m2v > mov file size unmanageable...PLEASE help =)

[HarpuaFSB]

Hi all,

I'm converting some ripped m2v (MPEG-2) files to Quicktime (MOV) files. I'm running under Mac OS X 10.5.1 and am doing the conversions with mm2dec. Anyway, I've split the ripped files into four m2v files. Problem is that each one, when converted to MOV takes up about 6.6 GB of hard drive space which is definitely not an option X 4. I can play m2v files through Quicktime, which automatically syncs with the aiff ripped file but would like to do the conversion cropping the black widescreen bars for better picture quality when going full screen.

Is there anyway to better convert the m2v files? I mean, I have screener MOV's of **a movie**, A+ quality and it's only two files @ 650 MB each. How could this be? Do I need to do a m2v > AVI > MOV? Am I using the right tool?

Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.

- Tom

[tgpo]

Are you wanting the final movie to be a .mov file?

[HarpuaFSB]

tgpo, thanks for the reply...

Yes, looking to have the final be a .mov file. The ripped m2v files, when shown full screen in Quicktime are half the size they should be because it's widescreen of a widescreen. Looking to convert and crop using mm2c but each piece converts to 6.6 GB which is WAY to big.

What's confusing is that I have some movies which are split within two MOV files of 650 MB each. And the quality is stellar.

Any suggestions?

[major]

HarpuaFSB, when you say "I want to convert to Quicktime" you're only talking about the container format. You still have to choose a codec which is the actual compression method.

In mm2c click on "Quicktime" and you will get a "Compression settings" dialog. There you should choose the codec in the drop-down list. If you choose "None" your .MOV will be uncompressed and will take Zillion bytes. Your two-CD movie is probably compressed with Sorenson 3 or Quicktime MPEG4 (available with QT6) which both ensure good image quality and small file size. In all cases you will end up with a .MOV container file but it will contain video and audio encoded in different ways.

By the way, the format which ensures best compression, highest image quality and fastest decode is DivX. Use ffmpegX to convert VOB or mpeg2 to DivX AVI. Install 3ivx.com "3ivx D4" codec in the Library/Quicktime folder to activate DivX playback in Quicktime player. Use doctor.3ivx.com to quickly turn the DivX AVI file in a Quicktime DivX MOV file. It will play full screen even on slower G3 macs.

[HarpuaFSB]

major,

Thanks, I've downloaded all the 3vix stuff and tried it out...slow to create the avi's in that UNIX terminal so I'll let it run overnight and report back to you tomorrow

Thanks again,
Tom