How to reduce the file size of videos and PDFs

audience.png Audience: Seesaw Users

Seesaw supports files up to 250 MB in size*. Here’s how to reduce the size of your files so you can upload them to Seesaw.

iOS Devices

  • *iOS supports videos of any size as long as they are 5 minutes or less in length.
  • Videos – Before You Record: Go to the Settings app > Camera > Video Recording > Select 720p at 30 fps or lower. Step by step here.
  • Videos – After You Record: Use a free app like Video Compressor to reduce the file size to 480p at 30 fps or 720p at 30 fps. Step by step here.
  • Videos – After You Record: Upload the video file to Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, etc., and then add to Seesaw using the "Link" option.

Android Devices

  • Videos – Before You Record: Open the Camera app > select the Resolution icon in the lower-left corner > Select 720p at 30 fps or lower.
  • Videos – After You Record: Use a free app like Video Converter to reduce the file size to 480p at 30 fps or 720p at 30 fps. Step by step here.
  • Videos – After You Record: Upload the video file to Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, etc., and then add to Seesaw using the "Link" option.

Chromebooks

  • Videos – After You Record: Upload the video file to Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, etc., and then add to Seesaw using the "Link" option.

Mac Computers

  • Videos: Open the QuickTime Player app. Select your video from Files. Click File > Export as > 480p.
  • Videos – After You Record: Upload the video file to Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, etc., and then add to Seesaw using the "Link" option.
  • PDFs: Use a website like SmallPDF.com to reduce the size.

PC Computers

  • Videos: Open Windows Movie Maker. Import your video. Click File > Save movie > Select an option like "For email" or "For Android phone". You want a file that is either 480p or 720p resolution.
  • Videos – After You Record: Upload the video file to Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, etc., and then add to Seesaw using the "Link" option.
  • PDFs: Use a website like SmallPDF.com to reduce the size.
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