SmoothyApp’s Compressor makes HEVC MP4 copies of selected video files. It checks for a supported hardware encoder and can fall back to software encoding. It does not change the export engine of your Premiere project; export the timeline first if you need to compress a finished edit.
Hardware encoding and software encoding
Hardware encoders use dedicated media circuitry. Software encoding uses the CPU. Which one performs better for a particular job depends on codec support, resolution, quality settings, drivers and the machine.
Hardware encoding can shorten the compression stage, but there is no universal speed multiplier. Effects rendering, decoding, storage and audio processing can still limit an overall workflow. Compare a representative clip before compressing a large batch.
What SmoothyApp checks
The compressor code checks these HEVC encoders when available:
- Apple’s VideoToolbox on macOS.
- NVIDIA NVENC.
- AMD AMF on Windows.
- Intel Quick Sync.
- The libx265 software fallback.
A GPU brand alone does not prove the required HEVC encoder is usable. The hardware generation, operating system and installed drivers matter. Use the app’s detected capability rather than assuming acceleration from the specification sheet.
Choose a useful compression target
- Open Compressor in SmoothyApp.
- Add the video files you want to compress.
- Choose the available quality and output settings.
- Run the job and inspect the resulting MP4 copies.
- Play a sample on the device or application that will receive it.
Original files remain unchanged. Keep a high-quality original or master; a smaller review copy is not a replacement for the source project and media.
Judge quality with difficult frames
Look at motion, hair, fine texture, gradients and dark scenes. A talking-head shot against a simple background may compress well while a screen capture with tiny text does not. Do not choose a preset solely from the final file size.
Every lossy re-encode can change the picture. Start from the best source you have and avoid repeatedly compressing an already compressed delivery file. If preserving fine detail matters more than file size, use a less aggressive setting.
Check HEVC compatibility
HEVC playback depends on the recipient’s device and software. Confirm the delivery requirement before sending a file, especially for browser playback, client reviews or older machines. When a recipient asks for a different codec, use an export tool that supports that requirement.
This tool compresses existing files. It is separate from local caption generation, silence removal and optional Studio cloud AI.