Video is the most popular multimedia medium that is used extensively by individuals and organizations all around the globe. Besides being a medium using which creative individuals bring their imagination to life on a screen, companies and organizations also utilize the multimedia format as an effective marketing tool. Besides this, social media influencers and content creators use the medium to earn their livelihood. Thanks to the medium’s popularity, numerous formats of videos are available. However, irrespective of which format it belongs to, there are certain steps a video has to go through before it can be showcased or uploaded on any online platform, i.e., the video file needs to be optimized and processed. One of the most crucial steps in the procedure of video optimization is compression.
According to The NYU Dispatch, video compression refers to the process which involves reducing the size of a video file or changing its format. As the term compression suggests, the process reduces the amount of storage space required by the video file. This article will focus on how macOS and Windows users can compress videos and shed light on some of the most wonderful benefits of video compression. Let us get started:
How to Compress a Video on macOS and Windows:
Both macOS and Windows offer their users numerous methods following which they can conveniently compress any video on their respective devices. Here is a detailed look at both the OS’s video compression solutions:
macOS – If you are a macOS user and are wondering how to compress a video on your device, there are numerous apps and utilities available that you can use. If you prefer using native utilities, the built-in iMovie application of macOS is a great option you can consider using to compress any video file. Besides iMovie, you can also choose from a plethora of third-party video editing applications that are readily available. Some of the most popular ones include Permute, CameraBag Pro, Capto, etc.
Windows – If you are a Windows user and wish to compress a video file, there are numerous solutions you can try out. For instance, you can do it by zipping the video file. Besides this, you can also use Windows’ built-in video editor to reduce the video’s size. Moreover, you can also choose the popular VLC Player as a compression tool.
Advantages of Compressing a Video File:
There are numerous advantages of compressing a video file. Let us take a look at some of the most important ones:
. It Facilitates Conserving Storage Space
Video compression’s main objective is to make the size of the video file smaller so that it occupies less storage irrespective of where it is stored. When a video is compressed, every repetitive or identical frame that occurs in the video gets deleted, i.e., only the important ones are conserved. As a result, the deletion of non-essential data reduces the size of the video file. Thus, it becomes easier for users to store the video file locally since it does not occupy much storage space.
. It Allows Users to Transfer and Share Video Files with Ease
Since video compression significantly reduces the size of the video file, it becomes easier for users to transfer or share it with others. For instance, if a video file’s size is 100 MB, it will take more time to transfer or share it over an online platform than a video file with a compact size of 50 MB. Similarly, when it comes to transferring compressed video files locally, i.e., such as backing them up on an external drive, it takes less time as compared to non-compressed or raw ones.
. It Helps Users Save Money
Since a compressed video file’s size is smaller than a non-compressed one, it allows users to store it without consuming too much storage space. This aspect of compressed video files significantly helps users, especially creators who regularly work with tons of video files, as it prevents them from splurging large amounts of money for buying additional cloud storage space or getting an internal or external hard drive that has more storage space.
. It Helps in Reducing Bandwidth Usage
Even though most of the data or WiFi plans put no barrier on the consumption limit, numerous people rely on a limited data plan to upload and share video files with others or upload them on social media platforms. Since compressed video files do not feature a big file size, it facilitates users to save data and get the job more efficiently and sustainably.
If you are someone who works with tons of video files regularly, it would be best if you use a powerful video compression tool to shrink down your video file’s size. Doing so will not only facilitate you to save storage space but also help you save time, money, and bandwidth. You can choose from the list of tools mentioned above and select the right one per your device’s operating system and your requirements.