Converting Video Files to Specific Sizes

[devilcoelhodog]

Hello, dear all.

Does exist some options / settings in these programs ( HandBrake , MeGUI, StaxRip ​or similar ones ) to produce an output specific sized file?

I mean: converting some big file ( like 4 Gb ) to a small size ( for example, like 700 Mb or something ).

My goal is to create a specific size file after convertion.

Thanks for your time.

Best regards.

[jagabo]

file size = bitrate * running time

Use a bitrate calculator. Enter the size you want and the running time. It will tell you what bitrate to use.

[AllisOne]

VidCoder (using HandBrake as its encoding engine) has this option. I haven't used it for a while, but as far as I remember you can set the video size, so the file will be bigger because of added audio.

[hello_hello]

MeGUI has a bitrate calculator under the Tools menu. You can use that bitrate when configuring the encoder for 2 pass encoding.
Alternatively, if you create an encoding job using the "Auto-Encode" button, you can simply specify a file size.
MeGUI's OneClick encoder can be configured that way also, and used for batch encoding.

[mrbass]

https://www.dr-lex.be/info-stuff/videocalc.html

seems decent if you click on the bottom h265 it'll suggest a bitrate for 720p or whatever resolution you input

I usually keep default -crf 28 but if it's a crappy old video -crf 33 and just an everyday video -crf 31
yes for masterpieces -crf 23

other thing is if it's just talking I use opus 32k using mkv
but if outputting to container mp4 must use -strict -2

other thing is if you wanna rescale up or down just use -vf scale="-2:720" to go to 720p and it'll maintain your aspect ratio otherwise
you gotta use an aspect ratio calculator
https://andrew.hedges.name/experiments/aspect_ratio/

[abolibibelot]

for example, like 700 Mb or something

Should be said that there is no sound reason anymore to stick to that "700MB" figure, since CD-R is no longer the default storage medium for video files, which it hasn't been for at least 15 years (and even DVD is no longer "a thing", hasn't been for about 10 years -- I tend to be very slow at moving on, technologically speaking or otherwise, and I haven't burned a DVD for storage / archival purposes since 2013).

other thing is if you wanna rescale up or down just use -vf scale="-2:720" to go to 720p and it'll maintain your aspect ratio

Shouldn't it be a width of 1280 and whatever height is required to preserve the native aspect ratio ? (However counter-intuitive that might be, considering that many so-called "720p" videos have an actual height which is way less than 720.)