How to reduce your video file size to upload to Spark Learning Hub

Unfortunately, Spark only allows file uploads of less than 2GB.

To reduce your video’s file size, we recommend compressing the video. The easiest way to do this is to use the Rotato video compressor in your browser (instructions below). However, if you have any difficulty with using Rotato and you are on a Windows 10 computer, you can use the Photos application and our instructions below. If you are on a Mac or older version of Windows, you can download VLC Media Player, and follow the instructions below.

Rotato video compressor

The Rotato video compressor allows you to easily compress videos in your browser without having to download an app. (Although, if you would prefer to download the app so you can compress videos offline, there’s an option to do that.) Here’s how to use it:
  1. Go to https://tools.rotato.app/compress.
  2. Click Select File and choose the video from your File Manager that you wish to compress. Alternatively, you can drag and drop your file onto the right-hand side of the Rotato video compressor.
  3. Select which level of compression you would like. We recommend choosing Medium and then clicking Compress.
  4. Wait for the video compression magic to happen…
  5. Once the video is ready, in the top-right of the screen, click Download.
  6. Your compressed video will be saved to your Downloads folder, ready to go!

VLC Media Player

VLC is a free multimedia player, it allows users to play and compress various media files. Here is how to compress your video with VLC Media Player:

  1. Download and install VLC Media Player
  2. Open VLC
  3. From the top menu select Media, then from the dropdown Convert / Save.
  4. Select Add… or drag and drop to add your video file.
  5. Press Convert / Save.
  6. In the settings, section select the Profile dropdown and choose “Video for Youtube HD”
  7. Choose the destination and name for the new file by pressing Browse.
  8. Press Start, the file will then start processing (you can view the progress in the playback bar).
  9. Once the playback bar is empty, you can close VLC. The file should be saved in your chosen destination.
  10. Done, your video should now be smaller and ready for upload.