SOFTLINK — VIDEO EXPORT SETTINGS GUIDE
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Version 1.1 | Softlink Editorial Team
Free for personal and commercial use

GENERAL PRINCIPLES
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- Export from the highest quality source available
- Match sequence frame rate and resolution exactly
- Use VBR 2-pass for best quality-to-file-size ratio
- Always export a high-quality master file before platform delivery files

YOUTUBE
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Codec: H.264 or H.265 (HEVC) | Container: MP4

Resolution + Bitrate (SDR/Rec.709):
1080p 24/25/30fps:   8-12 Mbps
1080p 48/50/60fps:   15-20 Mbps
1440p 24/25/30fps:   16-24 Mbps
1440p 48/50/60fps:   24-36 Mbps
4K UHD 24/25/30fps:  35-45 Mbps
4K UHD 48/50/60fps:  53-68 Mbps

Audio: AAC-LC, Stereo, 320 kbps
Color Space: sRGB for SDR; BT.2020 PQ for HDR

VIMEO
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Codec: H.264 (or ProRes for Vimeo Pro/Business)
Bitrate: 1080p: 10-15 Mbps | 4K: 30-60 Mbps
Audio: AAC, 320 kbps

INSTAGRAM (REELS, FEED VIDEO)
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Codec: H.264 | Container: MP4
Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (Reels), 4:5 or 1:1 (feed)
Resolution: 1080x1920 (Reels) / 1080x1350 (4:5 feed)
Bitrate: 3.5-5 Mbps (Instagram re-encodes, upload at high quality)
Audio: AAC, Stereo, 128-320 kbps

TIKTOK
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Codec: H.264 | Container: MP4
Aspect Ratio: 9:16 | Resolution: 1080x1920
Bitrate: 3-5 Mbps | Audio: AAC, 128-192 kbps

BROADCAST DELIVERY
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Codec: DNxHD, ProRes 422 HQ, or H.264 at high bitrate (check broadcaster specs)
Loudness: -23 LUFS EBU R128 (verify broadcaster requirements)

ARCHIVAL MASTER FILE
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Codec: ProRes 4444 or ProRes 422 HQ
Resolution: Native (never downscale master)
Keep forever — delivery files can be regenerated from the master

PREMIERE PRO EXPORT STEPS
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1. File > Export > Media (or Ctrl/Cmd+M)
2. Format: H.264 for most web delivery
3. Starting preset: Match Source - High Bitrate
4. Video tab: set target bitrate to recommended value
5. Set VBR, 2 Pass
6. Audio tab: AAC, 320 kbps, Stereo
7. Click Queue to send to Media Encoder
8. In Media Encoder: click Start Queue (Ctrl/Cmd+Return)

CREDITS: Softlink Editorial Team — Version 1.1