How do I reduce the file size of videos?

I need to reduce the file size of some of my HD videos, since I am running out of storage space. A lower resolution is acceptable, and other methods are welcome. I would prefer a GUI solution, as I am not familiar with the command line. How can I do this?

good boy

Posted 2012-11-26T15:52:21.473

Reputation: 103

1Though this is technically off-topic, I have not voted to close, as this is a beginner question that may prove useful to others looking for a video compression solution. I do suggest that this question be converted to community wiki, though, with a single canonical answer. – bwDraco – 2012-11-26T16:17:57.193

Anyone asking this question could also possibly benefit from the background information in this answer, which is written pertaining to audio but also applies to video: http://superuser.com/a/447346/144607

– allquixotic – 2012-11-26T16:38:06.827

@DragonLord I've rephrased the question to be less about software and more about the method, as per How do I ask a question that may require recommending software? @goodboy, please let us know (or edit it yourself) if you feel I have changed the question too much.

– Bob – 2012-11-26T16:38:21.360

@Bob you've actually enhanced the question so that it reflects that disk space is the issue instead of the resolution – good boy – 2012-11-26T16:55:19.973

Answers

A popular option for video conversion, including recompression to a smaller size, is the open-source HandBrake. HandBrake takes full advantage of multi-core processors and can handle MP4, H.264, and Theora formats. You can also use the VLC media player to convert videos to different formats or resolutions.

bwDraco

Posted 2012-11-26T15:52:21.473

Reputation: 41 701

Appreciate the handbrake tip. For windows this now appears best-in-class – twobob – 2016-02-29T17:59:19.117

1i have used vlc but it requires time equivalent to the length of the video @DragonLord – good boy – 2012-11-26T16:48:49.747

1@goodboy every HD video will take a long time to convert as its a HD and compression will be time consuming so you have to be patient. – avirk – 2012-11-26T17:00:22.120

use FFMPEG

use mkv as the format guides can be found on the ffmpeg site

Shenal Silva

Posted 2012-11-26T15:52:21.473

Reputation: 1

1Based on the way the question is written, the OP is probably inexperienced with video processing and should not be asked to use a command-line tool. – bwDraco – 2012-11-26T16:01:28.583

2Also, Matroska (MKV) is merely a container format; it is possible to store extremely high quality, large-size codec data inside an MKV, so that doesn't even begin to address the problem. – allquixotic – 2012-11-26T16:35:50.807

Miro Video Converter is an easy-to-use GUI application to convert videos to different formats. You can also choose a device (iPhone, Android phones, etc) and select a compatible video format.

You can get it from http://www.mirovideoconverter.com and the Mac App Store.

It is available for Windows:

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