The 15 MB File Size Limit - versus File Compression

Dennis J Yancey

Many FS get frustrated with the 15MB file size limit for uploads to FS Memories

But truth is - many people don't realize just how much data can actually be compressed into a given item to be uploaded.
Here are some examples:

A 350 page Book - with lots of images
https://www.familysearch.org/memories/memory/144044848?c=my-memories

A physical book scanned into digital format (740 pages) https://www.familysearch.org/memories/memory/146121304?a=1406004

A 3,000 page *text based pdf file:
https://www.familysearch.org/memories/memory/158125480?a=1406004

A 52 minute audio file
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/KWCZ-RBV

An extra high resolution photo - capable of being viewed at MAX zoom and still shows only small pixelation.
https://www.familysearch.org/memories/memory/151202040?a=747978

.
.

*Text Based
a text based pdf is one which has been created directly from a text based document program and saved to pdf format - without scanning. An example would be a Word document that is then saved directly to pdf. Text based documents can be stored at level of even a thousand times less in size - as compared to a scan of a printout of such document. Though both may appear visually the same - in digital format they are drastically different - since one is an image and the other is merely the encoding of 100 or so unique set of different characters in the set of text.
.
.
The above items are examples of files that were reduced using different data compression techniques. One of my most often used web sites/services - is at a FREE site called ILOVEPDF
which among many other things - can be used to compress pdf files.
see: https://www.ilovepdf.com/
You can use this same site to convert a set of image files into pdf files - or vice versa.
and many other very useful utilities.
.
there is a similar site for compressing images
https://www.iloveimg.com/

for audio compression I use a program called Audacity

You will be surprised at how much can be packed into a given item
and if data compression doesn't bring it under the 15 MB file size
splitting the item into multiple files allows you to upload items of virtually any size.

Dennis J Yancey

It has often surprised me - with this being of such use to so many users
and the fact that it then uses less storage resources for FamilySearch
that I have occasionally wondered why FS themselves doesnt add an option "built in" to the upload process
that allows users - if they so desire - to have a FS utility compress the item - as part of the upload process - doing so seemlessly and "under the covers".

Dennis J Yancey

another neat example of a "text based pdf" is when you have a program like Roots Magic, FTM or one of various other genealogy programs installed on a local PC - that allows you to generate a report and save in pdf format.

that 3,000 page item above - was just such an example.
Its also a great way to share your "version" of the family tree - from your local PC database - and then have it loaded to Memories -where no one else can modify it.

evanleroyhuff1

I have tried to compress a 52min (mono) audio file down to 15Mb and I had to go all the way down to 32kbps in .mp3 format and the sound quality is absolute garbage. This limit needs to be increased!

Dennis J Yancey

https://community.familysearch.org/en/discussion/comment/579904#Comment_579904

What compression software did you use. Have you tried Audacity??

I don't think FS ever really had the intent of audio files more then 10-15 minutes (even though I have been successful in going up past an hour using heavy compression.

BUT with audio - its a very simple thing to simply split it into Part1 and part2 etc. - no need to increase the file size simply to keep it in one file - making smaller chunks is actually better in that it allows you to focus in on certain varying topics in the original full length version - so people dont have to go looking for specific audio bytes deep within the full length video.

Dennis J Yancey

Here is my record in audio data compression in a 105 minute audio just under 15 MB
https://www.familysearch.org/memories/memory/111339664?a=530751
(note the first 50 seconds is silence - that should have been removed.)

I used Audacity for the compression.

But Like I said I really prefer that people keep their audios broken up into subtopics (pieces of ) under like under 10-15 minutes.

For example this user - split their family audio into "chapters"

https://www.familysearch.org/photos/gallery/album/109562