Glossary · Updated
What is bitrate?
Short answer
Bitrate is how much data is used for each second of video or audio, usually measured in megabits per second. Higher bitrate generally preserves more detail and creates larger files. File size equals bitrate times duration divided by eight. Use the right bitrate for the platform and content.
How is bitrate used in editing?
Use the video file size calculator to turn bitrate and duration into megabytes.
What mistakes do people make?
- Setting a very high bitrate for a small screen
- Too low a bitrate causing blocks
- Ignoring audio bitrate
Why does it matter for reels?
Short renders from Glass are small, but bitrate still controls how clean fast motion looks.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mbps?
Megabits per second.
Does higher bitrate always look better?
No. Quality improves with bitrate only up to a point, after which files grow larger with little visible gain.
What is variable bitrate?
Bitrate that changes with the scene.
How do I lower file size?
Lower bitrate gradually.
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