Average size of 1 1/2 to 2 hour movie?

ChodeNode · 05-13-05, 10:36 AM

Hello all,

I'm looking to buy a memory card soon and am curious what the average size of movies are. Part of me wants to go for the gusto and get a 1 or 2 GB card, but do I even really need that much? Would I be able to play most movies on a 256 or even 512 after I've ripped/encoded them?

I browsed this forum, but didn't see this mentioned in the stickies or in the first few pages of threads.

Thanks,

Chode

Gokuu_Elemental · 05-13-05, 10:52 AM

You can really adjust the movie size according to what you need. Programs like Pocket DivX Encoder, FairUse, AutoGK, and others usually allow you to choose file size directly (with exception of Virtual Dub) so you can fit a 2 hour movie on a 256 or 512.

HOWEVER, always remember that the bigger the file, the better the quality. I prefer 500MB-750MB per movie, and to me, the quality is excellent. Also, if you have an Axim x50 or x50v, depdending on the 320x240 or 640x480 resolution you can get away with certain stuff. If you have an Axim x50, x30, or x5, usually just a 300MB-400MB file will do. If you have an x50v, you'd probably want to double that size to get the same quality. Plus, that's not including programs, games, ebooks, audio files and all that other good stuff.

What it boils down to: Go for the 2GB card, they are pretty cheap (especially CF cards, I got a 1GB for $50, now they are like $41.) You won't regret it, and it will leave room for expansion, that is most important for PC's and PPC's.

Mamba · 05-13-05, 10:59 AM

I've converted several for my x30...average size is 300MB w/stereo sound. I bought a 1GB SD card, fits 3 at a time.

ChodeNode · 05-13-05, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by Gokuu_Elemental

You can really adjust the movie size according to what you need. Programs like Pocket DivX Encoder, FairUse, AutoGK, and others usually allow you to choose file size directly (with exception of Virtual Dub) so you can fit a 2 hour movie on a 256 or 512.

HOWEVER, always remember that the bigger the file, the better the quality. I prefer 500MB-750MB per movie, and to me, the quality is excellent. Also, if you have an Axim x50 or x50v, depdending on the 320x240 or 640x480 resolution you can get away with certain stuff. If you have an Axim x50, x30, or x5, usually just a 300MB-400MB file will do. If you have an x50v, you'd probably want to double that size to get the same quality. Plus, that's not including programs, games, ebooks, audio files and all that other good stuff.

I have an X30, so it sounds like a 512 would be right up my alley.

Quote:

What it boils down to: Go for the 2GB card, they are pretty cheap (especially CF cards, I got a 1GB for $50, now they are like $41.) You won't regret it, and it will leave room for expansion, that is most important for PC's and PPC's.

CF cards are cheap, yeah, but don't all PDA's use SD these days? I guess as far as memory goes, the 1 and 2GB cards are cheap. But to a guy getting married next month, $70 is a lot of money and paying $25 for a 512 that will do what I want it to (hold one movie + games) seems a reasonable proposition. I've seen good deals on 1 gig'ers, but they still involve dumping a lot of money initially while I wait for that rebate to show up. If you know any cheaper prices that I don't, please clue me in.

Thanks for the input, it is appreciated.

FlyACL · 05-13-05, 07:10 PM

I would go with the 1GB card, like Mamba said most of mine are done at about 300-400MB per movie and look great. So while a 512 card might work, you will be happier when you can put 2-3 movies on a card, or a movie and a bunch of music. Good Luck!

05-14-05, 01:59 PM

with windows media encoder, i got a movie down to 120 megs (quality isnt that great though)...250mb at 320x240 id say is the minimum size to go for if you want a good-looking film!

chasgood · 05-14-05, 09:05 PM

for a 320x display 3 to 4 megabytes minimum per minute of video is my rule of thumb. For the X50v I now say at least 5 megabytes per minute.

Choirguy · 05-14-05, 09:19 PM

I don't know. With FairUse, I'm pretty happy with 250MB movies, as long as I'm watching them on the PPC and not projecting them with the VGA-out. They also look pretty decent (albeit small) on my Desktop computer.

I usually go with 80 kps of sound, and limit the movie to 250MB. I have a 4GB Compact Flash that works quite well, and 4 standard batteries (Mugen batteries are very affordable). I can watch about one movie on a battery before running out of juice.

And I'm totally a FairUse supporter.

Gokuu_Elemental · 05-16-05, 08:50 AM

Yeah, there is a big difference in file size between the x50 and x50v. The Axim x50v is twice the size, plus if you aren't going to have any headphones when watching the film, it's only going to be mono, so you might as well drop the audio to 96-128 kbps MONO and that would really allow you to increase the video quality.

FlyACL · 05-16-05, 09:00 AM

The general rule of thumb seems to be about 100MB for every 30 minutes (or about 1.7MB per minute)of video and change the audio to 96. They look and and sound great. So a two hour movie would be about 200MB. I always round up, so if the show is just over 2 hours I do 250MB. Good Luck~

Gokuu_Elemental · 05-16-05, 09:12 AM

FlyACL, is that with 320x240 or 640x480?