Let’s compress some video
For compressing a 900MB, 20-minute long sunset video using HandBrake while retaining good color quality, you can use the following settings:
Video Settings
1. Video Codec: H.265 (x265) or H.264 (x264)
• H.265 (HEVC) generally provides better compression at the same quality compared to H.264, which helps to keep file size smaller without significant loss in quality.
2. Framerate (FPS): Same as source
• Make sure to match the framerate to the original to maintain the smoothness of the video.
3. Constant Quality (RF): 18–20 for H.264, or 20–22 for H.265
• The RF (Rate Factor) determines quality. A lower number means higher quality but larger file size. Aim for RF 18–20 to maintain good visual quality. If you’re using H.265, you can go slightly higher without much visible quality loss.
4. Encoder Preset: Slow or Slower
• A slower encoder preset will compress more efficiently, resulting in better quality at the same bitrate. It will take longer to encode, but it’s worth it for retaining detail and reducing file size.
5. Tune: None or “Film”
• If you have a lot of fine gradients (like a sunset), consider leaving this on “None” or trying “Film” to optimize for natural colors and reduce compression artifacts.
Filters
1. Denoise: Off
• Leave denoise off if the original video is clean to avoid losing subtle color variations in the sunset.
2. Deblock: Off
• Turning deblock off can help preserve detail, especially in gradients.
Audio Settings
• Audio Codec: AAC (avcodec) or AAC (CoreAudio)
• Bitrate: 128 kbps or higher, depending on audio quality requirements.
Output Container
• Container: MP4 (M4V)
• MP4 is widely supported and efficient.
Additional Tips
1. 2-Pass Encoding: If you want to ensure the best quality at a smaller size, use 2-pass encoding. It will take longer but can result in a more balanced bitrate allocation.
2. Resolution: Keep the resolution the same as the original unless you specifically need a smaller size for playback purposes.
These settings should help you achieve a good balance between compression and maintaining the original look of the sunset, which often has subtle gradients and color transitions.