The Best AVI Codec So Far Is...

[State Of Mind]

Taking into consideration, filesize and image quality...what codec allows for te best image quality with moderately low filesizes, especially with minimal light conditions?

[RIAA]

minimal light conditions?

What do you mean by that? Is this footage that you personally shot on a camcorder that was filmed in low light or at night?

[State Of Mind]

Yes, shot with a camcorder with minimal lighting. I don't like the grainyness effect...was wonder what the best codec was to reduce that...

[junkmalle]

Yes, shot with a camcorder with minimal lighting. I don't like the grainyness effect...was wonder what the best codec was to reduce that...

Try h.264 or x.264.

[TBoneit]

IMO it is grainy due to the low light condition. I think I would try some filters to see if you like the effect they have on the footage. Myself if the grain was bothering me, I would try varying levels of smooth til I found a balance between grain removal and sharpness I could live with.

In terms of codec first I would filter then do my final output file. I would filter the footage before I did any other type of compression. I'm sure others will chime in.

Output target also determines codec needed. Example Standard DVD will require MPG files, Playing in a DIVX player such as the Phillips Divx player will require Divx codec, Playing on the computer only will require any computer viewing the footage to have that codec installed.

Easiest and most likely to be universal on windows based computers IMO would be to output as a WMV file.

As I said others will chime in, If you can give a little more details such as running time and the file size you would like to end up with, final target for the output will enable better targeted suggestions.

Good Luck

[edDV]

I'll second junkmalle. The Blu-Ray, HD DVD, Euro satellite and other committees have selected h.264 or VC-1 as the next generation codec. ASTC will probabaly accept h.264 and VC-1 as alterntive DTV codecs.

I'm not sure why you want to limit choice to the avi wrapper.

If you are dealing with an existing DV camcorder, stick with the DV codec.

[TBoneit]

Yes, shot with a camcorder with minimal lighting. I don't like the grainyness effect...was wonder what the best codec was to reduce that...

Codec determines output size, filters determine image quality. Filter first then output in final desired codec.

Good Luck