From source file to delivery
Choose a finished clip
Use a supported exported video rather than a camera project or folder. If the source needs Log grading or deliberate HDR conversion, finish that in your editor first.
Create a sharing encode
Try the quality preset on ordinary SDR footage. For a strict upload budget, change to Target size and expect a tradeoff between duration, detail and size.
Review motion and color
Inspect foliage, water, rapid pans, faces and sky gradients. Compare color on the intended playback device before deciding whether the result is suitable to send.
Camera details that reveal compression problems
| Scene or source | Check in the result | If it fails |
|---|---|---|
| Water, foliage or action footage | Smearing and blocks during movement | Increase the size budget or keep a less aggressive copy |
| Sky or studio background | Visible bands in smooth gradients | Compare with the original before accepting the encode |
| HDR or Log material | Brightness, contrast and color shifts | Use a color-managed export workflow, not repeated blind compression |
Keep a master and make a delivery copy
A camera original has a different job from a clip shared in a chat. The original preserves material for future editing; the sharing copy trades some flexibility and detail for easier delivery. Saving a small MP4 is not an archival strategy.
GoPro and drone names do not determine a unique encoder setting. A locked-off scene and a fast flight through trees can come from the same device but need very different bitrate budgets. Judge the result by its motion, texture and color rather than assuming that a camera model determines the right setting.
Do not use file size as a test of color accuracy
HDR, Log footage and specialized metadata require a workflow that understands them. A successful H.264 export does not prove that every color tag, transfer function or piece of camera metadata survived. If color fidelity is critical, perform the color-managed export in a suitable editor.
For ordinary sharing, compare the encoded copy with the source on the same display and then on the recipient’s likely device. Washed-out colors or clipped highlights are not fixed by renaming the container or repeatedly selecting a stronger compression preset.
Questions before you compress
Can I delete the camera original after compression?
Keep it if you may edit, regrade or produce a different deliverable later. A compressed sharing copy cannot restore discarded detail or metadata.
Does this preserve GoPro or drone telemetry?
No preservation guarantee is made for telemetry, timecode or other specialized tracks. Retain the source and use the camera or editing workflow when those data matter.
Why does moving foliage look worse than a still frame?
Fine detail changing across frames is demanding to encode. Judge the moving scene, not just a paused thumbnail, and allow more bitrate when the detail matters.
References and next steps
Guide updated 2026-11-11. External applications and account rules can change.
Have a strict size budget? Use the bitrate calculator. For source files near the upload ceiling, check the large video limits. Read the privacy policy before sending sensitive material.