Converting or Compressing a HUGE Video File

[megjad]

Im not entirely sure this hasnt already been covered some where on this page already and if it has could someone please send me in the right direction.

I am working on a project using Power Director 6. I have already edited my video but now i want to save it as a file format that can be shared with other computers on my network and be viewed in Windows Media Player. I already attempted to convert it to a WMV file how ever that took 2 days and still hadnt completed. I now have it as a MPEG2 file how ever it is huge. I need suggestions on how to either compress it or convert it to a differnt file type that is much smaller. It does not have to be all that high quality just able to be viewed on a TV as well as on a computer.

This is my first time attempting something of this magnitude and I am unsure what im doing exactly if anyone has any suggerstions they are greatly appreciated.

[thecoalman]

Either adjust the bitrate and the resolution of your current project or use VCD standard for the smallest file that will still play from a DVD/CD in a DVD player. WMV can't be used on TV unless you're outputting from a computer.

WMV can be used for computer playback and is probably you're best bet since it will play on just about any windows machine.

[megjad]

If I decrease the Bitrate what should i lower it to that will still allow for there to be a decent picture.
What about resolution?
It doesnt need to be excellent quality but it does need to be viewable.

[thecoalman]

VCD is 1152 @352x240(NTSC) , this is still a standard video format for DVD. Give you almost 8 hours a single layer DVD or a little over 4 GB's. It's appoximately the quality of VHS.

[Midzuki]

thecoalman wrote:

VCD is 1152 @352x240(NTSC) , ...
...
It's approximately the quality of VHS.

Yes, that's what most people have written about VCD-quality, but
my eyes have never agreed with that. VHS recorded in SP mode does
look better than VCD. On the other hand, 352x480 MPEG-2 @ 2600 kbps
can compare with VHS-quality. Perhaps this is just my stupid opinion,
but certainly I am not the only one who thinks so.

========================

[guns1inger]

I have never found VCD to be as good as a good VHS tape either - I would compare it to a third or fourth generation dub.

To the OP - you talk about it being huge, but huge is relative, and unhelpful. File size is not an indicator of much.

What is the running time of this file ?
What is the current resolution ?
What is the current bitrate ?

Some people see 10 GB as huge, while others regularly work with video files in the tens or even hundreds of GBs. If the bitrate is high enough, even a short video can produce a large file.

Provide more details and you will get better advice

[thecoalman]

Yes, that's what most people have written about VCD-quality, but
my eyes have never agreed with that.

Hence the term approximately. Your source is important in this matter, if for example you simply captured a VHS tape and encoded to VCD the tape is going to be superior obviously. On the other hand if you record from a high high quality mini-DV to VHS and aslo create a VCD with it you'll get pretty close results. Still not as good VHS mostly because of loss of detail because of the lower resolution but it won't be that far off. On a smaller TV you would probably not be able to see the difference at all.

[megjad]

I lowered the bitrate to 1152 so now it is a workable size. I needed it to fit on a DVD and it wasnt going to at the size it was. The video was originally taken on VHS anyway so as long as it isnt much worse it will be fine.

Thank you all for your help! I lowered the bitrate to 1152 so now it is a workable size. I needed it to fit on a DVD and it wasnt going to at the size it was. The video was originally taken on VHS anyway so as long as it isnt much worse it will be fine.

Thank you all for your help!