Guides
No jargon for its own sake. Just the parts of video formats and compression that help you make a better file, and choose the right tool.
The library
General ideas first, specific jobs last
How video compression actually works
What a codec does, why bitrate matters more than resolution, and how the quality slider in a tool like DivXpress maps to real settings.
Read →5 min readMP4 vs WebM vs MOV, and when to use each
What MP4, WebM, and MOV really are, where each one shines, and the simple default that avoids playback headaches.
Read →5 min readGIF vs video, and when each one wins
Why GIFs are large and limited, when they still beat video, and how to make a good one when you need it.
Read →6 min readH.264 vs H.265 (HEVC): which codec should you use?
What H.264 and H.265 actually do, how much smaller HEVC gets, why compatibility is the sticking point, and when each one is the right call.
Read →6 min readShrink a video for email, messaging, and social posts
The exact order to trim, lower resolution, raise CRF, and shrink audio so a clip fits Gmail, WhatsApp, Discord, Slack, and social uploads.
Read →6 min readWhat bitrate should I use for video?
Bitrate is the real size dial. Here is what the number means, how it changes with resolution and content, and the ranges that work for everyday H.264 encoding.
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