TL;DR: Need to compress a file but don't know how it works or which tool to use? This guide explains what file compression does, how lossless and lossy compression work, and how to compress files effectively. You'll also learn three practical ways to reduce video file size, including using Video Converter Ultimate, VLC, and online compressors. For fast compression with minimal quality loss, Video Converter Ultimate offers an easy and reliable solution to shrink large videos while keeping high quality.
If you have excessively large files that overwhelm your storage space or can't upload and share on any platform, you need to compress the file. File compression is not a new concept, especially since software compression programs had already started undergoing development by the late 1970s. If you're new to file compression, you may be wondering how file compression works and which is the best way to compress files. What does compressing a file do? Find out more below.
File compression is a file reduction/data compression method in which the file size is cut down to save on disk space. It allows for the creation of a version of a file with similar data but at a relatively smaller size than the original file.
File compression can also be known as zipping, even though zipping is just a form of file compression. Zip files comprise multiple compressed files known as archives. These files are the most popular compression format among Windows users.
File compression is mainly achieved through two methods: lossless compression and lossy compression.
Lossy Compression
Lossy compression reduces file sizes by eliminating unnecessary bits of data. The compressed file tends to be smaller than the original one. Lossy compression is popularly used to compress audio, images, and videos, ideally where the source file's representation isn't mandatory.
Lossless Compression
Lossless compression stores the same data more efficiently by removing redundancy. The compressed file has the same size as the original. Often, no content or detail is lost under lossless compression, and you can reconstruct the original file easily.
Zip files use lossless compression, meaning data quality remains uncompromised when compressed in ZIP formats. Note that compressing a file into a zip file format may not help you with significant disk storage space savings.
Compressing a file makes it smaller to fit your storage needs and allows easier uploads and downloads. However, you need to know how to compress files well to attain a relatively good compression result.
How do you compress a video? Find out in this section.
Video Converter Ultimate provides a simple and efficient way to compress videos without significantly reducing quality. Its built-in Video Compressor allows you to reduce video file size by adjusting compression settings, such as file size, resolution, bitrate, and output format. Whether you need to compress 4K videos, or optimize videos for social media platforms, this tool can complete the process quickly while maintaining high visual quality.
Key features of Video Converter Ultimate:
Here is a guide on how to compress a video file using Video Converter Ultimate:
01Download, install, and run Video Converter Ultimate on your computer.
02Select Video Compressor from the Video tab on the main interface. Add the video file you want to compress.
03Adjust the output settings, such as file size, name, format, resolution, and bitrate based on your needs. Select a save location for the compressed video and click Compress to begin reducing the file size.
VLC Media Player is a free and open-source multimedia player that also provides basic video conversion and compression features. By using its built-in conversion function, you can reduce video file size by changing the output format, codec, bitrate, and resolution settings. Although VLC does not offer advanced compression controls like professional video compressors, it is a convenient option for users who want to compress videos without installing additional software. It supports various popular video formats, making it suitable for quickly reducing video size for storage or sharing.
Here is how to compress a video using VLC:
Step 1. Open VLC Media Player on your computer and click Media from the top menu and select Convert/Save.
Step 2. Click the Add button to import the video file you want to compress, then click Convert/Save to continue.
Step 3. Select an output profile from the Profile menu. You can choose formats such as MP4 or adjust the codec settings to reduce the video size.
Step 4. Click the Settings icon next to the selected profile and modify parameters such as video codec, bitrate, resolution, and frame rate to achieve better compression.
Step 5. Choose a destination file name and folder for the compressed video, then click Start to begin the compression process.
Step 6. Wait until VLC finishes processing the video. Once completed, open the output folder to check the compressed file and compare the reduced file size.
Online file compression tools provide a quick and convenient way to reduce file size without installing any software. Most online compressors allow you to upload files directly through a web browser and automatically optimize them by reducing unnecessary data or applying compression algorithms. However, online compression tools may have limitations on file size, supported formats, and upload speed, especially when handling large files. Here we take Zamzar as an example.
Here is how to compress a file using Zamzar:
Step 1. Open your web browser and go to Zamzar's online compression page. Click Choose Files to add the file you wish to compress.
Step 2. Adjust the compression settings, then click Compress Now to start compressing the file. Then, click Download to access the compressed file.
In a nutshell, file compression reduces the file size to by about 50-90% more or less to fit your desired size. This helps you save more storage space. In addition, it allows you to bypass upload size restrictions placed by platforms such as Discord, Yahoo, and Gmail, among others. However, with the right file compressor, you don't need to know the intricacies of the process.
Video Converter Ultimate is a comprehensive file compression tool that can compress different file types, including videos and audio. It can compress your videos significantly without losing quality or data. Download Video Converter Ultimate to compress your files fast and efficiently.
Related Articles:
How to Compress Image Size: 3 Online and 4 Offline Techniques
How to Compress Video for YouTube Upload [Offline & Online Tools]
Full Guide - How to Make File Size Smaller Without Losing Quality
What Are the Best PDF Compressor? [10 Offline & Online Tools Introduced]
Feedback
Free Download for PC 
Free Download for Mac 
