Facebook Quandry

March 31, 2010 10:24 PM

What is the best resolution and format to upload a video to Facebook?

I just finished editing a video that I want to upload to Facebook. I edited in FCP, so I can use compressor, or export directly as a Quicktime. What is the best format and resolution to use to get the best quality when uploading to Facebook?

posted by Spyder's Game to Technology (3 answers total)

Best answer: I don't know, but here's what Facebooks help page on video formats says:

How can I optimize the quality of my videos?
Generally, the best format to upload is H.264 video with AAC audio in MOV or MP4 format. H.264 currently offers the best video compression available, and due to file size limitations, this format is the optimal choice for Facebook Video.

To avoid the rescaling of your video by Facebook's encoder, use a file with the larger edge of the video not exceeding 1280px. If your video is less than 1280px in size on the larger edge, try to keep your dimensions to multiples of 16px for best compression.

Keep the frame rate of your video at or below 30fps.

Use stereo audio with a sample rate of 44,100hz.
posted by oxit at 10:40 PM on March 31, 2010 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Seconding oxit. Create a profile with those settings in Compressor and you'll be good to go. If your source video is lower resolution than 1280x720, leave it at its native resolution instead of scaling it up. Facebook is going to process it again with its own encoding. I've achieved very good results using their suggested settings.
posted by JMB1138 at 7:02 AM on April 1, 2010

Response by poster: Excellent! Thanks for the tips, I'll try it out and get back to you!
posted by Spyder's Game at 10:51 AM on April 1, 2010