How and what to use to compress video in Virtualdub

[carlmart]

OK, I converted an SD video to mkv, loaded it on Virtualdub and tried several filters to enhance it. mostly sharpening and adjusting contrast. Subtle, but effective.

Now I need to process the whole video, but I don't know what compression plugin to use for better quality and how to set it up.

I know I do need to use compression, as the last time I tried that with another video, the video size was around 70Gb.

So I need to know if there's a way to adjust the final size.

[KBeee]

"OK, I converted an SD video to mkv" Why?

What do you want to do with it?

[LigH.de]

VirtualDub (the original one by Avery Lee) only supports the AVI container as output, and only VfW codecs as compressors. Any modern and efficient video compression format does not belong into the AVI container anymore, though. Even though x264vfw and x265vfw do exist, I would not recommend using them to create an AVI file with AVC or HEVC video.

From version 1.10 on, VirtualDub also supports the definition of external encoders and multiplexers. This way you could encode e.g. with x264 to AVC and multiplex it into MP4 or MKV. But setting VirtualDub up to handle the required tools is a bit elaborate.

VDubFilterMod includes x264 in the list of compressors (Ctrl+P) with a more modern interface, and it can also write MP4 or MKV. This workflow may be suitable to you. You will have to "Configure" the compressor's "Rate control" to either a quality level (CRF), or calculate a desired target bitrate (this will require 2 passes for both optimal quality distribution and matching target size).

[carlmart]

"OK, I converted an SD video to mkv" Why?

What do you want to do with it?

I want to make the video look better. The transfer is very poor. And mkv is a better format.

VDubFilterMod includes x264 in the list of compressors (Ctrl+P) with a more modern interface, and it can also write MP4 or MKV. This workflow may be suitable to you. You will have to "Configure" the compressor's "Rate control" to either a quality level (CRF), or calculate a desired target bitrate (this will require 2 passes for both optimal quality distribution and matching target size).

Where do I get VDubFilterMod? Google didn't find it.

[jagabo]

I want to make the video look better. The transfer is very poor. And mkv is a better format.

MKV is a container. The container has no effect on the quality of the video contained within.

[LigH.de]

https://sourceforge.net/projects/vdfiltermod/

[TimA-C]

What did you convert it from? In other words, can you load your original file into Virtualdub or Virtualdub ModFilter and save yourself some time? (Don't forget that there are loads of additional filters that can be added to either Vdub or Vdub ModFilter, you're not stuck with just the ones that came with it.)

[LigH.de]

Virtualdub ModFilter

VirtualDub FilterMod!

[TimA-C]

Hi LigH.de thanks for pointing out that I'd had two ****-ups on the keyboard front! D'oh! Nothing like having your shortcomings flagged up and mocked at the same time!

[LigH.de]

Well, at least we know now which name VideoHelp recognizes and links automatically to the matching software page.

[TimA-C]

Doesn't mean I'll be able to type it corektly.