File format specifications

On video formats

Most of our videos are offered for download in the following formats, listed in order of video quality.

Icon	Type	Video	Audio	Size	Dependencies
	DVD - A MPEG2-encoded file, large size and best quality. Ready for mastering on a DVD and watching on your DVD player.	3500kbps	224kbps	720x576	MPEG2-decoder free download
	x264 - A MPEG4-encoded file, this new and efficient compression method offers you near DVD-quality video at a size smaller than VCD.	1000kbps	160kbps	512x384	FFDShow free download
	VideoCD (VCD) - A MPEG1-encoded file, offers maximum compatibility and a quality good enough for watching at full screen.	1150kbps	224kbps	352x288	None
	Small MPEG4 - The two MPEG4-files are substantially smaller and the video quality is low. They are suitable for preview.	256kbps 64kbps	64kbps	320x240 160x120	Apple Quicktime free download

• If 90% of the above sounds like Sanskrit to you, download the VCD-file or ask a friend to help you out.

• If the concept "installing a codec" doesn't scare the life out of you, download the x264-files (where available – we are gradually adding them in).

• If you have a fast internet connection and plenty of space or alternatively a DVD-burner to store media, download the DVD-files.

• If you have a very slow internet connection or you just want to take a quick glance at the video in small size, download one of the small MPEG files.

On audio formats

Most of the audio recordings are offered for download in four formats:

1. FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) These files, featuring the highest quality, are identical with our originals. Some media players and softwares may need a plug-in to be able to play FLAC-files. Download a plug-in for WinAmp or see the list of players and plug-ins at the FLAC home page.

2. MP3 VBR (Variable Bit Rate). MP3 as a format shouldn't need an introduction — you can play it with virtually any and all media players. The VBR version (≈160kbps) offers the best sound quality among the compressed versions.

3. MP3 64kbps The 64kbps version is highly compressed, approximately one third of the VBR-version. The reduction in size comes with a substantial trade-off in quality, making it only suitable for brief previews or for those with slow internet connections.

4. Ogg Vorbis The Ogg Vorbis files are another popular format of compressed audio. The quality falls somewhere a bit below the VBR MP3, the size being approzimately 30% smaller. Supported by most modern media players.

The resources listing

This section explains the items in the resources listing of each entry.

The Archive Index. This is the Internet Archive index page for the entry. All of our file downloads are hosted on The Internet Archive (at Archive.Org).

FTP Download. This is the ideal method of downloading large files, as broken downloads can easily be resumed. Use an FTP client such as SmartFTP.

Google Video. Most of our footage is available at Google Video in a browser-based video player and for download as ≈800kbps quality MPEG4-files. Google Video.

Thumbnails. Offered by The Internet Archive, this page displays an image for each minute of the video, providing a quick preview of the footage.

On video formats

On audio formats

The resources listing

Recommended video players