Low-motion film = MUCH smaller file(s)

[Wizeman]

Using the bitrate calculator isn't an exact science.
When backing up a dual DVD I own into a SVCD, the bitrate calculator suggested that the 1h43m film would fit nicely on 2 CDs with a video bitrate of 1950. But after encoding, the entire filesize was - 980MBs.

Just for fun, I re-encoded @ 1555 video bitrate just to shoehorn the entire film (well, minus the credits) onto one (1) 80min CD. I am still amazed at how good it looks. Needless to say, I intend to INcrease the bitrate and have it look its best on 2 cds, but it was still an interesting experiment. A friend explained that the main reason was that the film in question ("I see dead people!") mainly consisted of "talking heads" and long slow shots - since it's a far cry from an action movie, the bitrate algorithm takes a nose-dive and a lot less space is actually called for. I knew this in theory, but to see the astounding effect it has on a filesize (the final video file was under 750MBs for the entire feature) was a great surprise.

/Wizeman a.k.a. El Rocho of the Movie Madhouse

[KaiCherry]

I have seen this as well, and the first time i did i thought i did something wrong

-K