Compare file size .mov vs .mp4

Question

Level 1

80 points

Compare file size .mov vs .mp4

I have an iMovie that I exported to .mov with expert settings: 32KHz audio, 24 fps, 480x360 and it gave a file about 300 mb ( a tad over 6 min). I also have some videos from a subscription at Luminous-Landscape that are mp4. As far as I can tell they are the same parameters. BUT, one of them, for example, is 27 min and about 147 mb! Much smaller proprotionally!

I noticed a much smaller bit rate while viewing the longer duration video compared to mine. Something in that? Is it that it is mp4 and mine is mov?

Is there a good place to go to decipher the Expert Settings meanings and practice?

Thanks...

Rick

iMac 20", Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Posted on May 29, 2007 6:17 PM

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Answer 1

May 29, 2007 9:09 PM in response to Afterimages

... you haven't told us, which CODEC you used for your export.. (?)

.mov is just a container, a wrapper around mp4, h263, sorenson, h264, mp4.. whatever.. (even mp3, pic, qtvr...)

the container doesn't add that much of data to a file..

24fps is .. 'exotic', when it comes to iMovie, which doesn't support such a framerate, and when it comes to computer display, 24fps again is less optimal .. it is a fps from the film business.. you get much better (=in terms of quality) results, using the original or half of the framerate of your source ...

with all respect, I mostly doubt a 30min video of only 150MB size ... please check the settings again ...

when it comes to small file sizes, I lately stumbled into a nice variation of the h264 codec, have a look on my website:
http://karsten.schluter.googlepages.com/apowerfulcodec

and if you prefer mp4, use the free encoder iSquint, esp for lower bitrates, it offers a (much) better pic quality than QT's mpeg4 encoder ... (a few infos on my other site, click here)

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Answer 2

Afterimages Author

Level 1

80 points

May 30, 2007 4:45 AM in response to Karsten Schlüter

Karsten,

Thanks. I just re-checked it and yes, it is 154,067,248 bytes. Both files, mine and the other one, are h.264.

Your mention of 'wrapper' is part of my issue. Where does one learn about wrappers vs codecs, etc?

I made mine 24 fps only to match the other file for size comparison, trying to get 'all else equal...'. I understand your point, however.

Does the bitrates offer any clue?

I will check out 'apowerfulcodec' soon.

One last thing. I do not mean to offend YOU, per se, but why do people not capitalize and otherwise use correct punctuation anymore? I think people are getting lazy.

Thanks for the 'vent'... 🙂

Rick

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Answer 3

May 30, 2007 5:01 AM in response to Afterimages

Where does one learn about wrappers vs codecs, etc?
... spend time at wiki, read some books, spend a few years here at this board ... 😉

'bitrates' define the quality of a video .. two identical videos (res, fps, colors, audio...), one with 1000kB/sec, one with 50kB/sec.. the 50er is 'animated LEGO', the other one better than DVD...

punctuation and capitalization in eEnglish?? no idea, hardly get my native's tongue grammar .. if you're that good in MY language können wir das Gespräch auch gern auf Deutsch fortsetzen .. ;))

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