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Video Compression Guidelines

When preparing videos for upload to Viostream, proper compression and encoding settings can significantly impact both upload times and playback quality. This guide provides best practices for rendering videos that deliver excellent viewer experiences while maintaining reasonable file sizes.

Quick Reference​

For those who need immediate guidance:

  • Format: MP4 (H.264 video, AAC audio)
  • Resolution: 1920×1080 (1080p) or 1280×720 (720p)
  • Video Bitrate: 8-12 Mbps for 1080p, 1-4 Mbps for 720p
  • Audio Bitrate: 128-192 kbps
  • Frame Rate: 25 or 30 fps (match source material)
  • Keyframe Interval: 2 seconds maximum

Format and Codec​

Container Format: MP4 (.mp4)

  • Universally supported across all devices and browsers
  • Excellent compression efficiency
  • Reliable streaming performance

Video Codec: H.264 (AVC)

  • Industry standard with broad compatibility
  • Good balance of quality and file size
  • Hardware acceleration support on most devices

Audio Codec: AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)

  • Superior quality compared to MP3 at similar bitrates
  • Native browser support
  • Efficient compression

Resolution Guidelines​

Choose resolution based on your content and audience:

1080p (1920×1080) - Recommended​

Best for:

  • Detailed content with text or graphics
  • Professional presentations
  • Training videos
  • Marketing content

Video Bitrate: 8,000-12,000 kbps

  • 8 Mbps: Standard quality, suitable for most content
  • 10 Mbps: High quality, good for detailed visuals
  • 12 Mbps: Premium quality, use sparingly due to file size

720p (1280×720) - Good Alternative​

Best for:

  • Talking head videos
  • Webinars with limited detail
  • Content where file size is critical
  • Faster upload requirements

Video Bitrate: 4,000-6,000 kbps

  • 4 Mbps: Standard quality
  • 5 Mbps: High quality
  • 6 Mbps: Premium quality

4K (3840×2160) - Use Sparingly​

Consider only for:

  • High-detail technical demonstrations
  • Professional cinema content
  • Archive material requiring maximum quality

Video Bitrate: 25,000-40,000 kbps

  • Results in very large files
  • Longer upload and processing times
  • Limited benefit for most viewing scenarios

Frame Rate Settings​

25 fps (PAL regions):

  • Standard for European and Australian content
  • Good for most business and educational videos
  • Smaller file sizes than 30 fps

30 fps (NTSC regions):

  • Standard for North American content
  • Slightly smoother motion
  • Common for screen recordings

60 fps:

  • Only use for high-motion content (sports, gaming)
  • Significantly larger file sizes
  • Most business content doesn't benefit from 60 fps

Audio Settings​

Sample Rate: 48 kHz

  • Professional standard
  • Good quality reproduction
  • Compatible with all playback systems

Bitrate: 128-192 kbps

  • 128 kbps: Good quality for speech
  • 192 kbps: High quality for music or mixed content

Channels: Stereo (2-channel)

  • Unless content specifically requires mono
  • Better spatial audio experience

Advanced Encoding Settings​

Two-Pass Encoding​

Two-pass encoding is like rendering your video twice in your render program in order to optimise quality vs size.

When to use: For final production renders

  • Better bitrate distribution
  • Improved overall quality
  • Takes longer but worth it for important content

When to skip: Quick previews or draft content

  • Single-pass is faster
  • Quality difference may be minimal for some content

Content-Specific Recommendations​

Screen Recordings and Tutorials​

Optimal Settings:

  • Resolution: 1920×1080 or 1280×720
  • Bitrate: Higher end of recommended range
  • Frame rate: Match screen refresh rate (usually 60 fps)
  • Special consideration: Text readability is crucial

Tips:

  • Use constant quality encoding if available
  • Consider higher bitrates for complex interfaces
  • Test text legibility after compression

Talking Head Videos and Presentations​

Optimal Settings:

  • Resolution: 1280×720 is often sufficient
  • Bitrate: Lower end of recommended range
  • Frame rate: 25 fps adequate
  • Focus: Audio quality is critical

Tips:

  • Ensure good lighting in source material
  • Use tripod to minimise motion blur
  • Prioritise audio quality over video

Marketing and Commercial Content​

Optimal Settings:

  • Resolution: 1920×1080 recommended
  • Bitrate: Higher end of recommended range
  • Frame rate: Match source material
  • Quality: Premium settings justified

Tips:

  • Test on target devices
  • Brand appearance is crucial
  • Consider vertical formats for playback on mobile

Training and Educational Content​

Optimal Settings:

  • Resolution: 1920×1080 for detailed content
  • Bitrate: Mid-range settings
  • Frame rate: 25-30 fps
  • Balance: Quality vs. accessibility

Tips:

  • Ensure text/graphics remain legible
  • Test on mobile devices
  • Consider vertical formats for playback on mobile

Compression Tools and Software​

Professional Tools​

Adobe Media Encoder​

Best for: Integration with Creative Suite

  • Excellent H.264 presets
  • Batch processing capabilities
  • Advanced quality controls

Recommended preset: "Match Source - High bitrate" as starting point

HandBrake (Free)​

Best for: Budget-conscious users

  • Excellent compression efficiency
  • Simple interface with advanced options
  • Cross-platform compatibility

Recommended preset: "Fast 1080p30" or "Fast 720p30"

Compressor (macOS)​

Best for: Mac-based workflows

  • Native macOS integration
  • Good quality presets
  • Distributed processing

File Size Estimation​

Use these rough calculations for planning:

Video Bitrate × Duration = File Size​

1080p at 8 Mbps for 10 minutes: 8 Mbps × 600 seconds ÷ 8 bits/byte = ~600 MB

720p at 4 Mbps for 30 minutes: 4 Mbps × 1800 seconds ÷ 8 bits/byte = ~900 MB

Practical Examples​

10-minute presentation (1080p, 8 Mbps):

  • Video: ~600 MB
  • Audio: ~15 MB
  • Total: ~615 MB

1-hour training video (720p, 4 Mbps):

  • Video: ~900 MB
  • Audio: ~90 MB
  • Total: ~990 MB

Quality Assessment​

Before Upload Checklist​

  • Text and graphics are clearly legible
  • Audio is clear without distortion
  • Motion appears smooth without stuttering
  • File size is reasonable for content length
  • Format is MP4 with H.264/AAC

Testing Procedure​

  1. Preview on target devices: Test on phones, tablets, desktops
  2. Check different network conditions: Simulate slower connections
  3. Verify accessibility: Ensure content works for all intended users
  4. Compare file sizes: Balance quality vs. practicality

Common Mistakes to Avoid​

Over-Compression​

Problem: Excessive compression reduces quality unnecessarily Solution: Start with recommended settings, adjust if needed

Wrong Aspect Ratio​

Problem: Black bars or stretched video Solution: Match source aspect ratio or crop appropriately

Inconsistent Audio​

Problem: Volume levels vary throughout video Solution: Use audio normalization during encoding

Inappropriate Frame Rate​

Problem: Motion appears choppy or files are unnecessarily large Solution: Match source frame rate or use standard rates

Missing Keyframes​

Problem: Seeking is slow or inaccurate Solution: Set keyframe interval to 2 seconds maximum

Workflow Integration​

Pre-Production Planning​

Consider compression requirements during filming:

  • Lighting: Better source material compresses more efficiently
  • Stability: Reduce unnecessary motion blur
  • Audio: Clean audio requires lower compression

Post-Production Workflow​

  1. Edit at high quality: Work with uncompressed or minimally compressed files
  2. Export for upload: Use recommended settings for Viostream
  3. Keep archive copies: Maintain highest quality versions
  4. Document settings: Track what works for your content type

Batch Processing​

For multiple videos:

  • Standardise settings: Use consistent encoding parameters
  • Quality control: Spot-check random samples
  • Filename conventions: Maintain organised output

Future-Proofing​

Emerging Formats​

While H.264 remains the standard:

  • H.265 (HEVC): Better compression, limited compatibility
  • AV1: Open standard, growing support
  • VP9: Google's format, good for web

Recommendation: Stick with H.264 until broader support emerges

Archive Strategy​

  • Keep originals: Maintain highest quality source files
  • Document settings: Record successful compression parameters
  • Regular review: Update practices as technology evolves

Troubleshooting Common Issues​

Upload Failures​

Symptoms: Files fail to upload or process Solutions:

  • Verify file format compatibility
  • Check file size limits
  • Ensure stable internet connection

Quality Issues​

Symptoms: Blurry or pixelated video after upload Solutions:

  • Increase source video bitrate
  • Check original material quality
  • Verify compression settings

Audio Sync Problems​

Symptoms: Audio doesn't match video Solutions:

  • Use consistent frame rates
  • Check original sync in source material
  • Re-encode with same audio/video settings

Slow Processing​

Symptoms: Videos take longer than expected to process Solutions:

  • Reduce file size through better compression
  • Upload during off-peak hours
  • Consider breaking long videos into segments

Additional Resources​

For specific compression questions or if you're experiencing issues with particular content types, contact Customer Success for personalised guidance.