File Compression for Uploading

[Roy]

I do a lot of photography that used to require me having the files burned to DVD and delivered but now I can upload to my server and they can be downloaded from there. I've been using Winzip but the zipfile is still large. What I'd like to know is if there is a better way to compress the files or if I should look at some other way of reducing files sizes? I uploaded 205 files this morning and it took 4 hours to do the upload. A lot of the stuff goes on the web but there's some that is printed and they would rather have the file at 300 dpi.

Appreciate all advice.

[srwatters]

Depending on the file format the images use (jpg, tif, etc.), they may already be compressed, so adding them to a zip file isn't going to make them much smaller. Even high quality jpg files are compressed. The lower quality doesn't change the bit compression algorithm, it changes how much data is thrown away (dynamic range compression).

Unfortunately the best bet is to get a faster Internet connection. I have a 15mbs bidirectional FIOS connection at my home. That's essentially 10 T1 lines. As long as the receiving web server has the bandwidth, my connection cranks!

[zeroendless]

Roy, I guess the goal is to compress your files in most widely use format so your client doesn't have to install similar program to unzip the files. My Mac app, stuffit can compress jpeg images about 20-25% less than org files but it only work on its own compression format .sitx, change to zip achieve makes no diff in size. I can't expect the clients have mac and got Stuffit too.

I believe newest winzip support media files compression but no sure it has to be compressed with newest format (.zipx) or not. if so, i am not sure it's backward compatible with most file achieve programs.

[Roy]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll just keep doing it the way I have been. Sounds like the best I can do right now short of going back to burning DVD's and deliver.