File limit size for AVI format?

[speedy]

If you use NTFS is there any restrictions on how large uncompressed AVI files can grow as a SINGLE file, other than free hard drive space?

[vitualis]

It depends on the programs you are working with.

With NTFS, there is no general filesize restriction to the AVI you create. However, many programs (especially older ones) cannot access or read AVIs larger than 2 Gb in size. A simple test should be able to determine whether or not you have to problem.

Regards.

[speedy]

So you're saying there is nothing in the specs for how a AVI file should be structured that says it can't be larger than "X" and the only limitations are:

a.) the operating system
b.) the program you use to read or write the file.

The reason I'm asking is I don't want to switch from Windows 98 SE to Windows 2000 or XP if I'm still going to be restricted and hit some ceiling as to how large the AVI can be.

As a editor I think Video Factory is good for my purposes however somewhat weak in rendering options. If you wish to make a VCD in VF you are restricted to a max bitrate of just 1856 for VCD and no support yet for MPEG-2 for SVCD. You also are forced to use the rather poor Ligos codec due to some dumb licensing agreement between Sonic Foundry and Ligos.

Wishing to make higher bitrate MPEG-1 and SVCD MPEG-2 files I've tried Tempgen, however I rather not try some batch processing and insterad have a SINGLE AVI file to use as the source generated by Video Factory. Thanks for the input.

[Beretta]

Only an NTFS partition can handle files in excess of 4GB, and only OpenDML compliant .avi codecs can create files larger than 2GB. HuffYUV being an OpenDML codec I believe (I haven't researched it, but I've created .avi's of 5GB.)

If you want more info, try a google search on "OpenDML".

[pocholin]

I'm using Windows 2000 with NTFS and have already captured from my DV camcorder files upto 11.3 GB long (almost 60 minutes), so you don't have the 4 GB limitation. But you also have other limitations of size, the video editor it self or the compressor.

I love Ligos encoder, once you get it right it does wonderful job (I bought the encoder so I don't know if it is the same as bundle), but the encoder has a problem that Ligos says it is not their fault, the encoder cannot read the file after the 2 gb (frame 15688 or so). Ligos says is a limitation on the AVI files and that it is hard to know when it is going to cut you off because some customers have reported this problem at the 3 gb and others at the 4 gb.
Ligos also mentioned that they are working on a fix for AVI files and to check their web site for an upgrade by november.

So, it is up to you to consider upgrading.

Alfonso

[Deathwish]

I'm using Win2000 (NTFS) & I've captured / played / converted avi files as large as 16GB. I haven't had any problems using MGI videowave 3/4 & Premiere 6.0. TMPGenc also worked perfectly for a while although I am now experiencing a bug where a pink screen flashes on the screen when I conv to SVCDs, but I'm pretty sure its from a codec I recently installed (not the Angelpotion codec).

So I haven't noticed any problems with any avi file size limit. Sounds like the company may be giving you the run-around Pocholin.