For WhatsApp, you are limited with size, if I remember around 32MB max, so the video must be low res, 720p max.

For Instagram, I usually use Magix AVC internet templates, but lately using Voukoder. 720p with bitrate 3-4Mbps is sufficient.

Personally never tried SonyAVC of Internet template like j-v's suggestion, but I think it should also work.

Most social media platforms you send it a video format it accepts, it re-encodes. So do high quality and high bitrate encode, and let it re-encode. WhatsApp and discord and also telegram( in file mode) are different, they don't re-encode, and have restrictions on file size, 16mb for WhatsApp, 8mb for non boosted discord servers, it is in those circumstances your encoding skills can shine. The absolute best you could do in those situations is use x264. As example tiktok's x264 encoding profile

cabac=1 / ref=5 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=hex / subme=8 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=2 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=30 / lookahead_threads=5 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=3 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=22 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=50 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=24.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / vbv_maxrate=4000 / vbv_bufsize=8000 / crf_max=0.0 / nal_hrd=none / filler=0 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00

But to keep things simple I would use the sony codec that you see JV using, it will give a better quality encode at low bitrate than Magix AVC, your resolution and bitrate dependant on how long your video is. end result must be 16MB or lower for WhatsApp, 720p would seem like a reasonable place to start as Set suggests

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIA_hlaBJoK/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHmzF2whdUH/

2 latest posts in my Instagram. 1080x1080 resolution rendered with Voukoder.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIA_hlaBJoK/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHmzF2whdUH/

2 latest posts in my Instagram. 1080x1080 resolution rendered with Voukoder.

Bit rate                                 : 813 kb/s
Width                                    : 640 pixels
Height                                   : 640 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 1.000

I"m amazed they use such low resolution and bitrate settings in 2020, their IG stories get a better bitrate

Bit rate                                 : 2 145 kb/s
Width                                    : 640 pixels
Height                                   : 1 136 pixels

Wonder how the video quality in IGTV...?

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CHU0d9qhCbL/

*Same Instagram but for >1 minute duration up to 60 minutes videos.

Bit rate                                 : 1 533 kb/s
Width                                    : 1 152 pixels
Height                                   : 648 pixel

The stories definitely look better quality, it's unusual they do that. I guess they want to make sure the IG website video is able to be played by the highest percentage of people in all situations even terrible mobile bitrate and data plans

Try this customized( if needed) template of VPro 14

Thank you for this information.

This is how the template already is. So what do I customize if I have to?

Bit rate                                 : 1 533 kb/s
Width                                    : 1 152 pixels
Height                                   : 648 pixel

The stories definitely look better quality, it's unusual they do that. I guess they want to make sure the IG website video is able to be played by the highest percentage of people in all situations even terrible mobile bitrate and data plans

Oh, wow. This is pure gold! Thank you.

Most social media platforms you send it a video format it accepts, it re-encodes. So do high quality and high bitrate encode, and let it re-encode. WhatsApp and discord and also telegram( in file mode) are different, they don't re-encode, and have restrictions on file size, 16mb for WhatsApp, 8mb for non boosted discord servers, it is in those circumstances your encoding skills can shine. The absolute best you could do in those situations is use x264. As example tiktok's x264 encoding profile

cabac=1 / ref=5 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=hex / subme=8 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=2 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=30 / lookahead_threads=5 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=3 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=22 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=50 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=24.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / vbv_maxrate=4000 / vbv_bufsize=8000 / crf_max=0.0 / nal_hrd=none / filler=0 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00

But to keep things simple I would use the sony codec that you see JV using, it will give a better quality encode at low bitrate than Magix AVC, your resolution and bitrate dependant on how long your video is. end result must be 16MB or lower for WhatsApp, 720p would seem like a reasonable place to start as Set suggests

Thank you for this priceless education. You are too kind.

This is how the template already is. So what do I customize if I have to?

The framerate if you sources have another framerate. But you did not tell us those of your project

This is how the template already is. So what do I customize if I have to?

The bitrate if you sources have another bitrate. But you did not tell us those of your project

I don't know how to check

 

I just checked the properties of the rendered project and it says Un-dersample Rate 25 fps.

don't know how to check bitrate of an un-redered project as it's several clips.

Sorry, novice here.

Plus I have rendered and uploaded the video on Instagram and it works like a charm. Thank you!

Guys thank you for your help so far.

I have sorted Instagram but WhatsApp is still elusive. I have been downgrading the video quality step by step by lowering the Frame Size from 1920 X 1080. Right now I am trying 640X360.

Is there any other setting that I need to tinker with here?!

WhatsApp only care about file size, even bitrate will goes down to <1Mbps.

I assume it is the same video as you posted in Instagram Feed, so max duration is also 1 minute max?

The video is 5 minutes long. It works perfectly in Instagram. But I need to bring it from over 300MB down to 17 MB for WhatsApp.

UGH! 😵

I personally will just post it to YouTube as unlisted and share the link of YouTube (or just IG)...

Well, no other way I can suggest than do low-resolution rendering and extremely low bitrate to fit 17MB.

My rough calculation for bitrate is going to be as low as 300Kbps