Converting AVI

[paythuprise]

i just uploaded a video from my camcorder through a DV cable and i have an AVI file but only prob is the file is huge. What is the best way to convert it without loosing too much quality and getting a smaller file?

[edDV]

i just uploaded a video from my camcorder through a DV cable and i have an AVI file but only prob is the file is huge. What is the best way to convert it without loosing too much quality and getting a smaller file?

What software are you using?

Normal process is to edit the large DV file and then encode to DVD MPeg2. You can also edit the DV format file and record it back to tape without much loss.

A wide range of software is available for DV editing, Mpeg encoding and DVD authoring.

Explain what you want to do with this file.

[guns1inger]

What do you want to do with it ?

Is it for editing ?
Is it for DVD ?
Is it for the web ?

[paythuprise]

i used Vegas Video to capture the video... i want to be able to send the file to friends through the internet by keeping as much quality as possible.. but the .AVI file is 1 GB for a 5 min video.

[daamon]

Edit the video using Vegas to look how you like it.

Save as DV AVI and then open that with Windows Movie Maker and encode to WMV using settings that give you the mix of filesize and quality you're happy with. You'll have to do some trial and error...

Good luck.

[edDV]

Vegas will also allow wmv export (see File, "render as").

[paythuprise]

is DIVX a good option to convert to?

[guns1inger]

Do your friends have the Divx codec installed ?

The advantage to wmv is that pretty much anyone running windows can play it. Same for mpeg1.

Most other formats require the viewer to have the correct codecs already installed, or to go and get them.

[daamon]

Vegas will also allow wmv export (see File, "render as").

Ah - I never knew that. Then again, I don't know Vegas either.