Should You Compress a Video Before Uploading It to Cloud Storage?
A cloud video may be a long-term archive, a review copy, or a temporary share. Compression depends on whether the recipient must edit the source or merely watch it.
Separate master and proxy
A master preserves full quality and editing information. A proxy optimizes upload, streaming, and review. Keeping both is safer than permanently shrinking the only source.
- master/original for archive and post-production.
- proxy/review for comments and approval.
- delivery for final publishing.
Choose proxy settings from the review task
Begin normal review at 1080p or 720p and Balanced CRF while retaining necessary audio. Screen recordings and small type need more resolution; a temporary composition preview can use less.
Balance encoding time against upload time
A smaller file normally uploads faster, but local transcoding also costs time. A short clip on fast upstream may be quicker to send unchanged; long media, slow upstream, or many viewers often justifies a proxy.
- Compare approximate encode and upload time.
- Create a small proxy for unstable networks.
- Keep version or resume records.
Control versions and permissions
Use consistent naming, project folders, and access permissions for masters and proxies. Compressed sensitive footage remains sensitive.
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