Export preset
Also known as: render preset, export settings, output preset
A saved set of export settings, such as codec, resolution, frame rate and bitrate, that turns a finished edit into a file for a platform or device.
Updated
What it means
When an edit is finished, the editor has to render it into a video file. An export preset bundles all the technical choices for that step: codec, container, resolution, frame rate, Bitrate, audio format and color settings. Editing apps include presets for common targets such as YouTube 4K, Instagram or a high-quality master.
Presets save time and prevent mistakes. Instead of setting a dozen options for every export, you pick the right preset and know the result will play correctly on the target platform.
Most creators use two or three presets: a high-quality master, a web upload version and sometimes a small preview for sharing quickly.
How it works in practice
For web platforms, H.264 or H.265 in MP4 at the source frame rate and a generous bitrate is a safe choice. Match the resolution to the project, and use the platform recommendations as a minimum rather than a target.
Keep a master export at high quality, ideally at the project resolution and a high bitrate, so you can create other versions later without re-exporting from the edit. Name presets clearly so you never wonder which one you used.
Test a new preset with a short section of the edit before exporting a long video, and watch the result on the device your audience will use.
What to watch out for
Wrong frame rate or resolution in a preset causes stutter, black bars or soft images. Check that the preset matches your timeline settings before every export.
Very low bitrate presets designed for small files produce blocky, smeared results in action footage. Use higher bitrates for snow, water, foliage and fast motion.
Presets made for one platform may not suit another. A vertical preset for short-form video will not work for a horizontal film, so keep separate presets for each target and review them when platforms change their recommendations, since recompression rules evolve.
How RawClip handles it
RawClip handles export for you and delivers every highlight as MP4 in 4K and 1080p, ready to share or edit further. Download the version you need for your platform and post your highlight directly.