Getting Started with Compression

Compression 5 min read Updated November 2024

Learn how to compress your media files using cutting-edge codecs like AVIF, AV1, and Opus - achieving up to 80% size reduction while maintaining excellent quality.

Overview

TomYaYa leverages the latest compression technologies to dramatically reduce your media file sizes:

  • AVIF for images: 50%+ smaller than JPEG at equivalent quality
  • AV1 for video: 35%+ smaller than H.264 with better visual quality
  • Opus for audio: 65%+ smaller than MP3 while sounding better

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

  • TomYaYa installed on your computer
  • Media files you want to compress
  • Sufficient free disk space for temporary files during conversion

Quick Start

Step 1: Open Compression

Launch TomYaYa and click the Compression tile on the dashboard or select it from the sidebar.

Step 2: Add Files

Drag and drop files onto the window, or click Add Files to browse. You can add:

  • Individual files
  • Entire folders
  • Mixed media types (images, videos, audio)

Step 3: Choose Output Format

TomYaYa automatically selects the best codec for each file type:

  • Images → AVIF
  • Videos → AV1
  • Audio → Opus

You can override these defaults in Settings if needed.

Step 4: Set Quality Level

Use the quality slider to balance size vs. quality:

  • High (80-100): Near-lossless, minimal size reduction
  • Medium (50-79): Excellent quality, significant size savings
  • Low (20-49): Good quality, maximum compression
Recommendation: Start with quality 75 for a great balance of size and quality. Adjust based on your needs.

Step 5: Start Compression

Click Start to begin. TomYaYa shows progress for each file including estimated size savings.

Output Options

Choose where to save compressed files:

  • Replace original: Overwrite source files (backup created automatically)
  • Same folder: Save alongside originals with suffix
  • Custom folder: Save all output to a specific location

Next Steps