I'm trying to transfer a 16GB video file to a 16GB USB drive, but as you know, usable space is usually less than advertised. I would still like to view part of the video, but Windows won't let me copy the file unless there's enough disk space. Is there any app or method that can help me copy at least part of the file?
5 Answers
Cutting the video is your best option. Tools like lossless cut can help you split the video into parts, ensuring you get what you need without corruption. Alternatively, consider re-encoding the video to lower the file size.
Unfortunately, files don’t quite work that way. Copying just part of a file usually leads to corruption, so you wouldn’t get a usable video if you just transfer half of it. What I recommend is to use a video editing tool to trim the video to the size you need before moving it over. Another option is to zip the file to make it smaller and then unzip it on another computer after transferring.
You could technically try using something like the 'DD' command to copy it, though that's super unconventional and might not yield great results. You’d essentially end up with a corrupted file. Stick with trimming or resizing.
ffmpeg can actually help you in this situation. It allows you to set a file size limit while converting the video, and you can adjust the bitrate to fit your needs. Just keep in mind that cutting off parts can lead to unexpected issues at the end of the play, but it probably won’t affect the beginning of the file.
If you don't copy the full video file, it likely won’t run correctly. Media files might play to a certain point, but you’ll generally need the whole file for it to function properly. Best bet is still to cut it down or grab a bigger drive.
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