Some advice on file size when adding HD movies to a members area please
 

Can anybody give me some tips about adding HD movies to a members area? I want to add movies that are about on average 400mb. Do you guys split them into several parts, maybe 100mb each, or offer the full 400mb file to members?

Thanks for any replies :)

do both.. offer 100mb splits and the 400mb full size one for those that have super fast internet or don't mind waiting for the downloads

When I go into a members area with HD I will always download one of the 100mb samples of the video before downloading the 400mb file.. Nothing sucks more then waiting on a 400mb video only to find the girl in that video is boring or something

We offer full ~400mb files (1280x720, 3mbps, 15 mins average) - no complaints so far.

In fact, members were bitching when we tried splitting our videos into several files, because it is not so convenient to click several times to watch one movie.

Thanks for the replies. I'll offer both options then, the full 400mb file and four 100mb files.

I know we redid the hd for anilos so there were iphone compatible. and we encoded them at a variable bit rate so in parts that have less data you can compress more and parts that have more color and movement need to be compressed less to preserve quality and the file site was significantly smaller than encoding them at a specific bitrate through out and the quality was much better. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that if your going to market your product as HD if you can do anything to be sure they truly look hd thats probably a more important issue than the actual file size.

When ever I complain about a video not looking good enough its not an issue of the file size or encoding but more an issue with the master. So the production is also an issue to watch to maintain quality.

a 3mbps HD movie is no better quality than a 3mbps standard digital video, they're both going to look the same to the naked eye. Most people's computers can't play a true HD video I don't think.

I used to think this, but now I think the HD looks more crisp. But I'm not pro and have no facts to back this up.

It's lighting that makes the difference not JUST the fact it's HD