files, the trouble doesn’t end there. If the files are too large, your audience will experience buffering when they view the content at their end. 

That is why most OTT content producers compress larger files before uploading them into their platforms. But, video file compression is of two types. In some cases, the video quality might reduce a bit. 

Is there any way to compress a video without suffering any quality loss? Of course, there is! This blog will discuss the process by which you can do so. But before that, we will try to understand which type of compression actually leads to a loss in video quality. 

So, let’s begin.       

Types of Video Compression 

There are basically two types of video compression:

• Lossy Compression
• Lossless Compression

Lossy Compression 

We all know that video compression is nothing but reducing the number of bits needed to store or present a video. When we do so, some of the data might get deleted or removed permanently. This method of video compression in which some data get lost, and hence the quality of the video gets impacted, is called lossy video compression. 

More often than not, the parts of videos that are removed are either additional or unnecessary. So, you don’t mind losing them. That is why even after resulting in data loss, lossy compression is one of the most widely used video compression methods. 

Lossless Compression

Lossless compression is the type of video compression during which not a single bit of data is lost. In simple words, the quality of the video remains the same before and after compression. So, without any doubt, this technique of video compression is the best method available.

But, this technique is not a very common mode of video compression. Wondering why? Because lossless compression is not very effective. It is often seen that in lossless compression the video size does not decrease as much as required.    

6 Effective Ways of Video File Compression

In our discussion above, we have seen that both types of video file compression have some pros and cons. So, here comes the question. What is the most effective way of compressing a video file, so that it does not impact the quality but gives us the desired results? Let’s have a look at six such techniques. 

App-Based Video Compression Options

In this section, we will talk about some video compression software that you can use to compress your video files. 

1. VLC

VLC is one of the most popular video viewing and editing apps available in today’s times. It is compatible with all operating systems including Windows, Linux, and Mac. It is very easy to compress a video using VLC. Just follow the steps given below:

1. Open the VLC app, go to Media, and then click on Convert/Save option under Media. There’s a keyboard shortcut to do so. Just click on cmd+shift+S. 
2. Click on Add option to add the video you want to compress. 
3. Once the video is added, click on the convert/save option. A page with conversion options will open up.
4. On that page, you will have to select the appropriate profile for which you are compressing the video.  
5. Once you submit all the information, click on start. Your video will get compressed successfully. The compressed video will be automatically saved in the destination that you had filled. 

Here’s a major catch with this process. In VLC, you have the option to choose the profile type of the video. You cannot choose the file size of the video. So, you will have to guess the file size of the profile that you are choosing. 

2. Shotcut

If you want to compress the video by format type and resolution, then Shotcut is definitely a good option. This app is also compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems. And the best part is, that you can use this app to compress the videos quickly.    

You can compress the video using Shotcut by following the steps given below:

1. First you have to download the Shotcut. Once you have downloaded it, click on the “Open File” button to open the video file that you want to compress. The file will open up and the video will appear on your screen. 
2. As we said before, you can change the video file format in this process if you want. So, if you want to change the format of the video, you will have to click on the “Export Button” that appears on the right side of the top bar.
3. On clicking on “export”, a large number of options will open up. 
4. On that page, you will have to select the most appropriate video file format in the codec section, the most appropriate resolution and aspect ratio in the video section, and many other video and audio features.  
5. Once you have done all the required settings, click on the export file (to save) and stream (to view) the customized video file. 

3. QuickTime

QuickTime player is Apple’s default media player. Hence, the option to edit videos using the QuickTime player is available only to Mac users. Mac users can compress the video by following the steps given below:

1. Open the QuickTime player and go to the File menu. Click on the “Open File” option. 
2. Select the file that you want to compress. 
3. After the desired file opens up, go to the File menu again and click on the “Export As” option. 
4. The Export As menu will show you some file options like 4K, 1080p, 720p, and 480p. 
5. Choose the most appropriate option and export your file. The exported file will have the desired size and resolution. 

Web-based Video Compression Options

If you don’t want to download any video editing app to your system, you can still compress your videos using some web-based applications. 

4. VEED

VEED.IO is a leading video editing service providing a website that offers a free video compression tool. You can use it by following the steps given below:

1. Visit their website and go to the video compression tool. 
2. The VEED video compressor will open up on your screen. 
3. Click on the “Upload Your File” option to upload the video that you want to compress. 
4. Once you upload the file, video compression options will appear on your screen. Select the compression type and resolution, check the estimated file size appearing on the screen, and if satisfied, submit the compression request. 
5. The compressed video file will get downloaded at the end of the process.

5. VideoSmaller

VideoSmaller is also similar to VEED, but it provides slightly different customization options. To compress the video using VideoSmaller, follow the steps given below:

1. Open the VideoSmaller Website. 
2. On their video compression page, you will find a form. 
3. On that form, fill in the video quality option and scale the video width of the reduced video. 
4. If you want to remove the audio from the video, you can check that option too. 
5. Finally, upload the video. 
6. The video will get compressed according to your preference, and the compressed file will be available for download.

6. Clipchamp

Clipchamp is a paid web-based video editor. If you want to use it, follow the steps given below:

1. Go to the website of Clipchamp.
2. Open their Video Editor section, and select the options you want. 
3. Compress the video and download the compressed file. 

As we stated earlier, it is a paid service, and you will need to pay $9 every month to use their service. 

With MUVI, Get Rid of All The Hussle 

Are you struggling with the process of video file compression and uploading videos on the OTT platform? Why don’t you switch to MUVI? Our in-built encoder and transcoder will make this process seamless for you! 

At MUVI, our in-built transcoder enables you to create and upload video files in multiple resolutions like 144, 240, 360, 480, 640, 720, 1080, 2K, up to 4K. So, MUVI customers don’t need to use any other video compressor at all! In addition, our in-built encoder gives you enormous flexibility in terms of video formats too! Hence, you can literally upload any video to MUVI, and then sit back and relax, as our in-built encoder and transcoder do all the work for you. 

Not on MUVI yet? Sign up to start your 14-Day free trial today! 

Wrapping Up

You can compress your videos without compromising on their quality by using any one of the given six video compression software:

1. VLC
2. Shotcut
3. QuickTime
4. VEED
5. VideoSmaller
6. Clipchamp

But if you are using MUVI to build your OTT platform, you don’t need to use any of them, as MUVI’s in-built encoder and transcoder will do all the work for you!