Best Data Compression Software

[TheMafioso]

Hi people,

Can anyone tell me, which is the best compression software available which would give me the highest compression ratio. Time required to compress, dosen't really matter to me.

Regards
TM

 

[Zontor]

It all depends on what you're trying to compress....you use different methods to compress text, audio, video, etc.

This hasn't been updated in a while (except for *.jpg's) but should give you a general idea....

This is newer and has many good details.

You've got to be careful choosing an application - many are in beta or are command line only. Additionally many of the lesser formats will not always be backwards compatible - nor do they have the extensive user base that the more popular apps do - therefore they're not as well tested (not knocking them, just a fact).

Another factor is the switches you use when compressing. Often times tweaking the app settings can make a fair amount of difference.

I typically use 7zip, RAR, and ACE for general purpose stuff.

Enjoy the research...

edit: added clarification

 

[BlueWeasel]

Probably RAR or the 7z format....You might check out 7-zip -- it's free and can handle both formats.

 

[TheMafioso]

Thx for the gr8 links Zontor .
BTW i was trying to compress some pdf files, winrar wasn't able to do a good job with 'em.I'll try 7z.

Regards
TM

 

[jack1201]

Try ace, I feel it is better than winrar.

 

[Zontor]

Originally posted by: TheMafioso
Thx for the gr8 links Zontor .
BTW i was trying to compress some pdf files, winrar wasn't able to do a good job with 'em.I'll try 7z.

Regards
TM

PDF files are generally pretty well compressed when they're actually created. If you have several PDF's you're trying to compress into a single archive try Winrar using a solid archive.

 

[Fulcrum2000]

Originally posted by: Zontor

This hasn't been updated in a while (except for *.jpg's) but should give you a general idea....
This is newer but not as complete...

I'm the author of the maximumcompression site. Can you please explain why you thing the site is not as complete as the ACT site?. I really would like to have some feedback so I can improve the site.

TheMafioso: The best compression ratio you get with PAQAR/PAQSDA and WinRK in PWCM mode. All programs are very, very slow and the first two are command-line only.

 

[Zontor]

Originally posted by: Fulcrum2000

Originally posted by: Zontor

This hasn't been updated in a while (except for *.jpg's) but should give you a general idea....
This is newer but not as complete...

I'm the author of the maximumcompression site. Can you please explain why you thing the site is not as complete as the ACT site?. I really would like to have some feedback so I can improve the site.

TheMafioso: The best compression ratio you get with PAQAR/PAQSDA and WinRK in PWCM mode. All programs are very, very slow and the first two are command-line only.

I was not verbose enough - my error (I also, out of courtesy, edited my original post a bit.) What I meant to point out was that ACT, although older, listed the compression / decompression times in addition to the compression ratio details. In some areas you have done this too - in other areas (such as executable File Test) you have not done this.

Your site is a great and informative site - as strange as it sounds I too have a soft spot for compression although I don't yet have the math nor code background to write anything good enough to compare.

No offense was meant

 

[Fulcrum2000]

Originally posted by: Zontor

I was not verbose enough - my error (I also, out of courtesy, edited my original post a bit.) What I meant to point out was that ACT, although older, listed the compression / decompression times in addition to the compression ratio details. In some areas you have done this too - in other areas (such as executable File Test) you have not done this.

Your site is a great and informative site - as strange as it sounds I too have a soft spot for compression although I don't yet have the math nor code background to write anything good enough to compare. No offense was meant

Ok, thanks. I indeed do not mention the (de)compression times for the single file compression tests (for the reasons mentioned in the summary file), but I do include them in the multiple file compression section. There I also use more 'normal' switch options; options 'normal' users would also use.

BTW This weekend the site will be updated, laying some more emphasis on the efficiency of the compressor. You can have a sneek preview here : http://www.maximumcompression.com/data/summary_mf3.php

Hope you like it!.

 

[Zontor]

Originally posted by: Fulcrum2000

Originally posted by: Zontor

I was not verbose enough - my error (I also, out of courtesy, edited my original post a bit.) What I meant to point out was that ACT, although older, listed the compression / decompression times in addition to the compression ratio details. In some areas you have done this too - in other areas (such as executable File Test) you have not done this.

Your site is a great and informative site - as strange as it sounds I too have a soft spot for compression although I don't yet have the math nor code background to write anything good enough to compare. No offense was meant

Ok, thanks. I indeed do not mention the (de)compression times for the single file compression tests (for the reasons mentioned in the summary file), but I do include them in the multiple file compression section. There I also use more 'normal' switch options; options 'normal' users would also use.

BTW This weekend the site will be updated, laying some more emphasis on the efficiency of the compressor. You can have a sneek preview here : http://www.maximumcompression.com/data/summary_mf3.php

Hope you like it!.

Thanks! Good speaking with you!

 

[bob4432]

personally i use rar and have for years. i like it more than ace and the others, but that is imo.

 

[n0cmonkey]

rzip is supposed to be pretty good.