Facebook Video Formats Explained: HD vs SD Quality

When downloading Facebook videos, you'll often see options for "HD" and "SD" quality. But what do these terms actually mean, and which should you choose? This guide explains everything you need to know about Facebook video formats.

HD vs SD: What's the Difference?

SD (Standard Definition) refers to lower resolution video, typically 480p or lower. It's the "standard" that was used for TV broadcasts and DVDs before HD became widespread.

HD (High Definition) refers to higher resolution video, starting at 720p and going up to 1080p (Full HD) or even higher. HD provides sharper, clearer images with more detail.

Understanding Video Resolutions

Resolution refers to the number of pixels in a video frame. More pixels = more detail. Here's a breakdown of common resolutions:

Quality	Resolution	Pixel Count	Common Name
SD	640 x 360	230,400	360p
SD	854 x 480	409,920	480p
HD	1280 x 720	921,600	720p HD
Full HD	1920 x 1080	2,073,600	1080p Full HD

As you can see, 1080p Full HD has nearly 10 times more pixels than 360p SD, resulting in much sharper and more detailed video.

File Sizes and Storage

Higher quality means larger file sizes. Here's approximately what you can expect for a 1-minute video:

Quality	Approx. File Size (1 min)	Approx. File Size (10 min)
SD (360p)	5-10 MB	50-100 MB
SD (480p)	10-15 MB	100-150 MB
HD (720p)	20-40 MB	200-400 MB
Full HD (1080p)	50-80 MB	500-800 MB

These are estimates - actual sizes depend on the video's complexity and compression.

How to Choose the Right Quality

Choose HD When:

• You want the best possible quality
• You'll watch on a large screen (TV, computer monitor)
• You have plenty of storage space
• You have a fast internet connection
• The video contains text or fine details

Choose SD When:

• You're watching on a small screen (phone)
• Storage space is limited
• You have slow internet or data caps
• You want faster downloads
• Video quality isn't critical for your use

Video File Formats

Facebook videos are typically downloaded in MP4 format, which is the most widely compatible video format. Here's what you need to know:

MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14)

• Compatibility: Works on virtually all devices and players
• Compression: Good balance of quality and file size
• Codec: Usually H.264 or H.265

MP4 files from Facebook will play on:

• All smartphones (iPhone, Android)
• All computers (Windows, Mac, Linux)
• Smart TVs
• Tablets
• Web browsers
• Media players (VLC, Windows Media Player, QuickTime)

Why HD Isn't Always Available

Sometimes you'll find that only SD quality is available for a video. This can happen because:

1. Original upload quality: If the video was uploaded in SD, HD won't be available
2. Old videos: Videos uploaded before HD became standard may only have SD
3. Mobile uploads: Videos recorded and uploaded from older phones may be lower quality
4. Processing: Facebook is still processing the HD version (try again later)

Tips for Best Results

1. Download both if unsure: If you have the option, download both HD and SD. Keep the HD for archival and use SD for mobile viewing.
2. Check before downloading: Preview the quality options to see what's available before starting the download.
3. Consider your use case: Sharing via messaging apps often compresses video anyway, so SD might be sufficient.
4. Storage management: Regularly clean out videos you no longer need to free up space for HD downloads.

Video Quality and Playback

Remember that video quality also affects playback smoothness:

• Older devices: May struggle to play Full HD smoothly
• Limited RAM: SD uses less memory during playback
• Battery life: HD playback uses more power than SD