Best video file format for web page downloads.

[trueman]

hello,

I have been capturing football games with my tv capture card and I want to edit them and put highlights on my website. I usually capture in avi format using PICVideo M-JPEG 3VfW Codec and pcm audio.
I then use Studio 10 to edit out highlights of the game and then convert and upload to my website. However I am not sure which is the bst file formst I should use. I was converting them to wmv files which seemed okay but then someone told me "capture them as a mpeg then convert using divx into a avi you will get much better quality for about the same size."

Is this the case? I did convert a small clip from avi to mpeg and then used divx convert to convert it to divx and the file sizes were as follows.

original mpeg was 6.96mb
converted to divx it became 2.3mb
The same clip as a wmv file was only 1.20mb
I did notice that the divx file was a lot clearer than the wmv file however the divx file played in a window that had been squashed in on the sides so instead of 4:3 it was more like 3:4 (If you get what I mean) is there a way to fix this?

So what file format should I use?

[thecoalman]

I'd stick with WMV unless you want to provide instructions and links to the Divx codec. One of the biggest attractions about WMV is it will play on nearly every machine there is.

"capture them as a mpeg then convert using divx into a avi you will get much better quality for about the same size."

You can go directly from whatever format you have captured at to Divx, capture as AVI for the best conversion quality.

original mpeg was 6.96mb
converted to divx it became 2.3mb
The same clip as a wmv file was only 1.20mb
I did notice that the divx file was a lot clearer than the wmv file however the divx file played in a window that had been squashed in on the sides so instead of 4:3 it was more like 3:4 (If you get what I mean) is there a way to fix this?

The divx file will be a lot clearer because you have used a higher bitrate hence the larger filesize. You have to compare apples to apples. From the same cource file convert it to both WMV and DIVX using the same bitrates and resolution. I haven't done any comparisons myself as I have no use for Divx but I think you'll find the results similar. As far as your skewed video is concerned you probably used a odd resolution.

[lordsmurf]

MPEG-1

[trueman]

Well I converted the same file to avi, mpeg 1 and wmv and the results were as follows.

mpeg1= 1.43 mb
wmv= 739kb
avi = 4.3mb

It was a toss up which file was better quality out of the mpeg or the wmv file, so I might stick with wmv. Thanks for the advice.

[thecoalman]

mpeg1= 1.43 mb
wmv= 739kb
avi = 4.3mb
.

You still comparing apples to oranges... you need to compare the same bitrates. If they are the same bitrates the filesizes will be the same. Mpeg-1 is more compatible but is going to require a higher bitarate to get the same quality that WMV or DivX will provide at reduced bitrates.

[lordsmurf]

Not necessarily true. Do an MPEG-1 file at 15fps and 320x240, bitrate of 900k. Looks fine. This is just web video after all, not talking anything fancy. Small file, does a decent job.

[thecoalman]

How about a 640x360 @490kbps, 29.9 FPS... there's no comparison.

http://www.40lbhead.com/headfiles/albums/video/rockfest2005_empire_wandt.wmv

[jimmalenko]

I was converting them to wmv files which seemed okay but then someone told me "capture them as a mpeg then convert using divx into a avi you will get much better quality for about the same size."

FWIW my experience contradicts that statement.

I have actually found WMV to be smaller in filesize than DivX/XviD, which has been smaller again than MPEG-1/2, which has been smaller again than my usual source (DV-AVI), whilst retaining approximately the same visual quality.

[Baldrick]

flash 8, https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?p=1492728#1492728

[trueman]

So at the end of the day though its seems as if wmv is my best choice then?

[thecoalman]

So at the end of the day though its seems as if wmv is my best choice then?

For the most compatibility at the lowest compression IMO you have no other choice. As LS pointed out MPEG1 is more compatible but you're not going to get anywhere near the quality at the same bitrate. Divx or some other mpeg4 codec may work just as well WMV but your not going to get the compatibility.

Flash8 as Baldrick pointed out is another good alternative as well... That will get you compatibility as most people have the flash plug-in and small file sizes too. There's other advantages too flash such as interactive menus....

[trueman]

Ive converted a few to flash8 in the past but was worried many people dont have the player installed. Is there a figure available on what % of internet users do have flash?

[thecoalman]

I don't know, I've seen some posted before but that all depends on who's giving the figures... I would venture to guess it's the same or better than WMV, one thing I have seen pointed out that you can't deny is the flash player is very small download

[trueman]

I just converted a clip to flash but it was bigger than a wmv file of the same clip.