Is AVI the best ARCHIVAL storage format ???

[geoff]

Thanks for the thread and the advice -- I have the exact same question. So, a follow on to your answer is: What is an easy way to create fully standard-compliant MPEG2's ? More specifically, I am using TMPGE. Should I use one of the templates ? Are they really MPEG2 compliant ? I'm capturing from Hi8 using MJPEG (704x480). Should I use a CBR, VBR, CQ-VBR ... so many options; and roughly what bit rate -- 3500 ? 5000 ?. What's a really easy way to just get solid quality that can be archived in a reasonable amount of space ? thanks - geoff
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you can count on any book standard to be supported for decades. if you want to be absolutely sure, then i'd recommend making fully standard compliant mpeg-1's, or mpeg-2's, and creating a standard vcd or dvd out of them (this would mean no sefy's templates though .

[Greg12]

uncompressed AVI, no

it's impractical.

use MPEG

if your worried about phasing out, buy a DVD with good VCD/SVCD support now and keep that.

[steve_759]

uh,no even though "full" avi's look nice, way too big.
I agree mpeg-2 works, try using the dvd template.

as for file size, you could "cut" it by using the
sceen changes in the movie, easy to re-combine
that way. (when using CD's)
or,dvd
but, store the files as "data" not like burning
video.

[Goldenaxe4000]

Hello all
for archive MOVIE file the best is AVI UNCOMPRESS
but you need a 1 tera disk !
if you dont have it ... and you probably down have
use ASF in highbitrate 910K or DIVX as 910KB
for more help i made a site that have anything inside
http://www.geocities.com/mpgtoasf
it will help you understand the DIVX or ASF
enjoy it
mail me at : goldenaxe4000@yahoo.com