How to compress GoPro Video from 4K to 1080p, 1080p to 720p or lower, for sharing on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Whatsapp etc without quality loss?
GoPro is a favorite target of most people and has been widely used by extreme sports groups such as surfing, diving, skiing, extreme cycling, and skydiving. GoPro cameras, such as GoPro HERO 8 Black, GOPRO HERO 7 or HERO 6, can record 4K 60fps/30fps/24fps videos offering the highest level of detail and clarity, which produces much clearer picture than 1080p or 720p. No matter what, the final purpose is to capture more amazing action movie, for collecting by self or sharing to others.
Why GoPro Video Compression Is Needed?
First of all, 4K video often has a large file size. For example, if record a minute of 4K video at 4K resolution, 60FPS frame rate, 66Mbps per second (8.25MB/s) with GoPro Hero 8 Black, you will get a 495MB video file approximately, which takes up too much space, even though GoPro Hero 8 uses more advanced HEVC format to encode 4K. What if you'd like to record a 4K 60FPS video of 10 minutes or an hour? Your video will be extremely huge in size. Morover, to playback or edit GoPro 4K video footage smoothly, you need a heavy PC with a beefy video card to actually handle it without pulling your hair out. If not, the big file will probably result in choppy playback and edit, In addition, For another, it's troublesome to put homemade GoPro video online. Because many sites like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Email, etc. have upload limit on video length, size, format etc.
Therefore, if you're having trouble uploading, opening, playing or editing bulky GoPro 4K video files, reduce GoPro footage file size will be necessary. In this article, we'll explain how to compress GoPro videos (Hero 8) for YouTube, Instagram, email, Dropbox, WhatsApp, Premiere Pro, etc.
- Part 1: GoPro Video Upload Limitations on Hot Sites/Apps
- Part 4: Four Practical Ways to Compress GoPro 4K Videos for YouTube/Instagram/Space Saving...
Part 1: GoPro Video Upload Limitations on Hot Sites/Apps
Now let's just have a look at video upload limitation on hot sites/apps. HEVC support and "almost no" requirement on video uploading size and length make YouTube the best place to share self-created GoPro videos. But when you want to share large 4K video on Twitter, INS or send to someone via Whatsapp, you have to compress 4K/1080p GoPro video size beforehand.
YouTube | ★ Video Duration: 12 hours max | ★ Format/Codec: .MOV, .MP4, .MPEG4, .AVI, HEVC etc. |
★ Video Duration: 2 hours max | ★ Format/Codec: mov, mp4, avi, gif, m4v, mkv etc. | |
★ Video Duration: 140 seconds | ★ Format/Codec: MP4, MOV (H.264) | |
Instagram | ★ Video Duration: 3-60 seconds | ★ Format/Codec: MP4 (H.264) |
★ Duration: Uncertain (about 90s to 3 mins of video) | ★ Format/Codec: MP4 (H.264) |
Part 2: Best GoPro Settings to Shoot Video with Great Balance Between Quality & Size
Apart from enhancing GoPro video quality by post processing, you can also get GoPro videos with good balance between quality and file size by changing the settings in camera. Here're some best GoPro video settings for a variety of activities.
Activity | GoPro HERO8 Black video setting | GoPro HERO7 Black video setting | GoPro HERO6 Black video setting |
|---|---|---|---|
Automobile | 1080p, 2.7K, 60fps, Wide FOV | 1440p 60 fps, Wide FOV; 4K 60 fps, Wide FOV; 5x TimeWarp Video | 1080p 60fps, 2.7K 120fps, 4K 60fps, Wide FOV |
Cycling/Mountain Biking | 1080p, 2.7K, 60fps, Wide SuperView FOV | 1440p 60fps, 2.7K 60fps, 4:3, Wide FOV; 15x TimeWarp Video | 1080p 60fps, SuperView FOV; 1440p 60fps, Wide FOV; 2.7K 60fps 4:3, Wide FOV |
Family/Travel | 1080p, 4K, 60fps, Wide FOV | 1440p, 60fps, Wide FOV; 4K 60fps, Wide FOV; 10x TimeWarp Video | 1080p, 60fps, Wide or Linear FOV; 4K 60fps, Wide FOV |
Flying the Karma Drone | 1080p, 4K, 60fps, Wide FOV | 1080p, 60fps, Linear FOV; 4K 60fps, Wide FOV | / |
Hiking | 1080p, 4K, 30fps, Wide FOV | 1440p, 60fps, Wide FOV; 4K 30fps, 4:3, Wide FOV; 15x TimeWarp Video | 1440p 30fps, Wide FOV; 4K 30fps, 4:3, Wide FOV |
Motorcycle, Motocross | 1080p, 2.7K, 120fps, Wide FOV | 1440p, 60fps, Wide FOV; 2.7K 60fps, 4:3, Wide FOV; 15x TimeWarp Video | 1080p, 60fps, SuperView FOV; 2.7K 60fps, 4:3, Wide FOV |
Skiing, Snowboarding (non-POV) | 1080p, 4K, 120fps, Wide FOV | 1080p 120fps, Wide FOV; 1080p, 240fps, Wide FOV; 2.7K 120fps, Wide FOV; 4K 60fps, Wide FOV | 1080p 120fps, Wide FOV; 4K 60fps, Wide FOV; 15x TimeWarp Video |
Skiing, Snowboarding (POV) | 1080p, 4K, 60fps, Wide FOV | 1440p, 60fps, Wide FOV; 1440p120, Wide FOV; 15x TimeWarp Video | 1440p, 60fps, Wide FOV; 2.7K60 4:3, Wide FOV |
Surfing | 1080p, 2.7k, 120fps, 240fps, Wide FOV | 1080p 240fps, Wide FOV | 1080p 240fps, Wide FOV; 1440p 120fps, Wide FOV |
Underwater Activities | 1080p, 4K, 30fps, 60fps, Wide FOV | 1440p, 60fps, Wide FOV; 4K 60fps, Wide FOV | 1080p, 60fps, Wide FOV; 4K 60fps, Wide FOV |
Water Activities | 1080p 120fps, Wide FOV | 1440p, 60fps, Wide FOV; 1080p, 240fps, Wide FOV | 1080p 120fps, Wide FOV |
Part 3: 2020 Best GoPro Video Compressor for Size & High Quality
There are many video compressor tools ailable online, most of them can perform basic conversions. That said, if you're the kind of person who prefers perfection, a robust app EaseFab Video Converter is something that's worth to try. It is a piece of one-stop video processing software that can easily resize 4K UHD videos shoot by GoPro HERO 4/5/6/7/8, DJI drone, iPhone, or other devices. It helps users reduce both length and file size of a video with ease. With it, you can can effortlessly resize GoPro 4K video footage and large video without quality loss. And it offers various practical methods to process and reduce file size of a video on PC & Mac:
1. Cut off unwanted clips to reduce video length and file size
2. Adjust resolution (e.g. 4K to 1080p), bit rate, frame rate, and others to compress 4K video
3. Convert 4K video codec from H.264 to HEVC to shrink file size by 50% or more.
To compress large video and solve video incompatible issues while maximally preserve original quality, you're suggested to download and install EaseFab Video Converter on your PC or Mac computer first.
Free Download for Windows 11 or lower Free Download for macOS Ventura or lower
※ For macOS 10.14 or lower, you can also Download 32-bit installer here ↓
Part 4: Four Practical Ways to Compress GoPro 4K Videos for YouTube/Instagram/Space Saving...
EaseFab Video Converter comes with several great features to help you resize GoPro 4K footage. It allows you to convert GoPro H.264 to HEVC/H.265 to shrink file without compromise of quality, tweak video audio parameters (resolution, bit rate, frame rate) to compress GoPro video, or cut off unwanted parts to shorten video length, etc. Now we'll show you the corresponding 3 methods to resize GoPro 4K videos while preserving original quality maximall.
Click the links below to jump to the part you are most interested in.
- Method 1: Compress GoPro video from 4K to 1080p
- Method 2: Tweak video audio parameters to resize GoPro 4K video
- Method 3: Cut off unwanted clips to reduce GoPro video length
- Method 4: Transcode H.264 to highly compressed HEVC
Method 1: Compress GoPro video from 4K to 1080p
Theoretically, the quality will be degraded after downscaling from 4K to 1080p. However, you won't notice any quality loss when you play the compressed file on 1080p TV or mobile devices.
Step 1. Launch EaseFab Video Converter, click "Add video" button to import the source GoPro 4K videos.
Step 2. Click "Profile" and choose an output format from "Common Video" category.
Step 3. Click "Settings" button to set the "Resolution" as 1920*1080.
Step 4. Hit "Convert" button start decreasing resolution from 3840x2160 to 1920x1080.
Method 2: Tweak video audio parameters to resize GoPro 4K video
This is also a useful way to resize GoPro video. After loading the source GoPro footage, simply click "Settings" button and then you'll get access to the panel where you can adjust bit rate, frame rate, and other parameters.
Tech Details to Reduce GoPro footage file size by adjusting video and audio parameters:
1. Lower Bitrate
Bit rate is an important factor that affects video quality and file size. In theory, the higher the bit rate, the better the video quality and the larger the file size. However, when the bit rate reaches a critical point, our eyes will no longer notice enhancement of quality, but only increase of file size. Therefore, we can choose a relatively low bit rate to reduce the file size of GoPro 4K video.
For example, assume that you want to upload a GoPro 4K 30fps video to YouTube, you can adjust the video and audio parameters according to YouTube's official recommended upload encoding settings below:
Video Codec: H.264 | Container: MP4 | Video Bitrate: 35-45 Mbps for standard Frame Rate (24, 25, 30) and 53-68 Mbps for High Frame Rate (48, 50, 60)?
Audio codec: Stereo or Stereo + 5.1/Sample rate 96khz or 48khz | Audio Bitrate: Mono/128kbps, Stereo/384 kbps, 5.1/512 kbps
2. Reduce frame rate
Frame rate can also impact file size and fluidity of a video. You're suggested to choose a high frame rate when you need to record sports videos. However, it is not necessary to set too high to record a video that isn't full of action scenes. So, change your GoPro 4K 60/50fps to 30fps when necessary. To lower frame rate, tap "Settings", locate "Frame Rate (fps)", and then choose "30".
Method 3: Cut off unwanted clips to reduce GoPro video length
When we just cut off extra clips while keeping original parameters, the original quality will be 100% preserved.
Step 1. Launch EaseFab Video Converter, click "Add video" button to load source file.
Step 2. Specify output format according to your own needs. Get access to "Profile" and you'll find optimized presets from "Online Video" category for YouTube, Facebook and more.
Step 3. Click the "Trim" in the Video Editor window to resize the GoPro 4K video size, learn the deatailed steps here.
Method 4: Transcode H.264 to highly compressed HEVC
If you use an old GoPro model, HERO 5 for example, your 4K video is encoded with H.264. By converting H.264 to H.265 (aka. HEVC), the file size will be reduced by 50% or more while the quality won't be impacted at all. If you don't know which format your GoPro 4K footage is, you can check it through EaseFab Video Converter. Load your footage into EaseFab Video Converter, move mouse cursor to the main menu File (at the top of EaseFab Video Converter), and select Media Information, you'll see the video codec, audio codec and other info of your GoPro video under the title. If it is H.264, now follow the guide below to convert it to more advanced HEVC.
Step 1. Launch EaseFab Video Converter, click "Add video" button to import GoPro 4K H.264 video from computer hard drive or your camera's SD card.
Step 2. Click "Profile" and choose HEVC MP4 from "Common Video" category. By default, the resolution is be kept as the original 3840x2160 (4K), If you want to change it to 1080p, just set the "Resolution" as 1920*1080.
Step 3. Hit the big "Convert" button begin converting GoPro 4K video codec from H.264 to HEVC/H.265.
FAQs
How to Convert GoPro Footage for Editing in iMovie? ›
In iMovie, go to the File menu, choose Import > Movies, and then navigate to the folder that your output GoPro MP4 files (AIC encoded MOV) are saved. Select the files and click "Import".
Can GoPro videos be edited in iMovie? ›Since the H. 264 file format used in camera is not designed for editing, you should convert your files into the GoPro/CineForm file format. This format was specifically designed for editing and is compatible with most popular non-linear editing applications (iMovie, Final Cut Pro, Premiere, AVID, Vegas, etc.).
How do I convert my GoPro videos to my Mac? ›Simply remove your memory card from your GoPro and connect your SD card to Mac via a card reader. Then, open Finder and select your SD card from the left sidebar. You'll find your GoPro files in the DCIM folder where you can copy and paste them to a location on your computer.
What app can edit GoPro videos on Mac? ›iMovie comes free on all Mac devices and is our choice for the best GoPro video editor for automatic movie creation. With Magic Movie, you can select video clips, and they will automatically be styled and edited with transitions, titles, and music in just a few taps.
What video formats can iMovie edit? ›iMovie typically supports MP4, MOV and M4V files. But not all MP4, MOV and M4V videos are compatible with iMovie. If an MP4 video contains compression formats (codecs) that are not accepted by iMovie, you won't be able to import it. In a case like this, you need to use iMovie format converter to convert the file.
Can you edit existing video in iMovie? ›You can trim a video clip or a photo so it appears for a shorter or longer period of time in your project. With your project open, tap the video clip or photo in the timeline. A yellow highlight appears around the selected clip. To zoom in on the clip, pinch open in the center of the timeline.
Can I edit GoPro videos on my Mac? ›Another free GoPro video editor on Mac is iMovie. It's a non-linear video editor featuring cut, trim, transitions, texts, crop, as well as several advanced tools. After importing GoPro videos to your Mac, you can follow the steps below to edit GoPro videos in iMovie.
Is The GoPro compatible with Mac? ›In order to connect GoPro to Mac via Image Capture, you'll need a USB-C cable to link the two devices. Once you're set up with the right wires, here's how to download GoPro video to Mac: Connect your GoPro and Mac with a USB-C cable. Turn on your GoPro.
Why won't my Mac recognize my GoPro? ›Faulty hardwares involved in connection can result in GoPro not showing up on Mac as well. So go to check the USB port and USB cable by connecting them with other devices. Make sure they are working properly. If not, try different USB port and cable to resolve the problem.
Is Quik discontinued? ›The old Quik app listing is gone, its functionality folded into the new omnibus app.
What is the best free GoPro video converter? ›
WinX Video Converter is our top pick, allowing you to convert GoPro 4K/1080p MP4/LRV videos to MP4, AVI, WMV, MPEG, MOV, FLV or other popular formats supported by video editors/players or devices for smooth playing and editing. Its built-in High-Quality engine lets you get nearly quality the same as the original file.
Can you use GoPro studio to edit non GoPro videos? ›GoPro Studio is a simple yet solid video editing tool. For our RC hobbyists, we use GoPro studio a lot for our GoPro camera footage. There are great features such as “Flux“. But for those who has the Mobius Camera, or other non-GoPro camera, you can also use GoPro Studio for editing.
Should I convert GoPro footage before editing? ›Since the H. 264 file format used in camera is not designed for editing, you should convert your files into the GoPro/CineForm file format. This format was specifically designed for editing and is compatible with most popular non-linear editing applications (iMovie, Final Cut Pro, Premiere, AVID, Vegas, etc.).
What is the best video converter for GoPro? ›- Convert GoPro videos to 1000+ formats with high-quality output.
- Customize GoPro 4K videos by changing resolution, bit rate, encoder, frame rate, etc.
Contrary to the assumption that iMovie files can only be exported in MOV format, you can directly save iMovie projects as MP4 files. The MP4 files created this way can be saved in low, medium, high, and custom quality.
Is there a better video editor than iMovie? ›We have compiled a list of solutions that reviewers voted as the best overall alternatives and competitors to iMovie, including Adobe Premiere Pro, Camtasia, Adobe Creative Cloud Express, and Wondershare Filmora.
Can I import an MP4 into iMovie and edit it? ›iMovie supports MP4 files that use MPEG-4 and H. 264 codecs only. If other codecs are applied in your MP4 files, you can't import them into iMovie for editing.
Is Final Cut Pro better than iMovie? ›Final Cut Pro does not make any changes with the files on a hard drive. It is a nonlinear editing program, that is why it will not make permanent changes to the media. In contrast, iMovie works with video files that are on the hard drive. It means that all the changes are applied to the video files.
Does GoPro have an editing app? ›Quik App: Video + Photo Editor. GoPro.
What is the GoPro editing app? ›GoPro Quik: Video Editor on the App Store.
Why is my GoPro video choppy on my Mac? ›
Mac: To lower playback resolution, select [Playback Controls] > [Playback Resolution] > a lower resolution. You can step down one at a time to see if playback improves. Windows: To lower playback resolution, select [View] > [Resolution] > a lower resolution. You can step down one at a time to see if playback improves.
How do I transfer videos from my GoPro to my computer? ›All you have to do is install the GoPro app on your desktop and connect the camera via USB cable. The GoPro app will automatically detect the camera model and list all the videos that you can instantly import to your desktop. Speaking of USB, you can also transfer video from GoPro to PC directly via USB.
Can I get gopro quik on my Mac? ›Import Videos to your Mac with GoPro Quik
At first, you can just connect your GoPro camera to your Mac and look for GoPro Quik from the Spotlight. You can also find it in Applications and launch it on your Mac.
- Power on the camera before plugging it in. ...
- Unplug the cable and plug it back in.
- Try a different USB cable.
- Try a different USB port.
- Disconnect the camera, restart the computer, and reconnect the camera.
- Try a different device using the same cable and USB ports.
- Try a different computer.
Information. The GoPro Quik app is a video editing, curating, and sharing tool available for both iOS and Android devices. The free version lets users take advantage of most features; however, a subscription is necessary to unlock the full potential of GoPro Quik.
What is replacing GoPro Quik desktop? ›The overall best alternative to GoPro Quik for desktop is VideoProc Converter. It features with the unique support for level-3 GPU acceleration tech, drag-and-drop editing features, and high quality engine. That is to say, with it, beginners can edit GoPro 4K/8K HEVC/H.
What is GoPro vs Quik? ›Quik is a lite GoPro video editor available for both mobile and desktop. GoPro wants to make it quick (hence the name) and easy to get the most out of your footage. Quik has some basic features that allow you to make simple post edits, such as rotate and trim the video clips, etc.
How do I convert my GoPro videos to MP4? ›- Launch VideoProc Converter and import your GoPro videos. Click Add Video or drag-drop files to the program, batch import and conversion are supported as well. ...
- Choose the output profile. ...
- Edit your GoPro videos (optional). ...
- Convert and export.
If you are planning to film casual videos (short ones), then using GoPro would be great. Since regular filming doesn't usually require too much when it comes to equipment set-up and accessories, you're better off with an action cam. (Below you'll see a video how you can make cinematic videos with GoPro.)
Has GoPro studio been discontinued? ›With the latest update to Quik for desktop(versions 2.4+), GoPro Studio will no longer be included in the installer package. The reason for this is because GoPro Studio has reached its end-of-life for support.
Is GoPro Quik good for video editing? ›
The Quik app is worth it because no other video editing app is as mobile and as intuitive for handling GoPro footage and incorporating smartphone or any DSLR shots you may have on your phone. With unlimited cloud storage, users can shoot their epic adventures and quickly upload everything to their phones.
Should I convert MOV to MP4 before editing? ›Converting MOV to MP4 allows you to have unrestricted video use. MP4 offers you versatility as well as less loss of quality for higher compression. You get to enjoy high resolution when you're streaming videos on online platforms, no matter how small the file size is.
Why do my GoPro videos look bad? ›Improper camera settings and adverse shooting environment are the main causes of GoPro bad video shooting. Before you get your GoPro to record, you'd better choose a suitable mode, field of view, with Protune on or off, and keep nice balance between IOS and shutter according to the real condition.
Do I need to format micro SD for GoPro? ›Formatting your SD card is a good first step as you're setting your camera up for the first time. It's also something you'll want to do routinely after you've offloaded your photos and videos and want to delete them to free up space again on the memory card for new shooting.
What can I use to edit GoPro videos on Mac? ›Since the H. 264 file format used in camera is not designed for editing, you should convert your files into the GoPro/CineForm file format. This format was specifically designed for editing and is compatible with most popular non-linear editing applications (iMovie, Final Cut Pro, Premiere, AVID, Vegas, etc.).
Can I use an IPAD to edit GoPro videos? ›Premiere Rush is Adobe's video editing tool for mobile devices, so GoPro users can easily edit videos on the go with an Android, iPhone, iPad, or other devices.
What do I need to edit GoPro videos? ›- GoPro Player.
- DaVinci Resolve.
- Adobe Premiere.
- VLC Media Player.
- iMovie.
- Final Cut Pro X.
GoPro cameras record videos in two main formats. These are MP4 and HEVC.
Are GoPro videos better than iphone? ›iPhones typically have better battery life than other smartphones. Users can shoot more footage for longer when hiking or surfing. If you want to capture action footage in the wild or record yourself doing tricks on your skateboard or biking, then a GoPro might be your best option.
Does GoPro work with Apple? ›On the iPhone, open the Quik app, then select the camera icon on the main screen. Depending on the version of the app and GoPro, the app either locates the GoPro and pairs automatically, or it displays a list of devices. If the latter happens, tap the GoPro, and the two devices begin pairing.
Is GoPro Quik video editor free? ›
Information. The GoPro Quik app is a video editing, curating, and sharing tool available for both iOS and Android devices. The free version lets users take advantage of most features; however, a subscription is necessary to unlock the full potential of GoPro Quik.
Can I use an iPad to edit GoPro videos? ›Premiere Rush is Adobe's video editing tool for mobile devices, so GoPro users can easily edit videos on the go with an Android, iPhone, iPad, or other devices.
How do I convert my GoPro to my iPhone? ›- Turn on your GoPro.
- Activate pairing mode within your GoPro. ...
- Press the option GoPro App. ...
- Download and run GoPro on your iPhone.
- Press the camera button. ...
- Tap the 4x4 grid icon located beside the red circle. ...
- Tap a particular video.
- Press the download icon.
You may find GoPro SD card not recognized on Mac because of changes in folder names. So, ensure that you avoid changing the folder names and the SD card structure since it is one of the ways of opening GoPro on Mac. For instance, avoid changing or renaming the “DCIM” folder.
How do I edit my GoPro videos on my computer? ›- Create a New Project. ...
- Load GoPro Videos to VideoProc Vlogger. ...
- Cut and Reorganize GoPro Clips. ...
- Fix GoPro Footage. ...
- Highlight Key Moments. ...
- Rock Your GoPro Video with Speed Ramping Effects. ...
- Add Transitions, Effects, Texts, and Filters. ...
- Add Background Music and Sound Effects.
Import Videos to your Mac with GoPro Quik
At first, you can just connect your GoPro camera to your Mac and look for GoPro Quik from the Spotlight. You can also find it in Applications and launch it on your Mac.
Which OS is your device running on? The GoPro App is compatible with Android devices running on Android 7 or higher.