Shrinking size of mpeg file? convert to another format? how

[DonGallego28]

I have a few episodes/clips on my computer of certain shows that are in .mpeg format. They run between 10 minutes & 30 minutes. I want to keep them on my cpu but I don't want to waste a lot of space. Can someone recommend how to get the file size lower. Right now they're at about 250 mb for about 10 minutes of video. Is there a format that can shrink that size? I don't mind losing a bit of quality on the video but nothing excessive. I know .wmv is an option but is there anything else?

[jimmalenko]

Running Time and bitrate are the only two variables that affect filesize, so you can always just lower the bitrate. Of course this generally means a lesser quality, which means that you may have to lower the frame size as well. Or you can use a more compressible codec, such as WMV, DivX, XviD ..... to name but a few.

Without knowledge of the frame size and bitrate of the source, it's a bit hard to give you any solid info.

[DonGallego28]

How can I check what the bitrate is? Gspot Codec Info is saying n/a so I'm not sure what's wrong. How would I go about shrinking the bitrate? What would make a smaller video size (divx or xvid?). Thanks for all the help!

[jimmalenko]

Try the latest GSpot Beta (2.52). It reads MPEG files properly.

[DonGallego28]

ok cool...here are the specs

sys bitrate: 2210 kb/s VBR
MPEG-1 System Stream
Length - 7:21
Frms - ~11026 kbps - ~2082
Pics & Frames Per Sec - 25.000

Seems like the bitrate is really high. Any ideas?

[jimmalenko]

Frame size ?

[DonGallego28]

448*336

I'd like to keep the frame size the same if possible?

[DonGallego28]

also

bitrate = 1204569 bps

[DonGallego28]

Are there any good programs to convert to .wmv? I tried boilsoft asf converter but it always shrinks the frame size regardless of what i specify.

[jimmalenko]

Your video bitrate is 2082kbps, and looks like 128kbps MP3 audio.


I'd either use Windows Movie Maker and the High Quality video (small) template, or use AutoGK and convert to XviD.

[DonGallego28]

ok i'll try them out...thanks for the help!