.mov to .mpg with NO CHANGES???

[frisky]

I've searched the forums, tried all the recommended tools and methods, and still I'm frustrated!

I need to know if there is a tool, method, something, that will allow me to change quicktime .mov files to .mpg (MPEG 1) files with absolutely NO CHANGES to framerate, size, aspect, ratios, etc. In other words, what I see as my qt .mov file, is exactly what I want to see as my .mpg file.

I have a series of .mov files, 240x180, 12fps that I need as comparable .mpg files. Every tool I've tried (ffmpeg, etc.) want's to expand them to either PAL or NTSC defaults and the resulting files are so bloated (not to mention, horribly pixelated) that they're useless to me.

So, is there anything available that will take a non-standard .mov file and convert it to mpeg1, while not insisting on changing the aspect and frame rate?

Thanks (I hope!)

[frisky]

I should mention, these are intended only for the web, which is why I've selected mpeg1 as the target format. Gotta be accessable to the widest number of people possible.

[ZeroSix]

if you want to reach most people by deploying your content on the web, then using any quicktime 6 codec would be a good bet. I think there are over 20 million quicktime users.

However to do what you are asking is fairly simple.

First, determine your framerate and resolution of your source.

open the .mov file in ffmpeg.

do not use any presets.

For the video codec, choose ffmpeg fast mpeg-1.

Then manually change the fraterate and resolution to match your source.

Under the audio tab, make sure you are using MP2 audio and 44.1 kHz with a sampling rate of whatever your source is. Standard is 224, but you are wanting non standard MPEg specs.

Click on encode and this will work. I have done it before.,

But you may want to seriously consider using QT6 for your deployment. You can get up to 5x the quality at the same file size and the only group of people you are shutting out is Linux users.

If you choose to use Quicktime, export your movie to QUICKTIME MOVIE and choose options, and select MPEG4 as your codec. This will allow for optimal quality at the smallest size and it will be ready for internet "fast start", so that the file will begin playing right away...

Just something to consider...

[frisky]

Appreciate the help. Any attempt to change the frame rate in ffmpegX (the only version this newbie is comfortable trying to use) generates an applscript error (framerate_y is undefined)

I guess I will use quicktime .mov for my deployment, as you suggested. I appreciate the advice on the codecs to use to make it as visible as possible.

BTW - great forum, guys. I've learned a lot just reading and searching while trying to figure this problem out.

[ZeroSix]

if you are getting errors in ff it is because you are using the mpeg2enc and NOT the ffmpeg mpeg1. ffmpeg allows any framerate while mpeg2enc only allows standard rates of 29.97, 25, and 23.98. Please study what you are using for the video encoder codec.