Some video formats and codecs compress data more efficiently. EncodingĮncoding is the process of compressing video files into a specific file type like AVI, MOV, WMV, or MPEG. CBR maintains a consistent rate for the duration of the video, whereas VBR will adjust the rate depending on the complexity of the video from moment to moment. You can encode a video using constant bitrate (CBR) or variable bitrate (VBR). At the other end of the spectrum, lower bitrates can transfer less data, resulting in smaller files. In general, higher bitrates can transfer more data per second, resulting in higher video quality, but also larger video files. It’s typically measured in bits per second (bps), kilobits per second (Kbps), or megabits per second (Mbps). Bitrateīitrate is the amount of data being transferred at a given time. Multiply that by the number of frames per second-commonly between 24 and 60 frames per second-and you can see why uncompressed video files are so large. Each pixel contains unique data about its color and brightness. That video has over 2 million pixels per frame. A 1080p high-definition video, for example, is 1,920 pixels wide and 1,080 pixels tall. When people refer to a video in terms of “1080p” or “4K,” they’re referencing the video’s resolution. Resolution is the actual size, in pixels, of your video image. That way, you can avoid quality loss and save storage space.
Understanding how they work lets you compress video files without compromising the visual appeal. There are three core elements that determine the size of a video file: the video resolution, the bitrate, and the encoding method. There are a few different video codecs-all responsible for compressing (and decompressing) the video in unique ways.
You do this using codec software, which decides what information is required for the video to maintain its quality and what information can be discarded. Video compression is the process of reducing video file size while still retaining the necessary video data.