Compressing a video allows you to reduce its file size and save space on your storage device. Plus, it makes sharing large video files quicker. However, along with file size, video compression also reduces video quality.
Despite the inferior quality, uploading a 20GB 4K video to your Google Drive without compression wouldn’t be convenient.
Does Google Drive compress videos?
No, Google Drive does not compress videos. However, it allows you to play them at various qualities like 360p, 720p, and 1080p (thus reducing the data needed to view them). Google Drive ensures that all the RAW files remain unchanged, so you don’t even lose the metadata of your videos.
How to compress videos
If you want to upload compressed videos to Google Drive, you must compress them yourself.
On Windows
You can reduce the file size of your video by using the VLC media player on Windows. Here’s how:
- Install and open the VLC media player.
- On the top-left corner of the screen, click on Media.
- Select Convert/Save from the drop-down menu.
- Click on Add, and select the video you want to compress.
- Click on Convert/Save.
- In the Profile drop-down list, select a converted type (preferably 720p or 1080p for reduced size).
- Click on Browse and select a destination folder. Click Start.
The video will compress automatically, and the reduced file size version will be available in the destination folder.
On Mac
To compress videos using the QuickTime Player on Mac:
- Open the video you want to compress.
- On the top-left corner of the screen, click on File.
- Click Export As from the drop-down menu.
- Select a resolution such as 720p or 1080p.
- Choose a destination folder and give your compressed video a name.
- Click on Save.
You can share your compressed video by uploading it to Google Drive.
Using an Online Video Compressor
If you don’t want to use software to compress videos, you can also use online compressors to reduce your video’s size. Various websites provide this tool for free – some popular ones include:
Once your video is compressed, you can share it by uploading it to Google Drive.