When you hand video to someone else to edit, the first hurdle is often not the editing but getting the files there. Ten minutes of 4K phone footage can be several gigabytes; email attachments come nowhere near, and messaging apps quietly compress. Here are the usual options, and what we suggest.
The short answer
- Most cases: upload to a cloud drive and send the link.
- Very large amounts (hundreds of gigabytes): post a hard drive or USB stick. It beats days of uploading.
- Avoid: sending video directly in a chat app, and email attachments.
Why not a chat app
LINE, WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram messages compress video automatically, lowering resolution and quality, and files may expire and stop downloading. Fine for a quick look, unsuitable as editing material. The same goes for photos: choose the original-quality option or use the cloud.
The options
Google Drive
Most people already have an account, uploading works from phone and computer, folders keep things tidy, and several people can upload to one place. Watch the storage: the allowance on a personal account is limited and shared with Gmail and Google Photos. If it runs short, upload in batches and delete once the other side has downloaded, or use another method. Steps are in the phone guide and the desktop guide.
Other cloud drives (OneDrive, Dropbox, iCloud)
They work the same way; if you already use one, share a link. iCloud links can be less obvious for people outside Apple devices, so test the link in a private browser window before sending.
Transfer-link services
No sign-up; you upload and get a download link that expires. Good for a one-off transfer. The link runs out and there are size limits, so note the expiry date and ask the recipient to download promptly.
Posting a drive
When there is a great deal of footage and the upload speed is poor, this is the most dependable way. Keep your own copy before posting, use tracked delivery, and pack it against knocks. See backing up video footage.
Before uploading
- Organise folders by date, scene or camera, so nobody has to guess.
- Don't compress or convert first. Editing needs the originals. Convert only if asked. To shrink files for your own archive, see compressing a video file that is too large.
- Use Wi-Fi and plug in. On a phone, keep the screen on and stay in the app; uploads stall otherwise.
- Check it has finished before telling anyone. A spinning icon means it hasn't.
- Set sharing to "anyone with the link can view", or add the recipient's account.
Sending to us
We mainly receive footage through Google Drive; the full process is in how to provide footage. If the material is sensitive, see is footage kept confidential. Not sure which method fits? Ask us on LINE and tell us roughly how many files and how large.
FAQ
The upload failed halfway. Start again from scratch?
Usually only the failed files need re-uploading. Smaller batches fail less often.
Should I zip the videos first?
You can, but video is already compressed, so a zip barely shrinks it, and one corrupt archive means nothing opens. Uploading the folder is better.
What about AirDrop?
Handy face to face between Apple devices, and it keeps the original file. It doesn't help when working remotely.
