How to Professionally Convert 4K to 1080p on Windows and Mac

Nola Jones Nola Jones
Apr 06, 2023 (Updated: Apr 06, 2023)Filed to: Video Editing

High resolution has become more popular with today’s technology. It brought good quality for videos on TVs and shooting on a camera. However, many people need to downscale 4K to 1080p because HD quality has its disadvantages on your device. And these bad outcomes is incompatibility with some players and devices. When you try to watch a high-res video clip on your computer, it might not play. So, this article shows how to convert 4K to 1080p using powerful tools.

Part 1: 3 Ways to Downscale 4K Video to 1080P [Windows/Mac]

You can find many converters in your local online shop, but there is no guarantee that a converter will export videos of the best quality. In this case, this part will reveal the best software to downscale 4K to 1080p that you can install on Windows and Mac.

1. AnyRec Video Converter

AnyRec Video Converter is a lightweight converter that supports over 1000 formats, including video, image, and audio. It allows importing large video files like 4K to downscale to 1080p while keeping the quality. Of course, it also provides advanced settings where users can change the output video format, resolution, quality, bitrate, and more. AnyRec Video Converter is the ideal solution as it is dedicated to converting files without losing quality.

AnyRec Video Converter Package
AnyRec Video Converter

Convert videos like MP4, AVI, MKV, and WebM to downscale 4K to 1080p.

Detect and fix blurry parts with AI technology while downscaling to 1080p.

Support downscaling a batch of 4K videos to 1080p at one time.

Add subtitles to the 1080p video after downloading for easily watching.

Free Download

100% Secure

Free Download

100% Secure

Step 1.From AnyRec’s webpage, download the Video Converter. Click the Add button to "add" the video. You can also import multiple clips by clicking the "Add Folder" button.

Free Download

100% Secure

Free Download

100% Secure

AnyRec Add File Folder

Step 2.Go to the Format menu and choose the output format. There are already 4K, 1080p, and other options in the resolution section, but you can configure them on the "Custom Profile".

AnyRec Format Custom Profile

Step 3.Click the gear icons from the resolution options to open the dialog menu. Change the video settings. Save the new custom profile by clicking the "Create New" button.

AnyRec Edit Profile

Step 4.To select the designated folder of the output video, go to the "Save To" menu at the bottom. Then, click the "Convert All" button to start the converting process.

AnyRec Save to Convert All
Free Download

100% Secure

Free Download

100% Secure

2. VLC Media Player

Aside from its utilization as a media player, VLC also gains popularity because of its advanced settings. You can use it as a 4K to 1080p downscaler as it helps to reduce video size without limitations. It has a wide range of supported formats, including WMV, H.264. MPEG-2, MP4, etc. You may encounter problems when reducing the file size, especially with performance speed, since it does not support hardware acceleration.

Step 1.Launch the software and navigate to the Media menu. Click the "Convert/Save" button from the drop-down menu. Click the "Add" button from the "Open Media" window to import the 4K video. Continue by clicking the "Convert/Save" button.

VLC Open Media

Step 2.Head to the Profile menu and click the "Video for MPEG4 1080p TV/device" button from the list. Click the "Browse" button from Destination to choose the folder to save the output. At last, click the "Start" button to downscale the video.

VLC Convert

3. Handbrake

Another open-source software that has the ability to downscale 4K to 1080p. It is also cross-platform and is downloadable on Windows, Linux, and macOS. Moreover, it processes popular video files and converts them with built-in presets, resolutions, and quality. Handbrake poses a difficulty, but you can follow the demonstration below:

Step 1.After installing Handbrake, launch the software and upload the 4K file on its interface. Find the "Presets" menu from the top toolbar and select "General" from its list.

Step 2.Choose the "1080p30" option. Alternatively, go to the "Dimensions" tab, and type 1920 in the "Width" empty box and 1080 in the "Height" box. Start the conversion and save the file.

Handbrake Presets

Part 2: Decrease 4K Video to 1080P on Webpage [Online]

If you want a quick way to downscale 4K to 1080p, use the online HD Converter. This free online tool secures upscale video to 4K or downscale video to 1080p conversion with any output format like MP4 and MOV. It is also accessible to other devices, such as Android, iOS, PC, and more. Unfortunately, the free version will apply its watermark to your video and is removable by purchasing the premium version.

Step 1.Visit the online converter and click the "Convert Video to MP4" button. Select the 4K file from your computer and click the "Next" button.

HD Converter Convert Video to MP4

Step 2.Choose the desired output format and proceed to the resolution. Select the "Full HD" 1080p option and preferred quality. Click the "Convert File" button to apply the changes.

HD Converter Resolution Quality Convert

Part 3: FAQs about Downscaling 4K to 1080P

Conclusion

With the software for Windows and Mac, you can now downscale 4K to 1080p without losing quality. Although it is great to watch 4K movies, you still must consider the storage space and incompatibility with some devices. That’s why it is reasonable to lower the resolution without reducing the quality. For batch conversion to downscale 4K to 1080p, use AnyRec Video Converter with outstanding advanced settings.

Free Download

100% Secure

Free Download

100% Secure

Related Articles: