Program Owners - What Size Are Your FLV's ???

[BittieBucks]

We're just having a bunch of FLV's put together... wondering what size your average files are, Like how much per minute ?

We're going for MP4's which are better quality but save a little in file size... a 5 min clip is around 40-45 meg... does that sound good or bad ???

Not sure really what the norm is for this kind of stuff... like resolution and bitrate, the techie stuff I never understand lol !

[VGeorgie]

a 5 min clip is around 40-45 meg

That's about 8 megabytes per minute, which could be a tad on the high side for anyone without good broadband. A better target for the average user is about 3 MB per minute. As these are probably streaming videos, it does no good to have a bitrate higher than your customers can consume, or else the player will stop and wait to buffer. It's better to offer multiple bitrates, and let them choose. Or use a streaming server that can detect and select the best bitrate for that.

[BittieBucks]

More Info ???

Thanks for that... any one else give me more info... I spoke to one other webby and their videos are about the same... around 50 meg for a 5 min clip...

So I have two questions... site owners what are you average file sizes for say a 5 min clip... or per minute ???

Tube owners what do you look for in file size ?

Oh and if any video editors want to throw in what they make them that works too... as in the spec you use lol

I know I am always after information... I am a big sponge

[noKru]

size mostly depends on the bitrate (quality), and dimension of the clip.
So if you want big res, great looking vids (and it sounds you do) you can't have 3Mb per min, and 40-50 mb sounds about right.

I suggest to do test encoding with different settings and compare the result, quality and size wise.

If there is anything I can help you with, feel free to contact me on icq.

[VGeorgie]

as in the spec you use lol

I know you asked for other opinions, but I should add this: Trying to match size is the bass ackwards way of doing it. You match the bandwidth of your most average users, then work from there. As I said, it makes no sense to stream high-bitrate video to consumers who can't handle it. 10MB/per minute assumes a 1+mbps connection. Most anyone on broadband has this, but not everyone has broadband.

So you either provide lower bitrate (and therefore resolution) links, or use a streaming server that adjusts the bitrate to the bandwidth your users can consume.

Targeting a specific file size is the thinking we did when downloading videos were king. It just doesn't work that way for streaming video, even though there are lots of people that try to do it this way.

[brentbacardi]

Just a question but don't like 99% of surfers in the US have broadband? I haven't met or been anywhere or even heard about dial up in years. Just saying...

Everyone keeps wanting HD in my experience (consumers and site owners). Sites I have provided content for or worked with in other aspects tend to do 720p video and standard def and some 1080p. Bitrates, Idk the specifics...

But my final word on the subject would be: offer the highest quality possible and also a lower quality version, probably just regular standard def, all broadband isnt created the same.

[HDADULT]

But my final word on the subject would be: offer the highest quality possible and also a lower quality version, probably just regular standard def, all broadband isnt created the same.

[Loch]

Steve we will be happy to work with you to develope your video startegies if you like.
What you really should do is consult people in the video business, have them develope specifications with you.
Take that for a test run and continue from there.
You have a LOT of options when it comes to video and how to present it to your members and in todays market getting this right is crutial

[Smokieflame]

Just a question but don't like 99% of surfers in the US have broadband? I haven't met or been anywhere or even heard about dial up in years. Just saying...

Everyone keeps wanting HD in my experience (consumers and site owners). Sites I have provided content for or worked with in other aspects tend to do 720p video and standard def and some 1080p. Bitrates, Idk the specifics...

But my final word on the subject would be: offer the highest quality possible and also a lower quality version, probably just regular standard def, all broadband isnt created the same.

I always go high quality MP4 and FLV/WMV, i also make a medium sized and small sized video for any users who dont have broadband but to be honest I have no sold or had any of them DL'd you can get almost 1meg internet on your phone... No one really uses dial up that I have ever seen.

[Zorgman]

I would do 1-2 minute flv videos max for affiliates to use.

[BittieBucks]

Hey Peeps...

Lots of good info and debate about this...

I think one or two may of missed the point however... this is for Tubes... So the option of loads of different sizes doesnt really work...

I am getting 200 MP4's done by our video editor, thats 50 for each of our 4 big boob sites on www.BittieBucks.com

We decided to go for MP4's on the advice of our video editor... he has done them up in 2 sizes... for a video of around 5 minutes in size 1 comes our about 30 meg, and size 2 is 45 meg... one is 500 and one is 800, but as I am untechie I aint got the faintest idea what the difference is... size obviously I guess lol

The 500 looks fine and the quality is good... but obviously the 800 looks better, but is a third bigger in file size... oh the dilema lol

And yeah for the actual site content we shoot in 1080p

[BittieBucks]

bump...

Bump for any Euro Input... ?

[VGeorgie]

Just a question but don't like 99% of surfers in the US have broadband?

Around 60-65% for the US.

"Broadband" also simply means not dialup. There are DSL connections that cannot sustain 1mbps, yet they are called broadband.

For the OP: for a tube you really should invest in a streaming server that can detect bandwidth, or use a player like Flowplayer that has a bandwidth plugin that works with progressive downloads. You don't have to actually provide a bunch of links. This is 2010, after all.

Many of the tubes I'm seeing have a 300kbps or so version for "guests" and reserve higher resolution and HD to paying members. Gives them a reason to upgrade.

[Zorgman]

You can play MP4 videos in the JW Flash player, so that's not an issue with TEVS.

[BittieBucks]

Oki Doki

Around 60-65% for the US.

"Broadband" also simply means not dialup. There are DSL connections that cannot sustain 1mbps, yet they are called broadband.

For the OP: for a tube you really should invest in a streaming server that can detect bandwidth, or use a player like Flowplayer that has a bandwidth plugin that works with progressive downloads. You don't have to actually provide a bunch of links. This is 2010, after all.

Many of the tubes I'm seeing have a 300kbps or so version for "guests" and reserve higher resolution and HD to paying members. Gives them a reason to upgrade.

We'll make some enquiries with our server people to see what they can offer us in the way of a streaming server... we might invest in one exclusively to serve our tube videos then ;)

[VGeorgie]

Your basic options for Flash servers are:

Adobe Flash Media Server - $4,500
Wowza (perpetual license) - $1,000
Red5 - Free

(There are others like Helix, and one written in haXe, but the above are the main ones.)

FMS is easier to set up and Adobe gives good support, but at close to five grand that's a lot of dough. The others have varying support, and they all have bandwidth detection of one kind or another.

[BittieBucks]

Hmmmm...

Your basic options for Flash servers are:

Adobe Flash Media Server - $4,500
Wowza (perpetual license) - $1,000
Red5 - Free

(There are others like Helix, and one written in haXe, but the above are the main ones.)

FMS is easier to set up and Adobe gives good support, but at close to five grand that's a lot of dough. The others have varying support, and they all have bandwidth detection of one kind or another.

Red5 is my fav due to the FREE bit lol... how can they do it for free ?

[icymelon]

3 min is plenty long better to have shorter higher resolution

[Black Ops]

Red5 is my fav due to the FREE bit lol... how can they do it for free ?

Red5 is a pain the ass. Ask your hosting company if they offer a streaming solution, most of them will. Adobe Media Server and Wowza seem to be the most common used.

[james_clickmemedia]

I know you asked for other opinions, but I should add this: Trying to match size is the bass ackwards way of doing it. You match the bandwidth of your most average users, then work from there. As I said, it makes no sense to stream high-bitrate video to consumers who can't handle it. 10MB/per minute assumes a 1+mbps connection. Most anyone on broadband has this, but not everyone has broadband.

So you either provide lower bitrate (and therefore resolution) links, or use a streaming server that adjusts the bitrate to the bandwidth your users can consume.

Targeting a specific file size is the thinking we did when downloading videos were king. It just doesn't work that way for streaming video, even though there are lots of people that try to do it this way.

I agree target you customer, but offer a higher option.

[kowalsky]

3 min --> 25 - 35Mb

[TrashyContent]

Thanks...

3 min --> 25 - 35Mb

Sounds about right

[Black Ops]

3 min --> 25 - 35Mb

At what video size? That sounds a wee bit large.