To make sure your video files both look beautiful and play back seamlessly anywhere on the platform (e.g. Course Gallery), you’ll want to follow the following compression guidelines. If you’re not sure which software to use to prepare your video files, we’ve assembled a collection of tools at the end of this document.
Video Settings
Codec
For the best cross-browser compatibility, we always recommend using the H.264 codec.
Profile
If you are working with HD video (720/1080) you will want to set profile to High. Otherwise, use Main.
Frame Rate
It’s always best to maintain the video’s native frame rate when compressing your video. Common frame rates include: 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 48, 50, 59.94, and 60 FPS. (Yes, there’s a difference between frame rates with decimals vs. whole numbers.)
Your video may have issues playing back if your frame rate is greater than 60 FPS, in which case, you will want to reduce the frame rate to one of the common settings.
Bit Rate
Bit rate (sometimes called the data rate) affects the overall visual quality of the video as well as its file size. Refer to the table below for common ranges and recommended settings for different qualities.
|
Quality |
Bit rate (kbit/s) |
|
SD |
2,000 – 5,000 (recommended 3,500) |
|
720p |
5,000 – 10,000 (recommended 7,500) |
|
1080p |
10,000 – 20,000 (12,000) |
Resolution
Our video player uses a 16:9 aspect ratio. If you are uploading a non-16:9 file, it will be displayed correctly, with pillar boxes (black bars on the left and right) or letter boxes (black bars at the top and bottom) provided by the player. Refer to the table below for the most common video resolutions:
|
Format |
Resolution (px) |
|
Standard Definition (SD) 4:3 aspect ratio |
640 × 480 |
|
Standard Definition (SD) 16:9 aspect ratio |
640 × 360 |
|
720p HD 16:9 aspect ratio |
1280 × 720 |
|
1080p HD 16:9 aspect ratio |
1920 × 1080 |
Audio Settings
Codec
For best results, we recommend using AAC or AAC-LC (low-complexity) for your audio codec.
Sample rate
We recommend setting your audio sample rate to 48kHz, however, if your video was exported with a sample rate that is less than that (e.g. 44.1kHz) you may keep it as is.
Bit rate
Like the video bit rate (sometimes called data rate), this setting affects the overall quality of the sound and file size. We recommend setting your bit rate at a constant rate of 320 kbit/s.
Recommended Tools / Tutorial Videos
There are a number of tools out there that you can use to prepare your files for uploading, and choosing one can be confusing. We love Handbrake because it’s cross-platform and free, but here are some resources that should help you get going no matter what software you’re using.
- Handbrake (Free, Mac, Windows, and Linux)
- Apple Compressor 4
- iMovie 2015
- Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKkESVkrmAE
- Note: After exporting, use Handbrake (or Compressor/another software) with the settings recommended in this document.
- Final Cut Pro X
- Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChYvFoI2AQI
- Note: After exporting, use Handbrake (or Compressor/another software) with the settings recommended in this document.
- Adobe Premiere Pro CC
- Adobe After Effects CS6
- Sony Vegas 12/13
- Avid Media Composer 8