Mp4 is a popular video format that provides high-quality sound and visual effects. However, the downside is that Mp4 files can be quite large in size, which may cause problems when uploading, sharing or emailing them. Large files consume a lot of disk space and take longer to upload to websites, causing lag and slowing down the computer. Thus, it becomes necessary to compress Mp4 files, which reduces their file size without compromising the quality of the video. In this article, we will guide you through the process of compressing Mp4 files on Mac.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To reduce the file size of Mp4 on Mac, you need the following:
- Mac computer
- Mp4 files that you wish to compress
- Video compressing software (such as Handbrake, Any Video Converter, MPEG Streamclip, etc.)
What Should I Pay Attention to?
Before compressing Mp4 files, you should consider the following tips:
- If you are compressing a video for uploading to the internet or sending via email, try to use a lower resolution (such as 720p or 480p), as it can significantly reduce the file size while still maintaining good quality.
- As compressing Mp4 files may cause quality loss, it is recommended to make a backup of the original video, in case you need the high-quality version in the future.
- While using video compression software, be cautious regarding the output file type, resolution, and bitrate, as it may have a considerable impact on the quality of the compressed video.
Method 1: Compressing Mp4 Files using Handbrake
Handbrake is a popular open-source software that allows you to compress videos on Mac. It provides various options that help you customize the output quality, file size, and format. Follow these steps to compress Mp4 files using Handbrake.
- Download and install Handbrake on your Mac.
- Launch Handbrake and click on "Open Source" to import the Mp4 file that you wish to compress.
- Choose the output file format from the "Output Settings" preferences.
- Select the "Video" tab and use the slider to adjust the desired video quality and file size.
- Click on the "Start" button to begin the compression process.
Pros
- Handbrake is a free, open-source video compression software that is available for Mac OS, Windows, and Linux.
- It provides various options for video compression, customization and enhancement such as improving video quality and resolution, adding subtitles and metadata.
Cons
- Handbrake may not have the required format support for some videos.
- The customization options may be overwhelming for new users.
Method 2: Compressing Mp4 Files using Any Video Converter
Any Video Converter is a paid software that offers an easy-to-use user interface with drag and drops capability. It supports a wide range of video formats with a lot of customization options for output video files. Follow these steps to compress Mp4 files using Any Video Converter.
- Download and install Any Video Converter on your Mac.
- Launch Any Video Converter and click on "Add or Drag File" to import the Mp4 file that you wish to compress.
- Choose the output file format from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the "Option" button to select the desired resolution and bitrate from the compression options.
- Click on the "Start Encode" button to begin the compression process.
Pros
- Any Video Converter is easy to use and provides various customization options to users.
- It supports a wide range of video formats and output device types for your desired use case (like Mobile, TV, Game consoles, etc.).
Cons
- Any Video Converter is a paid software that may not be feasible for everyone.
- The output video file may be of low quality if customization and setting options not chosen as required.
Method 3: Compressing Mp4 Files using MPEG Streamclip
MPEG Streamclip is a free video compression software that allows users to compress videos with a fair amount of customization options. It supports a wide range of video formats and codecs with the ability to add subtitles, metadata and aspect ratio. Follow these steps to compress Mp4 files using MPEG Streamclip.
- Download and install MPEG Streamclip on your Mac.
- Open MPEG Streamclip and import the Mp4 file that you wish to compress.
- Choose the output file format from the "File" preferences.
- Select the compression settings from the "Compression" preferences to customize the output quality, aspect ratio, and bitrate.
- Click on the "File" menu and select "Export to MPEG-4" to begin the compression process.
Pros
- MPEG Streamclip is a free software that provides various video customization options.
- It supports a wide range of video formats, codecs, and resolutions with the ability to add subtitles, metadata and aspect ratio.
Cons
- The customization options may be overwhelming for new users.
- MPEG Streamclip may not support some of the latest video formats and settings.
Why Can’t I Reduce the File Size of Mp4 on Mac?
1. Unsupported video formats: Sometimes, the video compression software may not support the video format or codec used in the Mp4 file. In such cases, the software may not be able to read or compress the video file.
Fix: Convert the video file to a compatible format using video conversion software before compressing it.
2. High-quality source video file: If the source Mp4 file is too high-quality, it may not be possible to reduce the file size significantly while maintaining the video quality.
Fix: Lower the resolution and bitrate while compressing the video file to achieve a better balance between file size and video quality.
3. Limited disk space: If your Mac’s storage is running low, it may not be possible to store the compressed Mp4 file on your computer.
Fix: Free up the disk space by moving or deleting unwanted files or upgrading to a higher storage capacity.
Suggestions
- Compress the video files at the end of the video editing process as compressing may cause quality loss.
- Always use a quality video compression software that can maintain the picture and sound quality of the video while also reducing its file size.
- Back up the original video file before compressing, to prevent data loss or quality problems.
- Choose the appropriate output file format, resolution and bitrate, based on your intended use of the compressed video file.
FAQs
Q: Is compressing an Mp4 file going to reduce its quality?
A: While compressing a video without reducing the quality is not entirely possible, choosing the right compression ratio, bit rate and file format can lead to minimal or unnoticeable quality loss.
Q: Which video compression software is the best for Mac?
A: Handbrake, MPEG Streamclip, Any Video Converter are few of the popular video compression software for Mac.
Q: What is the ideal video resolution to compress Mp4 file?
A: It depends on the purpose of the output video. For online or mobile sharing, 720p, 480p or even lower resolutions can be acceptable to balance the quality and size.
Q: Can I compress Mp4 files without losing quality?
A: As mentioned, video compression always causes quality loss but to minimize the loss of quality, choosing an appropriate compression ratio, bit rate and output file format is key.
Q: Is MPEG streamclip free?
A: Yes, MPEG Streamclip is a free video compression software for Mac.
Conclusion
Compressing Mp4 files on Mac is easy and can help to reduce the file size without compromising the quality of the video. In this article, we have discussed various methods of compressing Mp4 videos using Handbrake, MPEG Streamclip and Any Video Converter, along with some tips and considerations for a better compression output. Additionally, we’ve discussed the pros and cons of each method, and answered some FAQs about compressing Mp4 videos. Follow the instructions mentioned above to compress your Mp4 files on your Mac and enjoy faster data transfer rates with more easily shared video files.