With the growing popularity of video sharing platforms such as Youtube and Vimeo, more and more people are looking to create and share their own videos. A crucial step in this process is exporting your video edit to make it compatible with these platforms. In this article, we will explain how to properly export your video for Youtube and Vimeo.
Understanding the technical specifications for exporting a video for Youtube and Vimeo
To begin, it is essential to understand the technical specifications required by each of these platforms. While Youtube and Vimeo accept a wide variety of video formats, there are certain specifications that you must adhere to in order to ensure the best possible quality when viewing your video.
Supported video formats
Youtube supports the following video formats: MOV, MPEG4, MP4, AVI, WMV, MPEG-PS, FLV, 3GPP, and WebM. On the other hand, Vimeo supports video formats H.264, Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), and Avid DNxHD.
It is recommended to use the H.264 format for exporting your video as it offers a good balance between quality and file size.
Resolution and frame rate
Youtube supports resolutions from 240p to 8K, while Vimeo supports resolutions from 240p to 4K.
The resolution you choose will depend on the quality of your source material and the viewing experience desired for your audience. The recommended frame rate is 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, or 60 frames per second.
Bitrate
Bitrate represents the amount of data transmitted per second when viewing your video. A higher bitrate will result in better video quality, but will also increase the file size.
Youtube and Vimeo have minimum bitrate requirements:
- For Youtube:
- 1080p: 8 Mbps
- 720p: 5 Mbps
- 480p: 2.5 Mbps
- 360p: 1 Mbps
- For Vimeo:
- 1080p: 10 Mbps
- 720p: 5 Mbps
- 480p: 2 Mbps
- 360p: 1 Mbps
It is advisable to adhere to these minimum values to ensure good image quality without sacrificing the file size of your video edit.
Exporting your video for Youtube and Vimeo using popular editing software
Now that you understand the technical specifications required for Youtube and Vimeo, it's time to learn how to export your video using popular video editing software.
Adobe Premiere Pro
In Adobe Premiere Pro, you can export your video by following these steps:
- Select "File" > "Export" > "Media".
- In the "Format" tab, choose "H.264".
- In the "Preset" tab, choose a preset suitable for the desired platform (e.g. "Full HD YouTube 1080p" or "HD Vimeo 1080p").
- Click on the key icon to adjust export settings if necessary (such as resolution and bitrate).
- Click "Export" to finalize the export.
Final Cut Pro X
To export a video with Final Cut Pro X, follow these steps:
- Select "File" > "Share" > "Master File".
- In the "Settings" tab, choose "H.264" as the video format.
- Select "Resolution" and choose the desired resolution.
- Choose "Video and Audio" to include both video and audio in the export.
- Click "Next" to choose the export file location and click "Save" to start the export.
DaVinci Resolve
Here's how to export a video with DaVinci Resolve:
- Click on the "Deliver" icon at the bottom of the software window to access the export page.
- In the "Render Settings" panel, choose "H.264" as the video format and select the desired resolution.
- Check the box "Upload directly to YouTube" or "Upload directly to Vimeo" if you want to upload your video directly to the platform from DaVinci Resolve.
- Click "Add to Render Queue" and then "Start Render" to begin the export.
Importing your video to Youtube and Vimeo
Once you have exported your video, all that's left is to import it to Youtube or Vimeo.
Simply log in to your account on the chosen platform, click the upload button, and follow the on-screen instructions to add your video to the desired category and fill in the necessary information (title, description, tags, etc.).
By following these tips, you can successfully export your video for Youtube or Vimeo. This way, you can showcase your work on these platforms with the best possible quality.
