![Choosing the audio or video format to download](https://static.globalrecordings.net/images/avatars/audio-video-formats.jpg)
What audio and video formats are available?
Depending on the type of recording, GRN may have multiple formats available for download.
Audio MP3 standard quality - zip package of good quality audio files suitable for general purpose playback - approximately 1MB per minute of playback time.
Audio MP3 low quality - zip package of more compressed audio files for playback on devices with limited storage - approximately 0.3MB per minute of playback time.
Audio M3U playlist - a single small file containing links (not the actual audio files) to the standard quality MP3 files used as a playlist on your player. You must be online for these items to play.
Slideshow Video MP4 standard resolution - a single good quality MP4 file that contains pictures accompanying the gospel presentation in 640x480 resolution (2.0 level H.264 compression) - approximately 50MB for a 30 minute program.
Slideshow Video VCD AVI files - a single VCD resolution video file that contains pictures accompanying the gospel presentation in 352x288 resolution (MPEG-4 Video XVID) - approximately 20MB for a 30 minute program.
Slideshow Video 3GP very low resolution - a single poor quality file of pictures and audio suitable for use on old mobile phones and bluetooth transfer in 176x144, 8kHz audio - approximately 5MB for a 30 minute program.
Video MP4 standard resolution - a single good quality MP4 file that contains live action video, sign language or hand-crafted animation in 640x480 resolution - averaging 130MB for a 30 minute program.
Video MP4 low resolution - a single low resolution MP4 file that contains live action video, sign language or hand-crafted animation in 320x240 resolution - averaging 75MB for a 30 minute program.
How do I choose which format to download?
We recommend that, where possible, you download the good quality high resolution files as these provide the best quality gospel presentations.
The low quality MP3 and video files are designed for playback on small portable devices like mobile phones. These files are smaller in size.
The decision to download smaller, lower quality options can depend on the following.
- Bandwidth - if you have a fast connection to the internet, consider downloading the largest file available in your chosen format.
- Data allowance - if you have a large data allowance, consider downloading the largest file available in your chosen format.
- Sharing - if you are intending to share this file directly to other devices using bluetooth or other peer to peer connection, consider downloading the smaller files. Also consider sharing video files where available, as these contain multiple gospel messages in the one file and are often easier to share.
- Storage - if you need to store a large number of recordings, and/or your device does not have alot of storage capacity, consider downloading the smaller files.
- Connection - if you are using a Personal Computer, and you have an ongoing reliable connection to the internet, consider using the M3U playlist format
- Usage intentions - consider also whether you are playing back the material on big screens, playing to groups via a sound system, and the quality and capability of your playback device.
What do I do with ZIP files?
ZIP files are a reliable way to make sure you get all files in a particular format in a single download. However, you need to Unzip the files to be able to use them.
While Windows can Unzip most of of the files available from GRN, there are some that contain languages that it cannot handle. In this case we recommend the free 7-Zip utility, which can Zip and Unzip files in any format and any language.
Why do some recordings only have 1 or 2 tracks?
Audio recordings which have only 1 or 2 tracks may have been designed for cassette use, and we do not yet have a multiple track version of the recording available.
The process of restoration, remastering and making multiple track versions of our older recordings is ongoing, and the website is updated as these are available.
For further information on formats, please contact us.