shrinking a dvd file to email it

[Haopengyou]

I am working on a project in an online class. I have a 20 minute documentary that I would like to send to my partner to help us finish a project and am looking for the best way to do it. i would like to make the file small. I also am hoping it will not take umpteen steps and several programs. If the resultant file is only good enough to play on 1/4 the screen, it is ok. It is a lecture with some slides, pictures, etc so I have to include the video portion also. Any suggestions?

[guns1inger]

Put it on a file sharing system like rapidshare or hotfile. Use rar and split it if necessary. Reducing it to a size you can email will kill any quality it has.

[jimdagys]

Rapidshare.com allows you to upload up to 200MB file and then you just email the download link that they provide. If you have a DVD, you can use something like Fair Use Wizard to shrink to an AVI. Twenty minute DVD turned into AVI shouldn't be more than 200MB.

[lordsmurf]

I always put a disc in an envelope and mail it -- even if it's across the planet.

[Haopengyou]

I will try those options. mailing is not an option because I am mailing it from within China to within China and mailing media of any kind is not allowed.

[redwudz]

I'd probably try WMV format as you should have that on your system as most other MS PC users do. You can compact down a file fairly small. Windows Movie Maker would work if it accepts your present format. If it's a DVD, maybe extract with VOB2MPG, then convert.

If you email it, check to see how big of attachments are allowed for your internet provider and your friends.

[aedipuss]

install an ftp server on your computer. have him use an ftp client to download it off of your computer directly. filezilla has both versions and is free and fairly easy to set up.

[Haopengyou]

thanks! I am having trouble with windows movie maker - it is stalling 75% of the way through the process. Is there another option?

[filmboss80]

Too many limitations. Either have your partner come to your site or convert the video to a highly-compressed, low-resolution .flv file to simply let your partner have a general idea of how the project is going. (FLV files, like what you see on YouTube, are very small, but your partner will not have frame-accurate edit control over the video.) Ultimately, you're going to have to make edit decisions on your own; but by e-mailing an .flv file, at least your partner can provide some general feedback.

The free tool, WinFF can make quick and easy conversions to .flv.

[pepegot1]

If you both have Vimeo accounts you can send it to Vimeo where your friend can download it. 500meg is for free. Easy to do.