You’ve finished editing the perfect video. Now you need to get it to your client, and it’s 15GB of 4K footage. Email laughs at you with its 25MB limit. This is a problem.
Video files are uniquely challenging to share. They’re massive, they’re time-sensitive, and compression often isn’t an option when quality matters. Here’s how to handle large video transfers like a pro.
Why Video Files Are So Large
Modern video files push the boundaries of file sharing in ways other content doesn’t.
Resolution Keeps Increasing
1080p HD video at 30fps runs about 130MB per minute for high-quality footage. A 10-minute video is over 1GB.
4K video at the same framerate is roughly 375MB per minute. That same 10-minute video is now 3.75GB.
8K video can hit 1GB per minute. Professional RAW footage? Even larger.
Codecs and Compression
Video files use codecs to compress visual data, but there are tradeoffs.
Highly compressed formats like H.264 create smaller files but lose quality. Fine for social media, not fine for professional work.
Lightly compressed formats like ProRes or DNxHD maintain quality but create enormous files. A 5-minute ProRes 422 clip can be 20GB.
Uncompressed RAW footage from cinema cameras can hit hundreds of gigabytes per hour of footage.
Why You Can’t Just Compress More
When a client asks for “the final video,” they usually mean:
- The highest quality version
- Suitable for their intended use (broadcast, web, archive)
- In a specific format or codec
Compressing to make the file smaller often defeats the purpose. If they need broadcast-quality, sending a heavily compressed web version doesn’t help.
Traditional Methods (And Why They Fall Short)
Let’s review the common approaches and their limitations.
Email Attachment: Not Happening
Email caps out at 25-50MB depending on provider. Even a short 4K clip exceeds this. Email is dead on arrival for video sharing.
Cloud Storage: The Usual Suspect
Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive are the go-to solutions. Upload your video, share a link, done.
The problems:
Upload time. A 10GB file on typical home internet (35 Mbps upload) takes about 40 minutes. You can’t send the link until this completes.
Storage quota. That video counts against your storage limit until you manually delete it. Free tiers run out fast.
Download limits. Some services throttle download speeds for free users or impose bandwidth caps.
Recipient friction. They often need to create an account or sign in to download.
WeTransfer and Similar Services
WeTransfer became popular because it’s purpose-built for large file transfers. Upload, enter recipient email, send. The free tier allows 2GB transfers.
This works, but:
- 2GB isn’t enough for many video projects
- You still wait for the full upload before getting a link
- No control over expiration (7 days, non-negotiable)
- Can’t add files after sending
Physical Media
For truly massive transfers (100GB+), some professionals still use physical drives. Ship a hard drive or SSD via FedEx.
This guarantees delivery and handles any file size, but:
- Takes days instead of minutes
- Costs money for drives and shipping
- Drives need to be returned or written off
- Can’t do last-minute changes
Physical media is a last resort, not a first choice.
Modern Solutions for Video Sharing
Purpose-built file transfer services have evolved to handle video’s unique demands.
What Video Professionals Need
Speed. Fast upload and download. Waiting 2 hours to share a file is unacceptable when clients need it now.
Size support. Minimum 10GB, ideally much more. Video projects regularly exceed typical file limits.
Reliability. The transfer must work. Corrupt downloads or failed uploads waste everyone’s time.
Simplicity. Clients shouldn’t need technical knowledge to download. One click, no barriers.
Security. Client footage is confidential. Password protection and encryption matter.
Link-First Transfer Services
The newest approach generates your shareable link before you upload. This changes the workflow:
Old way:
- Start upload
- Wait 30-60 minutes
- Get link
- Send to client
- Client downloads
New way:
- Get link instantly
- Send to client immediately
- Upload in background
- Client sees files appear in real-time
This saves time and feels more responsive. Your client gets the link while you’re still uploading, and they can start downloading as soon as the first chunks finish transferring.
Streaming Preview vs. Download
Some services let recipients stream videos before downloading. This is useful for:
- Quick review of rough cuts
- Confirming the right file before a large download
- Mobile viewing without eating storage
However, streaming requires additional processing and may reduce quality. For final deliverables, direct download is still king.
Step-by-Step: Sending Large Video Files
Here’s the most efficient workflow for sharing video files with clients or collaborators.
Step 1: Prepare Your Video
Before uploading, make sure you’re sending the right thing.
Export in the requested format. If the client specified MP4, don’t send MOV. If they need ProRes, H.264 won’t cut it.
Check your file size. Know how large it is so you can choose an appropriate service.
Name it clearly. “ProjectName_Final_v3_20250115.mp4” is much better than “output.mp4.”
Include any necessary files. If you’re sending a video project, include associated files (SRT subtitles, XML edit files, etc.) in a ZIP.
Step 2: Choose Your Transfer Method
Based on file size:
- Under 2GB: Most services work fine
- 2-10GB: Look for services with higher limits
- 10-50GB: You need a service specifically designed for large files
- 50GB+: Consider splitting into parts or using specialized large file transfer services
Step 3: Start the Transfer
For link-first services:
- Create a new transfer link
- Copy the link immediately
- Begin uploading your video file
For traditional services:
- Upload your video file
- Wait for completion
- Generate and copy the share link
Step 4: Send to Recipient
Compose a clear message:
Hi [Name],
Here's the final cut of [Project Name]: [link]
File details:
- Format: MP4 (H.264)
- Resolution: 4K (3840x2160)
- Duration: 5:32
- Size: 8.3GB
The link will be active for 7 days. Let me know if you have any issues downloading.
Thanks,
[Your name]This gives the recipient all the context they need.
Step 5: Confirm Delivery
For important deliverables, ask the recipient to confirm:
- They received the link
- The download completed successfully
- The video plays correctly
This avoids the nightmare scenario where they can’t open the file and you’ve already deleted your backup.
Advanced Techniques for Video Professionals
Splitting Large Projects
If you have a 50GB project, consider splitting it into logical chunks:
- Separate video file and project files
- Break multi-video deliverables into individual transfers
- Send rough cuts separately from final renders
This makes downloads more manageable and reduces the risk of corruption.
Using Proxies for Review
For review and approval workflows, send a smaller proxy version first:
- Export a compressed “review copy” (1-2GB)
- Client reviews and approves
- Send full-resolution master after approval
This saves bandwidth and time. No point uploading 20GB if the client wants changes.
Automated Workflows
If you send video files regularly, automate what you can:
Export presets in your editing software ensure consistent naming and formatting.
Scripts can automatically upload files after export.
Integration tools can notify clients when uploads complete.
The less manual work, the faster your delivery.
Checksums for Verification
For critical transfers, use checksums to verify file integrity:
- Generate a checksum (MD5 or SHA-256) of your source file
- Include the checksum in your delivery message
- Recipient generates a checksum of the downloaded file
- Compare checksums to confirm perfect transfer
This is standard practice in professional video delivery.
Common Video Sharing Problems (And Solutions)
“The Upload Is Taking Forever”
Problem: Your internet connection’s upload speed is the bottleneck.
Solutions:
- Upload during off-peak hours when your network is less congested
- Use a wired connection instead of WiFi
- Consider uploading from a location with faster internet (office, coworking space)
- Break the file into smaller parts and upload in batches
”The File Is Too Large Even for File Sharing Services”
Problem: Your file exceeds even generous size limits.
Solutions:
- Compress to a slightly smaller codec (H.265 instead of ProRes)
- Split the project into multiple transfers
- Use a specialized large file transfer service with higher limits
- Ship a physical drive for truly massive transfers
”The Client Can’t Download It”
Problem: The download is failing or timing out on the recipient’s end.
Solutions:
- Confirm they have enough storage space
- Check their internet connection is stable
- Try a different browser
- For very large files, they might need to download in segments
”I Need to Send Updated Versions”
Problem: You sent v1, but now you have v2 with fixes.
Solutions:
- Some services let you add files to existing links
- Create a new link for the updated version
- Use version numbers in filenames (v1, v2, v3) so both versions can coexist
”The Video Quality Is Degraded”
Problem: The downloaded video looks worse than your source.
Solutions:
- Make sure you’re using direct file transfer, not streaming compression
- Check that your export settings match the desired quality
- Verify the client is downloading the right file, not a preview
- Confirm the file wasn’t automatically compressed by the service
Bandwidth Considerations
Large video transfers consume significant bandwidth. Be aware of:
Upload Caps
Some ISPs cap monthly uploads. If you regularly send large files, monitor your usage.
Business internet plans often have higher or unlimited caps.
Time of day matters. Some ISPs throttle during peak hours.
Download Caps for Recipients
Your client might have limited bandwidth. A 20GB transfer could be a problem if they’re on a metered connection.
Warn them about file size so they can plan accordingly. “Heads up: this is a 15GB file, make sure you’re on WiFi.”
Security for Sensitive Footage
Video content is often confidential—unreleased commercials, private events, proprietary training materials.
Password Protection
Add a password to your transfer link. Share the password separately (text message, phone call, different email).
This prevents unauthorized access if the link is intercepted or accidentally shared.
Encryption
Some services offer end-to-end encryption. Files are encrypted before upload and can only be decrypted by someone with the link.
This protects against:
- Service provider access
- Data breaches
- Man-in-the-middle attacks
For truly sensitive content, encryption is worth the extra setup.
Expiration
Set the shortest expiration that makes sense. If the client only needs the file for a week, don’t leave it accessible for a month.
Automatic expiration reduces the window for unauthorized access.
Cost Considerations
Free tiers work for occasional transfers, but frequent video sharing might justify a paid plan.
When to Pay
Consider a paid service if you:
- Send large files weekly or more
- Need files to stay available long-term
- Require advanced features (password protection, custom branding)
- Want priority support
- Transfer files larger than free tier limits
Typical Pricing
File transfer services usually charge:
- $10-20/month for individuals
- $30-50/month for teams
- Pay-per-transfer options for occasional heavy use
Compare this to cloud storage:
- 2TB Google Drive: $10/month
- 2TB Dropbox: $12/month
- 2TB OneDrive: $10/month
If you’re already paying for cloud storage, you might not need an additional service.
Future of Video Sharing
As video resolution increases and file sizes grow, sharing infrastructure continues to evolve.
Faster Internet
Gigabit fiber upload speeds are becoming common. A 10GB file that took 40 minutes on old connections now uploads in under 2 minutes.
Better Compression
New codecs like H.265 (HEVC) and AV1 offer better quality at smaller file sizes. As support improves, file sizes will decrease without quality loss.
Edge Distribution
Content delivery networks (CDNs) cache files globally. Recipients download from nearby servers, increasing speed dramatically.
Partial Downloads
Resume capability and chunked downloads make large transfers more reliable. Interruptions don’t mean starting over.
Get Started with Easy Video Sharing
Stop fighting with cloud storage limits and waiting for uploads. FileGrab gives you a shareable link before you upload, so you can send it to clients immediately.
Support for files up to 2GB on the free tier, 10GB storage, and automatic expiration so you don’t manage old files. Pro plans offer 2GB file uploads and 10GB of storage for serious video work.
Try it now—no account required. See how much faster video delivery can be when the service is designed for large files.