5 Offline Encoder to Compress Video: MAC & Windows

There are a lot of instances where the raw video file after camera recording is quite large in size. If it is not on a server or URL, it becomes quite difficult to upload it to online sites like VdoCipher. To solve this problem, there are offline encoders, converters, and transcoders that convert huge video files into manageable sizes without significant visible loss in video quality.

Video compression is a key part of the video processing workflow. Some of these tools can also convert files into different video and audio formats. Here are some useful tools for compressing and converting videos.

1. VdoCipher Video Compressor

https://www.vdocipher.com/tools/video-compressor/

VdoCipher’s free video compressor lets you reduce video file size directly in your browser. Unlike conventional online compression tools that first upload the source video to a remote server, the compression process takes place locally on your device. The video file is not uploaded or stored on a server.

The tool supports common video formats such as MP4, MOV, MKV, and WebM as input and provides three simple compression presets:

• High Quality: Lower compression with better visual quality.
• Medium Quality: A balance between video quality and file size.
• Low Quality: Higher compression for reducing the file size further.

To compress a video:

1. Open the VdoCipher Video Compressor.
2. Choose or drag and drop the video file into the tool.
3. Select High, Medium, or Low quality depending on your requirement.
4. Start the compression process.
5. After processing is complete, save the compressed MP4 video.

Since the video is processed locally, there is no need to wait for the original file to upload to a remote compression server. This can be particularly useful when working with large video recordings.

2. WinFF for Windows

Please visit this link to download the software:

http://winff.org/html_new/

1. Add the videos using the tool button.
2. Choose MPEG-4 in the Convert to option.
3. Select MPEG-4 1080p as the preset.
4. Click on Options to display additional settings.
5. Go to the Video tab.
6. Enter 4500 kbps as the video bitrate. In our experience, this bitrate is generally high enough for HD video. Users can also try 2500 or 3500 kbps, which may work well in many cases, especially for videos with relatively little movement.
7. Tick the 2 Pass checkbox.
8. Click on the Convert tool button.
9. Wait for the video conversion to complete.

Video encoding and compression are computationally intensive processes, so the process may result in high CPU usage.

3. VLC Media Player for Mac and Windows Video Compression

It is a lesser-known fact that the open-source VLC media player can also be used as an offline video converter and encoder.

Here are the steps:

• Go to Media > Convert/Save. In the File tab, add your raw video or audio file.
• Click the down arrow next to the Convert/Save button and select Convert.
• Select the required output format from the Profile dropdown and provide the destination file location.
• Click Start. The conversion process will begin, and after completion, the converted file will be available at the selected destination.

https://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html

4. HandBrake for Windows, Mac, and Linux

https://handbrake.fr/

HandBrake is a free and open-source video transcoder available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It can convert videos from many source formats into modern, widely supported video formats and codecs.

HandBrake is particularly useful when you need greater control over the trade-off between video quality and file size.

A basic video compression workflow in HandBrake is:

1. Open HandBrake and select your source video file.
2. Choose a preset based on the required resolution and playback device.
3. Select the required video format and codec settings.
4. Adjust the video quality or bitrate depending on the required balance between quality and output file size.
5. Select the destination for the compressed video.
6. Click Start Encode to begin the compression and transcoding process.

For beginners, the available presets provide an easy starting point, while advanced users can adjust video encoding, resolution, frame rate, quality, audio, filters, and other parameters.

5. Prism Video Converter for Windows and Mac

https://www.nchsoftware.com/prism/

Prism Video Converter is an easy-to-use application for converting and resizing videos. Both free and commercial versions are available. Its interface is relatively simple and supports a straightforward workflow for adding videos, choosing an output format, adjusting conversion settings, and starting the conversion process.

Online Video Encoding and Transcoding with VdoCipher

For online encoding, VdoCipher provides a video transcoding workflow for businesses that need to securely upload, process, and stream video content.

VdoCipher accepts popular source video formats and automatically processes uploaded videos for adaptive streaming and secure playback. Videos can then be delivered using VdoCipher’s encrypted streaming infrastructure and DRM-protected video playback.

For enterprise requirements, video processing workflows can involve multiple resolutions and bitrates so that the appropriate stream can be delivered based on the viewer’s device and network conditions.

To understand the video processing workflow in greater detail, read our guides on video transcoding and video encoding.