Reduce MPEG-2 filesize without losing too much quality?

[yic17]

What's the BEST way to reduce a MPEG-2 video filesize without losing too much quality?

I recorded some video game footage and it's in MPEG-2 format. It's 20 minutes long and 850mb in filesize.

I've noticed that there are WMV, MP4, AVI, and RMVB videos out there that are really long in length but really SMALL filesize. How can I convert my MPEG-2 video into one of those format without losing too much quality?

Thanks.

[Baldrick]

I would use h264/x264 video in mp4 to get smallest file size with best quality. Use Handbrake or Xvid4psp. Use 2-pass encoding and set the file size/bitrate, try different sizes like 100, 200MB and see how it looks like. You can also try reduce the video frame size/resolution.

[gadgetguy]

If you look to your left you will see a section titled "How To". There is a sub-section for "Convert". In that section are guides to help you convert from almost any format to almost any format. I recommend you start there.

[yic17]

I checked out the guides and used Baldrick's MP4 guide: https://forum.videohelp.com/topic355179.html

the video quality looks very good compare to the original and got the size down to 200mb!
I'll even try 100mb like suggested and see how that looks like.

this is awesome. thanks a lot.

[buddycat]

I have sort of a related question. I have a few thousand short video clips archived to mpeg2. I've been thinking about possibly converting them to .H264 MP4 files, at least in some circumstances, for storage and for uploading purposes, since it's the "format of the future" for video. What are the best settings to avoid loss of quality? I have Nero software - would I be better off with using another software? Using Nero, without much knowledge of what settings to use, takes roughly the same lengh of time as the clip itself or a little more to convert a clip.

[mike20021969]

What are the best settings to avoid loss of quality?.

That depends on the nature of the video content.

[MilesAhead]

Since they are short clips I would try to pick out a few that seem representative, if that's possible, and try them with the tools in this list:
https://www.videohelp.com/tools?toolsearch=&Submit=Search&convert=MPG+to+MP4&s=&orderby=Name&hits=50

Also you might try TEncoder, or just use FFMPeg command line. Learning to use the command line tool could come in handy as once you have an idea for the setting you'll likely want to process in batch. Some of these Guis like TEncoder just create an FFMPeg command line. When you see how it does it, it's easier to plug in your own numbers and just create a .cmd batch file. Process a 1/2 dozen clips. If they look good try 25 or 50 or 100 until you start to see problems. Then cut back on the batch size.

[buddycat]

Thanks. I"ll have a look. I don't want to encode them to a handheld device, so I'll check them for keeping the quality the way I want. The clips I have are just stuff I created from VHS conversions or rips from home DVDs.

[Cauptain]

Try RIPBOT264 to any videogame video. Load file, select 2-pass, get MB desired and tap encode.

In my encodes 12/15MB to minute in 720p files. To 20 minutes: 250/300MB




Claudio

[jagabo]

The clips I have are just stuff I created from VHS conversions or rips from home DVDs.

Keep in mind they are probably interlaced and need to be treated as such.

[Cauptain]

The clips I have are just stuff I created from VHS conversions or rips from home DVDs.

Keep in mind they are probably interlaced and need to be treated as such.

Jagabo is correct.

In RIPBOT264 go to properties/deinterlace.





Claudio