Just tried to zip an AVI file. The contents get placed in a zip file O.K but the size of the file is more or less the same, maybe a few bytes smaller.
Any ideas anyone :)

WinRar?

7zip?


Both have been known to produce much smaller archives than winzip:thumbsup:

I used Winzip and the default one on XP - 'save as zip file' but the actual size difference between the original and the zip made me think there was an error.
Will google for the ones you mention - Cheers!

the sizes vary depending on whats zipped / compressed.......film files dont compress that easily and so dont get much smaller.........docs and pics on the other hand do

Originally posted by Draggletail
the zip made me think there was an error.avi files are usually mpeg 4 which was designed for internet media streaming and as such is already highly compressed in the first place (as stated by the others above).

Other file compression utilities will only yeald a further 2-3% in my experience and simply arnt worth it over the headache they cause novice users who dont know how to go about decompressing them (or even that they are compressed etc).

Originally posted by Trickle


Other file compression utilities will only yeald a further 2-3% in my experience and simply arnt worth it over the headache they cause novice users who dont know how to go about decompressing them (or even that they are compressed etc).

True, raring a rar, for example, can actually make a file bigger, and increase the possibility of corruption. so compressing a compressed file can not always be benificial

Joel.

The only way to make a noticeable difference to a film file type with a compression tool is to split it into chunks :) If you want a smaller file, time to dig out your copy of virtualdub or similar, and go recompressing...

Originally posted by rich951
The only way to make a noticeable difference to a film file type with a compression tool is to split it into chunks :) If you want a smaller file, time to dig out your copy of virtualdub or similar, and go recompressing...
Thanks Rich - sounds like grief.......
Just want to send AVIs to in-laws in Australia - think I'll look around for free video hosting sites instead.
Any recommendations? :)

Originally posted by Draggletail
Thanks Rich - sounds like grief.......
Just want to send AVIs to in-laws in Australia - think I'll look around for free video hosting sites instead.
Any recommendations? :)
Grief - yes and no. When you know what you're doing, it's a couple of minutes work to recompress a file (assuming it's not a 3 hour epic :)). What sort of original file sizes are you talking?

Here (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&c2coff=1&biw=1258&q=free+video+file+hosting&btnG=Search) is a googled list of free sites that might host them - I have no idea which ones might be good, as I have my own web hosting I've never done this myself! (if it's just the odd file here and there for a handful of people, feel free to send it me and I'll stick it up for you)

Rich, I'm thinking it sounds more like grief for the people receiving the file to piece it all together (or am I misunderstanding the process.....)

The file is 21 MB.

The file I have tried to compress is just a 'practise' for 'new baby' AVIs which we will want to send in August to half a dozen people.
Thanks for your kind offer, I will keep it in mind.
I'll also have a look at the google results you sent and possibly 'virtualdub'
Thanks :thumbsup:

Originally posted by Draggletail
The file is 21 MB.

The file I have tried to compress is just a 'practise' for 'new baby' AVIs which we will want to send in August to half a dozen people.


There's a list of file forwarding/holding services that I listed for someone on here who was wanting a similar service here (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=46986#post472356) which you may find useful for sending freinds & family videos etc;).

Originally posted by melthebell
the sizes vary depending on whats zipped / compressed.......film files dont compress that easily and so dont get much smaller.........docs and pics on the other hand do

because most film formats already contain the minimum amount of data. Converting an AVI into an MPEG or a WMF file however will make it smaller, but you loose some quality.

Originally posted by Draggletail
Just tried to zip an AVI file. The contents get placed in a zip file O.K but the size of the file is more or less the same, maybe a few bytes smaller.
Any ideas anyone :) That's because AVI movie files are (usually) compressed.

Zipping or Raring an AVI is as useful as Zipping or Raring a JPEG...

because most film formats already contain the minimum amount of data. Converting an AVI into an MPEG or a WMF file however will make it smaller, but you loose some quality. The opposite. MPEGs are larger as they are uncompressed video formats, AVI which exist in several compression rates will be smaller.
You won't see a JPEG of an image larger than its IMG equivalent, well at least not if you do it right !
SOME AVIs will be larger than the same scene in MPEG only because AVI will show in full screen and its MPEG won't (set size like the retard MOV or RA/RAM formats)

use yousendit.com
youshareit.com
rapidshare or megaupload.com for sharing large files, most of em i think allow upto 1gb
they are mainly used instead of emailing large files cos most email accounts you cant send/recieve more than 10mb ish

you can choose an email addy or leave it blank doesnt matter, upload the file and give the recipient the link then they can download it

Thanks mel and sccsux. Have just tried 'rapidshare' - will wait and see if the recipient gets it without two much kerfuffle. It seems to ask you to call back in an hour if you want to download it free... :)


Good word that. Must start using it more on here :D

It seems to ask you to call back in an hour if you want to download it free ?? huh? i dont get that bit?
tbh rapidhare is the worst of em all i find :P
you can only download about 30mb (i think) in 1 hour, and most files ive downloaded are passworded protected rar files.........i have a pet peeve against rapidshare and rar files :P
i prefer yousendit and zips :P