How to Compress Video Without Losing Quality | Handbrake Tutorial, by Kevin Stratvert on YouTube. 9 min 54 s.
- Video length
- 9 min 54 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Download HandBrake from the official website and install it for your operating system. Use the current stable release so the presets and encoders match this guide.
Open HandBrake and click Open Source to load your video file. You can also drag the file onto the window.
Pick a preset on the right side. General Fast 1080p30 is a good starting point for most clips, and the Web presets suit uploads.
Check the Summary tab to see the source size and the estimated output size. This tells you how much space you will save before encoding.
On the Dimensions tab, set the width to 1920 or lower if the source is larger. Keep the aspect ratio locked so the picture does not stretch.
On the Video tab, choose the H.264 encoder for wide compatibility or H.265 for smaller files. Set the quality slider to around 22 to 24 for a good balance.
On the Audio tab, keep one track and choose AAC at 128 to 160 kbps. Remove extra tracks you do not need to save more space.
Use the Preview window to check a few frames at your chosen settings. Adjust the quality slider if the picture looks soft or blocky.
Set the destination folder and file name in the Save As field at the bottom. Keep the.mp4 extension for the widest playback support.
Click Start Encode and wait for the progress bar to finish. The new, smaller file appears in your chosen folder.
Tips and common mistakes
Lower the quality slider number for better picture and a larger file, or raise it to shrink more.
H.265 makes smaller files than H.264 but some older players cannot open them.
Do not upscale the width above the source resolution, since that adds size without adding detail.
Keep the original file until you have played the compressed version and checked the quality.
Questions
What quality setting should I use in HandBrake?
Start with the RF slider at 22 to 24 for H.264. Lower numbers mean higher quality and bigger files, so test a short preview before a full encode.
Will compressing a video make it blurry?
It can if you push the quality slider too high or shrink the resolution a lot. A moderate setting around 22 to 24 usually looks close to the original at a much smaller size.
Can I compress several videos at once?
Yes. Add each file to the queue with the Add to Queue button, then click Start Queue to encode them one after another.
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.
