How to Reduce Video File Size Without Losing Image Quality | Handbrake Tutorial 2025, by Video Girl Creative on YouTube. 5 min 33 s.
- Video length
- 5 min 33 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Download HandBrake from handbrake.fr and install it. Open the app and you will see the Source panel at the top.
Click Open Source and pick your video file. HandBrake scans it and fills in the title, angle and duration fields.
In the Summary tab, open the Format dropdown and choose MP4. MP4 plays almost everywhere and is a safe default.
Under Video, set the encoder to H.264 for wide compatibility or H.265 for smaller files. H.265 saves more space but takes longer to encode.
Set the quality slider to RF 22 for a good balance. Lower numbers mean higher quality and bigger files. RF 20 to 24 is a sensible range.
Leave the frame rate on Same as source and keep the peak frame rate option on. Do not force a lower frame rate unless you need a tiny file.
Check the Audio tab. Keep one track in AAC at 128 to 160 kbps, or use the same settings as the source.
Click Browse next to Save As, name the file and choose a folder. Then press Start Encode and wait for the progress bar to finish.
Compare the new file with the original. If it looks soft, raise the quality by lowering the RF number and encode again.
Tips and common mistakes
Always keep the original file until you have checked the compressed version on a full screen.
H.265 gives smaller files but older devices and some editors may not open it.
Do not stack a low RF number with a low resolution preset, or you will lose detail twice.
Encoding takes time, so close other heavy apps to speed it up.
Questions
What RF number should I use?
Start at RF 22 for most videos. Use RF 18 to 20 for footage with lots of motion or fine detail, and RF 24 to 26 when file size matters more than sharpness.
Will compressing the video ruin the quality?
A little quality is lost every time you re-encode, but at RF 22 most people cannot see the difference. Keep the original as a backup.
Why is my new file bigger than the original?
The original was probably already compressed heavily. Raise the RF number or lower the resolution to get a smaller file.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
