Reducing video file size using ffmpeg

3 min read 19-10-2024

the ifix

In today's digital world, video files can quickly become large and cumbersome, consuming valuable storage space and bandwidth. Fortunately, there is a powerful open-source tool called FFmpeg that can help you efficiently reduce video file sizes without compromising too much on quality. This article will guide you through the process of using FFmpeg to compress your video files effectively.

What is FFmpeg?

FFmpeg is a versatile software suite for handling multimedia data. It includes various tools for converting, recording, streaming, and editing audio and video files. The ability to reduce video file size is one of the many useful features of FFmpeg, making it a favorite among content creators, video editors, and developers.

Original Code for Reducing Video File Size

Below is a simple command that demonstrates how to use FFmpeg to compress a video file:

ffmpeg -i input_video.mp4 -vcodec libx264 -crf 23 output_video.mp4

Explanation of the Command:

-i input_video.mp4: This specifies the input video file that you want to reduce in size.
-vcodec libx264: This sets the video codec to H.264, which is widely used for efficient compression.
-crf 23: The Constant Rate Factor (CRF) option controls the quality of the output video. The lower the CRF value (between 0-51), the higher the quality and file size. A value of 23 strikes a good balance between quality and size.
output_video.mp4: This is the name of the output file that will be created after compression.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reduce Video File Size

Install FFmpeg: If you haven't already, download and install FFmpeg on your operating system. You can find installation instructions on the official FFmpeg website.
Open Command Line Interface: Use the command prompt or terminal on your computer to execute FFmpeg commands.
Run the Compression Command: Replace input_video.mp4 with the path to your video file and output_video.mp4 with the desired output filename. Execute the command mentioned above.
Check the Result: Once the process completes, you can check the file size of the newly created video. You should notice a significant reduction in size compared to the original.

Additional Tips for Effective Compression

Experiment with CRF Values: Feel free to adjust the CRF value. Lowering it to 18 will yield better quality but a larger file size, while increasing it to 28 may produce noticeable quality loss.
Reduce Frame Rate: You can also lower the frame rate using the -r option. For example, -r 30 will change the video to 30 frames per second. This can lead to smaller file sizes, especially for videos with higher original frame rates.
```
ffmpeg -i input_video.mp4 -vcodec libx264 -crf 23 -r 30 output_video.mp4
```
Use Audio Compression: Don’t forget to compress the audio track. Use the -acodec option to specify an audio codec. For instance, to use the AAC codec, you can add -acodec aac to your command.
```
ffmpeg -i input_video.mp4 -vcodec libx264 -crf 23 -acodec aac output_video.mp4
```

Conclusion

Reducing video file size using FFmpeg is an efficient way to save storage space and facilitate faster uploads and downloads. By adjusting CRF values, frame rates, and audio codecs, you can customize the output video to suit your needs while retaining acceptable quality.

With the right techniques and FFmpeg's powerful capabilities, you can streamline your video content without sacrificing quality.

Useful Resources

By following the steps and suggestions outlined above, you can efficiently manage your video files and make them more shareable while maintaining quality. Happy editing!