Sending a full-length movie file to someone can be challenging due to the large file size. Movies are usually several gigabytes in size, too large to conveniently attach to an email. However, with some planning and the right tools, you can successfully get an entire movie to someone else. Here are some tips on how to send a full movie file.
Compress the Movie File
The first step is to compress the movie file to reduce its size. Uncompressed movie files take up a massive amount of space. Fortunately, you can use video compression software to shrink the file down to a more manageable size without significantly reducing the video quality.
Some popular free video compression tools include Handbrake, Freemake Video Converter, Avidemux, DVD Fab, and Any Video Converter. These programs allow you to customize the compression settings to achieve an optimal balance of small file size and quality retention. Aim to compress the movie to under 2 GB if possible.
Use File Transfer Services
Once you’ve compressed the movie, you need to send it to the recipient. Attaching a multi-gigabyte file to an email usually won’t work. Instead, use a dedicated file transfer service that is built for sharing large files online.
Some top options include:
- Dropbox – Provides 2GB of free storage space to transfer files up to 2GB in size.
- Google Drive – 15GB of free space for files up to 5TB.
- WeTransfer – Free for files up to 2GB.
- MyAirBridge – Free for files up to 1GB.
With one of these services, you can upload your compressed movie file to the cloud and generate a shareable download link to send to the recipient. They can then use that link to download the movie file directly.
Use a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) File Sharing Network
Another option is to use peer-to-peer file sharing technology to transfer the movie. P2P networks allow users to share large files directly with each other instead of using a central server. Some popular P2P tools include:
- BitTorrent – Designed specifically for sharing very large files.
- Resilio Sync – Uses P2P technology to sync files between devices.
- Sharefest – Enables P2P file transfers through browser-to-browser connections.
P2P services provide fast transfer speeds. However, they usually require both you and the recipient to install specific software. There are also potential legal issues if used to share copyrighted content.
Use FTP File Transfer
If you and the recipient have access to an FTP server, you can use it to directly transfer the movie file. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) offers simple, fast file sharing over the internet.
To use FTP, you’ll first need to upload the movie to an FTP server you have access permissions for. Many website hosting providers offer FTP access for uploading files. Once it’s uploaded, share the FTP login details with the recipient so they can sign in and download it.
FTP is very reliable for transferring large files. But both sides need to be fairly tech-savvy to access and use FTP servers. There are also security concerns with sharing FTP credentials.
Ship an External Hard Drive or USB Drive
For the ultimate in safety, security and reliability, you can always physically ship an external hard drive or USB thumb drive with the movie file saved on it. This avoids any issues with slow internet speeds or transfer failures.
Simply copy the compressed movie file to the drive, mail it to the recipient through a tracked service like UPS, and provide the password if the drive is encrypted. As long as the drive is shipped and handled carefully, the movie file will arrive intact.
The drawback is the shipping time and cost. But for very large HD movie files, shipping a drive is often the easiest way to ensure successful file transfer.
Use Video Sharing Sites or Piracy Channels
WARNING: Uploading full movies to public video sites or piracy channels is usually illegal. The steps below are provided for informational purposes only.
Some methods that enable you to share a movie with someone else online but typically violate copyright laws include:
- Uploading it to a public video sharing site like YouTube or Vimeo as an unlisted or private video.
- Sharing it through a BitTorrent piracy site.
- Using a peer-to-peer file sharing program to distribute it.
- Uploading it to a cyberlocker site and giving the recipient the download link.
Again, these methods do allow you to share a full movie online. However, there are potential serious legal risks involved with unauthorized public distribution of copyrighted content.
Conclusion
Sharing a full movie file while retaining quality presents some unique challenges. Making use of video compression software and leveraging large file transfer services, P2P networks, FTP servers or external drives are your best options for successfully getting an entire movie to someone else.
Just be sure to stay within copyright law and don’t use public sites to distribute unauthorized copies. With the right tools and some patience, you can securely share even the largest HD movie files.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum file size I can attach to an email?
Most email providers limit individual attachment sizes to 20-50MB. Gmail has a 25MB limit. Trying to attach very large video files to an email will likely result in errors.
How long will it take to send a 1GB movie file online?
Transfer speed will depend on your internet connection and the service used. With a fast connection, you can expect 1GB movie files to take 5-10 minutes to upload and download using most file sharing services.
What video compression software provides the best results?
| Software | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Handbrake | Free and open source, wide range of formats | Slower encoding, complex interface |
| Freemake Video Converter | Very fast, intuitive, presets for mobile devices | Some features require paid version |
| Avidemux | Lightweight, good for trimming videos | Fewer compression options |
Freemake and Handbrake generally provide the best balance of compression, speed and ease-of-use.
Is it illegal to share movies online?
Sharing full movies online through public sites or P2P networks without the copyright holder’s permission is generally illegal. However, sharing small portions for commentary or educational purposes may fall under fair use. Private file transfers between friends are in more of a legal gray area.
What are the risks of using torrent sites to share movies?
Major risks include slow speeds, malware infections from downloads, legal action from copyright holders and distribution of your IP address on the torrent network. Private trackers mitigate some of these risks compared to public torrent indexes.
What is the best format to encode movies to reduce size?
H.265 HEVC is currently the most efficient video codec, capable of cutting file sizes roughly in half compared to H.264 with minimal quality loss. VP9, H.264, and H.263 are other good options too.
How long does it take to ship a movie on a 1TB external hard drive?
Shipping times vary, but you can expect 1-3 business days for ground shipping within the contiguous US. Overnight express shipping is available for urgent packages. International shipping takes 1-2 weeks on average.
Can I split a large movie file into smaller parts to send it?
Yes, you can use a file splitter program to divide the movie into smaller chunks of 500MB or 1GB each. This creates .001, .002 etc. split files that can be recombined after transferring. Useful for working around file size limits.
What is the best way to share a 4K or 8K ultra HD movie file?
Because of their massive 50-100GB size range, your best options are using a high capacity external HDD/SSD or an FTP server with no file size limit. Google Drive also supports file transfers up to 5TB.
Is it better to use H.264 or H.265 for movie compression?
H.265 HEVC is around 50% more efficient than H.264, so it provides better compression and quality. However, H.264 has wider device compatibility. Try H.265 first, then fall back to H.264 if needed.
Can I get in trouble for receiving a pirated movie from someone else?
While lower risk than distributing pirated content, downloading or accepting unauthorized media could still potentially carry civil or criminal liability in certain jurisdictions, especially if done at scale.