Data Compression

[Bijo]

What is the best freely available compression tool/method?

I've always had this program called 7-zip and 7z is generally okay, but when compressing JPGs it seems I can do little to significantly decrease the file size. The resulting file size is approximately 23MB which is too much, for I am to send it to somebody over e-mail.

[Whacker]

Bijo, you won't get much at all depending on the image, because the jpeg format *is* already compressed. Trying to recompress an already compressed data stream usually doesn't elicit very good results. As alternatives you can try Winrar and Winace. Winrar is good and the .rar format can usually give the 7z format a run for it's money, usually they're almost dead even, the problem is Winrar is shareware/payware. Winace is old and also payware, I haven't used it in ages, it's another multimedia compression format that isn't very common anymore. If Winrar and 7z can't give you the results you want, you're going to have to break up the images into small archives to send via email (many ISPs limit message size, some as small as 1 MB) or find another way to get it to him.

Good luck mate.

[Bijo]

Yeah, I overlooked the simple fact they are compressed already. But something told me that perhaps there is some wonder tool somewhere. It was hope, I guess, heh heh.

Thanks.

[Mikeus Caesar]

On the subject of data compression - what can i use to really compress stuff to a small size? I've downloaded certain torrents that were absolutely legal , and most of them were all about 3GB in size, but one guy can somehow compress it to 600MB, and still retain quality.

[Bijo]

On the subject of data compression - what can i use to really compress stuff to a small size? I've downloaded certain torrents that were absolutely legal , and most of them were all about 3GB in size, but one guy can somehow compress it to 600MB, and still retain quality.

I would personally recommend 7-zip, but of course there may be better alternatives. You would be wise to seek information regarding compression methods and what the most effective ways are to compress certain datas.

[Bijo]

On the subject of data compression - what can i use to really compress stuff to a small size? I've downloaded certain torrents that were absolutely legal , and most of them were all about 3GB in size, but one guy can somehow compress it to 600MB, and still retain quality.

This is what I hastily found.

[Whacker]

This is what I hastily found.

Bijo, just keep in mind that compression ratios will depend entirely on the data you want to compress. Compressing a raw BMP or TXT file will yield horrendously fantastic results, you can compress 4gb BMP files down to less than 30k sometimes, depending on the image. You won't get the same results with 4gb of JPG files, etc.

currywurry, the above also applies to you as well, depends on what you want to compress. Personally I've been steering people towards 7-zip, because the 7z format is great, comparable to payware solutions, and it's becoming increasingly popular and it's free! Just don't be surprised when you can't get that 3gb of whatever down to anything close to 600mb, and it takes 10-15+ minutes on your machine just to get it down to 1.5gb. Just go buy a stupid DVD burner.

Good luck!



Edit - OK, so I was exaggerating on the 4gb down to 30k, but getting 50mb of bmp down to 8k 7z isn't something to snort at.

[Mikeus Caesar]

Thanks for your help guys, duly appreciated.