In short
- Size comes from the file sizes you know, or from length and bitrate. Nothing is guessed.
- Decimal GB and binary GiB are shown separately so they are never confused.
- Transfer time needs a speed you measured yourself. No speed is assumed.
- Unknown rows stay unknown, and a partial total is labelled as a minimum.
Use this calculator to estimate how much space your event videos will take and how long an idealised transfer would be. It works from the sizes you know, or from length and bitrate, and it never guesses a missing number.
What is it for?
Event video files are large, and the size depends on the format. A highlight film, a full recording and raw camera files can differ a lot in size. Knowing the size early helps you check your drive, plan how to receive the files and decide how many copies you can keep.
For the wider picture, see how much space your delivered video files may need.
How do I use it?
- Add a row for each file or group of identical files. Choose whether you know the length and bitrate, or the file size.
- For length and bitrate, enter the minutes and the Mbps. For file size, enter the number and the unit.
- If you have several identical files, enter how many. Leave the count empty for one.
- Optional: enter the free storage you have, a transfer speed you measured, and an overhead percentage if you have a figure.
How do I read the result?
The large figure is the estimated total in decimal GB. The same size in GiB sits beneath it. Each row is listed, and a row without enough information is marked unknown and left out of the total, with a note that the total is then a minimum.
The storage check says whether the files fit, do not fit, or cannot be judged yet. The transfer time appears only when you enter a measured speed.
What are the assumptions and limits?
- Size from bitrate is Mbps × seconds ÷ 8000, in decimal GB. Transfer time is size in megabits ÷ speed.
- The estimate is before overhead unless you enter an allowance.
- Variable bitrate means real files can be smaller or larger. Real file sizes are better when you have them.
- This is a planning aid. How a particular service behaves, and how long delivery takes, depends on that service.
A worked example
This is an illustrative example. A recording of 60 minutes at 20 Mbps works out as 20 × 3,600 ÷ 8,000, which is 9 GB, or about 8.38 GiB, before overhead.
If you then enter a sustained speed of 10 Mbps, the idealised transfer is 9 × 8,000 ÷ 10 seconds, which is 2 hours. Real conditions may take longer.
When should I message us?
If the size is more than your drive or connection can comfortably handle, message us with what you have and what the videos are for. We can talk through formats and delivery options for your event. The guide on sharing large videos with relatives or colleagues covers the practical side, and storage, raw-footage and transfer charges explains what to ask about before you agree. The archive handover planner turns the result into a folder plan and checklist.
If you are unsure what format or delivery method suits your storage and connection, tell us what you have and what the videos are for. We can talk through the options and confirm what is possible for your event.
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