PubToo · Guides
How to compress video: MP4, H.264, HEVC and resolution
Choose a video codec, bitrate and resolution for smaller files. Check playback compatibility, HDR, fine details and audio sync, and keep the original recording.
Before compressing a large video, check the receiving platform’s file size, format and duration limits. MP4 is a container: two MP4 files can use different codecs and have different playback requirements.
PubToo processes video on your device. It accepts MP4, MOV, M4V, 3GP and 3G2 and exports MP4 with H.264 or HEVC. The website does not offer an online video upload and compression service.
1. Check playback compatibility first
For older devices, check whether H.264 meets the recipient’s requirements. Before choosing HEVC, confirm that the receiving device and application can decode it. HEVC does not guarantee a smaller file for every source, and processing also depends on device codec support.
PubToo for Mac defaults to H.264; Go and Lite default to HEVC. Choose for the actual recipient rather than relying on the default setting.
2. Choose bitrate and resolution for the task
File size roughly depends on duration and the combined audio and video bitrate. Reducing bitrate can reduce size, but motion, small text and dark areas may lose detail. Start with a moderate adjustment and inspect the export.
PubToo can keep the original resolution or use 1080p or 720p, and offers a target size option. A phone viewing copy and a screen recording that readers need to enlarge have different requirements. Already compressed material may offer little room for further savings.
3. Check HDR and transparency separately
HDR carries brightness, colour and bit depth requirements beyond resolution. PubToo prompts you to switch to HEVC when an HDR input is paired with H.264 and fails explicitly when required HDR information cannot be retained. Check the export on the intended HDR capable device.
Transparent video needs a suitable workflow. PubToo rejects this video export path when it detects an alpha channel, rather than producing an opaque copy of transparent material.
4. Review the export and keep the source
Check the beginning, ending, moving scenes and subtitles, then verify audio sync and actual file size. Open the exported file in the receiving player. A completion message or thumbnail alone does not verify the whole result.
Save a new file and keep the original. Start subsequent attempts from the source to avoid repeatedly compressing an already lossy export. Consult the website and support page for current system requirements, formats and downloads.