Size of files for ripped content.

[Achiever]

Given the inexpensive cost of storage - internal and external - I think it is time for me to start ripping sonme of my DVD content onto HDs so I can better travel with it. I was preparing to rip some TV series (Sopranos, Battlestar Galactica, Arrested Development, The Wire, etc.) and some movies (The Big Lebowski, LOTR, etc.) when it occurred to me: I really have no idea how much HD space some/all of these things will take up until I have actually done it. By then, I may have wasted a lot of time putting them on the wrong sized HD for my needs (eg putting half of a TV series onto a HD only to need to complete it on a second drive).

So, I thought I would start a thread where people who have already ripped their content onto a HD can post the size of the file as a sort of "heads up" to others who want to rip their content as well. I am generally thinking about ripping for viewing with the DVD player on my Macs and will post accordingly, so if you have ripped a smaller file for use on a iPod or iPhone, please note that. Feel free to add what app you used to rip, as well.

 

[geoffreak]

If you are simply ripping, each file could take up to 8GB. Encoding the DVDs will put each one around 2-3GB

 

[Achiever]

Encoding the DVDs will put each one around 2-3GB

It sounds like you are talking about using Handbrake for a protable device. How does that effect the A/V quality when watching something on a laptop monitor (vs. an iPod/iPhone sized monitor)?

 

[randy98mtu]

As geoffreak said, bare rips will be 4-8 gig depending on the disc. if you encode them for a device, they will be smaller. I have been doing movies in the Apple Universal setting of Handbrake and most are 1-2 gig. When I was using the AppleTV preset, I was getting some in the 3 gig range.

I wouldn't get anything smaller than 1 TB. They are not much more than a 320 or 500 and there's a good chance you'll get hooked and rip everything. If you are looking for a portable drive, I'd get a 500 gig.