Understanding Video Codecs (Why Some Footage is So Hard to Edit)

In this video I go over why some video codecs are so hard to edit. If you've ever tried to edit GoPro, iPhone, or DJI Drone footage, you've probably experienced horrible playback that was extremely frustrating. Many people believe their computer is just bad, but in most cases it is the codec that you need to change to get smooth playback.

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[darrinlalla]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is actually the least confusing explanation I've heard while being quite concise and relevant. Probably the single most useful video I've seen for the year! Thank you for this.

[stubblemanluke]

Watched 3/4 different videos explaining codecs before I found this one. This video explains codecs by far in the most understandable way for beginners. Much appreciated Chris! Subscribed

[djnaydee]

Damn bro, you crushed it with the explanation. Much appreciated. Kudos!

[eventnation]

I agree with Darrin. My computer was stuttering during editing. I purchased a new graphics card but it didn't help. This video was concise and clear, and prevented me from buying a new computer. Wow! You really helped. Best video I've seen this year.

[MapScience]

I appreciated your triangle of trade-offs. That was a clear and effective way to see what gets optimized and what gets lost.

[jasoncoopersmith]

This is the best video on codecs I’ve seen so far. I’ve read up on it from Adobe, seen the video from B&H photovideo and the Zacuto guy, and watched other videos. And this is absolutely by far the most helpful. Thank you!!

[alexsalchemy]

This is a brilliant explanation, I've struggled for years to figure out why my editing lags so much.

[andrewtse]

Thank you, wonderful 11 minutes that explains everything about codec that no one can explain for easy to understand.

[MrMuralikrishna]

This one is the best video on youtube explaining about Codecs! Thank you Chris!

[jamesdecross]

Hey, that triangle diagram makes the problem really clear. Thank you.

[jurrevandermeer]

This was so helpful! My computer had a TERRIBLE time XAVC HS from my Sony camera, and I thought: well if it has trouble reading these relatively small file sizes I definitely have to avoid XAVC S-I with the huge file sizes, but now I understand that they actually make my editing a lot easier (although I do need to invest in some fast external ssds)! Many thanks for this video!!!

[jonathanparle]

I actually learned far more in this 11 minute video than stuffing around for weeks trying to get answers to all the questions it addressed. Thank you! At least I now know my computer is not as bad as I thought it was!!

[davidrehnstrom]

Gamechanger for me. Didnt know this info was missing in my life. Thank you.

[gaburisonne]

Wow, thank you so much for this incredible explanation! I didn't even knew I wanted to know this, but now everything just makes so much more sense =)

[AndrewTyberg]

This was a particularly helpful video. I never really understood what a codec was or what H.264 meant every time I saw it when exporting my older Youtube videos from a couple years back. The graphic at 5:15 was especially good.

[Nick-yote]

Thank you Chris! I want to confirm what you said about high end computers still struggling... I use Ryzen threadripper 256gb ram and 3090 graphics card. H. 264 edits fine, but h. 265 I just go ahead and transcode now to save myself from an aneurysm. Do yourselves a favor and transcode footage before getting started.. I personally transcode to prores 422 most times and my editing experience is so much better after that.

[ClaesFeldt]

This is a good one !!!!
Only miss a a second video about transcoding that you mentioned.

[Windsorsillest]

Amazing video! 🎥 I finally understood the purpose of codec compression, but I had no idea it could affect editing performance so much! 🤯 #VideoEditing #CodecCompression

[alexfreedomroad]

This video should have more views. I've been watching a bunch of videos about codecs, but his one is the most comprehensive one.

[pixelpalettephoto]

This has been very helpful, to the point explanation of Video CODECs. I had been trying to figure our what works and what does not .... now I know why with explanation ! Very well done video. Much appreciated.