Quote Originally Posted by GPallan
Hey guys. For a video to be easily streamed what size would it have to be?


for example, i've been told that for broadband users to be able to stream a .wmv video, it should look something like this:

320x240: ~250kbps(??) or less
2-pass vbr or cbr
audio bandwidth ~32 kbps or less


Does that sound about right? or can i push it a little more?

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And how about dial-up users? How's this setting for a .wmv vid? Can i increase anything and still have them be able to stream it?

240x180: ~100kbps
2-pass vbr or cbr (or 1-pass?)
audio: 16kbps

Here's my 2 cents on video..I've only been doing this since 1996, so I'm sure there are better qualified people on here to give more in depth info to help you out..but I'll try.

First off, if you offer ME a 240x180 video to watch, I'd probably say "no thanks" and move along to another site. At some point, you have to say "ok, what do I want to offer, small files that are easy to download, or bigger better quality files that take longer to answer". And in this changing electronic world, bigger IS better alas.

320x240 has been the "standard" pretty much for the default size of almost all streaming and downloadable videos. And that's fine to keep them at that size as long as the quality is decent. But you may want to decide at some point to go a bit large, even say 352x240 which gives you more of a rectangular frame instead of a pure square..which video wasn't made for..a square that is.

Making ANY video less than 768kbps (video bit rate) these days really seems to be the LOWEST you should make your videos for adequate quality. You'll notice that that is one of the most common templates in any encoder you use. And there is a reason for it..anything less and your picture looks LESS than professional (this is all just MY opinion remember).

One of the secrets in keeping your file size as small as possible is to lower the AUDIO bit rate. So many people have video at 128 or even as high 192 bits. Now unless there is some kick ass music or important dialogue that needs to be heard crystal clear..you don't need that high a rate. You CAN get by with a mere 32 for audio. Yeah..it'll sound a tad tinney, but frankly, it's the VIDEO that the guys are jacking off to.

And I don't mess around with vbr as it is touchy and not that dependable. I do all my videos with a cbr bit rate.

And if your dial up users don't like the large size files or have problems finishing a download while online..urge them to get a utility device like "Get Right" that allows an incomplete download to continue the next time they log into your site..that way they can get the full video..even if it takes 3 days. But in this day of broadband..dial up users are getting fewer and fewer in demand. Frankly, most of my members are broadband because they realize the importance for speed as they WANT high quality video and know to get it, the file size is going to be bigger.

If ever in doubt, just ask yourself this: If YOU were downloading a video to watch later, or watching one online..would you want a small fuzzy vid..or larger size sharper vid to watch?

Hope that helps.