Compressing QuickTime Files

Written by: Shane Burley • Edited by: Rhonda Callow
Updated Apr 21, 2011 • Related Guides: Apple | Movie

Learn about compressing large QuickTime files into smaller, and more manageable video files.

Compression

click to enlarge

Depending on the purpose of your final movie files you may have to get them small enough for Internet upload or other kinds of distribution. Though programs like Apple’s Compressor do a great job of compressing the video and audio separately, you may need to just compress a QuickTime file so it remains an intact video file. Here is a look at how to compress a QuickTime file internally so you do not have to use an outside program.

Using QuickTime

To compress your QuickTime file, you want to change it from its current QuickTime format to an MPEG-4 format, which is much smaller and has more versatility. Open the movie then go to File in the QuickTime task bar and select Export. When an export menu comes up give it the correct title then go to the export options and select Movie to MPEG-4. Keep the Use section on Default Settings. Just hit save and the export in the MPEG-4 format will begin. This format should be higher quality than other types of compressed files.

MPEG Streamclip

If you are running an Apple machine with the MPEG Streamclip application, this may be your best bet. Open the file in that program and go to File in the task bar and select Export to MPEG-4. From here you can set the exact resolution quality you would like, ranging from 1 to 100 percent. This allows you to determine what quality and size you want the final compressed movie to be in. Here you can also decide how large the image size should be, which also relates to the final bit size of the movie file as well as its resolution. Beyond those you have very detailed options about the compression, including whether or not Interlaced Scaling or any form of image cropping will be used. From MPEG Streamclip you can also export as other types of smaller files, including DV and AVI files.

A Smaller File

Now that you have done this, transferring and uploading the file should run a lot smoother. Depending on how large your file is you should not

click to enlarge

have to do any more compressing, but if you are working with a lengthy feature project you may have to engage in more complete and advanced compression processes. If you want to do a more dramatic compression, or one for something like DVD authoring, you can go ahead and use something like Apple Compressor. This comes along with the Final Cut Studio, but if you are going to be doing a large amount of video compression and conversion you are going to need a full service post-production program like this.

References

Source: author's own experience.

Photos: Both from www.apple.com, product logos.

Emmett Jan 18, 2011 4:25 PM

compress Quicktime files

Yes upgrading to Quicktime Pro is what worked for me. I did need to experiment with different compressions to maintain quality.
I found i set the Export setting size to 768x570sd worked best for me.

What? Jan 18, 2011 12:23 PM

Are you joking?

This is probably the most useless tutorial on video compression I've ever seen. It's actually angered me so much that I felt a need to leave this comment. "Just use the default settings to mp4" - "If you have Streamclip, use that". Pathetic.

Bob Nov 14, 2010 2:29 PM

compress files

I followed these instructions and the compressed file lost quality. There must be a better way.

Joseph Aug 3, 2010 4:10 AM

Quicktime Purchase

You have to have Quicktime Pro in order to export compressed videos, and a purchase is required to have this feature added to an existing Quicktime software on anyone's computer.

PRABHAT KUMAR Apr 29, 2010 2:32 AM

need help

I need software to compress video and mp3 files to reduce its size.