MP4, MP3 and quality: choosing a file
A SaveContentMe guide · Updated
Start with the task
Sharing your own clip calls for both picture and sound. Listening to your own recording only needs audio. For editing, keep the camera or editor original: a small chat copy is not a replacement for the source of your next export.
Suppose you recorded an interview, sent a short excerpt to a colleague and plan to add captions later. Keep the full original and project separately. Make a smaller viewing copy for your colleague, and an audio copy for transcription if you own it. One file does not have to serve all three purposes.
An extension and a codec answer different questions
MP4 is a container that can carry different tracks. MP3 carries audio without video. An MP4 extension alone does not guarantee that a particular device can play its tracks.
If your own MP4 will not open, check your editor's export settings and the recipient's requirements. Renaming .webm to .mp4 does not convert anything. A fresh export creates another file, so keep the original until you check the result.
A larger number does not restore lost detail
Exporting a small source at 1080p enlarges the frame without restoring details absent from the recording. Compare the source and result at the same window size, paying attention to small lettering, movement and edges.
Check the beginning, middle and end of the file. Confirm that sound is present, the picture is not cropped and playback reaches the end. Then replace your working copy or share it.