2 part Question: Video Compression & Converting Files

[DivineWrath]

What type of file compresses video the most with the best results. (RealMedia, Windows Media, QuickTime, MPEG, ETC.) Also, how can I convert a file from one thing to another? (I haven't been able to find any software that can do these conversions.)

 

[richleader]

Each one has a variety of codecs, all suited for individual purposes. for example, quicktime is designed for best playback, while intel indeo is designed for real time compression. Mpeg2 is the dvd standard, while Divx mpeg4 is catching on with video enthusiasts.

http://www.tmpgenc.com/

That can handle some of your chores, but you'll probably have to get a real video suite like Premier if you want to do something serious.

 

[sohcrates]

also check out virtual dub (freeware) for file compression as well as splitting/joining movies

 

[NicColt]

>What type of file compresses video the most with the best results.

there's no question that the Windows Media Video v8 Codec has the best compression for the quality.

>Also, how can I convert a file from one thing to another?

it depends if it's an open codec like divx which is a hack of the Microsoft MPEG4 v3 codec. MPEG1 is another type of open codec. WMV (windows media video) which is Microsoft's MPEG4 v7 or v8 is a closed codec. which means that you cannot open it to convert it to another codec. Once you render video to WMV that's it. unless you want to use XP's movie maker to edit it. even if you edit it with movie maker you can't render it to another codec.

>(I haven't been able to find any software that can do these conversions.)

virtualdub is free but won't edit MPEG2 and it's quite frustrating to use. RM and QT for example are proprietary codecs, meaning that you need to use one of their editors to edit RM or QT clips. If you want to edit MPEG1 or MPEG2 or AVI's then you will need an mpeg2 editor and Sonic Foundry makes one of the best and cheap video editors I have ever seen called Video Factory and it goes for $69 for download. if you get that one make sure you add the MPEG1 and MPEG2 codecs.

 

[NEVERwinter]

well.. typical Video format is MPEG-1 (*.MPG) it has VCD standard. for DVD, it's called MPEG-2 which usually twice bigger than MPEG-1.
RealVideo is sutable for straming media, so the quality is.. err... poor I don't know much about Quicktime. Windows Media (*.asf, *.wmv) is pretty good if you got the right compression rate. and the one calles DivX which is a hacked version of Windows Media, could be your best choice for compressing MPEG.
check www.vcdhelp.com for a lot of help in video encoding
and there's also some articles about encoding on www.tomshardware.com

 

[Superwormy]

DivX 4.12 has GREAT compresssion and quality, but its slow to encode stuff.

Can't speak for DivX 5, but I've heard some VERY good things about it from others. Supposeudly excellent video quality, I'm testing it now in another 17 hours (slllooowwww computer) I'll know for sure how it is.