.tv .flv Flash Video Sizes

[alex_d]

Hi again guys and gals,

Got a quick question for members here who have had experience with online video.

At the moment, I am going through and editting various video clips I recently took for a project. I have been preparing my videos clips, and saving them as .avi files, and then using FLash 8, I am converting them into .flv files, and then will be embedding them within my web pages.

However, I was wondering if any one here has a rough guide to the sizes that the .flv files should be ??

I am trying all different types of file encoding, changing the quality and frame rate, etc, and am getting .flv files ranging from 2,500kb in size to 12,000kb in size.

Is a 2,500kb .flv too large ?? Or is this a small size for a file ?? The video clip in question is just under 60 seconds in length, with NO audio.

My main concern with all of this is bandwidth. Usually on webpages I make, I use about 4-5 images that are 30-50kb in size, plus the rest of the code on the page - totalling about 300kb ( with all the images included in the total size ). Seeing that the .flv file ( with the lowest quality ) is coming in at over 2000kb, I am getting a little worried with regards to hosting costs.

I have been trying to search online for a rough guide to the various .flv file sizes, etc, but have been getting nowhere.

If anyone here has had any experience, and can give me some feedback, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks as always


Alex

 

[ATL.tv]

use a program like sorensen squeeze to reduce your file size. you can import it as an .avi then export as a .swf and a .flv, both of which you would upload to your server. the .swf file references the .flv file for playback.

 

[alex_d]

ATL - thanks for the reply.

I am using Flash 8 which has both the Sorenson compression method, as well as another one called On2 VP6.

I am using Flash to convert my .avi files into the .flv ones, which as you mention, will be uploaded along with the .swf files.

However, I am just wondering about the general size of my .flv files. What is a normal size ?? ( If there is such a thing ?? ) At the moment, my .avi files are without sound, and are about 1 to 1.30 mins in length.

It is the final file size of the .flv files that I was wondering about, as with various settings for quality, they are anything from 2,000 - 10,000 kb +.


Alex

 

[ATL.tv]

I try to keep mine under 12mb, for larger files, or if you are having playback difficulty, try using a flash server to host your videos (influxis.com) which allows streaming.

 

[alex_d]

ALT,

thanks again for the reply.
Can I ask another related .flv question, as you seem to know your stuff.

With my final files from Flash, I set them so that they DO NOT autoplay. The screen will appear embedded on my webpage, and the user can then click the play button to start viewing the video.

By switching off the AUTOPLAY option, does this mean that my bandwidth will only be used once a user clicks to view the video ??

Also, from reading various articles online, when a user views the video, it appears that the .flv file will remain in their cache, so that if they then watch the video for a second time, it will load and work much quicker. Does this cached version of the .flv file have any impact on my bandwidth ??

Sorry for the questions, but I am just trying to work out if the current hosting package that I have can cover me bandwidth wise for the first few months, or if I need to order a new package especially for this project.

Thanks for the great help so far - it is much appreciated.

Alex

 

[ATL.tv]

By switching off the AUTOPLAY option, does this mean that my bandwidth will only be used once a user clicks to view the video ??
Yes
Also, from reading various articles online, when a user views the video, it appears that the .flv file will remain in their cache, so that if they then watch the video for a second time, it will load and work much quicker. Does this cached version of the .flv file have any impact on my bandwidth ??
No

No problem!

 

[brainstormTV]

No problem!

Nice sites ALT. That's you in the MiM video? That is a cool video, I can tell when you step onto the blue sheet by the sound.

~KC