Top Picks: YouTube to HD - Mastering Quality Conversions

Though YouTube allows uploading 4K videos, the files being high in quality and large in size takes a lot of time in getting uploaded. Moreover, while uploading a 4K video, you need to adhere to the file parameters like frame rate, bit rate, and container as recommended by YouTube.

In order to overcome all these issues and others related to 4K uploading, the best solution is to downscale the video to the highest quality. To get this conversion done, you would need a good PC or an online tool. For your convenience, we have shortlisted the best tools for downscaling 4K YouTube videos and they are discussed in the following parts of the topic.

Part 1: Is a 4K video necessary for YouTube?

Though 4K video is supported by YouTube, these are not at all necessary for YouTube. In fact, uploading a 4K video is more of a hassle as it not only takes a lot of time but needs to adhere to the set file parameters. Moreover, these 4K videos are cumbersome to edit and also, and they are not supported by a wide range of media players and devices. The large size of the 4K videos also prevents them from being shared over email and other platforms.

Considering all these factors, downscaling 4K videos to 1080p/HD is the best solution as this will not hamper the video quality and will also make the uploading, editing, and playback easy.

Part 2. Top 5 Software to Downscale 4K to 1080p/HD without Losing Quality for YouTube

For ensuring that your HD YouTube videos are downscaled and converted to 1080HD quality effortlessly, good software is needed. In the following part, we have shortlisted the top 5 YouTube convert 4K tools for your reference.

1. Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is an excellent and professional video editing tool that can also be used for other features including conversion of 4K videos to 1080p files.

Key features:

• Allows converting 4K videos to 1080p without any quality loss.
• Compatible with Windows and Mac systems.
• Support to all key formats like MP4, MOV, 3GP, MPEG-4, WAV, WMV AVI, and more.
• Convert videos to 1080p, 720p, 480p, n
• Compatible with Windows and Mac.

Pros

• Feature-rich professional software that comes with multiple editing options.
• Support to a wide range of formats and quality options.
• Convert HD YouTube video to 1080p along with the option to change several file parameters.

Cons

• Software needs space on your system.
• The program has a steep learning curve.

Supported OS: Windows and Mac

2. Wondershare Filmora

For all types of video editing requirements, Wondershare Filmora works as an excellent tool, and the software also facilitates converting 4K YouTube videos to 1080p quality making it compatible with all types of players and devices.

Video Converter Factory Pro

Key features:

• Simple and user-friendly interface for quick processing.
• Allows downsizing 4K videos to 1080p, 720p, 480p, and other commonly used resolutions.
• All key formats are supported including MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, and more.
• Support to a wide range of video editing tools.

Pros

• Batch processing support.
• Support to multiple formats as well as resolution options.
• Edit and customize the video file using the built-in tools.

Cons

• Need software download and installation.
• Paid software.

Supported OS: Windows and Mac

3. Handbrake

This free and open-source video transcoder tool allows you to convert 4K videos to 1080p in high quality.

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Key features:

• Free and open-source tool.
• Multi-platform support
• Support to all key formats including MP4, MOV, AVI, WebM, and more.
• Convert your videos to 1080p, 720p, 480p, and other lower resolutions.
• Comes with multiple pre-programmed profiles.
• Support additional features like cropping, creating chapter markers, and more.

Pros

• Comes with built-in presets optimized for devices.
• Free to use tool.
• Apt for users who do not have much knowledge about resolution, quality, and other file parameters.

Cons

• Supported video formats in comparison to other tools.
• The interface may be confusing for beginners and first-time users.

Supported OS: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

4. WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe

To convert your 4K YouTube videos to 1080p and other lower resolutions, WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe works as an excellent tool that is compatible working with your Windows as well as Mac systems.

Key Features:

• Support multiple formats like MP4, MKV, , and others for downscaling the quality.
• 4K videos are converted to 1080p while retaining the file quality.
• Support an array of file editing options like cutting, merging, cropping, and others for file customization.
• File parameters like frame rate, bit rate, and others can be adjusted as per the requirements.

Pros

• Convert and downscale your files in all key formats like MOV, AVI, , VP9, , and more.
• Support downscaling to 1080p, 720p, 480p, and other lower resolutions.
• Customize files by editing them and changing the parameters.

Cons

• File processing is not very fast.
• The demo version comes with limited features.

Supported OS: Windows and Mac

5. VLC Media Player

Though VLC is one of the most widely used cross-platform media players, a wide range of additional features are also supported by the tool including 4K to 1080p conversion.

Key Features:

• Free and open-source media player.
• Support a wide range of formats including MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, WMV, and more.
• Allows conversion of 4K videos to 1080p and lower resolutions as needed.
• Support an array of editing functions like rotating, cutting, trimming, and more.
• Cross-platform support including Windows, Mac, Linux, Unix, iOS, and Android.

Pros

• Free software with cross-platform support.
• All key video formats are supported.
• A user-friendly tool with multiple pre-set format options.

Cons

• The interface looks outdated.
• Editing features are limited in comparison to other tools.

Supported OS: Windows, Mac, Linux, Unix, iOS, and Android

Part 3: Hot FAQs on YouTube 4k Converters

Below discussed are the commonly asked questions and their answers related to YouTube 4K converters.

1. What are the supported formats of the video on YouTube?

YouTube supports a wide range of formats for video upload in different file resolutions. Some of the most commonly used formats include MOV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MP4, AVI, WMV, FLV, 3GP, and more. The entire list can be checkedhere .

2. Is 1080p upscaled to 4K really better?

A 4K video is undoubtedly high in quality and can be used only when some specific content is needed. But on the flip side, there are many issues related to the 4Kresolution like slow video upload speed, high storage, incompatibility with the majority of the device, and similar others.

Thus, considering these in mind, we can say that 1080p is quite a good resolution for your YouTube and other videos, and thus upscaling it to 4K is not a good or a better choice.

Final Words

So, if you are facing trouble uploading 4K videos on YouTube, downscaling and converting them to 1080p is the best solution without compromising on the file quality. Any one of the above-listed offline or online YouTube video converter can be considered for this task. Among the above-listed ones, we would recommend using Wondershare Filmora as it works as a complete video editing toolbox that will help you with several other video editing and customization tasks.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later