Convert Mini DV to MPEG-2 and post single file to Webserver

[DNCR556]

I've read most of the posts but I am still confused. My friend has many MiniDV 30 min videos and wants to convert them to a single file that can be placed on a Webserver. But he wants to maintain the highest quality. He said these 30 min videos should be around 60 Meg for download but this does not seem right. I learned that the AVI files from the Mini DV 30 min movies will be very large. I suspect people will need to download these files from the webserver and burn to a DVD. I can't see how people will be able to download 6.5GB movie. This persone does not want the movies split into scenes either. Should I use WinDV to bring the files onto my PC in AVI format? Then should I convert to MPEG-2 and post that file on the Webserver for download? From reading, I know that I don't want to convert them to WMV. How large will a 30 min MiniDV movie be once converted to MPEG-2? Should I adjust the frame size? Will they be 720x480? Or should I make them 640x480 or 320x240?

[guns1inger]

What is the object of the exercise ?

If you want people to stream it, then keep it on the smaller size and accept a compromise in quality. If you want them to download and watch it later, you can push the size, and therefore quality, up a notch or two.

Personally, I would make up some samples of different resolutions and bitrates, then sit down with this person and show them the difference and explain the reasons and consequences.

[FulciLives]

When you convert 30 minutes to a DVD spec MPEG-2 file you will be looking at a file size of approximately 2.0GB per 30 minute video. That's at a video bitrate of 9000kbps (use CBR encoding) and an audio bitrate of 256kbps (use AC-3 audio). That's more than high enough quality!

You can actually fit 2 of the 30 minute videos onto one standard single layer DVD disc. If you only post MPEG-2 files the person downloading it will have to "author" it and not everyone will have that software and/or knowledge.

So you might want to just create an ISO file that includes 2 of the 30 minute videos ... pre-authored ... ready-to-burn. This way people downloading it can just BURN without doing anything to the downloaded file(s). If they just want to watch without burning then direct them to use the "VLC media player" which is a freeware media player that is available for multiple platforms (MS Windows, Mac OSX and Linux). The "VLC media player" can play an ISO file as if you are playing back the original DVD ... all without having to burn it.

Of course one DVD ISO will be about 4.0GB give or take.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman