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Module 09

Export

A perfect video is worthless if the export is wrong. Codecs, bitrates, formats and platform requirements determine whether your video reaches the viewer in full glory — or as a mushy pixel blob.

Export Is the Last Step Before the Audience

You've worked days on a video — perfect shots, careful editing, professional color grading. But if you choose the wrong export settings, all that work ends up in digital nowhere. Export is the technical transition from your project to the finished film.

Indoor Tip

YouTube tutorials benefit from high bitrates and slower frame rates (24/25 fps). The platform's own processing compresses anyway — so deliver the best possible quality. Audio: always 48 kHz, at least 192 kbps.

Outdoor Tip

Vlogs for TikTok and Instagram Reels thrive on 60 fps and vertical format (9:16). Export in the platform's native resolution — up- or downscaling massively degrades quality. Short clips: higher bitrate allowed.

Hybrid Tip

Work with a master export in high quality (ProRes or H.265) and derive all platform versions from it. Never create a new export from a compressed file — generation loss destroys quality.

Codecs & Formats Explained

A codec (Coder-Decoder) determines how your video is compressed and decompressed. The right format is the difference between sharp image and mushy blob.

H.264 / AVC
The standard for almost everything. Compatible with every platform, every device, every player. Files are small, quality is good. Choose this when you're not sure.
H.265 / HEVC
The next generation. Same quality as H.264 at half the file size — or double quality at same size. Not all platforms support it natively.
ProRes / DNxHD
Professional intermediate codecs for master files. No compression, huge files, perfect quality. Ideal for archiving and as source for further exports.
AV1
The future codec. Even more efficient than H.265, but slower to encode. YouTube already supports AV1 — for maximum quality at minimum file size.
The Codec Rule: H.264 for compatibility, H.265 for efficiency, ProRes for masters. AV1 for the adventurous. Never re-compress an already compressed export.

Platform Specifications

Every platform has its own preferences. Export for the platform, not for your computer. Here are the recommended settings for the most important destinations.

YouTube Long-Form & Shorts
Resolution 1920×1080 / 4K
Aspect Ratio 16:9 (Shorts: 9:16)
Codec H.264
Bitrate 8–12 Mbps (1080p)
FPS 24, 25, 30, 60
Audio AAC, 48 kHz, 384 kbps
TikTok Short-Form Vertical
Resolution 1080×1920
Aspect Ratio 9:16
Codec H.264
Bitrate 6–10 Mbps
FPS 30, 60
Max Length 10 min. (3+ min. better)
Instagram Reels, Feed, Stories
Reels 1080×1920, 9:16
Feed 1080×1080, 1:1
Codec H.264
Bitrate 4–8 Mbps
FPS 30, 60
Max Size Reels: 4 GB
Vimeo / Portfolio Pro Quality
Resolution Up to 8K
Aspect Ratio Any
Codec H.264 / H.265
Bitrate Maximum possible
FPS 24, 25, 30
Audio AAC, 48 kHz, 320 kbps

Render Settings Step by Step

The perfect export follows a proven process. Skip no step — especially not the quality check before upload.

1
Set In/Out Points
Mark the exact area to export. Check beginning and end — nothing is more embarrassing than cut-off words at the video's end.
2
Choose Format & Codec
MP4 with H.264 for standard uploads. MOV with ProRes for master files. Make sure audio and video are in the same container.
3
Resolution & FPS
Export in the native timeline resolution. No upscale, no downscale. FPS: Same as timeline (24, 25, 30 or 60).
4
Set Bitrate
CBR (Constant Bitrate) for predictable quality. VBR 2-Pass for best quality per file size. Bitrate depends on the platform.
5
Configure Audio
AAC codec, 48 kHz sample rate, at least 192 kbps (better 320 kbps). Stereo for standard, mono only for special applications.
6
Quality Check
Play the exported film completely. Check audio sync, colors, sharpness and cut transitions. An export error is an error thousands will see.

Quality vs. File Size

Higher quality means larger files. But not every situation requires maximum quality. Here's the sweet spot for every use case.

Archive & Master
ProRes 422 HQ or DNxHR. Maximum quality, huge files (approx. 1 GB per minute). Long-term storage and as source for all further exports.
Upload & Streaming
H.264 with high bitrate. File size: approx. 100–500 MB per 10 minutes. YouTube and others compress anyway — deliver the best possible source.
Mobile & Social
H.264 or H.265 with optimized bitrate. File size: approx. 20–100 MB per minute. Fast upload, good quality on small displays.
The File Size Formula: With H.264, file size is approximately: (Bitrate in Mbps × Seconds) / 8 = Size in MB. A 10-minute video at 10 Mbps = approx. 750 MB.

Export Tools

Every editing program has a built-in export dialog. But sometimes you need specialized tools for conversion, compression or batch processing.

DaVinci Resolve — Deliver Page
The integrated export in DaVinci Resolve. Presets for all common platforms, GPU-accelerated rendering and professional codecs.
HandBrake — Open Source Converter
Free, cross-platform and extremely powerful. Ideal for conversion, compression and batch processing. Supports H.264, H.265 and AV1.
Shutter Encoder — Pro Converter
Advanced video converter with professional codecs (ProRes, DNxHD, AVC-Intra). Free, open source and extremely versatile.

Export in Practice

Three concrete export scenarios with all settings — copy and apply.

YouTube Tutorial Export

  • Format: MP4 (H.264)
  • Resolution: 1920×1080 (or 4K if available)
  • FPS: 25 or 30 (timeline match)
  • Bitrate: CBR 12 Mbps (1080p) / 35 Mbps (4K)
  • Audio: AAC, 48 kHz, 320 kbps, Stereo
  • Color Space: Rec. 709
  • Quality check: Play entire video

TikTok Short Export

  • Format: MP4 (H.264)
  • Resolution: 1080×1920 (9:16)
  • FPS: 30 or 60 (timeline match)
  • Bitrate: CBR 8 Mbps
  • Audio: AAC, 48 kHz, 192 kbps, Stereo
  • Max file size: Check upload limit (usually 1 GB)
  • Thumbnail: Separate image 1080×1920

Portfolio Reel Export

  • Master: ProRes 422 HQ in MOV
  • Web version: H.264, 1920×1080, 15 Mbps
  • FPS: 24 (cinematic look)
  • Audio: AAC, 48 kHz, 320 kbps
  • Color Space: Rec. 709 (or P3 for Apple)
  • Watermarked preview for unauthorized sharing
  • Max length: 60–90 seconds

Dare to Practice

Exporting is no mystery — it's a checklist. Practice with a short test video until the settings stick.

Level 1 — First Export
Export a 1-minute test video in H.264, 1080p, 10 Mbps. Play it back and check sharpness, colors and audio sync. Time: 10 min.
Level 2 — Multi-Platform
Create three versions from one video: YouTube (16:9), TikTok (9:16) and Instagram Feed (1:1). Use auto-reframe or manual cropping. Time: 30 min.
Level 3 — Master Workflow
Export a complete project as ProRes master and derive all platform versions from it. Document the settings for future projects. Time: 45 min.

What's Next?

You now master the technical workflow from recording to export. In the next module you'll learn how to structure stories that captivate viewers and won't let them go.

Your Learning Path

Your Learning Progress

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