If you're preparing MP4 videos for upload, following these codec recommendations will help ensure smooth playback across devices and keep file sizes manageable.
Recommended codec: H.264 (AVC)
Use the H.264 (AVC) codec when exporting MP4 files. H.264 is supported by virtually every device, browser, and operating system, and offers a strong balance between quality and file size.
Avoid H.265 (HEVC)
Avoid encoding videos with H.265 (HEVC). While it can produce smaller files at similar quality, it is not consistently supported across browsers, mobile devices, and older hardware. This can result in videos that fail to play or display errors for some learners.
Choose a lower codec profile
When exporting with H.264, select the Baseline or Main profile rather than High.
- Baseline — maximum compatibility, recommended for the widest device support
- Main — good compatibility, suitable for most modern devices
- High — not recommended (see below)
Why avoid the High profile?
Higher codec profiles (such as H.264 High Profile) use more advanced compression features that increase file size without a proportional improvement in playback quality — especially for typical e-learning content such as screen recordings and presentations. Choosing Baseline or Main keeps files smaller and more broadly compatible, with no meaningful loss in visual quality for this type of content.
Maximum recommended resolution: Full HD (1920x1080)
Keep resolution at 1920x1080 (Full HD) or lower. Higher resolutions increase file size without a proportional improvement in playback quality for typical e-learning content.
Recommended bitrate: 2–3 Mbps
Target a bitrate of 2–3 Mbps. Higher bitrates increase file size without a proportional improvement in playback quality.
Quick reference
| Setting | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Codec | H.264 (AVC) | H.265 (HEVC) |
| Profile | Baseline / Main | High |
| Resolution | Up to 1920x1080 (Full HD) | Above 1080p |
| Bitrate | 2–3 Mbps | Higher than 3 Mbps |