How to Make YouTube Videos Look Great

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Why Do My Videos Look Terrible on YouTube?

The key for YouTube to display your video the best possible way, is to upload the best possible quality video that meets or exceeds their requirements. That is by encoding videos the right way. 

I'll show you a few ways on how to encode, compress or optimize your videos before uploading them to YouTube.

But first, let me tell you why your YouTube videos look awful.

Two Reasons Why

1. Poor Transcoding: In Normal Mode, YouTube converts anything you upload to Flash 7 video (250 kbps) which isn't so great by today's standards. However most installed browsers will play Flash 7.

Flash Video Comparison


2. Scaled Up Player: YouTube expands the video for viewing to 480x360 pixels in its website, thus degrading the actual video resolution of 320x240 pixels, namely the video looks softened and sometimes pixelated. It's the same effect when you view a DVD at full screen in your computer. You're not increasing the number of pixels, just spreading them out further.

Tillman The Skateboarding Bulldog


They made a decision that most users would favor size over quality. They know what they're doing, they're overwhelmingly popular!

High-Quality YouTube Videos

So do you want your videos to look as good as these YouTube videos?

Read more, keep watching and then try my encoding recipes!
Hitler Meets Christ
by cineteq | video info

29 ratings | 29,766 views
curated content from YouTube

Optimizing Your Videos For YouTube

Important Facts on How to Encode Videos

1. Read How To Shoot and Edit Videos For The Web.
2. YouTube (newest) recommended settings are:
  • H.264, MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 format
  • 640x480 (SD) or 1280x720 (HD) for 4:3 & 16:9 aspect ratios.
  • Frame rate should be the same as original video
  • Sampling rate: 44.1KHz for MP3/AAC audio
3. Your source video needs to be ideally high resolution. For instance: MOV or AVI file, NTSC 720x480, HDV 1080i, 720p or VGA 640x480.

4. It's very important that you keep an aspect ratio of 4:3 or 16:9, otherwise the quality of your video will be degraded. Flash 7 codec performs best when the frame width and height use multiples of 16. This is optimal for video playback.

5. If you want to fit the player perfectly, encode at these 16:9 resolutions:

1080p: 1920x1080
720p: 1280x720
480p: 854x480
360p: 640x360
240p: 426x240

6. You need to get a high quality video encoder. Keep in mind that most video editing programs such as Apple Final Cut Pro, iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro, Windows Movie Maker or Sony Vegas, come with an encoding engine so you can export your videos directly from the timeline.

7. YouTube has updated its technology, and now you have the option of watching some videos at a higher quality or in HD 720p Mode. Read YouTube High Definition for more in-depth info.

8. In Hi-Res Mode, YouTube creates 2 new copies of your video:
  • 448x336 pixels, Flash 7 video @ 900Kbps. Audio @ 44.1KHz Mono.
  • 480x360 pixels, H.264 video @ 512Kbps. Audio @ 44.1KHz Stereo.
So now you're ready to watch the tutorials, try my recipe settings and you'll be on your way to optimize the quality of your videos for YouTube.

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Compressing Videos for YouTube Tutorials

Encoding Software

The following tutorials will give you an idea on how to compress videos for YouTube, but you need to understand that the key is to input the right settings.

Compressing Videos for YouTube Using Sorenson Squeeze

This is my favorite compression tool!

Very user friendly. You can encode your video to the most popular formats in the video industry (H.264, WMV, RM, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MOV, MP3, MP4, SWF, On2 VP6 and Spark FLV) with a variety of codec compression settings. Recommended for intermediate or expert users.

Sorenson Squeeze Encoding SoftwareReview: Sorenson Squeeze 4.5

Squeeze is a little bit pricey, although it's worth every cent.
But you can always get a copy for a fraction of its regular price, $500, on eBay. Check it out!
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Learn from The Pros

Web Video: Making It Great, Getting It Noticed

Amazon Price: $13.95 (as of 02/08/2012)Buy Now

This book is loaded with lots of information about the elements of producing quality web video, including tips and recommendations about equipment purchasing and use, guidelines for shooting scenes and editing footage, and creating appealing stories. The book provides guidance on types of shooting: events and interviews, video blogs, news, and how-to videos.

Creating High Quality video for YouTube in Sorenson Squeeze
by smedia1 | video info

49 ratings | 23,088 views
curated content from YouTube

Complete Training for Sorenson Squeeze 4.5

by Nate Caplin

Class On Demand: Complete Training for Sorenson Squeeze 4.5: Sorenson Educational Tutorial DVD

Amazon Price: $10.00 (as of 02/08/2012)Buy Now
Used Price: $9.55

Learn to compress and deliver high quality QuickTime, MPEG-4, Flash, Real Media, and Windows Media files. You'll also learn to create MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 files for CD or DVD delivery. This training includes the hottest tips and tricks for outputting "Squeezed" files for use with severs, authoring programs, audio programs, multimedia presentations and much more!

Compressing Videos for YouTube Using QuickTime Pro 7

Tutorial

Powerful application ideal for creating high-quality audio and video content, QuickTime Pro lets you create H.264 video. Powerful and easy to use, it's also very affordable. Recommended for intermediate users.
Quicktime H.264 1-Pass Encoding Settings
by tutorilas | video info

16 ratings | 17,021 views
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Digital Movies with QuickTime Pro

Digital Movies with QuickTime Pro (Digital Filmmaking Series)

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Digital Movies with QuickTime Pro is the first comprehensive book to teach home computer users (Windows or Mac) how to make digital movies from start to finish.

Free Software for Compressing YouTube Videos

Windows Media Encoder (WME)

Windows Media Encoder (Free)
Powerful tool for encoding Windows Media Video (WMV) Files. Though free, it has steep learning curve. Recommended for expert users.



Produce and Convert YouTube Videos

Wondershare

Video Converter Ultimate is an all-in-one DVD Video Converter, by providing you a one stop solution for family video/DVD conversion. You can convert both SD and HD videos to any video format for your portable media player or cell phone including iPod (Classic, Nano and Touch), iPhone, Apple TV, Zune, PSP, Pocket PC, Creative Zen, Archos, and 3GP mobile phones, etc.

Compressing Videos for YouTube Using Sony Vegas 2

Tutorial

Sony Vegas Pro 9 For YouTube Video HD
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DVD to YouTube Converter

Looking for an easy tool to do the job?


iSofter DVD to YouTube Converter is fast and easy to use DVD to YouTube video converter software. It helps you convert home DV or DVD to YouTube supported video MPEG-4(DivX,XviD) with excellent image and sound quality.


The YouTube converter tool also supports convert VOB to MPEG-4(*.avi). It supports audio formats such as MP3, WMV, M4A.

Compressing Videos for YouTube Using Windows Media Encoder

Tutorial

Excellent tutorial on how to use WME to encode WMV files. You would need to use the parameters I use in my recipe.
Windows Media Encoder Tutorial
by tutorilas | video info

129 ratings | 109,570 views
curated content from YouTube

Free Software for Compressing YouTube Videos

Tutorial

VirtualDub (Free)
Very powerful video capture/processing utility for Windows platforms. Easy to use interface, although compression codec settings are somewhat for knowledgeable compressionists. Recommended for expert users.



VirtualDub or VDub is a very sophisticated encoder for those who have experience with compressing tools. A straight forward approach using Xvid codec.
How To Compress A Video File
by virtualtweak | video info

856 ratings | 289,821 views
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Real World Video Compression

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The book begins by describing the basic concepts of video compression, explains why you might choose a particular compression tool over another, and covers important workflow practices. A valuable learning tool for anyone learning to encode video, whether they are bloggers, DVD authors, video editors, or students.

Convert Your Home Movies Into YouTube Movies

Video Capture Your Analog Movies Into Your Computer

Convert your VHS, S-VHS, Hi8 and 8mm analog tapes to DV into your computer.
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Important!

The Best Encoding Settings

Coming up next, I will explain to you few techniques, in detail, on how to encode high-quality videos for YouTube. If you follow them correctly, your videos will be greatly improved. Enjoy!

PS: Please let me know how it went with your videos.

Steve Jobs Talks About H.264 Codec

powered by Youtube

1. Encoding H.264 Videos For YouTube

Tips For The Hardcore Compressionists

If you got to this stage in the article then you are probably pretty serious about getting the best settings and filters compressing videos for YouTube using QuickTime Pro or Sorenson Squeeze. AddThis Social Bookmark Button

1. Use H.264 codec, the best MPEG4 codec in the market today.

2. Set Quality to Best and encoding to Multipass.

3. Set key frames to Automatic.

4. Set data rate to Automatic.

5. Uncheck Frame Reordering.

6. Set aspect ratio to 640x480 for NTSC or PAL, or 1280x720 for HD video.

720p Comparison

7. Set frame rate same as original video.

8. Set audio compression AAC: 48 KHz, 128 kbps, Constant Bit Rate (CBR) 16 bits, stereo.

9. De-interlace your NTSC or PAL source videos, especially if it's high motion.

10. Apply filters to improve the look of your video: a bright/contrast filter and/or an image sharpening filter.

11. The section Prepare for Internet Streaming must be set to Fast Start.

Remember, all these compression settings are the best compromise between keeping the video smaller than 1GB and keeping as much information as possible from the original video file.

Quicktime QT Pro

H.264 Encoding Example

Watch YouTube Hi-Res version here.
Or watch YouTube Lo-Res version below.
Straight Video 10Mbs H.264 Stereo
by tutorilas | video info

3 ratings | 6,834 views
curated content from YouTube

2. Encoding DivX Videos For YouTube

Tips for The Hardcore Compressionists

The best settings and filters compressing videos for YouTube using VirtualDub. Remember VirtualDub is a very sophisticated encoding tool.

1. Buy and install DviX Pro Codec.

2. Open VirtualDub and "Open video file" so it loads into the viewer.



3. From Video menu, choose Compression and it opens a new window. Select video compression: Divx 6.x codec (2 Logical CPUs) and click Configure.

DivX Settings Configuration

4. Then it opens the Divx Codec Properties which has 3 tabs. Please use this DviX tutorial as reference.

5. On the Main Tab. Set Certification Profile to Unconstrained. Set Encoding Presets to 10. Set Rate Control mode to 1-pass quality-based, and Fixed quantizer to 4. This action will set the bit rate to about 10Mbps.



6. Leave Codec Tab the way it is.



7. On the Video Tab, Set Format In to the appropriate value, depending on your source and Format Out to Square Pixels. Check "No resize or format conversion". Leave everything else as default, since Filters will be used to resize, deinterlace, etc. Click OK twice to close the DivX settings.



8. Now we're ready to apply some filters. From VDub's Video Menu select Filters...Then apply deinterlace filter if your source is NTSC ot PAL video, resize filter to set aspect ratio to 640x480.



9. From VDub's Video Menu select Frame Rate...If your source is 29.97fps or 30fps, set "Frame rate conversion" to No Change. If not, click "Change to 30 frames per second". Leave everything else the same.

10. Install the MP3 codec for VirtualDub LAME MP3 encoder. Once the downloaded file is extracted, select, right click the LameACM.inf file and do Install.



11. From VDub's Audio Menu select "Full processing mode", then select "Compression...". The choose 44.1KHz 128kbs Stereo CBR.



12. Apply other Filters to improve the look of your video: a bright/contrast filter and/or an image sharpening filter.

13. From VDub's File Menu select "Save as AVI" and your source file will be processed.

Remember, all these compression settings are the best compromise between keeping the video smaller than 1GB and keeping as much information as possible from the original video file.

DivX Encoding Example

Watch YouTube Hi-Res version here.
Or watch YouTube Lo-Res version below.
Belly Dancer
by cineteq | video info

26 ratings | 25,252 views
curated content from YouTube

Very Useful YouTube Websites

Creating Amazing Video Content with H.264
QuickTime 7 Pro makes it really easy to create stunning video with the new H.264 video codec in QuickTime 7. Simply follow these straightforward instructions to get impressive results:
The Amazing YouTube Tools Collection
Here is a collection of several YouTube third party tools which enhance your YouTube experience
How To Upload Videos To YouTube
To get started, the first thing you should do is click on the "Upload Videos" icon in the upper right corner of the YouTube home page:
YouTube Layouts
BackgroundTube.com is here to serve one very small purpose, to give you free, professional looking backgrounds to use on your youtube channel. Backgrounds you find here will always be free and awesome..
Poking at YouTube
Read this well thought article on how YouTube might be doing its Flash server encoding.
Encoding for YouTube Using Apple Compressor
This is a good tutorial on how to encode YouTube videos using Apple Compressor. I'd recommend you read it, however you can apply my QuickTime settings ad compare results.
6 tips for High Quality Youtube Video.
If you follow these tips you'll achieve very good results. For encoding tools go, use whatever works for you. I used QT Pro.
8 Tips to Make Your YouTube Video Go Viral
A must read if you want your YouTube video go viral. Don't miss it.
Higher Quality Videos: Uploading Higher Quality Videos
YouTube accepts a wide range of video file formats such as .WMV, .AVI, .MOV, and .MPG. Here are a few things that may work well for you.

For The Hardcore Video Compressionist

Video Coding for Mobile Communications: Efficiency, Complexity and Resilience (Signal Processing and its Applications)

Amazon Price: $66.18 (as of 02/08/2012)Buy Now

This book considers how to enable real-time, mobile video communications by raising coding efficiency, reducing computational complexity, and improving error resilience. The solutions are based on video source coding, and use a motion-based approach to address the problems.

3. Encoding FLV Videos for YouTube

You Must Have a Flash 7 aka Sorenson Spark H.263 Video Encoder

Another way to have a high-quality YouTube video, is to avoid that YouTube servers re-encode your uploaded videos.

How can make YouTube servers not to touch my uploaded videos?

The trick is to fool YouTube into NOT re-encoding you FLV file. So the only way is to upload Flash 7 files to YouTube with a bit rate NOT higher than 350 kbps, so that YouTube will NOT re-encode your file. DO NOT use On2 VP6 Flash codec (FLV 8), since YouTube will re-encode your video, thus it'll be degraded. Remember, the goal is to make YouTube to accept your video without "touching" it.

I would recommend this method if your video is an animation, a presentation, has little motion and/or few scene changes.

Unfortunately this method is not working anymore, we're researching for a different method to achieve similar results. Please feel free to experiment with it.



Which Flash encoders can I use?

Flash encoders such as Sorenson Squeeze, FFmpeg, Riva FLV Encoder or MEncoder. I particularly like Sorenson Squeeze for its user friendly interface. Flash encoders are for intermediate to advanced compressionists. They are not designed for the casual user.

Which parameters should I use with my Flash video encoder?

These are the main parameters to use with your Flash 7 (also known as Sorenson Spark H.263) encoder to accomplish the goal:

1. It's very important to have a high-quality source video.

2. Set target bit rate to 347 kbps.

3. Output aspect ratio should be 320x240.

4. Set frame rate to 15fps if your source is 29.97 or 30fps, and 12fps if your source is 24 or 25fps.

5. Set key frames to every 100 frames or more without compromising the quality of the video. The bigger the value, the smaller the file.

6. Set rate control to 2-pass Variable Bit Rate (VBR) or Multipass.

7. Set audio compression to MP3, 22.050 KHz, 48 kbps, 16 bits, monophonic.

8. De-interlace if your videos, especially if they are high motion videos.

9. Apply filters to improve the look of your video: a bright/contrast filter, a noise filter or/and image sharpening filter.

10. If your video looks good already after applying the above settings, you can still improve it, but remember you need to keep your bit rate to less than 347kbps. So you may try one or more of these settings:
  • Up aspect ratio to 448x336 pixels
  • Up audio rate to 44.1KHz 64kbps Stereo
  • Up audio frame rate to 30fps if your source video is 29.97 or 30fps
  • Up audio frame rate to 24fps if your source video is 24 or 25fps
Most of the time these improvements will look good with graphic/text videos but not with motion videos.

How can I calculate and measure the bit rate of my Flash video file?

1. Use the Flash video FLV bit rate calculator to figure out which parameters you are going to use. Select Video Codec: Sorenson Spark. Play with the Adjustments to find the best values for your Flash video encoder. Keep in mind that the calculator is not 100% accurate, so it'll be some trial and error involved. Click on the picture below to start.

Flash Video FLV Bitrate Calculator
by Robert Reinhardt

2. There is great free tool to get the bitrate of a flash video file called MediaInfo

MediaInfo FLV

FLV Encoding Example

I compressed the clip below using the techniques described in the previous section. I even added stereo sound, check it out!

By the way, if you are an expert compressionist you can check out the excellent VideoHelp forum to learn how you can improve the quality of your YouTube videos using advanced techniques.
Testcase
by cineteq | video info

8 ratings | 5,897 views
curated content from YouTube

Camtasia Studio Videos

TechSmith Codec into H.264 Codec for YouTube

If you want a better looking Camtasia video, you would need to re-encode it to H.264 or DivX before uploading to YouTube.
Price Action - You Got To Weave The Story Feb.12/08
by forexteam | video info

4 ratings | 954 views
curated content from YouTube

Tools for YouTube

Info about anything related to YouTube

YouTube Tools

Can I Use Similar Settings For Other Video Sharing Sites?

Absolutely. The video compression settings shown above will improve your videos as well on Web 2.0 video sites such as: AOL Video, Blip.tv, Castpost, ClipShack, Dailymotion, eyespot, Flurl, Google Video, Grouper, iFilm, Metacafe, MySpace, Revver, Stage6, Veoh, VideoEgg, Vimeo, vSocial, Yahoo Video, etc.

Can I Set Up A Still Picture For My YouTube Video?

Yes you can!

Unicycling with Kris Holm
by cineteq | video info

43 ratings | 21,617 views
curated content from YouTube

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