How to Reduce Video Size with Handbrake, iMovie, Android, and iPhone Apps

Reducing the size of a video is crucial for efficient sharing, storage, and upload. Whether you need to lower the size for online sharing or save storage space, there are several methods and tools available. This guide will walk you through the process of reducing the size of a video using Handbrake for Windows and Mac, iMovie on Mac, Video Compress on Android, and Video Compressor on iPhone and iPad.

Method 1: Using Handbrake (Windows and Mac)

Handbrake is a versatile and powerful tool for video transcoding and compression. Here's how to reduce the size of a video using Handbrake:

Download and install Handbrake. Handbrake is free and open-source, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to reduce video size without compromising too much quality.

Open Handbrake. The application has an icon that resembles a cocktail glass and a pineapple. Find and click on this icon to launch Handbrake.

Open the video file you want to compress. Drag and drop the file into the right-hand box, or click the drop-down menu at the left to navigate and select the file.

Choose a filename for the output video. Set a unique name for the exported file by typing in the desired filename next to the field. If you want to save the file in a different directory, click and select the desired location.

Select the output file location. Use the drop-down menu next to the field to choose the directory where you want to save the output file.

Set the output resolution. Navigate to the 'Dimensions' tab. Here, you can type a smaller number for the width and height to lower the resolution. A change from 1921080 to 128720 will lower the resolution significantly, reducing the file size but compromising the picture quality. Ensure the picture size is proportional to avoid cropping or stretching.

Adjust the video quality settings. Go to the 'Video' tab and click the 'Constant Quality' slider. Move it to the left to lower the quality and reduce the file size.

Set the frame rate. In the same 'Video' tab, click the drop-down menu next to the 'Framerate' field. A lower framerate decreases the video size but may result in choppier motion. A framerate above 20 FPS should look acceptable for most videos.

Preview the video quality. Click the 'Preview' button to see a still image of the video. This can help you check the quality at the settings you have chosen. If the video looks acceptable, continue. If not, adjust the settings and preview again.

Start the encoding process. Click the 'Start Encoding' or 'Start' button to begin the video compression. The time it takes to encode the video varies based on video size, specific settings, and computer performance.

Method 2: Using iMovie (Mac)

For Mac users, iMovie is a free video editing tool that can also be used to reduce video size. Here’s how:

Launch iMovie. Find the purple star icon in your applications folder and double-click to open it.

Create a new project. Click the 'Projects' button in the upper-left corner, type a desired project name, and click 'OK'.

Add the video you want to compress to your project. Drag the video file into the project panel.

Go to the 'Share' menu and select 'File' to open the file sharing settings. Choose a smaller resolution from the 'Resolution' menu and a lower quality from the 'Quality' menu to reduce the file size. Select 'Faster' from the 'Compress' menu to further reduce the file size.

Enter the desired file name in the field provided and click 'Next'. Once you click 'Save', the process will start to save your video with the new settings. For longer videos, this process may take a while.

Method 3: Using Video Compress (Android)

Video Compress is a free app available on the Google Play Store, making it an easy-to-use tool for compressing videos on Android devices. Here’s how to use it:

Search for 'Video Compress' in the Google Play Store and install the app. Allow the app to access your video files by tapping 'Allow'.

Open the app and tap the folder containing your video files. Typically, this is in the 'Internal Storage' or 'Download' folder.

Tap the video file you want to compress to preview it. The app will immediately start compressing the video. The compressed file will be saved in a 'Compressed' folder.

Method 4: Using Video Compressor (iPhone and iPad)

Video Compressor is a free iPhone and iPad app that simplifies video compression. Here’s how to use it:

Search for 'Video Compressor' on the App Store and download the app. Allow the app to access your video files by tapping 'OK' in the pop-up alert.

Tap the 'Import' button to select a video file from your library. You can also tap any category in the list to sort your videos.

Choose the resolution for the output video. Tap the 'Preset' button and select a desired resolution. Smaller resolutions result in smaller file sizes but reduced image quality.

Adjust the video bitrate. At the bottom, click the 'Slider' to adjust the bitrate. Lowering the bitrate reduces the file size at the cost of lower image quality.

Tap the 'Compress' button to start the compression process. Wait for it to finish. Once complete, you can choose to delete the original video if you prefer.

By following these steps, you can effectively reduce the size of your video files using Handbrake, iMovie, Video Compress, or Video Compressor. This will ensure your videos are more manageable for online sharing and storage without compromising too much on quality.