Can someone give advice on Quicktime?

[etecnifibre]

I have a WMV file that is 2MB, and I want to output in Quicktime format without the file being frikkin huge. What kind of settings do I use? When I click on the "Compression" tab, I see a list of choices 50 miles long. Also, what the hell is the Target Drive or whatever? I'm using Ulead Video Studio. Thanks for the help. I don't really need an entire lesson in video encoding, just the settings will be fine.

[miksu]

I think some version of MPEG would be best choice. It can be always opened and it's really cross-platform, wmv is M$ proprietary stuff that doesn't always play back very well.

In order of preference,
1. MPEG4 (smallest file)
2. MPEG2
3. MPEG1 (restricted frame sizes in many encoders)

Target drive is same as place to save...
You didn't mention source frame size etc, or why you actually want it to be converted? If you want to give it to Mac-user, there isn't really reason to re-encode, since VLC (for MacOSX) is able to play WMV. And M$ Windows Media Player works on MacOS 9 (and OSX), maybe also in 8.x, can be downloaded from Microsoft -> Downloads -> Mac & Other platforms

[etecnifibre]

I never, ever have had a problem with WMV playing back. Also, you get a much higher quality video out of WMV for the same file size compared to Mpeg1.
I need Quicktime for some MAC users who have asked for a downloadable video in that format.
Open a video editing program, and try to output at Quicktime, the Target playback Drive is not the place you want to save the file.
Thanks for the answer, though, I guess. Like I said in my first post, I don't need an entire lesson, I've been doing what I need to do for a while, just need input on the Quicktime.

[miksu]

You could try Sorenson-codec also, it's been included with QT at least ten years. Basically, Quicktime-files are just like AVI-files, it's only wrapper. It's almost impossible to know, what additional or included codecs your clients have.

MPEG-1 and -4 are always included with Quicktime 6.x. Divx works very well too, and there is codec for MacOS 9 and newer.

Included codecs can be found at
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/products/qt/specifications.html