Compression is the process of reducing a video or audio file's size by removing redundant data, while attempting to preserve the original quality. It can be lossy (some data is removed permanently) or lossless (no quality lost). Formats like MP4, H.264, and AAC rely on compression to make media manageable.
Uncompressed video files are massive - hours of footage can easily overwhelm storage or crash systems. Smaller files mean faster uploads, smoother streaming, and less storage usage. Compression makes media easier to store, share, and stream. It’s the reason YouTube loads quickly instead of choking your bandwidth.
Use compression before exporting for web delivery, uploading to platforms, mobile viewing, or large-scale distribution. Choose settings that balance quality and file size - H.264 is a common codec for good results.
Note - too much compression causes blocky visuals or muffled audio, too little results in unmanageable file sizes.
Choose the right codec – Use H.264, H.265, or ProRes depending on the balance of quality vs. file size you need.
Optimize bitrates – Set variable bitrates for streaming efficiency without sacrificing too much clarity.
Avoid excessive recompression – Work with high-quality masters during editing and only compress for final delivery.