Image Magick -Shared Hosting And Memory

[fivestringsurf]

I have shared linux hosting (godaddy) and they have Image Magick installed but you can apparently only use it through exec() routines. I find this a pain in the rear and limiting as the image magick api doesn't seem to work to it's full capacity. Maybe it's version thing? they are running ver. 6.2.8; But I can't tell based on Image Magicks not so easy to understand website.

 

$run = exec('/usr/local/bin/convert IN.jpg -size 200x200 OUT.jpg',$out,$err); //WORKS
$run = exec('/usr/local/bin/convert IN.jpg -define jpeg:extent=400kb OUT.jpg',$out,$err); //DOES NOT WORK

 

Maybe it's my syntax, maybe it's a version thing, maybe it's an exec() thing?

Anybody have experience with Image Magick on shared hosting like this?

 

I just know someone is going to chime in and say "get new hosting" but

1. a virtual dedicated server would pretty much start at $30/month 5 times what I pay now

2. I'm not a sys admin guy or linux guy and can just forsee the headaches.

 

On another note, is there anyway I can increase the memory at runtime? My larger images say around 10mb and up don't process.

 

 

Thanks