Should I compress small videos BEFORE combining together?

[magentawave]

I have 9 different mp4's that I'm going to combine into one 71 minute long video. This video will only be viewed online.

My questions please...

1) Should I compress the 9 videos before I combine them into one video?

2) Or should I just compress the final 71 minute long video?

3) Would the video file size get even smaller if I compressed all 9 videos before combining them into one and then also compress the final 71 minute long video?

Again, this video will only be viewed online.

Thanks very much.

[Woodstock]

It would seem to be logical, assuming you have enough space, to do all your editing/clipping/merging BEFORE you reduce the quality of the video by compressing it... Build your video, THEN compress it, so all your transitions are exactly what you expect.

[musicvid]

3) Would the video file size get even smaller if I compressed all 9 videos before combining them into one and then also compress the final 71 minute long video?

I can imagine no possible scenario where that would be an advantage.
Your videos are already compressed.
You want as few lossy generational renders as possible . . . meaning one at most.

[magentawave]

Got it. I will combine them first and then compress. Thanks everyone!