optimal compression of those raw files?

[Fking]

i have 720x576, 25FPS, PAL, 16:9 raw files, captured via firewire from DV tapes
Since i'm very new at this i need to get idea what will be the best format to use for compression

I want to keep the current resolution, aspect ratio (16:9) and prolly is good idea to keep the current FPS?
The files will be used for publishing on the web, in 2 versions, low and high quality (low quality will be with half the res probably) since this would be the high quality one i want to achieve good quality in reasonable file size
so priority is
1. quality
2. size

what will be your advice? what format to use, and how to get idea what would be the optimal BitRate?

(video is shot in-house, medium movement, good light)

[guns1inger]

First, they aren't raw, but are compressed at a ratio of approx 5:1 using the DV compression codec. if you need to edit these at all, this is the best format for them to remain in until this is done. After that you can compress them in any way required.

For the low quality version you could go as low as 352 x 288 at 12 fps, and compress this to either wmv or flv. Bitrate will vary from clip to clip depending on content. There is no definitive 'universal number' for bitrate.

[Fking]

yes, they are already edited and ready for compression and publishing

i guess i'll choose between mpg and wmv since their wide popularity on the web, but still not sure which of both

btw, let me see if i have understood something correctly.
Is it true that wmv can be played while still being downloaded, while mpg needs to be downloaded completly and then can be viewed?

[Krispy Kritter]

You would likely get the best quality per MB using wmv, it would also be the most universal. And yes, wmv files can stream and play while downloading.

[Fking]

Do i need to encode them in a special way to make sure they can stream or that's default function for all wmv files?


Also is the server load the same, if a user streams the wmv or if he downloads it entirely first and then watch it locally?


thank you

[Krispy Kritter]

No special encoding is needed.

Load will be about the same. I say about, because there should be file size differences between mpg and wmv files. But all things being equal, then yes, the load is the same.

[Fking]

thank you very much
that should be enough to get me started