Sharing high quality videos through email can be frustrating when attachments get rejected for size limits. Fortunately, cloud services like Google Drive and WeTransfer make sending large files incredibly easy. This guide covers simple tutorials for both options plus expert advice to pick the right platform.
The Challenges of Emailing Large Videos
Attaching a sizable video to an email seems like it should be straightforward. But limitations quickly complicate things:
- Email attachments max out at 25MB on most providers
- Large files strain inbox storage quotas
- Slow upload and download speeds
- Video clarity loss from extreme compression
You end up forced to downgrade quality, split across multiple emails or forego sharing completely.
Thankfully technology now provides fantastic alternatives for seamless file transfers…
A Better Way: Cloud Sharing Eliminates Headaches
Modern file sharing platforms offer solutions perfectly suited for large videos:
- No more size cutoffs – Store and share files up to 1TB+
- Stream instantly – Playback directly from the cloud
- Control access – Manage viewer permissions
- Simplify transfers – Easy drag and drop uploads
Two top contenders making it possible are Google Drive and WeTransfer. Let‘s examine how each can rescue your video sharing dreams!
Google Drive: Feature-Packed Cloud Storage
With tight integration across Google services, Drive provides robust tools for managing personal and work videos.
Step-By-Step Guide to Uploading and Sharing
Follow this simple tutorial to add large videos to Google Drive then generate shareable links:
Uploading
Google supports nearly all video formats including MP4, AVI, MKV, MOV and many more. Click "New" then "File Upload" to pick videos from your desktop.
Sharing
The "Share" popout lets you customize link permissions, disable downloads, and view access metrics. Copy the generated link to share in emails, documents or social posts.
Recipients stream videos smoothly without local storage hassles.
Paid Plans Unlock More Storage
Google Drive offers a generous 15GB free tier. Paid subscriptions include:
- 100GB – $19.99 per year
- 200GB – $29.99 per year
- 2TB and above – See Google One pricing
Space upgrades apply across Drive, Gmail and Photos for things like 4K video backups. Family plans allow sharing the allowance.
Link Sharing Provides Analytics
The integrations with Google‘s ecosystem give Drive an advantage in understanding how people interact with your videos.
Monitor link analytics to see:
- Number of viewers
- Playback stats like average watch time
- Activity timeline tracking access
- Names and avatars (if signed into Google)
This visibility informs whether your videos hit the mark.
WeTransfer: Quick Sharing Without Accounts
This clever Dutch startup aims for frictionless file delivering. Drag, drop and send with an elegantly simple interface.
Generous Free Tier
WeTransfer allows up to 2GB per transfer without an account. Simply provide your email, recipient‘s address, an optional message, then hit send!
Free user transfers last 7 days before expiring. Or register for an account to send up to 20GB files valid for 1 year.
No Size Limits on Paid Plans
WeTransfer Plus paid plans begin around $12 per month. Features include:
- Send files up to 20GB
- 1 year transfer expiration
- Password protection and customization
- Access to WeTransfer Apps
The $120 per year "Pro" plan allows staggering unlimited transfers up to 100GB in size!
Video Format Support
WeTransfer supports all the essential media formats:
- QuickTime (.MOV)
- MP4 (MP4, M4V)
- AVI (.AVI)
- MPEG (.MPG, .MPEG)
- Microsoft Video (.WMV)
Tested upload speeds clock between 5-10MB per second on average connections. Transfers finish in minutes for large files.
How Do Google Drive and WeTransfer Compare?
| Google Drive | WeTransfer | |
|---|---|---|
| Free Storage Space | 15GB | 2GB per transfer |
| Max File Size (Free) | 5TB (paid plans) | 2GB |
| Link Expiration | Custom Set | 7 days (free) 1 year (paid) |
| Password Protection | Yes | Yes (paid plans) |
| Ads | No | Yes (free) |
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- Google Drive offers deep integration with Google‘s app ecosystem alongside enterprise-grade storage tiers
- WeTransfer makes ad hoc media sharing simple without requiring an account
Which solution fits best depends on your budget, recipient needs and how you want to manage videos long term.
Pro Tips for Preparing Shareable Videos
Raw video straight from the camera gets unusably large. Use these tips to "slim down" your files first:
Know Optimal Settings
Balance quality and size with parameters like:
- Resolution – 1080p or 720p sufficient for most
- Bitrate encoding – Higher efficiency codecs like H.264
- Keyframes – More keyframes means smaller files
- Variable framerate – Avoid static 30 or 60fps if unnecessary
Use Best Practices
Additional ways to shrink files:
- MP4 format – Advanced compression capabilities
- 2-pass encoding – Slower but results in smaller files
- Downmix audio – Mono or stereo over surround sound
- Sample/bitrate rate – DVD quality sufficient for most needs
Utilize Tools
Software tailor made for video optimization:
- Handbrake – Open source compressor
- Adobe Media Encoder – Automated batch processing
- Avidemux – Editor and converter
- MacX Video Converter Pro – Format shifter with presets
Following some best practices ensures your videos look fantastic playing from the cloud!
Keeping Your Videos Secure in the Cloud
Storing personal data on external services always presents potential privacy and security risks. Consider precautions like:
Look for Encryption Standards
Google Drive and WeTransfer leverage strong protocols:
- TLS – Encrypts data during transfers
- AES-256 – Highest grade encryption secures cloud data
Similar to banking, transmissions and storage remain private.
Customize Access
Use built-in permissions to narrowly define visibility:
- Require login to view or download
- Make links one-use only then disable
- Set automatic expiration timeframe
Think Before Sharing Sensitive Videos
While encrypted, even temporary public visibility poses threats:
- Screen recording or file duplication
- Visibility through search engines or social media
- Potential data breaches of the storage provider
For personal media or confidential data, private cloud storage keeps control in your hands.
Bring Your Videos to Life!
Don‘t let outdated email attachments prevent you from sharing those magical video moments!
Modern sharing platforms remove all limits around size and streaming so your media looks incredible playing directly from secure cloud servers.
- Google Drive simplifies managing videos alongside other important files
- WeTransfer makes ad hoc transfers smooth and efficient
Saving precious memories for posterity poses enough challenges without adding painful technical hurdles. Let this guide free you to focus on the human emotions tied to special video content!
