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Question

video compression

Oct 16, 2018 4:06PM PDT

Hi,

I have a lot of video files that I need to store long term and I'm wondering if there's a way to compress them so that it's some fraction smaller.

My files are .avi and GMP4 format (Geovision security video format, although I'm using the software and hardware to record fish passage in a stream...) The video is stored in 5 minute clips 24 hrs/day and I have four cameras. So, a lot of video. I currently have approx. 11TB between two external hard drives and it's growing.

I'm fine to simply store it raw and buy more external hard drives, but if there's a compression option that will free up some space it would help and I'm curious to hear if there is a meaningful approach I can use.

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
RAW Video is very rare. (there's a pun in there somewhere.)
Oct 16, 2018 4:28PM PDT

Old 480i video weighed in at 27 megabytes a second so you didn't leave it in raw for long.

AVI doesn't dictate any specific compression but is a container format, where as MPEG (pick any) or your GMP4 is an actual compressions. Same story about MKV files (just a container.)

New to video work folk get a fast education but so far you have to try a few compression methods, play it back and make the decision what to use. I've never been able to pick for others.

And nod to Handbrake and FFMpeg.

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Answer
Check out handbrake.
Oct 16, 2018 4:23PM PDT