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Mastering the Art of Video Sharing on Discord: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you want to share a video on Discord? The good news is, it’s generally a straightforward process. But to become a true Discord video virtuoso, you need to understand the nuances, limitations, and clever workarounds. Let’s dive in!

How to send a video on Discord? There are three primary ways: Directly uploading, linking from a video platform, and leveraging Discord Nitro features for larger files. We’ll break down each method step-by-step, revealing the secrets to a seamless sharing experience.

Direct Upload: The Quick and Easy Method

This is the most common approach, ideal for shorter, smaller video files.

Step 1: Choosing Your Destination

First, decide where you want to send the video. Is it a direct message to a friend, a channel in a specific server, or a thread within that channel? Navigate to your desired location.

Step 2: Unleashing the Attachment Power

Look for the “+” icon next to the message bar. Click it. This opens your file explorer, ready to accept your video offering.

Step 3: The Grand Selection

Browse your computer and locate the video file you wish to share. Select it and click “Open.”

Step 4: The Wait is On!

Discord will now begin uploading your video. A progress bar will show the upload’s status. Remember, free Discord accounts have a file size limit of 8MB. If your video exceeds this, you’ll need to compress it (more on that later) or use another method.

Step 5: The Final Flourish (Optional)

While the video uploads, you can add a comment or message to accompany it. This adds context and makes the sharing experience more engaging.

Step 6: Sending it Home!

Once the upload completes, hit “Enter” or click the “Send” icon. Your video is now live on Discord, ready for viewing!

Linking from a Video Platform: Bypass the Limits!

For larger videos or those already hosted online, linking is your best friend. This method doesn’t consume Discord’s bandwidth and bypasses the file size limits.

Step 1: Mastering the Link

Upload your video to a platform like YouTube, Vimeo, Streamable, or even a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox (make sure the permissions allow viewing!). Obtain the direct link to the video.

Step 2: The Paste and Send

Simply paste the video link into the Discord chat where you want to share it. Discord is smart enough to recognize the link and automatically embed a preview of the video (in most cases).

Step 3: Optional Commentary

As before, add a message explaining what the video is about or why you’re sharing it.

The Advantages

Bypasses File Size Limits: You can share videos of any size, as long as the hosting platform allows it.
Centralized Video Hosting: Keeps your video library organized on a dedicated platform.
Streaming Advantages: Platforms like YouTube offer better streaming quality and viewing options.

Unleash Nitro Power: Larger Files, More Freedom!

Discord Nitro subscribers enjoy enhanced benefits, including a significantly increased file size limit.

Nitro Boost: The Key to Expansion

Having a Discord Nitro subscription raises your upload limit to 100MB. Nitro Classic subscribers get a 50MB limit. This opens the door to sharing higher-quality or longer videos directly.

How to Use It

The process for uploading a video with Nitro is the same as the “Direct Upload” method, but you’ll now be able to upload files up to the limit determined by your Nitro subscription.

Is Nitro Worth It?

If you frequently share videos on Discord, especially larger ones, Nitro is definitely worth considering. It streamlines the process and eliminates the need for compression or external hosting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is my video not sending on Discord?

Several reasons could be at play:

File Size Limit: Exceeding the 8MB (free), 50MB (Nitro Classic) or 100MB (Nitro) limit.
File Format: Discord might not support the video’s format. Try converting it to MP4.
Internet Connection: A slow or unstable connection can interrupt the upload.
Discord Server Issues: Rare, but Discord servers can sometimes experience temporary hiccups.
Permissions: If it’s a server channel, ensure you have the necessary permissions to send files.

2. What video formats does Discord support?

Discord officially supports MP4, MOV, and WebM formats. MP4 is generally the most compatible and widely recommended. If your video is in another format, you’ll need to convert it.

3. How do I compress a video to reduce its file size for Discord?

Several tools can help:

HandBrake (Free and Open Source): A powerful desktop application for video transcoding and compression.
Online Video Compressors: Numerous websites offer free online video compression (be mindful of privacy).
Mobile Apps: Many video editing apps on smartphones allow you to compress videos before sharing.
iMovie/Windows Movie Maker (Built-in): Basic video editing software that often includes compression options.

When compressing, adjust the resolution, bitrate, and frame rate to balance file size and quality.

4. How do I send a video from my phone to Discord?

The process is similar to sending from a computer. Open the Discord app, navigate to the desired chat, tap the “+” icon, select the video from your phone’s gallery, and send. Ensure you’re connected to a stable Wi-Fi network to avoid data charges.

5. Can I send a live video on Discord?

Yes, Discord offers screen sharing and Go Live features that effectively allow live video streaming.

Screen Sharing: Allows you to share your entire screen or a specific application window with others in a voice channel.
Go Live: Lets you stream a specific game to a channel, allowing others to watch and interact.

These are primarily designed for live gameplay or demonstrations.

6. How do I fix the “File is too large” error on Discord?

Compress the video: Use a video compressor to reduce its file size.
Use Nitro: If you frequently encounter this issue, consider subscribing to Discord Nitro.
Link the video: Upload it to a platform like YouTube and share the link.

7. Why is my video blurry on Discord?

Discord automatically compresses videos, which can sometimes result in reduced quality. To minimize blurriness:

Upload a higher-quality video initially.
Use a higher bitrate during compression (if compressing yourself).
Test different video platforms: some might have better compression algorithms.

8. How do I share a YouTube video on Discord so it embeds properly?

Simply paste the YouTube video link directly into the chat. Discord should automatically embed a preview. If it doesn’t, ensure that link previews are enabled in your Discord settings (Text & Images section).

9. Can I send videos in Discord bots?

Yes, you can! Discord bots can send video files, typically by uploading them using the Discord API. However, the same file size limits apply. The code will vary depending on the bot’s programming language and the Discord API library used (e.g., Discord.py, Discord.js).

10. Is there a limit to the number of videos I can send on Discord?

Discord doesn’t officially impose a limit on the number of videos you can send. However, excessive use might be flagged if it violates Discord’s Terms of Service or Community Guidelines.

11. How do I enable or disable video previews on Discord?

Navigate to User Settings -> Text & Images and toggle the “Show website preview info from links pasted into chat” option. Disabling this will prevent Discord from generating previews for all links, including videos.

12. Can I download videos that are sent to me on Discord?

Whether you can download a video depends on how it was sent. If it was a direct upload, you can usually right-click (or long-press on mobile) and select “Save Video As…” to download it. If it’s a linked video (e.g., from YouTube), you’ll need to use a separate video downloader tool or service.

By mastering these techniques and understanding the limitations, you’ll become a true Discord video maestro, confidently sharing your creations and enjoying the content shared by others!