YouTube Tip #2: A Quick and Dirty Guide to Exporting for YouTube

Got a video? Want it to look good on YouTube? Dig in:

Uploading video to YouTube or any other video sharing website can be tricky because the video is encoded twice - the first encode happens on your initial export and the second encode occurs after you upload your file to YouTube.

Re-encoding video means you are playing with alot of variables and if you aren't careful, your video can look choppy and grainy. There's nothing more frustrating than uploading your HDV or HD project, only to find out that your masterpiece looks like it was shot on a cell phone.

Blip TV sums up the challenge nicely:

Video compression is somewhere between a science and a mystical art - and it changes constantly. The basic problem compression solves is that video is captured at resolutions way to high to be broadcast on the Web (at least for now). The video on a DVD or miniDV tape, would take hours to download on a high speed connection. Compression software called CODECs were invented to compress video, ideally down to a file size that looks great, and also transfers as fast as the video plays, so there's no wait. CODECs delete repeated and unneeded information by looking at Key Frames. They are constantly being improved, while at the same time the file size the Web can handle is constantly increasing.

The most important thing to remember is that your video is never going to look as good on YouTube as it does when you watch the original file on your computer. The good news is that if you use the correct settings you'll be able to create a smooth video with decent image quality and synced audio.

So how do you encode your video so that it looks good when viewed online?

1.) Size

You're first inclination is probably to export your video at its full size. Don't do it. Instead, export at 640x480 (for 4:3 aspect ratios) or 640x360 (for HD, HDV or 16:9 DV projects).

2.) Frame Rate

Regardless of whether you shot in 30fps or 24fps, ALWAYS export at 30fps. I have no idea why this is the case, but every online video looks better at 30fps. If you find otherwise, please leave a comment.

3.) Bit Rate

The bit rate can vary depending on your desired file size. Blip TV recommends a 2200 kbps bitrate and that has always worked well for me - on Blip, YouTube and everywhere else. (Note: Blip's step-by-step guide recommends a bitrate between 1500-2000, but the 2200 number comes from their upload department).

So I would say 2200 is a good place to start, but you should be able to reduce your file size and maintain quality by dropping your bitrate to 1500 or even lower

For a step-by-step guide, check out Blip's detailed export recommendations.

Disclaimer: This is meant as a quick and easy guide to getting you started. The settings that work best today may not be the best settings in a few months due to changes in the uploading/encoding process on YouTube and other sites. As always, experiment and use what works best for you and your particular video.

Feel free to leave comments and links to your videos with size, frame rate and bitrate information.