What is what does it mean to compress a video?

Compressing a video means reducing its file size. This is important because smaller files:

Take up less storage space on your devices or servers.
Require less bandwidth for streaming or downloading, leading to faster loading times.
Are easier to share via email, messaging apps, or online platforms.

Video compression works by removing or reducing redundant or less important data from the video file. There are two main types of video compression:

<a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Lossy%20Compression">Lossy Compression</a>: This method permanently removes some data from the video. The amount of data removed affects the final video quality. Higher compression ratios (smaller file sizes) result in more data loss and potentially noticeable quality degradation. Common lossy codecs include H.264 and H.265 (HEVC).
<a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Lossless%20Compression">Lossless Compression</a>: This method reduces file size without any loss of data. The original video can be perfectly reconstructed from the compressed file. Lossless compression generally achieves smaller compression ratios compared to lossy compression, resulting in larger file sizes. It is used in professional video editing.

The effectiveness of video compression depends on various factors, including:

<a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Codec">Codec</a>: The algorithm used for compression (e.g., H.264, VP9, AV1). Different codecs have varying compression efficiencies and quality characteristics.
<a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Bitrate">Bitrate</a>: The amount of data used per unit of time (e.g., megabits per second). A lower bitrate results in a smaller file size but potentially lower video quality.
<a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Resolution">Resolution</a>: The number of pixels in the video frame (e.g., 1920x1080). Lowering the resolution reduces the file size.
<a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Frame%20Rate">Frame Rate</a>: The number of frames displayed per second (e.g., 30 fps). Lowering the frame rate reduces the file size.